Financial Management Degree Online | Bachelors in Finance (2024)

IACBE Accredited Program

The Ross College of Business at Franklin University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road, Suite 300, Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please view ourmember status page.

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Choose either MATH 140 Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning or MATH 150 Fundamental Algebra as the prerequisite. Course can count as a University Elective.

2 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Anthropology, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology disciplines.

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Two courses from the Science discipline. One course must have a lab component.

4 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Art, English Literature, Fine Arts, Humanities, Music, Philosophy, Religion or Theater disciplines.

PF 121 - Basic Learning Strategies (2)

This course prepares students to be successful lifelong learners both academically and in their chosen careers. Franklin courses require a high level of self-directed learning and focus on the skills required in the workplace and the classroom that are easily transferrable between the two environments. The course includes strategies for time management, goal setting, reading comprehension, and advancing communication skills, including the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments.

OR PF 321 - Learning Strategies (2)

This course prepares students to be successful lifelong learners both academically and in their chosen careers. Franklin courses require a high level of self-directed learning and focus on the skills required in the workplace and the classroom that are easily transferable between the two environments. The course includes strategies for advancing communication skills, including the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments. The assignments and activities in the course are created to closely simulate teamwork found in the workplace.

COMM 150 - Interpersonal Communication (4)

By using applied critical and creative thinking, students in this course will develop a set of communication skills that will enhance their personal and professional relationships and endeavors. This course will focus on skill development in key areas such as self, perception, listening, verbal messages, conversations, relationships, conflict management, persuasion, and presentation skills.

OR SPCH 100 - Speech Communication (4)

This basic public-speaking course intends to improve the student's ability to think critically and to communicate orally. Theory and practice are provided in various speaking situations. Each student is required to speak before an audience, but class work also involves reading, gathering and organizing information, writing, and listening.

PF 106 - Introduction to Spreadsheets (1)

This course focuses on using spreadsheets to solve business problems.

ACCT 215 - Financial Accounting (4)

This course is an introduction to accounting, emphasizing how general-purpose financial statements communicate information about the business corporation's performance and position for users external to management. Approximately one third of the course emphasizes how the accountant processes and presents the information and includes exposure to recording transactions, adjusting balances and preparing financial statements for service and merchandise firms according to established rules and procedures. The balance of the course examines major elements of the statements such as cash, receivables, inventory, long-lived assets, depreciation, time value of money, payroll, bonds, and other liabilities and stocks. Concepts of this course are applied to ACCT 225 (Managerial Accounting). Students are advised to avoid any time lapse between these two courses.

ACCT 225 - Managerial Accounting (4)

The study of management accounting for internal reporting and decision-making. The course introduces a business-management approach to the development and use of accounting information. Major topics include cost behavior, cost analysis, profit planning and control measures. Accounting for decentralized operations, capital budgeting decisions, and ethical challenges in managerial accounting are also covered.

BSAD 220 - Business Law (4)

A study of the everyday legal problems encountered in business with emphasis on the areas of legal procedure, contracts, agency, employment law, business organizations and torts, with cases relating to these and other areas.

ECON 210 - Introduction to Microeconomics (4)

An introduction to economic theory involving the examination of how decision making by firms and individuals is shaped by economic forces. Emphasis is placed on demand, supply, market equilibrium analysis, and basic market structure models. The invisible hand as the driving force for economic decisions as well as market externalities are discussed. The class concentrates on providing a balanced approach to studying economic agents' behavior and the global implications and outcomes.

FINA 301 - Principles of Finance (4)

This course is designed to survey the field of finance and provide the foundation for more advanced finance coursework. Topics include sources of business and financial information, financial statement analysis, the time value of money, the nature and measurement of risk, financial institutions, investments and corporate finance.

MGMT 312 - Principles of Management (4)

This course explores the basic concepts and processes of management. Students will explore the functional roles and processes of planning, leading, organizing, and controlling comprising the manager role. Students develop skills related to the manager function that are required in today's competitive environment.

MKTG 300 - Marketing (4)

Theory, strategies and methods are foundational to the informed practice of marketing. Students investigate the importance of marketing to an organization or cause, the interrelationship of the difference phases of marketing, the marketing of goods versus services, analysis and identification of markets, pricing strategies and digital marketing tactics.

FINA 340 - Money, Banking, & Financial Markets (4)

This course provides an overview of the financial system. The roles of money, financial intermediaries, financial markets, and central banks are discussed in the context of global economy.

FINA 403 - Advanced Financial Management (4)

An introduction to advanced concepts and methods of financial management. Topics include risk and return, asset evaluation, capital budgeting, capital structure, business financial planning and working capital management.

FINA 405 - Investments (4)

An examination of investment markets, transactions, planning and information. Topics include investment risk and return measures, debt and equity instruments, evaluation techniques, hybrid and derivative securities, mutual funds, real estate investments, tax planning and the investment process, and portfolio management.

FINA 450 - Global Finance (4)

Global Finance is an examination of financial management in the global economy. Topics include international financial markets, exchange rates, interest rates and inflation, exchange rate risk management, working capital management, capital budgeting, country risk analysis, long-term financing, and global strategic planning.

FINA 495 - Financial Policy Seminar (4)

This course is designed to provide a capstone experience for Financial Management majors, challenging them to apply their knowledge of finance to actual business problems and cases. Topics considered may vary with each offering of the course. Note, this course has proctored exam(s).

At least 8 credits from the following courses:

ACCT 310 - Intermediate Accounting I (4)

Intermediate Accounting I is the first of two in-depth financial accounting courses. Theory, the conceptual framework, development of generally accepted accounting principles, and applications are stressed. Topics include the income statement, statement of cash flows and, the balance sheet, specifically the asset accounts.

