Finance is a field that is ripe with opportunity and excellent earning potential. Despite recession or economic downturns, careers in finance remain stable. This constancy is probably because even in dire financial circumstances, companies and individuals need to track their cash flow closer than ever, creating a need for talented professionals in the industry. Whether it's the best of times or the worst of times, finance professionals are always in demand.
Featured ProgramsIn compiling this list of the best free online courses in finance, we uncovered many options. However, using our exclusive methodology, we've come up with some solid offerings. Listed in descending order with the best options at the top of the list, you will find something here for all skill levels. At the end of the review, we will cover some questions and answers about free finance courses.
Ranking 10 Free Online Courses in Finance
1. Financial Markets
Offered by Yale University at Coursera
Taught by Nobel Prizewinner Robert Shiller, Financial Markets is one of the top free online coursesin finance and is offered through Yale University. If you ever wanted theopportunity to attend an ivy league school, here is your chance to learn fromthe best for free.
In recent years, advertisers and finance experts have been focusing on behavioral finance—a combination of traditional finance, behavioral, and psychological theory that looks at why people make the financial decisions that they do. This free online finance course covers this topic and more.
There are seven modules,each covering different aspects of financial markets. This engaging course iscomprehensive, insightful, and free for students who take it in Coursera'saudit mode. For those who wish to obtain a certificate of completion, a fee isassessed.
Cost: FreeCertificate:Yes, with a feeTime to Complete: 38 hoursCurriculum:Beginner to AdvancedUser Experience: ExcellentQuality of Instruction: ExcellentPros:• 130 videos
• Unique course material
• Korean and Spanishsubtitles available
Cons:• Completioncertificates are only offered through Coursera's paid mode
Cons:• Must cancel thesubscription before the two-month trial period ends to avoid being charged afee.
• Too basic for studentslooking for a more detailed course
2. Finance Theory 1
Offered by MIT
This graduate-level financecourse is offered through MIT Open Courseware and covers the same materialstaught on campus. However, it is entirely free. While you won't receive creditsor certification for taking it, you will have the satisfaction of knowing youcompleted a graduate-level course in financing from MIT. How cool is that?
The free accounting online course introduces the theory of modern financial management and economics, focusing on investments and capital markets. The topics include:
• Functions of financialintermediaries and capital markets
• Fixed-incomesecurities
• Asset valuation
• Capital budgeting
• Common stocks
• Portfolio selectionand diversification
• Equilibrium pricing ofrisky assets
• An introduction toderivatives and options
• The theory ofefficient markets
This is an advancedcourse, and those without a solid background in finance may find it a bit toochallenging. However, for students up to the challenge, it offers a wealth ofinformation to take with you as you advance your education or career.
Cost: FreeCertificate: NoTime to Complete: 27 hoursCurriculum:AdvancedUser Experience: GoodQuality of Instruction: ExcellentPros:• Learn at no costthrough the Sloan School of Management at MIT
• Excellent for thoselooking for more advanced coursework
• Contains videos, examples,lectures, recitations, readings, and more
Cons:• Certificates andgrading not offered
•May be too advanced forsome students
3. Introduction toCorporate Finance
Offered by Columbia Business School through edX
All first-year MBAstudents at Columbia are required to take this introductory finance coursetaught by world-class instructor Daniel Wolfenzon. In it, you will learn abouttime-honored financial rules and concepts and how to apply them to valuestocks, bonds, and firms.
The course covers thecost of capital and capital budgeting and the time value of money. Using Excel,students will learn to compute NPV, find IRR., and value stocks and bonds.
You can opt to take the course in edX's paid component, which provides an instructor-signed shareable certificate from Columbia Business School. However, the course can also be taken in audit mode at no cost. You should have a basic understanding of accounting and excel to succeed in the free online accounting course.
Cost: FreeCertificate:Yes, with a feeTime to Complete: Four weeksCurriculum: Introductoryto intermediateUser Experience: ExcellentQuality of Instruction: ExcellentPros:• Identical to what istaught at Columbia Business School
• Part of a professionalcertificate in corporate finance
• Excellent quality
Cons:• Verified learners willneed to pay a fee for the certification
4. Finance forEveryone: Smart Tools for Decision Making
Offered by University of Michigan through edX
In this six-week edXcourse, you will learn how to apply smart tools and frameworks to help younavigate everyday financial decisions. No matter what reasons you have to takethis course, the content is down-to-earth and useful and will help you when itcomes to making good financial choices in both your business and personal life.
This practical free online finance course highlights the power and beauty of finance and how it applies to everyday life decisions such as whether to buy or rent or how to put a value on the impact of home, vehicle, and student loans.
Students will develop anappreciation for the time value of money, allocating scarce resources to addvalue, how smart tools can help make financial decisions easier, and much more.
