Finance (FINA)

Courses

FINA 150S. Managerial Economics. 1 Unit.

Managerial economics involves the application of economic methods in the managerial decision-making process. This course integrates economic theory with business practice for the purpose of facilitating decision making and forward planning by Management. The course aims to provide a framework for decision making which are directed to maximize profits and outcomes of a company. The course focuses on increasing the efficiency of organizations by employing all possible business resources to increase output while decreasing unproductive activities. The two main purposes of managerial economics are: to optimize decision making when the firm is faced with problems or obstacles, with the consideration of macro and microeconomic theories and principles, and to analyze the possible effects and implications of both short and long-term planning decisions on the revenue and profitability of business.

FINA 190. Special Topics in Finance. 1 Unit.

FINA 191. Special Topics in Finance. 0.5 Units.

The goal of this course is to provide a basic understanding of personal finance to enable students to reach and maintain financial security during their lifetimes. The course will emphasize the fundamental issues of importance to all individuals and will include the following topics: personal financial planning, the home buying process, the buy/lease auto decision, insurance and investment products, credit cards, mortgages and personal loans, and many more. This course is structured for students without any background in business or finance.

FINA 285. Independent Study. 0.5 or 1 Units.

FINA 290. Special Topics in Finance. 1 Unit.

FINA 303. Money and Financial Institutions. 1 Unit.

A study of the role of money and the flow of funds in the financial process and their relationship to the U.S. and international financial systems. The course will also cover financial institutions and the characteristics of the main financial markets. Prerequisite: ECON 103S or ECON 104S.

FINA 311. Financial Management. 1 Unit.

An introduction to corporate finance from the viewpoint of the financial manager. Major topics include the fundamental concepts, financial theory, time value of money, cash flow valuation, stocks and bonds, capital budgeting and risk and return. Prerequisite: ACCT 211, ECON 103S, and BSAN 111 (or MATH 125Q or STAT 201 or STAT 301Q).

FINA 313. Fundamentals of Finance. 1 Unit.

Introduction to the fundamentals of finanacial statements, essential elements of finance, financial nalaysis, valuation, budgeting, and basic financial management. This course is only open to students in the Organizational Leadership Program.

FINA 318. Fundamentals of Financial Planning. 1 Unit.

The goal of this course is to introduce and prepare students to gain the fundamentals of financial planning and develop a deeper understanding of the role of risk management and insurance in dealing with events that can adversely affect people, families, firms, and other organizations, leading to a better understanding that will stimulate critical thinking and sound reasoning necessary in the field of financial services. Topics covered include the financial planning process, financial statement and cash flow management, financing strategies, education planning, income tax fundamentals and planning, and financial planning for special circumstances. Many of the topics introduced in this course will be developed and mastered in other courses included in the financial services track. Prerequisite: ACCT 201 and SOBA 201 or FINA 311.

FINA 320. Investments. 1 Unit.

An introduction to investments, primarily from the viewpoint of the individual investor. Investment media; regulation; treatment of risk; financial markets, brokers and the investments industry; sources of investor information; fundamental and technical analysis, investment companies, introduction to portfolio theory, and random walk concepts. Emphasis is on stocks, bonds, and commodities investing in the U.S. markets, but other media and foreign markets are also considered. Prerequisite: ACCT 201 and SOBA 201 or FINA 311.

FINA 361. Real Estate Principles. 1 Unit.

A survey of commercial real estate property and valuation as an investment. Prerequisite: ACCT 201 and SOBA 201 or FINA 311. Junior standing required.

FINA 362. Real Estate Law. 1 Unit.

This course explores the types of laws (Federal, State, and Municipal statutes, Common Law, Agency Law, as well as Federal and State Constitutions) that affect real estate ownership and use. We will focus on the importance of the rule of law in establishing and maintaining property rights, as well as the role of government and society in defining individual property rights when faced with objectives of common good (e.g. zoning,taxation, environmental laws). Prerequisite FINA 361.

FINA 375V. Collapse or Abundance: Prospects for the Environment, the World's Poor, and Accelerating Technology. 1 Unit.