ACCT 320 - Intermediate Accounting II (4)

This course is the second of two in-depth financial accounting courses. Theory, concepts, and applications are stressed. Topics include time value of money, current and non-current liabilities, leases, deferred taxes, retirement benefits, stockholders' equity, earnings per share, accounting changes and errors, and the statement of cash flows.

ACCT 330 - Cost Management (4)

This course is an in-depth study of cost accounting focusing on its role in internal reporting and the resulting decision-making processes. Students will evaluate the foundation, ethics and basic costing systems employed in the management accounting profession; analyze budgeting, cost behavior, pricing and profitability concepts and principles; determine how cost allocations, product quality, and investment decisions are applied by management accountants; determine how current trends in various industries impact cost accounting; and demonstrate knowledge that is in accordance with the educational requirements for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam.

ACCT 411 - Tax Practicum (1-4)

This course provides students with a real world work experience opportunity that allows students to interact with taxpayers in completing and filing their income tax returns through the VITA (voluntary income tax assistance) program administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This supervised work experience in tax return preparation mirrors the tax practice in small accounting firms. In addition, it provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate a commitment to providing community service. Students undertake an intensive course delivered in a series of modules preparing participants to complete tax forms for individuals. Students must successfully pass the IRS VITA volunteer tax preparer exam. Students then are responsible for maintaining the professional requirements of the established tax practice. Tax returns are computerized and electronically filed. Professional skills are emphasized.

ENTR 395 - Foundations of Entrepreneurship (4)

Foundations of Entrepreneurship is an introductory course that examines the theory, practice, and tools of entrepreneurship. Various entrepreneurship structures and how such structures result in different unique pathways to success are explored. Students will focus on the importance of developing an entrepreneurial mindset as they assess their individual values and determine their affinity for entrepreneurial thinking, while also reviewing the risks and rewards of entrepreneurial businesses in the context of their chosen entrepreneurial philosophy. Finally, students will identify and evaluate opportunities for new ventures, and consider a strategic approach for successful business plan development.

FINA 410 - Finance Internship (1-4)

This course provides qualified students with an opportunity to receive academic credit for supervised professional training and experience in an actual work environment. This Internship is an ongoing seminar between the student, the faculty member and the employment supervisor. It involves an Internship Application and Learning Agreement, periodic meetings with the faculty representative, professional experience at a level equivalent to other senior-level courses and submission of material as established in the Internship Application and Learning Agreement. Participation cannot be guaranteed for all applicants.

FPLN 300 - Principles of Financial Planning (4)

An introduction to personal financial planning. Topics include the financial planning process, money management and investments, insurance needs, income tax planning, retirement planning and estate planning. Cases are used to illustrate important planning concepts, techniques and issues.

FPLN 430 - Tax Planning (4)

An introduction to federal income taxation and the role of the tax code in financial planning for individuals, businesses, and business owners. Topics include the tax environment, fundamentals of income tax planning, the measurement of taxable income, the taxation of business income, individual income taxation, and the tax compliance process.

FPLN 440 - Risk Management & Insurance Planning (4)

An introduction to the techniques and issues of risk management and insurance for businesses and individuals. Topics include legal principles in risk and insurance, insurance contracts, personal property and liability risk, life and health risks, social insurance, insurance companies and product markets, insurance pricing, insurance taxation, government regulation of insurance, and professional ethics and market conduct.

BUSA 200 - Database Fundamentals (2)

This introductory course focuses on applying information technology to business strategies using databases. The student will gain a working knowledge of current database technology, including relational database concepts, database design, data extraction, and data warehousing while working with database applications.

DATA 300 - Introduction to Analytics (4)

This course introduces the fundamentals of Business and Data Analytics. Students will learn business problem framing, data wrangling, descriptive and inferential statistics, data visualization, and data storytelling in analytics.

RMI 420 - Commercial Lines Property & Casualty Insurance (4)

This course focuses on the core principles underlying and potential applications for commercial lines property and casualty insurance as a risk management tool. Emphasis is placed on analyzing various types of property and casualty insurance products for businesses, contracts involved in such products, and considerations of both the insurer and the insured in identifying suitable P & C insurance products for mitigating specific business risks.

RMI 330 - Life & Health Insurance (4)

This course analyzes the uses of individual and group life and health insurance to manage the financial risks that illness, incapacity, and death pose to individuals and organizations. It includes a review of various health and life insurance products and their utility in addressing specific needs and situations, as well as the underwriting and operational mechanisms that insurers employ in providing such products.

RMI 450 - Personal Lines Property & Casualty Insurance (4)

This course focuses on the core principles underlying and potential applications for personal property and casualty insurance as a risk management tool for families. Emphasis is placed on analyzing various types of personal property and casualty insurance products such as auto, homeowners', and watercraft, as well as insurance for "toys" such as four-wheelers and travel trailers. It also addresses personal lines profitability and pricing as well as portfolio management.

FPLN 450 - Retirement Savings & Income Planning (4)

This course is an introduction to retirement planning concepts, procedures, and issues for individuals, businesses, and business owners. Topics include understanding and evaluating client retirement objectives, qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, tailoring retirement plans to client needs, funding retirement plans and investing plan assets, retirement planning for individual clients, post-retirement monetary needs, tax considerations in retirement planning, and retirement plan distributions.

FPLN 460 - Estate Planning (4)

An introduction to the principles and techniques in estate planning. Topics include the use of living and testamentary trusts, joint ownership of property, life insurance, charitable dispositions, inter vivos gifts, and the marital deduction to efficiently conserve and transfer wealth, consistent with the client's goals. Note, this course has proctored exam(s).