Operations, Finance, and HR Management

This unit develops students’ abilities to manage day-to-day operations, financial systems, and human resources critical to running a small business. Students learn to interpret financial statements, comply with regulations, design staffing and training, price products/services, and evaluate capital and technology options to prepare for growth.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze financial statements and bookkeeping records to determine profitability, cash flow, tax liabilities, and to recommend budgeting and pricing adjustments
• Apply regulatory, tax, and recordkeeping practices — including startup compliance, payroll laws, insurance, and franchise considerations — to reduce legal and financial risk
• Demonstrate development of staffing and retention plans by designing job roles, training programs, compensation structures, benefits packages, and advisory/board arrangements aligned to business goals
• Evaluate product/service development, outsourcing and technology (including AI), and capital options (equity, loans, franchising) to create a prioritized action plan for sustainable growth and simplified accounting