This document provides the course materials for BUS 401 Entire Course Work Principles of Finance. It includes discussions, assignments, quizzes, and a final paper evaluating a company's corporate performance. The discussions and assignments cover topics such as financial statements, present and future values, risk and return, ratio analysis, and capital budgeting. Students are asked to analyze financial documents, calculate present and future values, evaluate risks and returns, apply ratio analysis, and recommend whether to invest in a company based on its annual report. The goal is for students to learn key principles of finance and how to apply them to make business and investment decisions.

1. BUS 401 Entire Course Work Principles of Finance
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BUS401 Week 1 – Discussion 1
The Role of Financial Management in a Firm
Summarize the role of management as it relates to finance in a corporation. In your post, address the
following:
Indicate the various aspects of finance that management must understand.
Describe why a manager needs to understand the characteristics and importance of financial markets
including risk and efficiency.
Describe why cash flow is more important than sales in a business.
Discuss what could happen if management does not fulfill responsibilities related to finance. If you have
one, share a realworld example from your own professional experience or from an external source.
Your post should be 200-250 words in length.
BUS 401 Week 1 – Discussion 2
Financial Statements
View the following video:
Important Financial Documents (3:19)
Description: This video looks at the fundamental financial documents every company needs,including the
balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flow.
In your post, choose one of the financial statements and explain how a manager would use the statement
to drive financial analysis and decision-making. Your post should be 200-250 words in length.
BUS 401 Week 1 QUIZ
BUS 401 Week 1 Assignment
Financial Management Challenges and Ethics
Find at least two articles from the Ashford University Library that highlight and discuss two of the
biggest challenges facing financial managers today. One of the articles should be about the challenge of
maintaining ethical financial integrity and the other article should be on any other challenge that a
financial manager may face (e.g.,competition, foreign markets, government intervention, etc.).
Summarize your findings from the articles in a two- to three-page paper (excluding title and references
pages). The paper should be formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Be sure to properly cite your selected articles using APA style.
Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
BUS 401 Week 2 – Discussion 1
Dreams Do Come True
Imagine that you have decided you need a new car,but not any car will do; you have decided to purchase
the car of your dreams. Conduct some research as to the cost of this car. You have determined in this

2. imagined scenario that you could afford to make a 10% down payment. You can borrow the balance
either from your local bank using a four-year loan or from the dealership’s finance company. If you
purchase from your dealership’s finance company, the APR will be 10% with your 10% down and
monthly payments over three years. However,the dealership will give you a rebate of 5% of the car price
after the three year term is complete. You want the best deal possible, so you consider the following
questions:
What type of car have you selected,and what will it cost?
What is the interest rate from your local bank for a car loan for four years?
What will your payment be to your local bank, assuming your 10% down payment? Be sure to use the
formula provided in Chapter 4 and show your work. How much will that car have cost in four years?
What will your payment be to the dealership finance company assuming your 10% down payment? Be
sure to use the formula provided in Chapter 4 and show your work. How much will that car have cost in 3
years?
Which is the better deal and why?
Guided Response: Review several of your classmates’ posts. Respond to at least two classmates by
sharing whether you agree or disagree with how they arrived at their answers. Are there any alternative
financing options that may be even better?
Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond
to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your
responses. Reference the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for guidance on how your discussion will be
evaluated.
BUS 401 Week 1 – Discussion 2
Financial Statements
View the following video:
Important Financial Documents (3:19)
Description: This video looks at the fundamental financial documents every company needs,including the
balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flow.
In your post, choose one of the financial statements and explain how a manager would use the statement
to drive financial analysis and decision-making. Your post should be 200-250 words in length.
Guided Response: Review several of your classmates’ posts. Respond to at least two classmates who have
each selected a different statement,and share any additional ways a manager might use that type of
statement to drive financial decisions in a corporation.
BUS 401 Week 2 Quiz
BUS 401 Week 2 Journal
Present and Future Values, and Expected Returns
We examined two important topics in finance this week:(a) present and future values and (b) security
valuation.
Critically reflect on the importance of present and future values. What factors must be considered when
calculating present and future values? What other qualitative factors play into present and future value
decisions? Perhaps you have opportunities in your professional life to use present and future values. What
are some real or potential applications of these concepts?
We also looked at expected returns. Why do bond values go down when interest rates go up? Is this true
in the opposite direction?
Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your journal entry.
BUS 401 Week 2 Assignment
Teaching Net Present Value (NPV) & Future Value (FV)

