Based on the best-selling book, Corporate Finance for Dummies, by Michael Taillard. Master the essentials of corporate finance with this accessible, real-world focused course. You’ll explore core concepts like financial statements, cash flow analysis, and valuation of stocks and bonds—all explained through clear, practical examples. Learn how to assess financial risk, understand portfolio theory, and navigate key processes like mergers and acquisitions. Designed for online learners, the content breaks down complex topics into digestible, actionable insights, making finance approachable for all levels.

Corporate Finance for Dummies

Recommended experience
Recommended experience
Beginner level
Ideal for beginners with no prior finance experience, this course is designed for anyone curious about corporate finance. No advanced math required.
Recommended experience
Recommended experience
Beginner level
Ideal for beginners with no prior finance experience, this course is designed for anyone curious about corporate finance. No advanced math required.
What you'll learn
Simplified explanations of complex financial concepts using real-world examples
Comprehensive coverage of financial statements, valuation, risk management, and M&A
Designed for self-paced online learning with intuitive, step-by-step guidance
Details to know

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March 2026
22 assignments
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There are 22 modules in this course
In this section, we explore corporate finance as the quantification of intangible value by framing money as debt. This perspective enables measurable decision-making in resource allocation, investment, and real-world financial planning.
What's included
2 videos3 readings1 assignment
2 videos• Total 2 minutes
- Course Overview• 1 minute
- The Tale of Corporate Finance: Telling a Story with Numbers - Overview Video• 1 minute
3 readings• Total 20 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Characterizing Motivations• 5 minutes
- Setting the Stage• 5 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- The Value-Driven Framework of Corporate Finance• 10 minutes
In this section, we explore key organizations in corporate finance, analyze the roles of financial institutions and regulators, and map practical career paths using real-world examples to build a clear understanding of the financial ecosystem.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Introducing Finance Land - Overview Video• 1 minute
5 readings• Total 50 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Credit Unions• 10 minutes
- Securities Firms• 10 minutes
- Business Credit Institutions• 10 minutes
- Getting a Job in Finance Land• 10 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Core Concepts in Finance Land• 10 minutes
In this section, we explore corporate capital sources, compare debt and equity financing, and analyze loan terms using financial metrics to make informed funding decisions for sustainable business growth.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Raising Capital for Your Business - Overview Video• 1 minute
1 reading• Total 20 minutes
- Raising Capital for Your Business - The Reading• 20 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Corporate Finance and Equity Pitching Fundamentals• 10 minutes
In this section, we explore the balance sheet's structure, analyzing assets, liabilities, and owners' equity using the equation Assets = Liabilities + Owners' Equity. We classify items by liquidity and term, enabling accurate assessment of financial position and informed decision-making.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Staying Balanced - Overview Video• 1 minute
2 readings• Total 40 minutes
- Introduction• 20 minutes
- Straight-Line and Unit-of-Production Depreciation• 20 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Staying Balanced: Core Concepts of Financial Statement Accuracy• 10 minutes
In this section, we analyze the income statement to assess financial health by evaluating key metrics such as EBIT, net income, gross margin, and operating income. Learners gain practical skills to interpret financial data and assess earnings quality and sustainability.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Incoming Income - Overview Video• 1 minute
2 readings• Total 20 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Operating Income• 10 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Analyzing Company Income and Profitability• 10 minutes
In this section, we analyze the statement of cash flows (SCF) by identifying operating, investing, and financing cash flows, assessing trends in operating cash flow, and calculating net cash change to evaluate a company's financial health and sustainability.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Going with the (Cash) Flow - Overview Video• 1 minute
2 readings• Total 20 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Investing Cash Flows• 10 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Cash Flow Analysis and Business Financial Health• 10 minutes