This course focuses on Stetson's Environmental Responsibility Value.Examines whether economic growth is sustainable in terms of the environment, natural resources, and ability to support the world's population at a level above mere subsistence living. Explores the debate from the time of Thomas Malthus in 1798 to current on sustainable economic growth and the planet. Discussion centered on whether accelerating technology reads to abundance or misery for the majority of the world's population. Junior Seminar.

FINA 385. Independent Study. 0.5 or 1 Units.

FINA 390. Special Topics in Finance. 1 Unit.

FINA 395. Teaching Apprenticeship. 0.5 Units.

The purpose of this course is to provide students an opportunity to obtain experiential and practical learning by interning with corporations, financial institutions, and government agencies. Does not count as upper-division elective toward finance major.

FINA 397. Finance Internship. 0.5 or 1 Units.

Pass/Fail course. The purpose of this course is to provide students an opportunity to obtain experiential and practical learning by interning with corporations, financial institutions, and government agencies. Does not count as upper-division elective toward finance major. Prerequisite: SOBA 201 or FINA 311.Enrollment in an internship course requires students to attend an orientation prior to beginning work at their internship site. For more information regarding internship orientations, please contact Career & Professional Development at career@stetson.edu or 386-822-7315.

FINA 401. Retirement Planning. 1 Unit.

This course covers retirement planning. This course covers retirement planning. Topics covered include various types of retirement accounts such as IRAs and employee sponsored plans such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s. Prerequisites: ACCT 201 & SOBA 201 or FINA 311 & FINA 318.

FINA 402. Estate Planning and Insurance. 1 Unit.

This course covers estate planning & insurance. Topics covered include various types of retirement accounts such as IRAs and employee sponsored plans such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s. In addition, emphasis will be placed on estate planning techniques such as the use of gifts and trusts and the related tax implications. Prerequisite: ACCT 201 & SOBA 201 or FINA 311 & FINA 318.

FINA 407. Foundations of Accounting and Finance. 1 Unit.

This course provides a foundation for further graduate study in business by introducing the student to the basic concepts and principles of Accounting and Finance. Topics include, financial statements, time value of money, capital investment decisions, break-even analysis, debt and equity financing and using Accounting information in equity valuation. Prerequisite: SOBA 406.

FINA 412. Multinational Finance. 1 Unit.

The financial management of multinational firms. Analysis is given of foreign exchange rate determination, international financial institutions and markets, and management of assets under international financial uncertainty. Prerequisite: ACCT 201 and SOBA 201 or FINA 311.

FINA 413. Bank Management. 1 Unit.

Emphasis will be placed on the management of commercial banks and related depository financial institutions. Topics will include asset/liability management, capital formation, source and use of funds, supervision and examination policies and profitability planning. Prerequisite: ACCT 201 and SOBA 201 or FINA 311.

FINA 414. Corporate Financial Management. 1 Unit.

This course covers the management of financial assets by firms. This includes long-term fixed asset management as well as short-term management of cash assets. Emphasis will be placed on the planning and budgeting process as it relates to the management of firm assets. Prerequisite: ACCT 201 & SOBA 201 or FINA 311.

FINA 415. Financial Risk Management. 1 Unit.

This course focuses on the evaluation of financial risks to firms from changes in interest rates, exchange rates, or commodity or other prices. The course will cover risk exposure evaluation; products available such as forward rate agreements, futures contracts, options, and swaps; and hedging strategies. Students will be exposed to theory as well as computational aspects of risk management techniques. Prerequisites: ACCT 201 & SOBA 201 or FINA 311 and MATH 122Q and STAT 301Q.

FINA 416. Derivatives and Risk Management. 1 Unit.

This course focuses on the evaluation of financial risks to firms from changes in interest rates, exchange rates and/or commodity and other prices. The course will cover risk exposure evaluation; products available to hedge this risk such as forward rate agreements, futures contracts, options and swaps; and hedging strategies. Students will be exposed to theory as well as computational aspects of risk management techniques including derivative pricing models. Prerequisites: MATH 122Q and FINA 320.

FINA 417. Financial Ethics. 0.5 Units.

