Finance Fundamentals

This matter is an approximation to the area of finance, which is to the student to acquire a set of introductory notions or generals on this discipline. We will try to explain the contents of the finance function within the field of business management. The main objective to achieve is that the student can handle financial concepts from a practical perspective that can be useful in their relations the business world and in the treatment of their possible investments.

1. Introduction to financial calculation.
1.1. The time value of money.
1.2. Financial transactions: capitalisation and discounting. 1.3.
1.3. Interest rates.
1.4. Fundamentals of financial valuation of income. Constant income.
1.5. Loan repayment operations. French amortisation system.

2. The financial function in the company.
2.1. The financial system.
2.2. The company: its financial decisions.
2.3. Investment decisions.
2.4. Financing decisions.

BREALEY, MYERS AND MARCUS (2007): Fundamentos de Finanzas Corporativas, 5ª edición, Mc-Graw Hill-Interamericana de España. Libro básico para los contenidos teóricos de la materia.
BREALEY, MYERS AND ALLEN (2015): Principios de Finanzas Corporativas, 11ª edición, Mc-Graw Hill-Interamericana de España.
NAVARRO ARRIBAS, E. (2019): Matemáticas de las Operaciones Financieras. Ed. Pirámide.
PINDADO, J. (Coord.) (2011): Finanzas Empresariales, Paraninfo, Madrid.

This leveling subject is essential for the adequate academic achievement of the compulsory and elective subjects of the degree.

It aims to homogenize the previous knowledge of the students, particularly those who did not take this subject previously.

The competences of the subject are those included in the Degree Memory. In particular:
CG06 - Ability to communicate information, ideas, business management problems - of a generic or specific nature - and proposed solutions.
CG09 - Ability to identify, gather and interpret relevant data on issues related to business management.
CB07 - Students know how to apply the knowledge acquired and their ability to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study.
CB09 - Students are able to communicate their conclusions and the knowledge and rationale underpinning them to specialist and non-specialist audiences in a clear and unambiguous way.
CT03 - Capacity for analysis and synthesis
CE06 - Ability to manage the company's operations and information systems.
CE07 - Ability to carry out the economic-financial management of a company.

In the classes expository sessions and practical activities of the students will be combined, such as carrying out exercises, comments on articles related to the subject, analysis and presentation of proposed tasks and practical cases related to the field of matter.
Combination of expository, theoretical-practical classes, with participation in practical activities, all of them face-to-face, as indicated in the classroom.
Face-to-face or telematic tutoring (through the USC MS’Teams corporate platform).

Active and continued participation in the proposed activities, in addition to being evaluated for the final grade, will allow the student to achieve the objectives of the subject. In order to pass the subject, the student will have to attend at least 80% of the scheduled teaching activities.

The assessment will consist of two parts:
Continuous assessment (50% of the subject) which will consist of:
- The completion of the asynchronous tasks (which are carried out in different time slots in which the class takes place) that are proposed in the classroom (25% of the subject). This will include the delivery of written documentation and oral presentations in which the student presents the proposed activity: exercises, comments on articles, papers, etc.
- The completion of the synchronous tests proposed in the classroom (25% of the subject). These will consist of tests, in general, of multiple-choice questions, exercises and/or short questions related to the contents of the subject and aspects dealt with.
Final exam or final test (50% of the subject). This test will take place on the dates established in the calendar of 1st and 2nd opportunity tests.
In the event of failing the continuous assessment, it may be made up in the compulsory final exam.
Students who have been granted an exemption from class attendance (following Instruction no. 1/2017 of the General Secretary's Office on the waiver of class attendance in certain circumstances), will be assessed with a final test or exam which will be 100% of the mark.
For cases of fraudulent execution of exercises or tests, the provisions of the ‘Regulations on the evaluation of students’ academic performance and revision of grades’ will be applied.

Regarding the assessment of competences:
a) In the tests and in the final exam, the following may be assessed:
CB07, CB09, CT03, CE06
b) In the performance of asynchronous tasks, the following may be assessed: cb07, cb09, ct03, ce06:
CG06, CG09, CB09, CT03, CE06, CE07

Classroom work.
Blackboard classes in a large group 8h.
Blackboard classes in small groups 6h
Tutorials 2
Other sessions with teacher. Evaluation 4h
Total hours of face-to-face work in the classroom 20h

Classroom work by the student.
Individual or group self-study 20h
Writing exercises, conclusions or
other work related to the subject 6h
Recommended readings, activities in the
library or similar 4h
Total hours of personal work by the student 30h

Given that this is a leveling subject of few hours duration, it is recommended:
- Attendance and active participation in the classroom.
- Before each class, the student should prepare the general outline of each of the topics to be covered.
- Continuous study of the subject given the close relationship between its different contents.
- Consultation of bibliographical references and resolution of alternative practical cases to those solved in class.
- For the monitoring and preparation of the subject we recommend the use of the virtual campus of the USC and continuous communication with the teacher, through personal tutorials or virtual communication tools.
- It is advisable to be familiar with the use of the Excel spreadsheet.