This course takes a practical approach to considering how finance theory is applied in the business world.  The course covers many of the key principles that embody corporate finance and gives participants a comprehensive appreciation of the finance discipline. 

Whether you are aspiring to a career in finance or simply looking to round out your understanding of core financial concepts, this course is designed to cover such topics as financial analysis, forecasting, present value, future value, rate of return, use of debt leverage, and risk management, including derivative instruments. 

Course Series

This course is included in the following series:

3 CoursesFundamental Skills for Finance Professionals

  1. Accounting 101: How To Do Basic Accounting In One Hour
  2. Learn Finance Principles in 1 Hour
  3. Financial Modeling Using Excel

10 CoursesFinance for Entrepreneurs

  1. Start-up Equity and Cap Table Basics
  2. Understanding Performance-Based Equity Awards
  3. Accounting 101: How To Do Basic Accounting In One Hour
  4. Learn Finance Principles in 1 Hour
  5. Financial Modeling Using Excel
  6. The Evolution of a Great Spreadsheet Report - How to Effectively Present Numbers in the Business World
  7. Creating a Winning Pitch for Venture Capital Investors
  8. Venture Capital Valuation Analysis Method
  9. Enterprise Risk Management 101
  10. The IPO Preparation Process - Preparing a Company to Access the Public Markets

5 CoursesFinance for Non-Finance Professionals

  • Accounting 101: How To Do Basic Accounting In One Hour
  • Accounting Review: The Basics of Debits and Credits
  • Accounting Review: Overview of Financial Statements; P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow
  • Learn Finance Principles in 1 Hour
  • Enterprise Risk Management 101
Learning Objectives
  • Discover what financial analysis is and how it used.
  • Discover how to calculate present value of future streams of cash flow with various profiles.
  • Discover how to calculate future value of future streams of cash flow with various profiles.
  • Discover the concept of financial leverage and optimal capital structure.
  • Identify where finance theory is applied in the workplace.
Last updated/reviewed: March 12, 2024
108 Reviews (327 ratings)

Reviews

5
Member's Profile
This was a well-taught course. The speed of the material is probably too fast to follow if this is your first introduction to the it. I found it to be perfect for me as this was a review of material I've learned in the past and haven't needed to directly apply in my work. The instructor did a good job of reviewing the material and I particularly liked the bullet point reviews at the end of each lesson. I have taken other courses from this instructor and will continue to do so as I appreciate the presentation speed of the material and their use of examples that each build on the last.

5
Anonymous Author
This is a great concise review of basic concepts from Finance 101. There was a good mix of quantitative work and conceptual discussion. For non finance professionals Blair does a great job of emphasizing the overall importance to an organization of finance concepts like cash flow, capital structure, risk and diversification. Most of the concepts included also have relevance to personal finance. It was helpful to be able to reference the script to the presentation when reviewing. Great course all around. I’m going to take his Excel modeling class next.

4
Member's Profile
This was a good finance refresher! The presenter was interesting which kept me engaged. The examples were very helpful and pertained to the real world. It has been a long time since I've done PV & FV calculations so the material took me longer than I expected. I do feel like the presenter moved through some material too quickly - I had to keep rewinding to catch the information and take notes.

5
Anonymous Author
The instructor provided a thorough overview of key financial principles. Although the content was somewhat daunting to clearly comprehend, particularly for someone who doesn't spend their workday immersed in financial planning, this course increased my financial acumen in many areas. The supporting materials were also helpful, especially in breaking down ratios and leveraging examples.

5
Member's Profile
I am a novice in finance, Took the course to familiarize with world finance .its not walk in the park, but you learn a lot. There is math involved so if you are not numbers guy brace yourself for a bumpy ride while Blair holds your hand. Suggestion: Formulas need to be separated as they get jumbled up at the bottom of excel sheet

5
Member's Profile
The review questions along with the explanations of the correct answers were particularly useful. I only wish I could retake the final exam. I am not certain whether 75 percent is good enough for CA CPA credit.

4
Member's Profile
This course covers a subject that doesn't usually come very easy for me, however the details presented in the slides made the material easier to understand. Many thanks for a great course.

5
Anonymous Author
This course is a thorough, high-level course about finance. A great beginner course or refresher for seasoned accountants. The instructor was clear and concise when explaining the concepts.