In this section, we analyze a company's financial health using liquidity ratios like the current ratio, profitability metrics such as net profit margin and ROA, and debt efficiency measures including long-term debt to operating property, enabling data-driven decision-making.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Mastering Metrics - Overview Video• 1 minute
5 readings• Total 60 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Days Sales in Inventory• 10 minutes
- Working Capital• 10 minutes
- Operating Cash Flows to Current Maturities• 10 minutes
- Return on Operating Assets• 20 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Mastering Key Business Metrics• 10 minutes
In this section, we analyze capital efficiency, debt health, and investor returns using key metrics like EPS, Debt to Equity Ratio, and Operating Cash Flows to Total Debt, enabling informed corporate finance and investment decisions.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Calculating Capital - Overview Video• 1 minute
5 readings• Total 50 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Price to Earnings Ratio• 10 minutes
- Book Value per Share• 10 minutes
- Net Interest Margin• 10 minutes
- Loans to Deposits Ratio• 10 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Evaluating Financial Health Through Key Ratios• 10 minutes
In this section, we explore the time value of money, calculating present value (PV) and future value (FV) using simple and compound interest, while analyzing how inflation and interest rates impact financial decisions and investment evaluations.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Determining Present and Future Values: Time Is Money - Overview Video• 1 minute
3 readings• Total 25 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Predicting Future Value• 5 minutes
- A Closer Look at Earnings• 10 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Mastering Present and Future Value Principles• 10 minutes
In this section, we explore capital budgeting using NPV, IRR, and payback period to evaluate investment viability, determine recovery time, and optimize financial resource allocation for improved project management outcomes.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Calling in the Cavalry - Overview Video• 1 minute
6 readings• Total 55 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Calculating Revenue• 10 minutes
- Limitations of IRR• 10 minutes
- Managing the Project's Value• 5 minutes
- Calculating the Equivalent Annual Cost• 10 minutes
- Value Schedule Metrics• 10 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Evaluating Project Profitability and Performance• 10 minutes
In this section, we explore bond types, issuers, and valuation using present value (PV) formulas. We analyze fixed- and floating-rate bond risks to support informed debt financing and investment decisions.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Bonding Over Business - Overview Video• 1 minute
4 readings• Total 35 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Backing Up with Assets• 5 minutes
- Calling It In with Callable Bonds• 10 minutes
- Reading Bond Information• 10 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Bond Fundamentals and Investment Decision-Making• 10 minutes
In this section, we learn about stock orders, long and short positions, and valuation models to make informed investment decisions.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Savvy Stock Sales - Overview Video• 1 minute
2 readings• Total 30 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Pegged Order• 20 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Mastering Stock Trading Mechanics and Market Behavior• 10 minutes
In this section, we analyze option pricing using derived value models, valuate forwards and futures with standard formulas, and apply swap agreements to manage financial risk exposure in corporate environments.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Pricing Probability from Derived Value - Overview Video• 1 minute
2 readings• Total 30 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Paying It Forward• 20 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Pricing Probability and Derived Value in Financial Derivatives• 10 minutes
In this section, we explore core financial risks in corporate finance, including interest-rate, inflation, credit, and foreign exchange risk. Learners gain practical skills to assess and manage these risks for improved financial stability and decision-making.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Managing Uncertainty - Overview Video• 1 minute
2 readings• Total 30 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Getting Shady with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk• 20 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Managing Uncertainty in Global Business• 10 minutes
In this section, we analyze risk-return trade-offs, implement diversification to optimize efficiency, and measure risk using CAPM and BETA, providing practical tools for informed investment decision-making in uncertain markets.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Through the Looking Glass of Modern Portfolio Theory - Overview Video• 1 minute
7 readings• Total 70 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Understanding Passive versus Active Management• 10 minutes
