FIN 520 — Financial Management for Managers | California Century University

Course Syllabus: FIN 520 – Financial Management for Managers

Course Overview

Course Code & Title: FIN 520 – Financial Management for Managers
Institution: California Century University
Department: School of Business Administration
Credits: 3.0 Graduate Credits
Duration: 8 Weeks (Accelerated Online Delivery)
Prerequisites: Undergraduate finance or accounting coursework recommended

Course Description

FIN 520 develops managerial competence in corporate finance, capital budgeting, working capital management, risk analysis, and value creation. Emphasis on decision tools used by executives in strategic financial planning.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

CLO 1: Apply time value of money and capital budgeting techniques to investment decisions.
CLO 2: Analyze working capital, liquidity, and short-term financing strategies.
CLO 3: Evaluate cost of capital, leverage, and dividend policy impacts on firm value.
CLO 4: Assess financial risk using scenario analysis and sensitivity modeling.
CLO 5: Present a comprehensive financial strategy recommendation for a case organization.

Instructional Framework & Weekly Outline

1. Week 1: Managerial Finance Overview

Focus: Executive Finance

Topics Covered: Goal of the firm; Agency theory; Financial markets

Required Reading: Corporate Finance Ch. 1

Assignments:

Discussion: Shareholder vs. Stakeholder Value
Foundations Quiz

2. Week 2: Time Value of Money

Focus: Valuation Tools

Topics Covered: PV/FV; Annuities; Amortization

Required Reading: Corporate Finance Ch. 2–3

Assignments:

Discussion: TVM Applications
TVM Problem Set

3. Week 3: Capital Budgeting

Focus: Investment Decisions

Topics Covered: NPV; IRR; Payback; Risk adjustment

Required Reading: Ch. 9–10: Capital Budgeting

Assignments:

Discussion: Project Selection Dilemma
Capital Budgeting Case

4. Week 4: Risk & Return

Focus: Portfolio Concepts

Topics Covered: CAPM overview; Beta; Diversification

Required Reading: Ch. 11: Risk and Return

Assignments:

Discussion: Risk Tolerance
Risk-Return Analysis

5. Week 5: Cost of Capital & Capital Structure

Focus: Financing Decisions

Topics Covered: WACC; Leverage; Modigliani-Miller intro

Required Reading: Ch. 12–13

Assignments:

Discussion: Optimal Capital Structure
WACC Calculation Exercise

6. Week 6: Working Capital Management

Focus: Short-Term Finance

Topics Covered: Cash conversion cycle; Credit policy; Inventory finance

Required Reading: Ch. 14: Working Capital

Assignments:

Discussion: Liquidity Crisis Case
Working Capital Plan

7. Week 7: Dividend Policy & Payout Strategy

Focus: Distribution Decisions

Topics Covered: Dividend theories; Repurchases; Payout constraints

Required Reading: Ch. 15: Payout Policy

Assignments:

Discussion: Dividend vs. Reinvestment
Payout Policy Memo

8. Week 8: Capstone — Financial Strategy Presentation

Focus: Executive Synthesis

Topics Covered: Integrated financial plan; KPIs; Board presentation

Required Reading: Course synthesis

Assignments:

Discussion: Strategy Reflection
Executive Financial Strategy (Capstone)
Proctored Final Exam

Grading Criteria & Evaluation Metrics

Assessment Category	Weight	Description
Weekly Discussion Forums (8×)	25%	Substantive initial post plus peer responses each week.
Quizzes & Objective Assessments (2×)	15%	LMS proficiency, concept checks, and policy compliance.
Weekly Skills Deliverables (4×)	35%	Applied assignments aligned to course learning outcomes.
Final Examination / Capstone	25%	Comprehensive assessment; minimum 70% required to pass.

Standard U.S. higher education grading scale applies (A–F). Final examination minimum 70% required for course completion per CCU academic policy.

Blueprint for LMS Course Architecture

When setting up this course inside the LMS backend, use the following layout for clean UI/UX:

[CCU-FIN520] COURSE ROOT
│
├── 📂 Course Introduction & Start Here (Module 0)
│   ├── 📄 Welcome Video from the Dean/Instructor
│   ├── 📄 Master Syllabus (PDF Download)
│   ├── 📄 Academic Integrity Pledge (Required Verification)
│   └── 💬 Student Lounge (Social Forum)
│
├── 📂 Week 1 … Week 8 Modules
│   ├── 📄 Overview & Learning Objectives
│   ├── 🔗 Required Readings & Media Lecture Links
│   ├── 💬 Discussion Board
│   └── 📝 Quiz / Weekly Deliverable
│
└── 📂 Final Exam & Course Completion

Instructor Best Practice: Require Module 0 (Start Here) and Academic Integrity Pledge at 100% before unlocking Week 1 content.