3. You have been asked by a manager in your organization to put together a training program explaining Net
Present Value (NPV) and Future Value (FV) and how they are used to evaluate the price of stock. You
have been given the following objectives:
Upon completing your Net Present Value (NPV) and Future Value (FV) Training Program, employees
should be able to do the following:
Explain NPV and FV.
Describe the factors that are used in the NPV and the FV formulas.
Give an example of how to use the formulas for NPV and FV for a stock purchase.
Summarize the differences between the two formulas and the purpose of using each.
Develop a 10- to 12-slide PowerPoint Presentation (excluding title slide and reference slide) that cover
each of the above topics. In the slide notes, include your explanations for each topic above. You must use
a minimum of two scholarly sources. Format the presentation and cite your resources according to the
APA 6th edition style guide as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
BUS 401 Week 3 – Discussion 1
Cash Flows From Working
It may surprise you that there are cash flows associated with holding a job. Using the examples provided
in Chapter 6, construct a simple cash flow statement and payback calculation for when your job expenses
will be covered for employment you currently have or have had in the past. Include in your cash flow
statement:
Expenses associated with working
Any initial investments
Taxes
Guided Response: Review several of your classmates’ posts. Respond to at least two classmates by
sharing other expenses that may not have been considered. Also, share with your classmates what you
have learned from their posts about the costs of working.
BUS 401 Week 3 – Discussion 2
Capital Budgeting
View the video below, which provides some factors that should be considered in capital budgeting
considerations.
Imagine the producers of this video ask you to appear in the video to offer two additional considerations
in capital budgeting decisions. One consideration must be quantitative (numeric). The other must be
qualitative (non-numeric). Write a script to describe capital budgeting considerations that you think are
important for managers to consider. Your script should be 200 to 250 words.
Guided Response: Review several of your classmates’ posts. Respond to at least two classmates by
sharing whether you agree or disagree with their view of capital budgeting considerations. Is there further
support you can offer your classmate on their consideration?
BUS 401 Week 3 QUIZ
BUS 401 Week 3 Assignment
Return on Investment – Education Funding
Develop a three- to four-page analysis (excluding the title and reference pages) on the projected return on
investment for your college education and projected future employment. This analysis will consist of two
parts:

4. Part 1: Explain how you made the decision to pursue an education in Business or Finance. Include a
summary of expenses related to that decision, such as: cost of tuition, cost of books, the interest you may
pay on any loans, and any other associated expenses.
Part 2: Conduct research on your desired occupation and identify how much compensation (return) you
expect to earn. How long will it take to pay back the return on this investment? Be sure to consider the
trade-off between the cost of education and the expected return on investment.
The research paper should be comprehensive and include specific examples. The paper should be
formatted according to APA 6th edition style guidelines and must include at least two scholarly sources
from the Ashford University Library or other scholarly sources.
Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond
to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your
responses. Reference the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for guidance on how your discussion will be
evaluated.
Interviewing Peter Lynch
Review the”Minimizing Risk” video segment below:
In the video segment, you will watch an interview with two great investors of the twentieth century.
Imagine you are Harry Reasoner,and you are allowed to ask Peter Lynch one question about market risk,
discount rates,or the weighted average cost of capital (WACC). What question would you ask? Why do
you feelthat is an important question?
Guided Response: Review several of your classmates’ posts. Respond to at least two classmates. For one
classmate response,answer the question that they have posed to Peter Lynch as if you were speaking for
Peter Lynch. In your second classmate response,share whether you agree or disagree with a classmate’s
answer to the Peter Lynch question.
Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond
to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your
responses. Reference the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for guidance on how your discussion will be
evaluated.
Capital Budgeting
View the video below, which provides some factors that should be considered in capital budgeting
considerations.
Imagine the producers of this video ask you to appear in the video to offer two additional considerations
in capital budgeting decisions. One consideration must be quantitative (numeric). The other must be
qualitative (non-numeric). Write a script to describe capital budgeting considerations that you think are
important for managers to consider. Your script should be 200 to 250 words.
Guided Response: Review several of your classmates’ posts. Respond to at least two classmates by
sharing whether you agree or disagree with their view of capital budgeting considerations. Is there further
support you can offer your classmate on their consideration?
BUS 401 Week 4 – Discussion 1
Interviewing Peter Lynch
Review the”Minimizing Risk” video segment below:
 
In the video segment, you will watch an interview with two great investors of the twentieth century.
Imagine you are Harry Reasoner,and you are allowed to ask Peter Lynch one question about market risk,
discount rates,or the weighted average cost of capital (WACC). What question would you ask? Why do
you feelthat is an important question?
Guided Response: Review several of your classmates’ posts. Respond to at least two classmates. For one
classmate response,answer the question that they have posed to Peter Lynch as if you were speaking for
Peter Lynch. In your second classmate response,share whether you agree or disagree with a classmate’s
answer to the Peter Lynch question.

