FIN-320 at Southern New Hampshire University introduces the corporate finance discipline.
SNHU's catalog says students examine the financial management of organizations and the skills needed to make decisions about financing, investments and dividends, and learn how analyzing financing and investment options can add value for an organization and its investors.
Most students find the first real finance course demanding because it joins accounting, economics and statistics. The catalog lists ACC 201, ECO 202 and one of MAT 240 or MAT 243 as prerequisites, so you are expected to arrive comfortable with financial statements, macroeconomics and basic statistics.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
| Course code | FIN-320 |
| Level and credits | Undergraduate, 3 credits |
| Prerequisites | ACC 201, ECO 202, and one of MAT 240 or MAT 243 |
| Subject area | Corporate finance fundamentals |
| Typical work | Quantitative problem sets, short analyses, written recommendations |
What FIN-320 Covers
| Area from the catalog | In plain terms |
|---|---|
| Corporate finance discipline | How a firm raises money and uses it |
| Financing decisions | Choosing between debt, equity and other sources |
| Investment decisions | Deciding which projects and assets to fund |
| Dividend decisions | Deciding how much to return to owners |
| Value creation | Judging whether a choice adds value for the organization and investors |
The catalog entry does not list specific tools or models, so check your module for the techniques assessed. Finance courses at this level commonly use time value of money, valuation and cost of capital.
Key Concepts Explained
Time Value of Money
A dollar now is worth more than a dollar later because it can earn a return. Compounding moves a value forward; discounting brings a future value to today.
Example: $10,000 invested at 6% a year for 5 years grows to about $13,382 (10,000 x 1.06^5). Reversing it, a promise of $13,382 in 5 years is worth $10,000 today at a 6% discount rate.
Net Present Value
Net present value (NPV) adds the discounted cash flows of a project and subtracts the cost. A positive NPV suggests the project is expected to add value at the chosen rate.
Example: A project costs $7,000 and returns $2,000 a year for 5 years. At 8%, the present value of the returns is about $7,985, so NPV is about +$985. If the discount rate were 14%, the present value would fall to roughly $6,866 and NPV would turn negative.
Risk and Required Return
Riskier investments should offer higher expected returns. When you choose a discount rate, explain why it reflects the risk of the cash flows.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Time value problems | Correct use of formulas | Write the timeline, then the formula, then the answer |
| Project evaluation | NPV and decision rules | State the rate and assumptions, then recommend |
| Financing analysis | Debt versus equity | Compare cost, risk and control |
| Final write-up | Communication | Answer first, then support with numbers |
Setting Out a Finance Problem
| Step | What to write | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timeline of cash flows | Prevents timing errors |
| 2 | Rate and period match | Annual rate with annual periods |
| 3 | Formula or calculator inputs | Shows method for partial credit |
| 4 | Answer with units | Dollars, years or percent |
| 5 | One-sentence interpretation | Turns numbers into advice |
A Study Plan for the Core Skills
| Skill | Practice | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Time value of money | Ten mixed problems on future value, present value and annuities | Answers agree with a calculator or spreadsheet |
| NPV | Evaluate three projects at two discount rates | NPV falls as the rate rises |
| Financing choice | Compare debt and equity for one firm | Cost, risk and control all discussed |
| Dividend decision | Argue for paying or retaining earnings | Link to growth opportunities |
| Writing | Write a one-paragraph recommendation | Answer appears in the first sentence |
Worked example (dividend decision): A firm earns $1,000,000 and has a project with a positive NPV that needs $600,000. Retaining that amount funds the project and adds value for owners, leaving $400,000 that could be paid as dividends. If no good project existed, returning more cash to owners would be the stronger choice. The explanation turns on whether the retained cash can earn at least the return owners require.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Mismatched periods. A monthly payment needs a monthly rate.
- Forgetting the initial cost. NPV subtracts it.
- Numbers without conclusions. State what the result means.
- Weak prerequisites. Revisit statements and basic statistics early.
Study Tips for FIN-320
- Redo each worked example without notes.
- Draw a timeline before every calculation.
- Check answers for reasonableness, for example NPV falls as the rate rises.
- Keep a formula sheet with a note on when to use each.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The catalog lists ACC 201, ECO 202 and one of MAT 240 or MAT 243.
It combines calculation with decisions about financing, investments and dividends, so you must also explain your choices.
FIN-330 and FIN-340 each list FIN-320 as a prerequisite.
The catalog does not state this. Check your module for required tools.
The present value of future cash flows minus the cost, used to judge whether a project adds value.
Yes, with explanation and worked examples. You complete and submit your own work.