For anyone interested inthe world of finance and how it affects them personally, this engaging coursewon't disappoint. It can be taken for free in audit mode, or students can add acertificate for $49
Cost: FreeCertificate:Yes, with a feeTime to Complete: 30-36 hours (six weeks)Curriculum:Introductory to intermediateUser Experience: ExcellentQuality of Instruction: ExcellentPros:• Taught by a Universityof Michigan professor
• Enjoyable
• Ideal for all levels
Cons:• You will need to payto obtain a shareable certificate or earn credit
5. Fundamental ofFinancial Mathematics and Capital Budgeting
Offered by the New York Institute of Finance through edX
This introductory course offered through edX is four weeks long and is provided through the New York Institute of Finance. It can be taken on its own or as part of a certificate program called Corporate Finance and Valuation Methods. Students can take the course for free or opt to pay for a completion certificate for $99.
During the free online course in finance, you will learn determinants of value, foundations of financial mathematics, and capital budgeting.
Cost: FreeCertificate:Yes, with a feeTime to Complete: Four weeksCurriculum:IntroductoryUser Experience: ExcellentQuality of Instruction: ExcellentPros:•Thorough and detailed,with plenty of chances to practice your skills
•Excellent userinterface
•Opportunity to get acertificate signed by an instructor at the NYIF
Cons:•Certificate is part ofthe paid component of the platform
6. Free CashFlow Analysis
Offered by Columbia University through edX
In this course, students will learn from Columbia's Professor Wolfenzon about value firms and how the free cash flow method is applied to them. The free online finance course also covers valuation using multiples and constructing excel models to value firms by participating in practical hands-on activities.
Cost: FreeCertificate:Yes, with a feeTime to Complete: Five weeksCurriculum:IntermediateUser Experience: ExcellentQuality of Instruction: ExcellentPros:• Taught by an esteemedColumbia professor
• Great user experience
• Detailed and engaging
Cons:• Certificate can onlybe accessed by paying a course fee
7. How to ReadFinancial Statements
Offered by Corporate Finance Institute (CFI)
How to Read FinancialStatements is an interactive course taught by industry expert Scott Powell andserves as an introduction to CFI's other more comprehensive classes. It takesaround 1.5 hours to complete and contains pop quizzes, case studies, and lotsof practical exercises.
Highly interactive, thecourse does exactly what it says—teaches students how to read financialstatements. A glossary, reference guide, and accounting factsheet are includedand can be downloaded and saved for future reference.
If you are interested inreceiving your certification as a financial analyst, this is one of the bestfree online finance courses to start with.
Cost: FreeCertificate:NoTime to Complete: 1.5 hoursCurriculum:BeginnerUser Experience: ExcellentQuality of Instruction: ExcellentPros:• Thorough andinformative
• Excellent userinterface
• Lifetime access
Cons:• Too short
8. History of Corporate Finance in a Nutshell
Offered by Alison
Alison was one of thefirst platforms to offer MOOCs (massive online open courses), and now the sitehas around six million registered learners and provides some great free onlinefinance courses.
In this course, you willtake a journey through the colorful history of corporate finance and learnabout some of the crazy scams and influential thinkers that have shaped it overthe years. Basic financial concepts will be broken down into easy-to-understandideas as you learn about risks, acquisitions, mergers, bubbles, and financialmarkets.
The free online finance course is published by entrepreneur Chester Sky and takes just two to three hours to complete. If you want to obtain the optional certification, you will need to get an 80 percent or better on the final assessment and pay a small fee in the Alison store to download a shareable certificate.
Cost: FreeCertificate:Yes, with a feeTime to Complete: Two to three hoursCurriculum:Introductory to intermediateUser Experience: ExcellentQuality of Instruction: ExcellentPros:• Fun and engaging topic
• Excellent userinterface
• Video tutorials andcourse assessments
Cons:• Students wishing toobtain a certificate will need to purchase it in the online store
9. Financial Literacy
Offered by Alison
Alison's online learningplatform allows students to take personal enrichment and professional coursesin a wide range of subjects. This financial literacy course will show you howto manage, budget, and save your money effectively.
While at first glance the free finance online course may seem a bit too basic, it's quite thorough, with seven modules covering everything you need to know about personal finance including:
• Budgeting
• Checking and savingsaccounts
• Credit cards
• Banking products
• Dealing with debt
• Insurance
• Short-term savings
• Planning forretirement
Each module features aquiz and covers all of these essential topics in detail. Upon completion, youcan take a course assessment to become eligible for a certificate ofcompletion. The certificate is a paid component of the course that will need tobe purchased and downloaded from the Alison store. It's relatively inexpensiveat around $20 but is not mandatory.
