Financial Management for Small-to-Medium Enterprises
Small-to-medium enterprises are the backbone of ever economy in the world, employing up to 40 per cent of the total workforce in the world. Their main problem is the source of funding to start and to continue operating busineses through different operational environments. This course solves the problems by availing enough knowledge these vital entities require in order to survive, make profit and grow until they become succesful MNCs we see today.
This course deals with the sourcing, utlisation and optimising of financial resources to facilitate the liquid and solvent operations in a business. It aims to help students understand the importance of properly using financial resources from routine operational processes to contigency planning through properly understanding processes around maintaining a healthy capital structure. This is one of the most important functions of any business as it is the main source of revenue. This course helps students understand Budgeting, Capital Markets, The Macro/Mico Economic influences on businesses and the extent to which Management Decisions can determine the solvency and profitability of the business.
Introduction to Financial ManagementTypes of Financial Statements/Management ReportsSources of Business CapitalUses of Business CapitalBudgetingCost of CapitalFinancial Systems and MarketsDecision Making Methods in FinanceThe survival of small firms environmental influences on the Financial Management department
On successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate a critical awareness and understanding of Financial Management for Small-to-Medium Enterprises at the master's level that provides a basis for developing and/or applying new ideas, often within a research context.
- apply knowledge, critical understanding, and problem-solving abilities in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study (Financial Management for Small-to-Medium Enterprises)
- assimilate knowledge and formulate opinions with incomplete or limited information, but that include a reflection on social and ethical responsibilities.
- communicate their assumptions, and knowledge regarding Financial Management for Small-to-Medium Enterprises and the rationale underpinning these, to specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously.
- use the acquired skills to allow them to continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed and autonomous.
- integrate knowledge from other courses of the master program and practical business and formulate critical judgments with incomplete data.
The course is offered as self-study in e-learning. The learning material is provided in the form of lectures, literature, and lecture notes. Independent learning is required. In the case of paper submissions, further research is expected in compliance with the given scientific standard. LIVE course sessions are offered to support the students with questions regarding the content. Students are supported in their scientific work by corresponding online seminars.
All lectures and learning materials are made available in the online campus GHU Campus. All lectures are recorded and are available for download 24/7. The lecture notes, as well as additional material provided by the lecturer, can also be accessed in the GHU Campus.
Documents for exam preparation consisting of lectures and lecture notes. Additional material provided by the lecturer serves as independent files and can be used to work on the exams. The examination comprises theory questions, reflection, and case study and is intended to confirm all learning objectives.
The assessment consists of a 5000-word Financial Management for Small-to-Medium Enterprises essay and assesses all learning outcomes. As a master-level assignment, the essay requires a command of a complex and specialized area of knowledge and skills. This implies that, in addition to demonstrating a sound grasp of the ideas and concepts relevant to the topic of theessay, students will show that they can evaluate aspects such as conventions of approaches, their internal consistency, relevance, and applicability, as well as strengths and weaknesses.
To reach an assessment, students will consider competing approaches and draw on critiques put forward in scholarly literature. The position adopted in the assignment and any claims made must be based on a careful, coherent, and logical arguments, need to be appropriately supported with evidence from relevant scholarly sources, and should be presented in a coherent piece of writing. Sources must be referenced appropriately in-text and in a quote/reference list as set out in the GHU Referencing Guidelines.