FIN-550 at Southern New Hampshire University is a graduate course. SNHU's catalog describes it as a study of finance from a corporate perspective, including investments, capital structure and restructuring, budgeting, financial markets, policy and portfolio management.
Students analyze a firm's opportunities and risk level and evaluate the impact on shareholder value.
The prerequisites listed in the catalog are MBA courses, including MBA 502 or MBA 503 together with MBA 500 and MBA 504. Check the catalog entry for the combination that applies to your program. The breadth of the course is its challenge, since it joins valuation, risk and policy in one analysis.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
| Course code | FIN-550 |
| Level and credits | Graduate, 3 credits |
| Prerequisites | MBA courses per the catalog (including MBA 500, 502 or 503, and 504) |
| Subject area | Corporate financial management |
| Typical work | Quantitative analysis, firm evaluation, written reports |
What FIN-550 Covers
| Topic from the catalog | In plain terms |
|---|---|
| Investments and budgeting | Choosing and funding projects |
| Capital structure and restructuring | The debt and equity mix and changing it |
| Financial markets | Where capital is raised and priced |
| Policy | Rules and decisions that guide financial management |
| Portfolio management | Combining assets to balance risk and return |
| Shareholder value | Judging each choice by its effect on owners |
Key Concepts Explained
Evaluating a Project at the Right Rate
The discount rate must reflect the risk of the project. Show the calculation and the sensitivity to the rate.
Example: A project costs $1,000 and returns $400 a year for 3 years. At a 10% required return, the present value of the returns is about $995, so NPV is about -$5. At 8%, NPV turns positive. The decision depends on the rate, so the report should justify the one it uses.
Capital Structure and Value
Changing the debt mix changes risk and the cost of financing. Compare alternatives on value, risk and flexibility, and state your assumptions about taxes and distress costs.
Portfolio Thinking
Judge each investment by its contribution to the whole portfolio, not only by itself. A risky asset that moves differently from the rest can reduce overall risk.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative problems | Technique | Show inputs, formulas and interpretation |
| Firm analysis | Opportunities and risk | Use statements and market data, with sources |
| Capital structure memo | Judgment | Recommend a structure and explain trade-offs |
| Discussion | Applying theory | Link a concept to a real company |
Structuring a Firm Analysis
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Summary | Conclusion on impact for shareholder value |
| Opportunities | Projects and markets, with numbers |
| Risk | Leverage, operating and market risk |
| Options | Alternatives compared on the same criteria |
| Recommendation | Choice, assumptions and limits |
A Topic-by-Topic Study Approach
| Topic | Practice | Output to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Investments and budgeting | Evaluate two projects with limited funds | Ranking with reasons |
| Capital structure | Compare three debt levels on value and risk | Comparison table |
| Restructuring | Trace one real restructuring | Case notes |
| Financial markets | Note how a firm raised capital recently | Funding summary |
| Policy | Describe the firm's dividend and financing policy | Policy statement |
| Portfolio management | Compute portfolio return and risk for two mixes | Calculation sheet |
Worked example (limited funds): A firm has $500,000 and three projects: A costs $300,000 with NPV $60,000, B costs $200,000 with NPV $50,000, and C costs $300,000 with NPV $70,000. Choosing A and B uses $500,000 for $110,000 of NPV. Choosing C and B also uses $500,000 but yields $120,000, so it is the better package. Choosing C alone yields only $70,000 and leaves $200,000 unused. Always test the combinations, not only single projects.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Rusty prerequisites. Review statistics, accounting and economics early.
- Breadth. Use a topic map so nothing is missed.
- Unstated assumptions. Always list them.
- No tie to shareholder value. End each analysis with its effect.
Study Tips for FIN-550
- Create a formula and concept map by topic.
- Rerun calculations with a second set of assumptions.
- Source company data and note the dates.
- Write the conclusion before finishing the detail.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the catalog lists it at graduate level, 3 credits.
The catalog lists MBA courses, including MBA 502 or MBA 503 with MBA 500 and MBA 504. Check the entry for your program.
A corporate perspective on investments, capital structure, budgeting, financial markets, policy and portfolio management.
Choices are evaluated by their impact on shareholder value.
Not stated in the catalog. Check your module.
Yes, with explanation and feedback. You complete and submit your own work.