Cost: FreeCertificate: Yes,with a feeTime to Complete: 6-10 hoursCurriculum:IntroductoryUser Experience: ExcellentQuality of Instruction: ExcellentPros:• Quizzes to test yourprogress
• Excellent userexperience
• Video tutorials and afinal course exam
Cons:• Students wishing toobtain a certificate will need to purchase it in the online store
10. CommunicationSkills for Finance Leaders
Offered by Learn@Forbes
The renowned financialpublication has developed its own learning platform offering a wide range ofoptions in finance, accounting, business, marketing, and more. This interestingcourse, Communication Skills for Finance Leaders, will teach students how toenhance their communication skills for today's audiences by instructing them on:
• How to identifycommunication gaps
• Defining the sixelements of The Perception Pyramid
• How to change otherpeople's perceptions
• The primary wayspeople communicate in the workplace
The course can beaccessed for free with a 14-day trial on the platform. It is only an hour-long,so you will have ample time to cancel your trial if you chose not to take moreclasses through Learn@Forbes.
If you decide to remaina member, you will be eligible for a certificate that you can display on yourwebsite, CV, resume, or LinkedIn Profile.
Cost: FreeCertificate:Yes, with a monthly membershipTime to Complete: One hourCurriculum:Beginner to IntermediateUser Experience: ExcellentQuality of Instruction: ExcellentPros:• Taught by New YorkTimes bestselling author Gerry Sandusky
• Study at your own pace
• Well-respected company
Cons:• You can only receivecertification behind the paywall
Frequently AskedQuestions About Free Finance Courses
Why Should I Take Free Finance Courses?
If you are interested infinance, you will discover that there are a multitude of career options acrossa wide range of industries in this field. Studying finance can prepare you fora role as an analyst, manager, or advisor and with a degree in finance you canwork in:
Financial planning services
International financial management
Brokerage firms
Investment services
Corporate management
Insurance companies
Credit unions and private banks
Commercial and investment banks
Who Should Take Free Finance Courses?
Students interested infinance are typically detail-oriented people who are intrigued by statisticsand mathematics. They have a natural creative knack for solving problems usinga numbers-driven approach. Far from being mundane to them, spreadsheets andformulas are a passion.
If this sounds like you,taking some free financing courses might just help you decide what avenues topursue as you look at different areas of study.
If this sounds like you,taking some free classes before investing in expensive college courses can helpyou decide if this is the field for you. It also may help you decide whatavenues to pursue as you look at different areas of study.
If you are a businessowner, you may improve your bottom line by learning more about finance. Forthose who are already in the financial industry, taking some free courses canhelp you improve your prospects of a promotion or job change.
Taking free onlinefinance courses is not just for students or business people, either.Individuals who want to learn more about how to make sound financial decisionscan definitely benefit from many of the offerings we listed.
What Are the Requirements and Prerequisites?
Free online financecourses are open to anyone with a desire to learn. But if you want to getthrough them with the least amount of frustration, you should have solidcomputer, keyboard, and math skills. It can also help if you know your wayaround a spreadsheet when it comes to more interactive classes.
How Long Do Free Online Courses Take?
Most of the free financecourses offered are self-paced, and this makes their duration quite flexible.While there is typically an estimate of how long a course might take, nothingis set in stone. You can finish up the lessons whenever and wherever you want.Our list has courses ranging from a few hours to several months for a suggestedtime of completion.
Are Free Online Courses Graded?
Usually not. Most onlinecourses in finance do not have final exams or grading with the free component,although there may be auto-graded quizzes and exercises throughout the classes.Courses that provide the option for a paid certificate will sometimes have afinal graded exam or capstone project.
Are There Specific Start Times and Deadlines for Free Online Classes?
The greatest thing aboutfree online courses is flexibility and the opportunity to start and stop atyour leisure. Most of the courses on our list have lessons that can becompleted anywhere and anytime at your own pace. Sometimes you will see adeadline for an assignment. This is designed to keep students interested and oncourse, However, usually you can progress through as you work classes aroundyour own schedule.
If These Courses are Free Why Does It Look Like There Is a Fee Involved?
Sometimes, graded exams,certificates, or other components of MOOCs are hidden behind a paywall. Forexample, you may be offered a membership or a trial that provides you withunlimited access and additional features.
All of the classes onour list can be accessed for free either in audit mode or by completing thecourse without these additional features.
If you need acertificate of completion but can't afford one, some sites offer scholarshipsor financial aid.
Are Free Online Finance Courses Worth It?
Whether you are thinkingabout your future career options, want a deeper understanding of markets andinvestment, or you want to make sound personal financial decisions, taking somefree online finance courses is well worth the time and effort.
Finance requires you to develop many skill sets at once and is something everyone deals with daily. From how much to tip the waiter, to saving for retirement, we all use these skills more often than not. Even if you choose not to pursue a degree in finance, the concepts you learn will still have hundreds of practical applications throughout the course of your life.
By BCR Staff
March 2019
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