Can I take the course for free?

No, you cannot take this course for free. When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.

Principles of Financial Leadership Specialization

Principles of Financial Leadership Specialization

Master Core Concepts of Financial Leadership. Gain practical finance skills to analyse capital, valuation, and sustainable business performance.

Instructor: University of Cambridge - Professional and Continuing Education

Included with Coursera Plus

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3 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.5

(11 reviews)

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

7 months to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

3 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.5

(11 reviews)

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

7 months to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Apply essential financial and accounting fundamentals in real workplace contexts.
Build and interpret financial models using clear structure, workflow, and visualization.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

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Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
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Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from University of Cambridge

Specialization - 3 course series

The Principles of Financial Leadership specialization equips learners with the essential tools to understand, interpret, and apply financial concepts in real-world business contexts. Across three courses (Foundations of Finance, Foundations of Corporate Finance, and Financial Accounting and Capital Markets) you will explore the differences between debt and equity, cash flow and accounting profit, and book versus market value. You’ll develop a practical understanding of key concepts such as capitalisation, depreciation, IRR, and discounted cash flow analysis, reinforced through case studies, industry insights, and interactive knowledge checks. By the end of the specialization, you will be able to evaluate financial performance, compare investment opportunities, and make informed, sustainable business decisions with confidence.

Applied Learning Project

Learners will apply their financial leadership skills to evaluate real-world business scenarios, from comparing investment projects using DCF and IRR to assessing market versus book valuations of companies. By practising with authentic case studies and industry examples, they will gain the ability to make sound, evidence-based financial decisions that drive sustainable business performance.

Foundations of Finance

Course 136 hours

What you'll learn

This course provides a rigorous, but straightforward, introduction to the key concepts of financial understanding. Using real-world case studies and practitioner interviews, as well as timely knowledge checks, you will integrate your new knowledge and problem solving skills with practical application.

The course will be particularly beneficial if you: engage with/need to engage with financial specialists, and want to collaborate more effectively; are self-employed or are considering self-employment; are considering a career or secondment in finance; you are interested in corporate finance, financial management, or business finance; or you are simply interested in the subject and wish to know more.

Skills you'll gain

Risk Management, Return On Investment, Cash Flows, Financial Statements, Cash Flow Forecasting, Business Risk Management, Finance, Stakeholder Management, Financial Acumen, Financial Reporting, Financial Planning, Investment Management, Financial Management, and Business Ethics

Financial Accounting and Capital Markets

Course 2136 hours

What you'll learn

This course focuses on financial accounting, capital markets, and the relationships between them. On completion of this course, you will be able to:

Apply and explain accruals and accruals accounting. Model and explain financial sensitivities. Appreciate the role of markets, and our place in them. Understand and apply sustainable finance. Integrate your learning and identify your next steps. With case studies, mini-quizzes, as well as clear expert lectures this course enables you to apply terms and techniques that have been explained to ensure that the learning makes sense in the real world. Skills learned can be put to use when making strategic decisions, or simply understanding financial modelling for projects or the wider business. An organisation’s sustainable cash flows and its accounting profits (or losses) are both supremely important, but they can be very different. Explore the differences between debt and share capital, fact and judgement in financial reporting and financial markets, and understand and apply terms such as capitalisation, depreciation, amortisation and revaluation.

Skills you'll gain

Capital Markets, Microsoft Excel, Financial Modeling, Financial Statements, Accrual Accounting, Equities, Depreciation, Cash Flows, Financial Accounting, Sustainable Business, Strategic Decision-Making, Financial Analysis, Accruals, Profit and Loss (P&L) Management, Accounting, Financial Market, and Loans

Foundations of Corporate Finance

Course 3107 hours

What you'll learn

Through this course you will not only learn key financial concepts, but how to apply them to a business to improve its financial prospects.

As you know, sustainable businesses need to earn consistent and predictable profits, but it is important to understand how these are calculated. Different accounting techniques, and how to value a business are explored throughout the sessions below: Whether one of your KPIs is Total shareholder return, or you want to understand the figures associated with your capital investments, this course will de-mystify financial reports and help you to make balanced assessments of risks and opportunities.

Skills you'll gain

Corporate Finance, Business Valuation, Stakeholder Management, Risk Management, Cash Flows, Capital Budgeting, Financial Analysis, Return On Investment, Business Risk Management, Financial Statements, Performance Measurement, Accounting, Financial Modeling, Financial Statement Analysis, Corporate Sustainability, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), and Corporate Communications

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

University of Cambridge - Professional and Continuing Education

University of Cambridge

13 Courses17,840 learners

Offered by

University of Cambridge

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Frequently asked questions

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Principles of Financial Leadership Specialization

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Advance your subject-matter expertise