- Risking Returns• 10 minutes
- Considering Risk Aversion• 10 minutes
- Measuring Risk• 10 minutes
- Assumptions of Perfection• 10 minutes
- Reaching the Efficient Frontier• 10 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Efficient Portfolio Construction and Risk-Return Trade-offs• 10 minutes
In this section, we explore financial engineering through asset bundling, slicing, and modeling for smarter risk and strategic decision-making.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Financially Engineering Yourself Deeper Down the Rabbit Hole - Overview Video• 1 minute
6 readings• Total 50 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Slicing Securities into Tranches• 10 minutes
- Bundling Assets• 10 minutes
- Options• 5 minutes
- Financial Engineering• 5 minutes
- Changing the Face of Trading• 10 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Financial Engineering in Modern Investment Strategies• 10 minutes
In this section, we calculate WACC using market values, assess the tax-adjusted cost of debt, and evaluate the cost of equity via CAPM to determine optimal capital structure and minimize financing costs in practical corporate applications.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Weighing Capital - Overview Video• 1 minute
4 readings• Total 35 minutes
- Introduction• 5 minutes
- Measuring Cost of Capital, the WACC Way• 10 minutes
- Dividend Policy• 10 minutes
- Getting Warren Buffett's Take• 10 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Weighing Capital: Strategic Financing and Value Creation• 10 minutes
In this section, we analyze financial performance using vertical and horizontal common-size comparisons, rate-of-change cross comparisons over time, and risk-adjusted return on capital to assess earnings quality and investment effectiveness.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Assessing Financial Performance - Overview Video• 1 minute
6 readings• Total 60 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Horizontal Common-Size Comparisons• 20 minutes
- Comparison Against the Industry• 5 minutes
- Determining the Quality of Earnings• 10 minutes
- Sources of Cash Flows• 5 minutes
- Assessing Investment Performance• 10 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Evaluating Financial Health and Accounting Practices• 10 minutes
In this section, we analyze historical financial data using regression and probability distributions to forecast future outcomes. Learners apply statistical methods and reference class evaluation to improve planning accuracy and assess forecast uncertainty.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Forecasting Finances - Overview Video• 1 minute
5 readings• Total 50 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Finding an Average• 10 minutes
- Calculating Probability• 10 minutes
- Finding Trends and Patterns• 10 minutes
- Doing a Regression Analysis• 10 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Financial Forecasting: Analytical Concepts and Applications• 10 minutes
In this section, we analyze M&A motives using strategic frameworks, evaluate business value through cash-flow projections, and apply financing methods to real-world transactions, enhancing decision-making in corporate finance.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Getting the Deets on M&A - Overview Video• 1 minute
4 readings• Total 55 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Geographic Expansion• 20 minutes
- The AMD Acquisition of Xilinx• 5 minutes
- Factoring• 20 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Mergers and Acquisitions: Strategic and Financial Foundations• 10 minutes
In this section, we explore exchange rate impacts on international cash flows, implement forward contracts for hedging, and evaluate cross-listing to access global capital, enhancing strategic decision-making in a globalized economy.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Ten Things You Need to Know about International Finance - Overview Video• 1 minute
3 readings• Total 40 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Purchasing Power and Exchange Rates Are Different Things• 20 minutes
- Politics Complicate Your Life• 10 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- International Finance: Theory, Risk, and Global Practices• 10 minutes
In this section, we explore how cognitive biases and emotions influence corporate financial decisions. You'll learn to identify irrational behaviors, apply prospect theory, and improve judgment through awareness of psychological influences on risk and choice.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video• Total 1 minute
- Ten Things You Need to Understand about Behavioral Finance - Overview Video• 1 minute
5 readings• Total 35 minutes
- Introduction• 10 minutes
- Framing Affects Your Decision-Making Prowess• 5 minutes
- Making Sound Financial Decisions Involves Identifying Logical Fallacies• 5 minutes
- Financial Stampeding Can Get You Trampled• 5 minutes
- Satisficing Is Good Enough• 10 minutes
1 assignment• Total 10 minutes
- Behavioral Finance: Irrational Choices and Mental Shortcuts• 10 minutes
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