4
Member's Profile
Mr. Cook went a little too fast for me to grasp everything, but I can use the supporting materials to strengthen my understanding of all the material. I do like his enthusiasm.

5
Member's Profile
Even for an experienced finance professional, this course provides some good information that can be used in explaining financing alternatives to others in the business.

3
Anonymous Author
I found this course to be alright at most. There was so much being said and too much information on the slides, it made my head hurt trying to learn just the principles

4
Member's Profile
So much information in so little time. It was a LOT to take in and process and respond for the test. Good info, but for a newbie, just a lot of terms and acronyms.

5
Anonymous Author
Great short overview. Was a perfect review of things forgotten from my college finance course. Lectures were fast paced and maintained my interest.

5
Anonymous Author
Mr. Cook presents the topic in an easily digestible way. He provides clear, easy to follow examples that make the concepts easy to understand.

5
Anonymous Author
Excellent presentation with real life examples. However, tax effect on WACC should have been included for better understanding of the examples.

5
Member's Profile
As always, Mr. Cook has done a stellar job of communicating im clear and simple fashion what can otherwise be complicated material for many.

4
Member's Profile
Good overview. I enjoyed the Financial Ratio and Excel Function Reference Guide, a very useful tool for those of us who are new to finance.

5
Anonymous Author
Full of content...good exposure to finance principals. Very helpful, but sometimes needed to pause the video to absorb/process information.

4
Member's Profile
The course was worth sitting through. I had to listen to the lessons twice to grasp the concepts, and that helped with the final exams.

5
Anonymous Author
Excellent course on the basics of finance, with clear examples that are easy to follow. The PDF of the slide deck is useful as well.

4
Anonymous Author
This course is easy to understand. Blair explained on why things need to be calculated instead of just elaborating the formulas.

5
Member's Profile
The content was high quality but certain topics needed greater elaboration for those who do have a strong finance background.

5
Anonymous Author
Blair adds excitement to any and all presentations. If you want a basic fundamentals class with flare, Blair is your guy.

4
Anonymous Author
This is a great course for those new to accounting concepts, or for those who have forgotten what they learned in college.

4
Anonymous Author
I am somewhat confused but going back and reviewing one more time and with a little bit more practice it all made sense.

5
Member's Profile
This course would be beneficial for consultants that work with small companies that do not have a finance department.

5
Member's Profile
Examples in the excel spreadsheet are very helpful. Excellent and simple explanation of some very complex topics.

5
Member's Profile
This course offers a great review of finance concepts. Easy to knock rust off or sharpen skills with this course.

4
Member's Profile
Very good introduction to common finance principles for someone who may not have had a finance class before.

4
Anonymous Author
This course provides a good way for a financial manager to teach these concepts to a non-financial manager.

4
Anonymous Author
This course provided a quick rundown of finance concepts. Maybe a little too quick, but a great reference.

5
Member's Profile
As a pure accountant (historian) who struggles with financial analysis, this is a fantastic refresher.

4
Anonymous Author
This is a very fast-paced course. I wished more time was spent on the formulas to ensure understanding.

