Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Cash and Working Capital Management
Module Code	EF546
School	DCUBS
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Liam Hourihane Semester 2: Liam Hourihane Autumn: Liam Hourihane
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

Cash management is the art – and increasingly the science – of managing a companys short-term resources to sustain its ongoing activities, mobilise funds, and optimise liquidity. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the important elements of cash management: (i) how firms make efficient use of current assets and liabilities throughout each phase of the business operating cycle, (ii) systematic planning, monitoring and management of the companys collections, disbursements, and account balances and(iii) gathering and management of information to use available funds effectively and identify risk. Students are required to attend lectures, participate in class discussions and engage in a group project which will involve applying their knowledge to analyse specific companies.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the relationship between long-term financial decisions and short-term financial planning
2. Analyse the interaction between the components of working capital, including credit policy and cash
3. Demonstrate how effective working capital management can improve the performance and cash position of an organisation
4. Prepare cash forecast statements and evaluate the short term funding requirements of an organisation
5. Describe the mechanisms available to multinational corporations to effectively manage their cash balances and reduce costs
6. Explain the payment process and how cash flows through the banking network

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	24	No Description
Assignment	20	Group project: data gathering, analysis, write-up of project, preparation of presentation
Independent learning	56	Reading preparation for lectures
Independent learning	25	Exam Revision
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction.
Short-Term/Uses of Funds.

Components of working capital, links between long-term and short-term financing decisions.
Credit Policy.

Credit Analysis, credit decisions, collection policy.
Liquidity Management.

Inventories and cash balances, cash dynamics and forecasting, bank relations.
Payment Systems.

Cash collection and disbursement systems, information technology and cash management.
Cash Management Instruments.

Short-term lending, money market instruments, short-term borrowing.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	0%	Examination Weight	100%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assignment	Group Assignment and Presentation	25%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List