Course Abstract

This course examines financial planning methodologies and tools as well as financial control mechanisms. The types of planning and control methodologies will be studied via case studies using real-life examples. This class straddles the line between accounting and accounting-related matters and finance. Its general focus, however, is a financial one and financial objectives will drive the course work.

The course begins with the various forms that profit and cost centers may be created. It examines how these centers may budget revenues and expenses and recognize these during the fiscal year. The course will then examine the treatment of extraordinary events, operational control, and financial difficulties.

Course Delivery

This course is online. As such, the professor will be available for extended hours working with students. In exchange, students are expected to be motivated and disciplined. Every week, the course will have:

  • Online office hours - to answer questions on the material and discuss other topics individually or in groups. I label these OH. Please use the following URL:
  • Online office hours by appointment – may be done any day/time that works
  • Case analyses - students work alone or in groups of two

The days/times of the above will be as follows:

Sun. / Mon. / Tue. / Wed. / Thur. / Fri. / Sat.
Morning / 10-11
OH / 10-11
OH
Afternoon / 12
Case
analyses
due / 12
Graded
cases returned
Night / 10-11
OH / 10-11
OH / 10-11
OH / 10-11
OH

TA

Rustom Dalal is the on-campus course TA and may be reached at . The hours are by appointment only.

Course FAQs

  1. Who should be taking this course?

Students concentrating in finance, specifically financial planning and analysis, should take this course. This course provides a broad overview of basic financial processes that are essential to any company in any industry.

  1. What are the pre-requisite courses and/or useful experience required for this course?

Managerial Accounting should be a pre-requisite for this course. Students will optimize their learning if they have Corporate Finance in their background.

  1. What skills will be developed in this course?

After completing this course, students will have a grounding on planning and control. Also, students will also understand what are sensible ways of planning and reporting financial results.

  1. What are the basic requirements/workload?

This class is not as quantitative as, say, Modeling I. However, student workload is expected to be higher than average because it is a case-driven class. In exchange for this, those that do the work, participate, and learn the material will be rewarded with better than average grades.

Materials for the Course

The cases for the course may be purchased at:

Additional readings will be posted on Latte.

Grading

Students may work alone or in groups of two. I must approve each group. All case analyses will be submitted electronically. The final grade will be based on the following:

  • Case analyses (80%)
  • Class participation (20% - considers oral as well as online written contributions)
  • Please note that lack of class participation and, for that matter, quality class participation will result in a final grade no higher than a B.

All case analyses will be returned the day following their submission. Final grades will be posted the day following the last case submission.

Disabilities

If you are a student with a documented disability on record at BrandeisUniversity and wish to have a reasonable accommodation made for you in this class, please see me immediately.

Academic integrity

You are expected to be familiar with and to follow the University’s policies on academic integrity (see Instances of alleged dishonesty will be forwarded to the Office of Campus Life for possible referral to the Student Judicial System. Potential sanctions include failure in the course and suspension from the University.

Week / General Theme/ Specific Topic / Case Due
1st /

Introduction/Profit-Cost Centers

Introduction

Profit and Cost Centers

Profit Priorities

Measurement of Costs

Recognition of Overhead and General Costs

2nd / Budgeting and Control
  • Creation of Capital and Operating Budgets
  • Financial Control
  • Reporting and Tracking
/ Assuming Control at Altex Aviation
3rd / Revenue Recognition
  • Industry-specific Standards
  • Oversight
Outsourcing, Flexible Budgeting, and Labor Efficiency / Compagnie du Froid, S.A.(Medium)
4th / Reserves/Extraordinary Items
  • Reserves for Contingencies
  • Extraordinary Items
  • Banking Reserves
/ Kendall Square Research Corp.
Danshui Plant No. 2
5th / Cost and Contingency Treatment
  • Cost Allocations
  • Accuracy in Financial Reporting
/ First National Bank (A)
6th / Cost Allocations
  • Cost Structures
/ John Deere Component
7th / Risk and Uncertainty
  • Dealing with uncertainty through real and financial options
  • Wrap-Up
/ TennesseeValley Authority: Option Purchase Agreements