3
Anonymous Author
Helpful class. It is much more than financial principles. It also includes mathematical calculations.

5
Member's Profile
Blair is a beast of a presenter. You get the most content in the least time and relevant too.

5
Member's Profile
A fast-paced and well-made reminder of finance concepts I had partly forgotten since college.

4
Member's Profile
Thanks for the nice course I would have liked more review questions to test my knowledge

5
Anonymous Author
It was a good summary of what I wanted to learn about finance within a short time frame.

5
Anonymous Author
Good refresher course to college finance classes. It's great if you already have a base.

5
Member's Profile
Great course for a comprehensive overview of a difficult subject. Instructor is great.

4
Member's Profile
This is a good basic course. There is a lot of information covered but its done well.

5
Member's Profile
Great class and the instructor was excellent in explaining complicated topics clearly.

5
Member's Profile
This is a good, quick refresher course to get your mind going during Covid isolation.

4
Anonymous Author
Solid overview of the principles described, taught in an engaging, energetic way.

5
Member's Profile
An excellent introduction course with exercises that help assimilate the concepts

4
Anonymous Author
Very energetic, I felt like I was watching an infomercial! The content was good.

4
Anonymous Author
Excellent presentation and examples of how finance theory is used in business.

4
Anonymous Author
The overview was great but the some of the questions were awfully confusing!

5
Member's Profile
Great information with which to freshen up financial terms and some skills.

4
Member's Profile
Blair's fast pace and enthusiasm made this course very easy to listen to.

5
Member's Profile
A very nice and challenging course. This was exactly, what I expected.

5
Anonymous Author
It has the most fundamental information that is needed for finance!

4
Member's Profile
Very good introduction to finance. I liked the real world examples.

5
Member's Profile
Very good material but prerequisite requirements should be higher.

5
Member's Profile
Blair was very engaging. It's a great class for intro to finance.

3
Anonymous Author
Good stuff, covered complex principles in a succinct delivery.

5
Member's Profile
This was an excellent review of Corporate Finance principles.

4
Member's Profile
Good Course . i expect all students to go through this course.

5
Member's Profile
Lots of information and the instructor is very entertaining.

4
Member's Profile
Nice high level course. I always enjoy Blair's enthusiasm.

4
Anonymous Author
Need a few pauses to read over. Info delivery was too fast.

4
Anonymous Author
decent, but exam questions don't relate well to material.

5
Anonymous Author
Nice finance refresher since college. Very informative.

5
Member's Profile
Good overview of how principles apply in real world.

5
Member's Profile
The content is highly focused and clearly explained.

5
Member's Profile
A nice over all review of the financial principals.

5
Anonymous Author
Excellent overview of topics for non-finance staff.

5
Anonymous Author
Nicely done introduction. Slides were informative.

5
Member's Profile
very well summarized finance facts for finger tips

5
Anonymous Author
liked the organization and easy to follow topics

5
Anonymous Author
Thorough and clear presentation of the concepts!

5
Member's Profile
This course is a great refresher on the basics!

5
Member's Profile
Risk management basics was a useful refresher

5
Anonymous Author
Great detailed overview in short time frame.

5
Member's Profile
Helpful resource to keep handy for everyone!

5
Member's Profile
Great introduction to finance principles!

5
Member's Profile
Very nice, succinct summary of the topic.

5
Member's Profile
very good,supplements were very hepful

5
Anonymous Author
A helpful concise finance refresher

5
Member's Profile
This hits all the important points!

3
Anonymous Author
Informative and easy to follow

3
Member's Profile
Too much detail went too fast

5
Anonymous Author
Slightly fast for beginners

5
Anonymous Author
Very useful information.

5
Member's Profile
Fast paced, kind of fun.

4
Member's Profile
Good review of finance!

Anonymous Author
Good general overview.

4
Member's Profile
Not beguinnet level

5
Anonymous Author
Great overall review

5
Member's Profile
Awesome information.

Member's Profile
Great review course

4
Member's Profile
Good finance intro

5
Anonymous Author
Great refresher!

5
Anonymous Author
review of ratios

5
Anonymous Author
Good course.

4
Member's Profile
Good course.

4
Member's Profile
Good to Know

5
Anonymous Author
Pretty good.

4
Anonymous Author
informative

Anonymous Author
good review

5
Member's Profile
Very useful

5
Anonymous Author
Very good.

5
Member's Profile
Helpful

5
Member's Profile
Great!

4
Anonymous Author
good

4
Anonymous Author
Good

5
Member's Profile
Good

4
Anonymous Author
Ok

Prerequisites
Course Complexity: Foundational

No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.

Education Provider Information
Company: Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113
Contact: For more information regarding this course, including complaint and cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to .
Instructor for this course
Course Syllabus
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
Corporate Finance Principles
  Financial Analysis8:44
  Cash Forecast2:51
  Present Value12:52
  Future Value7:08
  Rate of Return and Adding Debt13:58
  Risk Management12:40
CONCLUSION
  Finance in Practice6:58
Continuous Play
  Learn Finance Principles in 1 Hour Full Video1:11:28
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
  Slides: Corporate Finance PrinciplesPDF
  Corporate Finance Principles Glossary/IndexDOC
  Financial Ratio and Excel Function Reference GuidePDF
  Excel Corporate FinanceXLSX
REVIEW & TEST
  REVIEW QUESTIONSquiz
 FINAL EXAMexam