Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

In this course, the participants build a financial mindset. They recognise the importance of profitable business by adapting the relevant topics and key factors in accounting. The course works as a starting point of financial management skills for those without previous knowledge but also as repetition for students with financial background to widen expertise in the field of finance.

After completing the course, the participants can:
- analyse financial situation of a company (profitability, liquidity, solvency)
- execute financial planning
- apply financial tools at work
- plan and execute actions for turnaround projects

Content (course unit)

Practices and tools for financial planning
Profitability, liquidity and solvency practices and tools
Practices and tools for analysis of the financial situation of a company

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student can identify the core concepts in the field of financial accounting, recognise the relevant practices and methods and define the need for accounting in general. The student can read the key financial accounting information and statements and provide routine performance in course tasks and participation. The student knows the principles at a basic level. Students can give and receive feedback and take responsibility as an individual learner. The student can act as part of a team under supervision, and he recognizes his level of interaction.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student can structure the connections between the financial statements and apply the financial accounting themes with relevancy. The student can explain and adopt the need for financial accounting, why and how to use various accounting methods and the need for profitable business. The student can measure financial performance based on public financial information. Student gives and receives constructive feedback, operates in professional manner by recognizing relevant scope and needs, develops his interaction skills, adding value to the team and takes responsibility

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student adapts the course themes in a professional manner, finds and translates the course message and expands the context by bringing perspectives, experiences, and opinions. The student can analyse the selected themes, find the academic approach, use additional research papers and academic sources, and activate mindset to connect financial accounting in working life situations. The student builds creative solutions by combining the course themes, assesses diverse outcomes, looks for new opportunities, justifies the financial decisions made and looks for alternative perspectives The student uses feedback to iterate the learning process and adds collaboration as being an asset for the team. The student develops creative and constructive working methods and brings professional commitment throughout the course.

Location and time

From Oct 10 to Nov 28, 2023.

100 % online, in the case of this autumn 2023 implementation.

Exam schedules

No written exam.

Assessment methods and criteria

Active participation in online classes 40 %.
Performing the assigned exercises and assignments 60 %.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Learning discussions, group work, literature, exercises & assignments.

Learning materials

Partly informed in the first class, partly gathered during the course, as part of the learning process.

Teaching material is mainly electronic, and access to that is assigned on the course Moodle.

Student workload

The maximum workload of a student is set at 135 hours.

Content scheduling

1 Accounting Terms and Concepts ("The Language of Business")
- Financial vs. Management Accounting; Financial Management
- Accrual vs. Cash-Based Accounting
- Cost accounting: Variable and Fixed vs. Direct and Indirect Cost(s)

2 Financial Closing Information (The Income Statement, The Balance Sheet)

3 Budgeting, Reporting and Forecasting

4 Performance Measurement and Evaluation
- Profitability, Liquidity and Solvency
- Financial and Non-Financial Measurement
- Performance Management Frameworks (The Balanced Scorecard; KPI; OKR; LEAN accounting,...)

5 Financial Management
- Cash and Working Capital Management
- Considerations of Digital Finance, Sustainable Finance, The Platform Economy
- Sources of Financing

Completion alternatives

No, there is not.

Practical training and working life cooperation

Business cases for some of the exercises and assignments might be based on the students' own organizations and workplaces.

If necessary, also some other applicable institutions' business development potential can act as a starting point for an exercise, or an assignment.

International connections

The very international student group together with their own organizations and workplaces form a truly international platform for new learning experiences in financial management, naturally including also already existing connections, as well as a chance to create new connections, both locally and internationally.

Further information

Pasi Kuusijärvi, M.Sc. (Econ. & Bus. Adm.), AmO, HHJ PJ
Senior Lecturer, Accounting and Financial Management

Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK)
Tampere, Finland

pasi.kuusijarvi@tuni.fi
Tel. +358 40 846 3052
www.tuni.fi