Managing the finances of a company or organization requires a good foundation in business. While colleges and universities offer degree programs focusing on finance, it normally takes years before the degree is acquired. These degree programs also encompass different aspects of finance, which may not be practical for people who already graduated with a different degree.
Due to this, many colleges and universities offer short-term finance courses for students and professionals looking to equip themselves with specific finance knowledge and skills. While many short-term courses require in-class interaction, some of them are available online.
Best Short Term Courses in Finance
1. Professional Diploma Program in Corporate Financial Analytics
- University of California – Berkeley
The Professional Diploma Program in Corporate Financial Analytics is an on-campus diploma program offered by the University of California, Berkeley Extension. This two-semester course gives students the skills required for corporate finance and financial analytics. The course allows students to learn about the way finance links companies to consumers and the economy. It also provides students the capability of utilizing financial analytics in optimizing business operations. Students can also use the finance analytics skills they gained in the course to enhance corporate strategy and business transactions.
After completing this short-term course in finance, students will receive a diploma and will be eligible for internships and optional practical training (OPT). Students can have the option of taking their three-month internship at a company located in Silicon Valley or San Francisco. Optional practical training gives students in the United States the opportunity to apply their acquired knowledge and skills at a corporate level.
Classes of this full-time course are held at the UC Berkeley Extension in Berkeley, California.
2. Leading with Finance Course
- Harvard Business School – Online
The Leading with Finance Course is offered by Harvard Business School – Online. The course is designed to give students a better understanding of finance so they can effectively communicate with crucial stakeholders. They will understand the financial implications of any decisions they make. Students will also know the reason behind the connection of finance with the relationship between profits and cash flow. They will also gain the ability to create and measure value. Moreover, students will also learn about the processes within capital markets and their effect on businesses. They will develop a better understanding of finance and acquire skills allowing them to make better decisions.
Students enrolled in the short-term course in finance will also have the opportunity to interact with like-minded peers around the world. They will also have access to content offered by the best Harvard Business School faculty. Students have six weeks to complete this 40-hour course. While they will work at their own pace, they will still have deadlines to meet. The topics covered by the course include financial analysis, capital markets, valuation, creating value, finance versus accounting, and capital allocation.
This is a six-week online course offered by the Harvard Business School.
3. Essentials of Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers Course
- Cox School of Business-Southern Methodist University
The Essentials of Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers Course is a three-day program giving non-financial managers a better understanding of finance. The course is designed for managers working in non-finance areas of the business. It is also aimed at technical managers with budgeting and profit and loss tasks. Students who want to gain knowledge about the basics of finance and financial statements can also take the course.
The first day introduces students to basic accounting concepts and terms. The details of the three main financial statements (Statement of Cash Flows, Balance Sheet, and Income Statement) are also introduced. Students will demonstrate using data from financial statements to assess financial performance on the second day. They will also learn to forecast resource needs in the future. Students will also be introduced to some techniques in decision-making for projects as well as capital budgeting. The third day will focus on managerial accounting. It highlights the use of appropriate financial data in making business decisions.
Classes of this short-term course in finance are held at the Cox School of Business of Southern Methodist University.
4. Crowdfunding 101 Course
Crowdfunding 101 Course is a module-based course designed to provide students the knowledge and skills to take advantage of the Crowdfunding Act of the JOBS Act, which was enacted in May 2016. The course introduces students to US equity and debt crowdfunding. It also provides the basics of crowdfunding and crowdfunding campaigns. The course also covers crowdfunding trends and key players in the industry,
It is mainly designed for crowdfunding practitioners and small and mid-size businesses aiming to obtain online investments. The course also provides students with the basic information necessary to employ crowdfunding techniques in existing businesses. The first module provides an introduction to crowdfunding, including the types of crowdfunding, the JOBS Act, and Key Takeaways in Crowdfunding. The second module focuses on the application of equity and crowdfunding. It also highlights the practical applications of the industry and its future.
This module-based online course is offered by the Fintech School of San Francisco.
5. Financial Analysis for Non-Financial Managers
- University of Chicago – Booth School of Business
The Financial Analysis for Non-Financial Managers is a five-day course designed to provide students with the ability to understand financial reports and evaluate the financial performance of a business unit. It also allows managers to communicate better with the financial officers of the company. The course was mainly created to provide non-financial managers with the knowledge and skills to interpret financial reports, such as income statements and balance sheets, to improve their business decision-making process. The course also provides managers with the skill to analyze financial reports and forecast financial performance.
The program includes sessions focusing on analyzing historical financial performance and forecasting financial performance. It also gives students an overview of the internal information systems of businesses. Students will also learn costing and management systems through activities incorporated in the course.
Classes of this five-day course are held at the University of Chicago – Booth School of Business.
6. Financial Analytics Immersive Course
- University of California – Berkeley
The Financial Analytics Immersive Course is a one-semester course designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to use financial analytics in optimizing business operations. Students will also learn the connection between companies and the consumers and the economy as a whole. The course also provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to use financial analytics in optimizing corporate strategy and business transactions.
At the end of the course, students will receive a certificate and will be eligible for an internship at a company based in Silicon Valley or San Francisco. The course includes sessions on corporate financial analysis and modeling, financial statement analysis, and enterprise risk management, among others.
Classes of this full-time short-term course in finance are held at the UC Berkeley Extension in Berkeley, California.
7. Portfolio Management Course
- University of Chicago – Booth School of Business
The Portfolio Management Course looks into the latest developments in investment strategies. The course focuses on different quantitative strategies of US equities. But the principles learned in the course can also be used on different assets and the international market. The course is designed for financial analysts and portfolio managers of pension fund and mutual fund providers. It is also ideal for investment professionals in financial planning and insurance companies.
Students will learn about the basic concepts of portfolio management, Moreover, the course also provides students with the latest investment research. Students will know about the foundations of risks and returns, evaluation and managing investment risks, and implementing investment strategies. The course also includes sessions on behavioral finance, liquidity, hedge funds, and mutual funds.
Classes of this five-day course are held at the University of Chicago – Booth School of Business.
With an increasing number of managers without financial backgrounds rising in the ranks of the corporate world, it has become necessary for colleges and universities to offer short-term courses to meet the needs of these individuals.
We hope that this article on the best short courses on finance was helpful. Make sure to also check out our Business Programs for International Students for some of the currently open business courses around the world!