This course is designed to familiarize students with the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct and reinforce ethical behavior in the global investment management industry. The ethical principles presented in this course will provide students with a frame of reference for ethical behavior for all investment professionals, heighten awareness of how to recognize and respond to ethical dilemmas and to empower students to respond to ethical dilemmas in an appropriate manner. Prerequisite: FINA 320.

FINA 421. Equity Fund Management. 1 Unit.

An applied course in equity analysis and portfolio management. Students set objectives, strategy, and selection criteria for the Roland George Growth Fund. Securities are analyzed and proposed to the trustees. Students may participate as trustees, team captains, and research assistants. Numerous presentations, research papers, and meetings are required with an open-ended class schedule. Responsibility also includes monitoring of the Roland George Income Fund holdings. Successful investment practitioners participate as lecturers in the George Program, including portfolio managers, analysts, and pension fund consultants. Scholarships based on merit are awarded to top students in the program. Prerequisites: FINA 320 and approval of the course instructor.

FINA 422. Income Management. 1 Unit.

An applied course in income analysis and advanced topics in portfolio management. Holdings of the Roland George Income Fund are analyzed and changes are prepared based on objectives, criteria, and strategy set by the class. Students may participate as trustees, team captains, and research assistants. Numerous presentations, research papers and meetings are required with an open-ended class schedule. Responsibility also includes monitoring of the Roland George Growth Fund holdings. Successful investment practitioners participate as lecturers in the George Program including portfolio managers, analysts, and pension fund consultants. Scholarships based on merit are awarded to top students in the program. Prerequisites: FINA 320 and approval of the course instructor.

FINA 423. Certified Financial Planning Capstone. 1 Unit.

An integrated capstone course covering the various topics studied in previous courses. Interpersonal communication, professional conduct and fiduciary responsibility will also be covered. Realworld case based with an emphasis on both written and verbal communication. Prerequisites: FINA 318, FINA 320, FINA 401, FINA 402 and ACCT 301. Requires Senior standing.

FINA 450. Advanced Portfolio Analysis I. 0.5 Units.

Advanced Portfolio Management is an advanced overview of portfolio management and security analysis. Topics covered will include: Investment policy creation, portfolio strategy and policy, advanced quantitative stock and bond analysis, risk management, macro-analysis, technical analysis, and performance and risk evaluation. This course will be taught as a combination of case study analysis and hands-on application with RGIP student-run portfolio. It is expected that students will take a very active role in the class via presentations, discussion, and “real world” application of advanced portfolio management techniques. Prerequisite: FINA 416, FINA 421, and FINA 422.

FINA 451. Advanced Portfolio Analysis II. 0.5 Units.

Advanced Portfolio Analysis II is the follow-up course to FINA 450. Topics covered will include Investment policy creation, portfolio strategy and policy, advanced quantitative stock and bond analysis, risk management, macro-analysis, technical analysis, and performance and risk evaluation. This course will be taught as a combination of case study analysis and hands-on application with RGIP student-run portfolio. It is expected that students will take a very active role in the class via presentations, discussion, and “real world” application of advanced portfolio management techniques. Prerequisite: FINA 450. Restricted to select RGIP students. Instructor approval required.

FINA 485. Independent Study. 0.5 or 1 Units.

FINA 490. Special Topics in Finance. 1 Unit.

FINA 501. Current Issues in Finance. 2 or 3 Credits.

A graduate level seminar on current issues and problems in the field. Graduate only.

FINA 503. International Business and Finance. 3 Credits.

Examination of macroeconomic principles by focusing on foreign exchange consequences, financial institutions, international payments flows, international monetary system, and international banking. Graduate only.

FINA 505. Financial Economics. 3 Credits.

The course considers the rapidly changing economic conditions that characterize today’s global economy. Basic macro and microeconomic concepts and principles will be studied in the context of how they frame business decisionmaking in a global marketplace.

FINA 509. Strategic Financial Analysis. 3 Credits.

The course introduces the basic principles of financial analysis as they are applied to the operation of the enterprise. Financial decisions such as cash flow budgeting and planning, capital expenditure decisions, and capital structure decisions will be considered as well as firm interaction with capital markets.

FINA 511. Advanced Financial Management. 3 Credits.

