Corporate finance WSE-EK-FprzOg
Seminar objectives:
Analysis and evaluation of a company’s financial condition: The aim is to understand the fundamental objectives of corporate finance, analyze and interpret financial statements, and assess a company’s condition using ratio analysis.
Making key financial decisions: The student will learn how to evaluate investment projects, identify and compare different sources of financing, understand the cost of capital, and analyze the impact of capital structure and dividend policy on firm value.
Risk management and understanding contemporary challenges: This includes the ability to identify and manage various types of financial risk, as well as to understand the motivations and risks associated with mergers and acquisitions, and to engage in informed discussion on contemporary challenges such as ESG and the impact of economic crises.
The course consists of one introductory session, 12 substantive two-hour meetings, one summary session, and one final assessment session.
Each substantive meeting begins with a 10–15 minute introduction, followed by group work and joint discussion.
Topics:
Objectives and functions of corporate finance
Financial statements as a source of information
Ratio analysis and evaluation of a company’s condition
Working capital and liquidity management
Investment decisions in the firm
Sources of financing
Capital structure and financial leverage
Cost of capital and WACC
Dividend policy
Financial risk management
Mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring
Contemporary challenges in corporate finance
Teaching methods:
The seminar is conducted as a problem-based and discussion-oriented course, placing students in the context of real economic dilemmas in order to actively search for theoretical solutions. The teaching process is enriched with case study analysis.
(in Polish) Dyscyplina naukowa, do której odnoszą się efekty uczenia się
(in Polish) Grupa przedmiotów ogólnouczenianych
Subject level
Learning outcome code/codes
Type of subject
Preliminary Requirements
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
U01: The student is able to interpret economic data and phenomena within the fields of study and scientific disciplines relevant to the programme.
U04: The student is able to practically use economic information and process it for the purposes of economic and social activities.
U09: The student communicates effectively in the language of contemporary economics, including the ability to prepare typical written assignments and oral presentations both in Polish and in a foreign language at the B2 level.
Assessment criteria
The final grade will be based on a written test (midterm) assessing knowledge of problem-based questions discussed during the course.
Test format:
5 comprehensive/problem-based questions selected from the pool of questions provided in the course materials
Duration: 50 minutes
Each question is graded on a scale from 0 to 1 point, with increments of 0.25. The final grade is based on the total number of points obtained.
Active participation in discussions may increase the final grade by half a grade.
Lack of participation may be noted and may negatively affect the final grade.
Attendance is mandatory (up to 3 unexcused absences are allowed). Two late arrivals (up to 15 minutes; longer delays count as an absence) are treated as one absence.
Workload:
Participation in classes: 30 hours
Analysis of source materials: 60 hours
30 hours = 1 ECTS credit
Bibliography
Core literature:
L. Szyszko, J. Szczepański (eds.), Corporate Finance, PWE, Warsaw 2003
D. Krzemińska, Corporate Finance, Wydawnictwo Wyższej Szkoły Bankowej, Poznań 2000
J. Ostaszewski (ed.), Finance, 6th revised and expanded edition, Difin, Warsaw 2013
Supplementary literature:
P. Śliwiński, Corporate Finance: From Theory to Practice, Wydawnictwo UE, Poznań 2024
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: