miniMBA Certificate

Dates: February 1 - 8, 2025 | 9am-12pm

Learn to analyze the four main financial statements, and a company’s financial health. This online accounting class delivers an overview of the various phases of the accounting cycle. This includes an introduction to the theory and concepts of financial accounting including generally accepted accounting principles and issues as to classification, recognition, realization, measurement and reporting. The emphasis of the course is from the perspective of the user of accounting information, allowing the candidate to become familiar with the information available and its content value. The accounting cycle and its role in the preparation of financial statements, in particular the Statement of Cash Flows is also emphasized.

Learner Outcomes

Learners who successfully complete this short class will be able to:

• Discuss the purposes of financial accounting and to identify the main users of financial statements, their information needs, and the desirable characteristics of financial information required to meet those needs.
• Explain the objectives of financial statements, the purpose of each financial statement and assess the appropriateness of structure and content in relation to the objectives and purposes.
• Describe the regulatory frameworks for financial accounting, reporting and assurance and appraise their effectiveness in ensuring the integrity of financial statements.
• Describe the accounting assumptions, principles and concepts used in constructing financial statements and illustrate their effect in the interpretation of these statements.
• Demonstrate how business transactions impact the financial statements using the accrual basis of accounting.

Learners will actively participate in online classes and complete a combination of assignments. The final assignment includes the analysis of four financial statements and a one-page summary of the financial position of a company. Learners will actively participate in online classes and complete a combination of assignments. Learners will be assigned a grade of "complete or incomplete" upon completion.

​Individual course fee: $375 + HST. UWindsor Alumni, staff and students are all eligible for discounts*. Contact continue@uwindsor.ca for further details. *This offer is not valid with any other discounts

Some courses in the miniMBA Certificate require knowledge of Microsoft Excel. Please complete the assessment form to determine the skills required for the class. Need to update your Microsoft Excel skills for the other miniMBA classes? Check out our Introduction to Microsoft Excel class. 

Instructor: Matt Carlini

Matt Carlini has been a sessional instructor since 2007. In addition to teaching, he has more than 18 years of financial leadership experience within the energy, financial services, automotive manufacturing and public accounting industries. He is currently the Vice President, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer for ENWIN Utilities Ltd. He also was appointed to the Windsor Essex County Humane Society board of directors in 2021 and currently is the Treasurer for the organization. In 2022, he joined the MEARIE board of directors as well. He holds a Business Administration degree from the University of Windsor and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan, along with the designation of CPA, CA.

Dates: February 22 & March 1, 2025 | 9am-12pm

This online class will introduce the area of business finance. The primary objective is to understand the fundamentals of financial management of a business through the development of budgets and forecasts; analysis of projects using discounted cash flows to develop net present value (NPV) comparisons; using sensitivity analysis to see how profitability and cash flows would be affected by changes in underlying assumptions. The course will also use current news events to illustrate how concepts are used by companies.

Learner Outcomes

Learners who successfully complete the class will be able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of finance and its uses in business.
• Interpret the information contained in the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows to develop budget/forecasts for the business.
• Understand the basic financial concepts of “present value”, “future value”, and calculate the present and future values of streams of cash payments.
• Calculate the net present value, internal rate of return and payback period.
• Use the net present value rule to analyze problems that involve competing projects.
• Use sensitivity and scenario analyses to determine different outcomes of project profitability and cash flows.
• Define and calculate a company’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC).

Learners will actively participate in online classes and complete assignments. Learners will be assigned a grade of "complete or incomplete" upon completion.

Some courses in the miniMBA Certificate require knowledge of Microsoft Excel. Please complete the assessment form to determine the skills required for the class. Need to update your Microsoft Excel skills for the other miniMBA classes? Check out our Introduction to Microsoft Excel class. 

Instructor:
 

Benny Riggi is director of financial planning & analysis for DTE Energy, a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Riggi is responsible for advising senior management on enterprise-wide long-term financial strategy, target setting and management reporting.