Corporate finance course aimed at further understanding and application of financial concepts learned in the basic course. Emphasis placed on the responsibility of the financial manager to contribute to the operating efficiency of the firm, its long range objective and the financial decision-making process. Graduate only.

FINA 518. Graduate Introduction to Financial Planning. 3 Credits.

This course will introduce and prepare students in the fundamentals of financial planning and develop a deeper understanding of the role of risk management, leading to a better understanding to stimulate critical thinking and sound reasoning necessary in the field of financial planning. Topics covered include the financial planning process, financial statement and cash flow management, financing strategies, education planning, income tax fundamentals and planning, and financial planning for special circumstances. Many of the topics introduced in this course will be further developed and mastered in other courses included in the financial planning track. Prerequisite: SOBA 507.

FINA 520. Advanced Investments. 3 Credits.

An advanced investments course focusing on security analysis and portfolio management. Topics covered will include financial intermediaries, markets and regulation, sources of investor information, fundamental and technical analysis, risk and return and asset pricing. In addition, students will learn how to develop investment objectives and constraints, optimal portfolio strategies and to evaluate investment performance. Emphasis is on stocks, bond and commodities. Derivative instruments will also be examined as they relate to speculation and risk management. Microsoft Excel will be used extensively in the course. Prerequisite: FINA 511.

FINA 521. Applied Research in Equities. 2 or 3 Credits.

A graduate level seminar in equity analysis and portfolio management. Research projects are done for the Roland George Investments Program. Prerequisite: FINA 320 or approval of instructor. Graduate only.

FINA 522. Applied Research in Fixed-Income Analysis. 2 or 3 Credits.

A graduate level seminar in fixed-income analysis and portfolio management. Research projects are done for the Roland George Investments Program. Prerequisite FINA 320 or approval of Instructor. Graduate only.

FINA 523. Real Estate Investment. 3 Credits.

Real Estate is the single largest asset class in the world and for most individuals and families is the single largest generator of generational wealth. This course uses a quantitative approach to making real estate investment and ownership decisions. We will focus on understanding real estate as an investment asset class as well as the role of real estate management for corporate users and investors.

FINA 524. Advanced Individual Tax Planning. 3 Credits.

This course will cover individual tax planning from the perspective of a financial planner. Topics include fundamental tax law, taxation of trusts and estates, AMT, tax management techniques, deductions and chartable contributions. Prerequisite: SOBA 507.

FINA 525. Advanced Estate Planning and Insurance. 3 Credits.

This course covers estate planning and insurance. Topics covered include various types of retirement accounts such as IRAs and employee sponsored plans such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s. In addition, emphasis will be placed on estate planning techniques such as the use of gifts and trusts and the related tax implications. Prerequisite: SOBA 507.

FINA 530. Advanced Certified Financial Planning Capstone. 3 Credits.

An integrated capstone course covering the various topics studied in previous courses. Interpersonal communication, professional conduct and fiduciary responsibility will also be covered. Real world case based with an emphasis on both written and verbal communication. Prerequisites: SOBA 507, FINA 520, FINA 518, FINA 5XX (proposed Retirement Planning), FINA 5XX (proposed Estate Planning & Insurance) or permission of instructor.

FINA 553. Venture Capital and Private Equity. 3 Credits.

This course focuses on institutional financing of the early-stage and growth-stage firm. Students will examine management of the venture capital firm, their evaluation process, term sheets, due diligence, exits and related topics. The course will view the capital raising challenge from the perspectives of both the entrepreneur and the investor. Students will be required to evaluate "live" companies and make investment decisions.

FINA 561. Advanced Retirement Planning. 3 Credits.

This course will introduce and prepare students to gain mastery level comprehension of various aspects of personal and business oriented retirement planning concepts. Using real data and real-life examples, this class will guide students through the features and implications of Roth and other IRAs; ISOs, NQSOs, SERPs, ESPPs and 83(b); Social Security; and the difference between pension, profit sharing, 401(k), 457, and other retirement plans. Prerequisite: SOBA 507.

FINA 585. Independent Study. 3 Credits.

FINA 590. Special Topics. 3 Credits.