5. BUS 401 Week 4 – Discussion 2
Cost of Capital
Corporations often use different costs of capital for different operating divisions. Using an example,
calculate the weighted cost of capital (WACC). What are some potential issues in using varying
techniques for cost of capital for different divisions? If the overall company weighted average cost of
capital (WACC) were used as the hurdle rate for all divisions, would more conservative or riskier
divisions get a greater share of capital? Explain your reasoning. What are two techniques that you could
use to develop a rough estimate for each division’s cost of capital? Your initial response should be 200 to
250 words.
Guided Response: Review several of your classmates’ posts. Respond to at least two classmates by
sharing whether you agree or disagree with their view of the use of the company’s capital. Explain your
reasoning.
BUS 401 Week 4 QUIZ
BUS 401 Week 4 Journal
Risk and Return
We examined two very important topics in finance this week: risk and return. To summarize our
discussion of the tradeoffs involved with risk and return, view the Evaluating Business Performance:
Small Business Case Studies video:
Critically reflect on the importance of the risk and return balance. Consider the following:
Can we ever have any return without some type of risk?
If you take on a large risk, are you guaranteed a large return? Why or why not?
What other factors play into risks that are not covered in the video?
When have you had to consider risk and return in personal or professional decision-making?
Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your journal entry
BUS 401 Week 4 Assignment
Identifying and Managing Risk
In this assignment, you will compare and evaluate risk management techniques from experts in the field.
Go to the Ashford University Library and find one article by Dr. James Kallman. Dr. Kallman, an expert
in the field of risk management, has written many articles on managing financial risk. Find a second
article in the Ashford University Library from another credible author of your choice who also provides
recommendations for risk management.
Develop a three- to four-page analysis (excluding the title and reference pages),of the techniques Dr.
Kallman has identified for managing risks. In this analysis, compare Dr.Kallman’s techniques to the
techniques recommended in the second article you researched. Explain why you agree or disagree with
each authors’ recommendations. Describe other factors you believe should be considered in risk
management. The assignment should be comprehensive and include specific examples. The paper should
be formatted according to APA.
You must cite at least two scholarly sources,in addition to the text, from the Ashford University Library,
one being an article by Dr. Kallman.
Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
BUS 401 Week 5 – Discussion 1
Ratio Analysis
Using the Ashford University Library as a resource,find two articles that discuss financial ratio analysis.
Identify two advantages and two disadvantages to using ratios in financial analysis. Be sure to cite your
sources using APA format as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

6. Guided Response:
Review at least two of your classmate’s posts. Respond to at least two classmates by commenting on how
the articles they found were similar or dissimilar from your own. What can you add in regard their
advantages and disadvantages?
BUS 401 Week 5 – Discussion 2
Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond
to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your
responses. Reference the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for guidance on how your discussion will be
evaluated.
Applying Ratios to a Business
Review the following Evaluating Business Performance:Small Business Case Studies video:
The video focuses on profitability, liquidity, efficiency, and stability of business. Given what you have
learned about ratio analysis, choose one of the businesses from the video (Rose Chong Costumes, Anro’s
Floor Maintenance, or John Osborne’s Gym and Squash Center) and identify two ratios that would be
helpful for the owner of the business to monitor. Be sure to explain what the ratio would tell the owner,
and how it can be improved for the business.
Guided Response: Review severalof your classmates’ posts. Respond to at least two classmates who
have chosen a different business owner and explain whether you would have identified the same ratios as
your classmate. What other ratios may be helpful? Do you agree or disagree with their use of the ratio?
Explain.
BUS 401 Week 5 Final Paper
Evaluation of Corporate Performance
The Final Project will involve applying the concepts learned in class to an analysis of a company using
data from its annual report. Using the concepts from this course, you will analyze the strengths and
weaknesses of the company and write a report either recommending or not recommending purchase of the
company stock.
Research Tip: The “Mergent” database in the Ashford University Library contains company profiles and
financial information for publicly traded companies and their competitors. To access this database enter
the Ashford Library and select “Find Articles and More” in the top menu panel. Next, select “Databases
A-Z” and go to section “M” for “Mergent”. For help with using Mergent, use Mergent Online Quick Tips.
For help with reading an annual report access this handy guide from Money Chimp.
The completed report should include:
An introduction to the company, including background information.
A complete and thorough financial statement review.
Pro Forma financial statements (Balance Sheet and Income Statement) for the next fiscal year, assuming a
10 percent growth rate in sales and Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) for the next year.
Complete ratio analysis for the last fiscal year using at least two ratios from each of the following
categories:
Liquidity
Financial leverage
Asset management
Profitability
Market value
A calculation of Return on Equity (ROE) using the DuPont system.
Assessment of management performance by calculating Economic Value Added (EVA).
A synopsis of your findings, including your recommendations and rationale for whether or not to
purchase stock from this company.
This report should be eight to ten pages long (excluding title page and reference pages) using APA 6th
edition formatting guidelines. Support your findings and recommendations with evidence from at least

7. five scholarly resources, such as the textbook, industry reports, and articles from the Ashford University
library.
Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:
Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in
the approved APA style guide.
Must include a cover page that includes:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement.
Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
Must conclude with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph.
Must use at least five scholarly resources from the Ashford University Library.
Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the approved APA style guide.
Must include a separate reference page,formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford
Writing Center.
Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
BUS 401 Entire Course Principles of Finance