Build a foundation in investment finance and develop analytical skills to evaluate investments, assess risk and make informed financial decisions. 

Designed for accounting and financial services professionals looking to advance into finance roles, as well as managers and business owners seeking to strengthen their finance knowledge, this course introduces the fundamentals of investors, financial markets and investment analysis. You’ll explore essential concepts such as the time value of money, rates of return, market interest rates and investment risk. You’ll also learn to evaluate fixed-income securities (bonds) and equities (stocks), calculate and interpret investment returns, and apply financial models to assess risk and value.  

By the end of the course, you’ll have a stronger understanding of how financial markets and investments work and be able to apply fundamental investment analysis techniques to support financial decision-making. 

Recommended Preparation: Working knowledge of algebra, statistics and Excel. Prior completion of Financial Statement Analysis is recommended. 

Learning Outcomes 

• Explain the relationship between providers of capital (investors) and users of capital (firms) 
• Calculate, interpret and apply the time value of money 
• Calculate and interpret key measures of investment risk, including expected value, variance and standard deviation 
• Analyze risk and return when evaluating financial investments 
• Explain how investors determine the required rate of return for an investment 
• Calculate and interpret the price and rate of return of bonds and equities 
• Apply and interpret the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) to evaluate equity investments 

Skills You Will Gain 

• Investment analysis 
• Risk and return analysis 
• Time value of money calculations 
• Bond and equity valuation 
• Investment return calculations 
• Financial market analysis 
• Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) 
• Financial decision-making 

Course Format and Pacing 

This is an online course delivered through Canvas, UC Davis CPE’s learning management system. Course materials—including video lectures, readings, assignments and discussion forums—are released on a structured, week-by-week schedule. Students progress through the course together, with regular due dates to support consistent progress and engagement. Most learners can expect to spend approximately 10–12 hours per week engaging with course content and completing assignments.