BUS 280-01, Personal Financial Management, Fall 2011

Abstract

1. The development and appropriate implementation of a personal budget; 2. A working knowledge of the impact of compounding on investment returns, as well as other applications where time value of money principles play a key role; 3. Information useful in the management of individual debt exposure and issues surrounding the borrowing and repayment of money; 4. An analysis of various investment alternatives and vehicles, and risks typically associated therewith; 5. The impact of personal income taxes on investment returns and the accumulation of wealth; 6. An examination of the particular nuances of stock, bond, mutual fund, and ETF investment alternatives, and consideration of a framework for asset allocation amongst various alternatives equity and fixed income alternatives; 7. A comparison of the structural aspects of tax-deferred savings opportunities (including 401(k) and IRA vehicles); 8. An analysis of mechanisms useful for the protection of wealth through the use of insurance and other risk management and risk transfer techniques; 9. An understanding of key variables associated with the acquisition of tangible assets, such as an automobile or home; 10. The obtaining of a comfort level with information presented in financial periodicals, especially as relates to current events taking place during the semester; 11. The development and use of Excel in the analysis and development of financial analysis and decision making; 12. The professional presentation of the results of financial planning research and recommendations regarding alternatives.