Longwood University’s College of Business and Economics students take FINA 450 Financial Management if they plan to pursue a Finance concentration. This is a course in the analysis of the financial problems and policies of non-financial firms, including capital management, capital rationing and cost of capital, capital structure, capital asset pricing and valuation, and merger theory. The curriculum emphasizes practical application through case studies, requiring students to employ modern corporate finance theories, relevant statistical methodologies, and computer applications to comprehensively analyze real-world scenarios.
The finance concentration prepares students with the skills necessary to conduct financial assessments, make managerial decisions, and oversee financial operations for businesses and clients. Coursework covers the theory and practice of managing financial aspects of businesses and organizations, including capital budgeting, investments, capital markets, financial institutions, and emerging financial instruments.
Financial Management aims to equip students with verbal, written, political, and presentation skills crucial for success in modern business settings today. Wherever applicable, the course includes an international focus. The primary method of teaching is the case approach, wherein students engage in the analysis of various cases pertaining to key facets of financial decision-making. The cases are presented through student-led oral presentations, written analyses, and interactive class discussions.
Dr. Frank Bacon, Professor of Finance, is the current instructor for this course. He requires students to take on the role of consultants hired by the corporation during case presentations. Additionally, students are expected to adhere to a "business professional" attire standard. They are tasked with financial analysis and investment recommendations, presenting their findings to the board of directors at the corporate headquarters boardroom during a regularly scheduled board meeting (Bacon and classmates engage in playing the board).
Luis Fernando Dos Reis, an economics major with an applied statistics minor, recently presented his findings for U.S. trucking company Continental Carriers, Inc. He began by providing background information about the company and a snapshot of its current situation. Moving on to financing alternatives, he gave the board three options to raise capital to acquire Midland Freight, Inc. Then he made investment recommendations based on financial analysis and provided documented evidence, including tables and charts, to support his observations. His presentation was followed by a Q&A from the board.
A comprehensive curriculum like this helps students gain practical skills and theoretical knowledge that will set them apart in today's competitive landscape. Students are well-prepared for diverse and lucrative careers, such as financial managers, financial analysts, treasurers, controllers, credit managers, financial service representatives, and stockbrokers, among others.
More information about the Finance concentration can be found here: https://www.longwood.edu/business/business-administration/#Finance. For more information or to sit in on one of our classes, email the Executive Director of CBE Student Success, David Zirkle, at zirkledw@longwood.edu.
