BUSINESS and FINANCE PATHWAY

Our Business and Finance Academy is a project-based business program that develops students' understanding and skills in the areas of personal and business finance, business ownership, marketing, management, and operations. These courses are ideal for students wishing to gain exposure to various careers and opportunities in the business and finance segments of the working world. An understanding of the “business of doing business” is practical knowledge you are certain to use in everyday life.

​Classes can be taken individually and in any order, however, students are strongly encouraged to take Personal Finance during their first semester. Students are also encouraged to participate in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Some Business Education courses qualify for Running Start College Credits and may also qualify for articulation credits with Southern Maine Community College
 
In order to be considered program completers, students must also complete 3 or more Business Education courses. 

​Peter Riendeau - Instructor
priendeau@laconiaschools.org
603-528-8693 ex. 5008

Personal Finance – HTC330
12:30-2:00pm – Fall/Spring Semester

During this semester course students will learn the basic understanding of personal financial management.  Students study the fundamentals of economics and money systems.  Students will use textbooks, online resources, simulations and instructional materials to gain an adult perspective on personal financial planning and decision-making.  Students will explore the relationships between earning, budgeting, saving, investing, debt, insurance and retirement as part their own financial life cycle.  During the semester, students will explore in depth financial planning for college in order to establish the value proposition inherent in this common first large personal financial decision. Students may elect for an extended version of this course as a Running Start college credit option in conjunction with LRCC, (FIN 180L).

Enduring Understandings: 
  • The relationship of financial literacy to emotional and physical well-being.
  • Time value of money in relation to saving, investing and debt. 
  • The abstraction of money and wealth in comparison to the tangible coins and bills used daily for payments.
Essential Questions:
  • How would you manage an unexpected 1 million dollar inheritance?
  • You’ve met your soulmate and know they’re the one you’re meant to share a life with, but they’ve mismanaged their finances and are on the verge of bankruptcy. You took the lessons from your high school Personal Finance course to heart and are well along the road to financial stability. What will you do?
  • To which theory of money do you subscribe, the commodity theory of money (money representing a physical commodity) or the credit/quantity theory (money as a social/political construction)?​
Course Highlights 
  • Fundamental financial planning to include banking, managing assets, paying for college, credit, insurance needs, budgets, retirement, and estate planning.
  • Introduction to the concepts of investment as part of the planning process.
  • Career planning and career decision’s financial significance.
  • Range of careers available in business, accounting and finance.
Course Outcomes 
  • Personal Financial Management  FIN180L (3 credits LRCC), (Optional)
  • LHS math credit possible​​

​Business Technology Essentials – HTC331
12:30-2:00pm – Spring Semester
 
This course introduces students to Microsoft Office Business software applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The student will learn to effectively use the different business application software tools essential to success in a business environment. The course will prepare the student to sit for certification and credentialing as a Microsoft Office Specialist thereby demonstrating competency with these essential business technologies.
Enduring Understandings: 
  • The effective use of word processing, spreadsheet numeric processing and digital presentations, enabling more effective expression of thoughts, ideas, data and messages in academic, professional and community life.
  • The use of business application software carries forward into increased academic achievement in college, higher credibility and professionalism in the workplace and more efficient use of their time in completing academic and professional tasks. 
Essential Questions: 
  • Why are there different software tools for writing letters, analyzing numeric data numbers or sharing information to a live audience?
  • Is it better to build a table with text and data in a spreadsheet, in word processing software or in presentation tools?
  • What elements make for an effective presentation?
Course Highlights
  • Develop understanding of the 3 fundamental different types of business application software
  • Introduction to Microsoft Office and develop basic fluency with Word, Excel and PowerPoint 
  • Prepare through training tools, practice projects and practice exams to sit for certification testing as a Microsoft Office Specialist.
  • Participate in a Student Business Enterprise

Course Outcomes 
  • Microsoft Office Specialist certification credential
  • ​(3 credits LRCC)
​

​Accounting and Financial Management – HTC430
10:33-12:03pm – Fall Semester
 
This course continues the topics introduced in Business I with a focus on financial management. The student is introduced to the procedures necessary to record, classify and summarize basic business transactions. The course will cover the accounting cycle for service and merchandising sole proprietorships, including preparing worksheets and financial statements. The course will involve using Excel spreadsheets to prepare accounting worksheets in preparation of closing activities and financial report generation.
 
Enduring Understandings: 
  • The relationships between the simple elements of the accounting equation; assets, liabilities and equity.
  • The double entry accounting system, debits and credits and the application of these concepts in the expanded accounting equation and account types.
  • The types of financial reports a business keeps and updates regularly, the relationship and utility of these reports to stakeholders in the business. 
Essential Questions: 
  • Why do businesses rely on accrual accounting and double entry bookkeeping?
  • How can a business owner manage their business’s cash, equipment and debts effectively?
  • Why is accounting called the language of business?
Course Highlights
  • Develop understanding of different types of business structures and why they exist
  • Introduction to the “Language of Business” and develop basic fluency with accounting principles
  • Explore through guest speakers, field trips and hands on activities real-world accounting examples
  • Participate in Student Business Enterprise
Course Outcomes 
  • Accounting I (3 credits LRCC)
  • LHS math credit possible​
​  
​Marketing and Social Media Management – HTC431
10:33-12:03pm – Spring Semester
 
During this semester-long course, students will develop a basic understanding of Marketing and Social Media Marketing.  Students study the principles of Marketing including the “4P’s”.  Students will use textbooks, online resources, simulations and instructional materials to gain a perspective on Marketing for Manufacturing, Service and Non-profit businesses with emphasis on 21st century marketing strategies and tactics.  During the semester, students will use simulation tools to plan, implement, deploy and measure digital and social media marketing strategies.

Enduring Understandings: 
  • The role of marketing in everyday life and the marketing principles and practices at work in the real world and online.
  • The fundamental difference between being a social media consumer and a social media creator.
  • The power of digital and social media to level the competitive barriers to marketing for small/medium and large product, service or non-profit businesses.
Essential Questions:
  • Identify and break down the rationale behind the Marketing 4P’s for a major national or global brand’s product or service?
  • You’re an entrepreneur launching a new business, what are the essential first steps in your marketing plan?
  • A family friend learns you are taking a course in Social Media Marketing and asks for your help in getting their business to appear as prominently as their local competition, what specifically will you do to help them?
Course Highlights 
  • Explore the history and current practices of marketing for product, service and non-profit businesses.
  • Understand the major social media platforms, their strengths, weaknesses and opportunities as part of a Marketing plan.
  • Using simulation tools plan, deploy, measure and improve a social media marketing campaign
  • Learn Social Media Marketing principles and practices from industry experts through guest speaker, field trip and project based activities.
Course Outcomes 
  • Understanding of Marketing fundamentals
  • Skill in the application of Social and Digital Marketing for business success
​​