Financial markets represent the lifeblood of our global economy. These mechanisms promote greater economic efficiency by transferring funds from individuals, businesses and governments with an excess of available funds to those with a shortage. Funds are transferred in the financial markets through the purchase and sale of financial instruments (such as stocks and bonds). Short-term financial instruments are available in money markets, while longer-term financial instruments are purchased and sold in the world’s capital markets. Many financial markets have been in existence for hundreds of years; however the modern era has brought along many new innovations such as securitization and the derivatives market.

This course provides an introductory overview of the world’s largest financial markets, including the money, bond, stock, mortgage, foreign currency and derivatives markets. This course reviews the various types of financial risk that impact these markets, as well as the economic variables that influence market activity (such as interest rates and monetary policy).

A derivative is a financial product that derives its value based on an underlying asset, liability or other variable (such as an interest rate, foreign currency or commodity price). Derivatives have become very popular tools for hedging (i.e. reducing) financial risk; they have also become an increasingly standard item on big companies balance sheets. Yet understanding how they work, what they are used for and how they can affect the bottom line of a business has proven to be a significant challenge for the accounting and auditing industries.

This course provides an -accountant-friendly- overview of financial risk management and derivative instruments. This overview focuses on the various types of risk that impact financial markets today, as well as the four major categories of derivatives commonly used to hedge these risks (i.e. forwards, futures, swaps and options).

International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) represents the future of financial accounting and reporting in the United States. Most of the world already communicates with investors and stakeholders about corporate financial performance in the language of IFRS. The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and their U.S. equivalent (the FASB) have made commitments towards the convergence U.S. GAAP and IFRS and are working to eliminate as many differences between the two Standards as possible. The Securities and Exchange Commission has endorsed the outright adoption of IFRS in the United States. This growing acceptance of IFRS as a basis for U.S. financial reporting represents a fundamental change for the U.S. accounting profession.

This course provides an introductory overview of International Financial Reporting Standards, including detailed discussions of the impact that IFRS will have on U.S. businesses. This course also includes comprehensive reviews of the IASB structure and its standard-setting process, the basic framework that serves as the foundation for IFRS and the differences that exist between U.S. GAAP and IFRS.

This course covers the more basic aspects of QuickBooks Pro 2009, teaching the student how to

• Set up a QuickBooks company file
• Work with preferences, items, lists, and forms
• Work with the Fixed Asset Item List
• Create purchase orders, accounts payable transactions, and automated and manual checks
• Create customer invoices, and receive payments and make deposits
• Process payroll transactions and create payroll checks
• Modify forms to create a customized appearance
• Create journal entries and understand when they are needed
• Reconcile bank accounts
• Create, modify, and export reports
• Maintain QuickBooks company data files

Personal Life Insurance Planning is divided into six lessons that include the following:

1. An Introduction to Human Life Value and Needs Analysis
2. Gathering Client Information
3. Identifying & Calculating Lump-sum Needs at Death
4. Social Security Survivor Benefits
5. Identifying Survivor Income Needs at Death
6. Calculating Survivor Income Needs at Death

“15 Quick Tips on Becoming a GREAT Consultant” is intended for:

1. CPAs, accountants, IT professionals and others who want to learn new skills to become amazing consultants.
2. Students and others who want to learn more about the subject.
3. Consulting firms, and firms that are conducting training programs for consultants.

The course is easy to use and should assist the student in becoming aware of non-technical issues that are very important to any consultant. This course is designed to give students practical considerations and ideas to use in any consulting project. Each one of the five chapters presents three tips to improve your consulting experience and to make you one of the best professionals out there.

How can someone become a great consultant? Read on…