Course Review: Introduction to Finance and Accounting Specialization by University of Pennsylvania (Coursera)
Learn the basics of finance and accounting. Build key business skills to make smart financial choices with this 4-course online series.
Instructor: Michael R Roberts, Brian J Bushee, Jessica Wachter
Course Overview
This beginner-friendly specialization teaches core finance and accounting skills. Learn to value cash flows, read financial statements, and make smart business decisions. Perfect for anyone new to the field or needing a refresher. Topics include NPV, IRR, time value of money, bookkeeping, and financial analysis. Flexible, 100% online learning from University of Pennsylvania experts.
Duration: 1 month at 10 hours a week (flexible schedule)
Chapters:
- Fundamentals of Finance
- Introduction to Corporate Finance
- Introduction to Financial Accounting
- More Introduction to Financial Accounting
Tutor: Michael R Roberts, Brian J Bushee, Jessica Wachter
Pros & Cons
👍Pros
- ✅ Flexible schedule lets you learn at your own pace.
- ✅ Covers both finance and accounting basics with real-world examples.
- ✅ Earns a shareable certificate from a top university.
👎Cons
- ❌ May be too basic for experienced finance professionals.
- ❌ Requires self-discipline to keep up without fixed deadlines.
- ❌ Heavy use of Excel may challenge those with no spreadsheet experience.
🧑🎓 Who is This Course Best For?
This course is perfect for anyone wanting to learn finance and accounting from scratch or refresh their knowledge. It helps you understand key ideas, use practical tools like Excel, and make smart choices for work or personal goals. The flexible online format makes learning easy for busy people.
- New Business Students
Get a strong start with finance and accounting basics. Learn terms, tools, and methods you’ll use in advanced courses or an MBA program. - Career Switchers
Gain the skills you need to move into finance or accounting jobs. Learn core ideas like cash flow, valuation, and bookkeeping for a smooth transition. - Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners
Understand your finances better. Learn to manage budgets, plan investments, and read financial statements for smart business decisions. - Working Professionals
Refresh your knowledge of key concepts such as NPV, IRR, and financial analysis. Stay sharp and ready to apply your skills in new projects or roles. - Anyone Curious About Finance
Build clear, practical knowledge even without prior experience. Gain the confidence to handle personal or business finances with ease.
📘 What You’ll Learn
This course gives you a strong foundation in finance and accounting. You’ll learn how to value cash flows, understand key financial terms, and use Excel for real-world problems. By reading financial statements, you’ll see how companies share important details. The flexible format lets you study at your own pace and gain skills that help in business, personal finance, or career growth. It’s designed to make tough ideas easy and practical to use.
- Discounting and compounding cash flow streams
- Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
- Time value of money and risk-return tradeoff
- Reading and analyzing income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements
- Accrual accounting and bookkeeping basics
- Financial statement analysis for better decisions
- Capital budgeting and asset valuation
- Using Excel to solve real-world finance problems
- Understanding operating, investing, and financing cash flows
- How companies account for debt and equity investments
❓FAQs
Ready to Start Learning?
Audit courses for free or enroll to earn the full specialization certificate