Recap
This chapter focused on the financial management of a firm and the securities markets in which firms raise funds. We started with an overview of the role of finance and of the financial manager in the firm’s overall business strategy. Discussions of short- and long-term uses of funds and investment decisions followed. Next, examined key sources of short- and long-term financing. Then reviewed the function, operation, and regulation of securities markets. Finally, we looked at key trends affecting financial management and securities markets.
Resources
- What challenges do today’s financial managers face? To find out, browse through recent issues of CFO magazine at http://www.cfo.com
- Find an introduction to the types of cash management services banks offer their customers at the Royal Bank of Canada website, https://rbcbank.com
- Start your online exploring at Yahoo! Finance, http://finance.yahoo.com, which offers everything from breaking business and world news to stock research, portfolio tracking tools, and educational articles.
- For small businesses just starting out or entrepreneurs who have invented the next great product but need some financial assistance, several crowdfunding platforms can help. Both Kiva (https://www.kiva.org) and IndieGoGo (https://www.indiegogo.com) offer loans or financial backing to help people start up new businesses or match potential investors with entrepreneurs looking for some financial backing.
- The Motley Fool, http://www.fool.com, is a favorite site for both novice and experienced investors. In addition to the latest stock picks, the website offers detailed information on a variety of topics, such as how to invest, retirement, and personal finance.
- You’ll find a minicourse on municipal bonds when you click on “Learn More” at the top of the page at http://www.investingbonds.com.
- Moneychimp (http://www.moneychimp.com) strives to educate investors by offering clear, practical articles on a complete range of finance and investing topics, including investment basics, understanding annual reports, stock valuation, and more.
- Thinking of investing in a particular company? Go to the SEC’s website to access the EDGAR database of the financial reports filed by all public companies with the SEC: http://www.sec.gov.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will cover Your Career in Business.