SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

INAF U6022y Economics of Finance 3 pts. Finance deals with the theory of how households and firms use capital markets to allocate resources over time. The course will equip you with a solid theoretical foundation you can use to evaluate projects, investments and funding decisions. It will further acquaint you with the details of debt, equity and derivatives markets so you can apply your knowledge to practical problems SIPA: MIA- Financial Management. SIPA: MPA- Financial Management. SIPA: APEA. SIPA: EPD. SIPA: IFEP- Finance. SIPA: IFEP- Economic Policy. SIPA: Management.

SIPA U6200x and y Accounting for International & Public Affairs 3 pts. The purpose of this course is to enable you to become an informed user of financial information. To be properly informed you need to understand financial statements, the note disclosures and the language of accounting and financial reporting. We will focus on the three major financial statements, (balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows), which companies prepare for use by management and external parties. We will examine the underlying concepts that go into the preparation of these financial statements as well as specific accounting rules that apply when preparing financial statements. As we gain an understanding of the financial information, we will look at approaches to analyze the financial strength and operations of an entity. We will use actual financial statements to understand how financial information is presented. In each area, we will contrast U.S. accounting rules (GAAP) with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). SIPA: MIA- Financial Management. SIPA: MPA- Financial Management. SIPA: IFEP- Finance. SIPA: IFEP- Economic Policy.

SIPA U6310x Nonprofit Financial Management 3 pts. There are more than one million nonprofit organizations in the United States and hundreds of thousands more internationally and the number is growing. The nonprofit sector includes an enormous diversity of organizations, ranging from complex health care systems, to education and arts institutions, to small community-based human service organizations. This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how to conduct the financial management of a nonprofit entity. Through the use of readings, case studies, a class project and lecture, we will study financial statements, financial analysis, and accounting for non-profit organizations and international NGOs. We will examine how the principles of financial management assist the nonprofit and NGO manager in making operating, budgeting, capital, and long-term financial planning decisions. We will also explore contemporary ethical, accountability, and mission issues facing national and international organizations. SIPA: MIA- Financial Management. SIPA: MPA- Financial Management.

SIPA U6320y Budgeting and Financial Management for Government 3 pts. Public sector budgeting in the US (and arguably at a global level) has become an increasingly contentious issue since the 2008 crisis and subsequent recession. This course will introduce students to the field of budgeting and fiscal management in the public sector. We will look at the special challenges of developing a budget within a political environment and the techniques used for management control. Additional topics may include taxes and other revenues, expenditure control, debt management, audits and productivity enhancement. Lectures will also discuss current events related to public sector budgeting on the local and state level. The course seeks to provide students with practical knowledge on budgetary decision-making. Drawing from both theory and case studies, students will acquire practical skills to help them design, implement and assess public sector budgets. The practical nature of the subject requires active participation from students, meaning they will engage in hands-on assignments such as periodical debates, case analyses and a budget cycle simulation. By the end of the semester, students are expected to a) conduct in-depth budgetary analyses, and b) formulate policy recommendations. SIPA: MIA- Financial Management. SIPA: MPA- Financial Management. SIPA: Management. SIPA: USP- Urban Policy Track.