Finance Minor

This is an introduction to the basic accounting model and the framework for developing financial statements. The major focus is on the study of generally accepted accounting principles as they apply to the measurement of income and the presentation of a firm's financial position.
(Normally offered each semester.)

A study of accounting theory and procedure and the preparation of financial statements for corporations. Subjects include present value concepts and the measurement, recording, and presentation of cash receivables, inventory, income, fixed assets, and intangible asset transactions.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or better in ACCT 1320 Principles of Accounting II or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

Students are introduced to financial management of proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. Concepts of risk and return, time value of money, and stock and bond valuation are analyzed from a quantitative approach and applied throughout the course. Additional topics covered are the cost of capital as related to discounted cash flow, capital budgeting, and strategic financing decisions. A project consisting of several spreadsheet applications will be utilized in order to expose students to their potential for financial analysis. Topics covered include: basic financial statements, financial ratio analysis, time value of money, valuation and rates of return, the cost of capital, and capital budgeting.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and grades of "C-" or better in ECON 1530 Macroeconomic Principles or ECON 1540 Microeconomic Principles, ACCT 1320 Principles of Accounting II, and a department-approved Math course (MATH 1100 College Algebra, MATH 1400 Pre-Calculus, MATH 1450 Finite Mathematics, MATH 1500 Calculus for Management, Biological, and Social Sciences or MATH 1600 Calculus I), or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each semester.)

This course provides a comprehensive examination of the general principles of financial planning, professional conduct and regulation, and education planning. The course introduces students to the financial planning process and working with clients to set goals and assess risk tolerance. In addition, students will learn to process and analyze information, construct personal financial statements, develop debt management plans, recommend financing strategies, and understand the basic components of a written comprehensive financial plan. The course also covers the regulatory environment, the time value of money, and economic concepts. The course and curriculum are approved by the CFP Board of Standards. This course is an online class offered through the Lower Cost Models Consortium.

Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing.

This course provides a comprehensive examination of the general principles of risk management and insurance planning for individual and family clients. The course first introduces students to the risk management and insurance planning process and working with clients to analyze and evaluate risk exposures. Second, the core insurance lines of coverage are explored in detail, including health, disability, long-term care, life, and personal property and casualty (homeowners', personal auto policy, etc.). In addition, the student will learn to analyze an individual and family's insurance needs, select the most appropriate insurance policy and company, and understand a business owner's use of insurance to protect the business's assets and future income. The course and curriculum are approved by the CFP Board of Standards. This course is an online class offered through the Lower Cost Models Consortium.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or higher in BUSAD 3710 General Principles of Financial Planning.

This course provides students with the foundation to conduct a retirement needs analysis for individuals. In addition, students will understand the different types of retirement plans available to individuals and recognize the key factors that affect retirement plan selection for business owners. Students will evaluate and compare the characteristics of various retirement plans, address client suitability, and provide plan recommendations. The course covers tax-deferred retirement plans, IRAs, nonqualified plans, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, distribution strategies, taxation of distributions, and regulatory considerations. The course and curriculum are approved by the CFP Board of Standards. This course is an online class offered through the Lower Cost Models Consortium.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or higher in BUSAD 3710 General Principles of Financial Planning.

Students are provided with a background in investments, including the types of securities available to investors today in the money and capital markets and the security markets where they are traded. Fixed income and equity securities are analyzed from a quantitative perspective. Additional topics include various approaches to common stock analysis and open and closed-end investment companies. This course also requires students to manage funds for the University's endowment.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or better in BUSAD 3700 Financial Management or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

This course is an introduction to security and portfolio analysis. Students will be actively engaged in the management of monies recieved from Nebraska Wesleyan alumni and friends of the University. The monies are part of Nebraska Wesleyan's Endowment. Students will gain a fundamental understanding of portfolio management theories and their application by money managers in the market place. Emphasis is placed on gaining a better understanding and application of investment theories and concepts, and portfolio management including, but not limited to, economic, industry and company analysis, and the allocation of the NWU SIG's Fund assets. Performance is based upon total returns which are tracked by the University's consultants for the management of endowment funds. The Student Investment Group evaluates securities for sale on a regular basis and may sell securities as the SIG concludes is most appropriate. Decisions for the purchase of securities must be presented to a committee per Nebraska Wesleyan's SIG Guidelines which are part of the Board of Governor's Investment Policy Statement. Each spring semester an annual newsletter is created regarding the SIG's activities and performance. This newsletter is used for several purposes including reporting to the Financial Committee of the Board of Governors whom is ultimately responsible for the portfolio. No P/F.
Prerequisite(s): BUSAD 3700 Financial Management or permission of the instructor.

Students will examine bank management from a practical perspective. This includes the organization of the banking system, the evolution of bank regulations, and the perspectives of bankers and regulators toward these rules. Trends in banking and its competition and liquidity, loan, and investment management will also be studied. Students will discover the unique challenges confronting managers of commercial banks as they operate within various competitive markets.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or better in BUSAD 3700 Financial Management.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

This course covers the basic concepts and practices used in the field of international finance including differences in both customs and operating procedures between the United States and its trading partners. The focus will be on their international monetary system and emphasis on the role of international finance in multinational corporations, financing foreign operations, foreign investment analysis, country risk analysis, government currency controls, exchange rates, and arbitrage.
Prerequisite(s): Grades of "C-" or better in ECON 1530 Macroeconomic Principles and ECON 1540 Microeconomic Principles.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

A three-part seminar dealing with corporate finance, investments, and bank management. This course is considered to be the final course prior to job entry for a student who wishes to pursue a career in finance. This course also requires students to manage funds for the University's endowment.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or better in BUSAD 3700 Financial Management or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

An examination of the macroeconomic theories, problems, and policies of the U.S. economy. Topics include supply and demand, a description of the main sectors of the economy, and the role of government in stabilizing the economy with monetary and fiscal policies.
(Normally offered each semester.)

An examination of the microeconomic theories, problems, and policies of the U.S. economy. Topics include the theory of the firm, market structures, and current economic issues such as income distribution, antitrust policy, poverty, the farm problem, and international trade.
Prerequisite(s): ECON 1530 Macroeconomic Principles strongly recommended.
(Normally offered each semester.)

A study of the mechanisms by which resources are allocated in a market economy, the effects of imperfect competition upon resource allocation, and the pricing and employment of inputs.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or better in ECON 1540 Microeconomic Principles
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

A study of the concepts and measurement of national income, including an analysis of the forces determining the level of national income and employment, the price level, and the rate of economic growth.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or better in ECON 1530 Macroeconomic Principles.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

This course offers an introduction to the methodology and estimation of econometric models. We will do basic econometrics analysis, including simple and multiple regression analysis, ordinary least squares, binary models, cross section and time series analysis, hypothesis testing, model selection and specification, and data problems.

Prerequisite(s): ECON 1530 Macroeconomic Principles or ECON 1540 Microeconomic Principles and BUSAD 2100/ECON 2100 Business and Economic Statistics or similar statistics class from another department.