Award in Financial Management of Small Business

This module is arranged to provide learners with compatible financial management skills orienting them to small business specifics. During the module learners will be provided with basics of financial accounting, helping them to read the financial statements and identify the financial risks of the company as well as financial ratio’s calculations and interpretations, which will lead the learner to decision making on financial data and value creating to the small business company. Furthermore, this module oriented to critical thinking and solution finding, using different techniques and instruments of analysis.

The model is divided into the following topics:

1. Financial accounting information: understanding main financial statements and the financial information they provide (4 sessions);
2. Fundamentals of performance evaluation: key performance indicators, liquidity, solvency measures. The effects of company’s leverage, profitability and risk (4 sessions).
3. Financial Management methods and measures: Break-even point, time-value (3 sessions).
4. Bankruptcy forecasting models (1 session).

Each topic consists of a theoretical basis and practical examples – case studies. Learners will be provided with digital templates of presented analysis techniques for self-testing.

Hours of Total Learning for this module:

• Contact Hours: 42
• Self-Study Hours: 134
• Assessment Hours: 12
• Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: 12
• Total Learning Hours: 200

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

1. Read company‘s financials proficiently
2. Interpret different ratios and make conclusions
3. Be capable to provide additional analysis for decision making
4. Manage small business finances
5. Efficiently operate financial numbers
6. Indicate financial risks

Each module will be assessed based on the following components:

1. Quality of Contributions in Forums: 20%
   • Evaluation of participation and the quality of insights shared in online discussion forums.
2. Quality of Contributions in Tutorials: 20%
   • Assessment of engagement and contributions during tutorial sessions.
3. Research-Based Assignments: 60%
   • Completion and quality of research-based assignments that demonstrate understanding and application of the course material.

Passing Criteria:

• Students must achieve an aggregate of 50% or higher across the three components to pass each module.

Scholarship Schemes for Maltese residents:

• MySkills Scheme: Malta residents are eligible for up to 80% reimbursement, capped at €5,000, subject to eligibility criteria. International students would be able to apply for the MySkills Scheme once they obtain their Student Temporary Residence Card (TRC). (For individual modules only)
• Get Qualified Scheme ( Scheme available for Maltese residents ) – 70% refund of course fee as a tax rebate