Riggi joined DTE Energy in 2007. He was previously director and controller of DTE Gas, director of Gas Strategy & Planning – DTE Gas, controller of Distribution Operations – DTE Electric, controller of Gas Operations – DTE Gas, and other roles of increasing responsibility in finance.

Prior to joining DTE Energy, Riggi worked at Chrysler Corporation where he held several roles of increasing responsibility in finance and controlling. He is also a sessional instructor in Finance studies at the University of Windsor’s Odette School of Business since 2013.

Riggi earned a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours Business Administration) with finance concentration from the University of Windsor and a Master of Business Administration with finance concentration from Wayne State University (Detroit, MI). He holds the  certified public accountant (CPA), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified management accountant (CMA) professional designations.

Dates: November 9 & 16, 2024 | 9am-12pm

Next session: March 2 & 8, 2025 | 9am-12pm

This online class is an introduction to the principles, concepts and techniques of marketing. A significant objective of this class is the development of a basic understanding of the marketing process and its role in the organization, and in the economy. Marketing is an exciting field of study; it taxes your basic knowledge of economics, psychology, sociology, and other business fields, as well as your powers of observation. Additional class focus will be placed upon the marketing manager’s need to make decisions with fluctuating and limited information, and better understanding client management, client decision-making, and the complexity and dynamism of marketing. Empowering you to make not only better marketing decisions but more strategic marketing decisions is critical.

Learner Outcomes

Learners who successfully complete the class will be able to:

• Ability to make decisions based upon complex, partial and competing information to best achieve organizational goals
• Engage a strategic-level of approach and analysis when making overarching decisions and then operationalize tactical choices rooted in strategy
• Assimilate multiple points of information to deduce, comprehend and shape the wisest possible decision given the depth and/or dearth of intelligence
• Explain the importance of socially responsible marketing decisions and how they benefit the social, economic and environmental fabric of a given market

Learners will actively participate in online classes and complete a combination of assignments. Learners will be assigned a grade of "complete or incomplete" upon completion.

​Individual course fee: $375+HST. UWindsor Alumni, staff and students are all eligible for discounts*. Contact continue@uwindsor.ca for further details. *This offer is not valid with any other discounts

Instructor:

Dr. Vincent Georgie is Associate Vice-President, External at the University of Windsor, and a Marketing Professor at the Odette School of Business. He is the Executive Director and Chief Programmer of the Windsor International Film Festival. Originally from Montreal, Vincent holds a PhD in Marketing. Dr Georgie is an authority on the marketing of film. He participates in countless media appearances annually with media outlets both local and national, including his annual coverage of the Oscars from Hollywood. His most recent citation was with the industry's leading publication, Variety. Vincent has worked as a marketing consultant for over 15 years in media, entertainment, consumer packaged goods, higher education, government, retail and tourism sectors.

In 2021, Dr Georgie received an appointment from the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario to serve on the Board of Ontario Creates, the largest economic development driver for the entertainment industry in Canada. In 2018, Vincent was named “Top 40 Under 40” for Windsor-Essex. Vincent has dedicated both his professional and personal lives to the not-for-profit sectors, and strives for community impact. Along with his brother Trevor, they are the naming sponsors of the Georgie-Odette Leadership Symposium (GOLS), a Richard Peddie Leadership Initiative at the University of Windsor. From 2013-2017, Vincent lead Graduate programs at the Odette School of Business before undertaking his latest role. In 2016, Vincent received the University's highest teaching award, that for Distinguished Contributions to University Teaching. WIFF is a partner festival of the Toronto International Film Festival. WIFF is currently Canada's largest volunteer-run film festival, selling over 42,000 paid tickets in 2019. He has recently finished leading the popular drive-in event, WIFF Under The Stars.

Dates: November 30 & December 7, 2024 | 9am-12pm

Next session: April 5 & 12, 2025 | 9am - 12pm

The Human Resources Management Essentials online class will introduce the fundamental concepts and practices required to manage people effectively. A focus on guidelines for effective recruitment, selection, performance management and training will be highlighted. Participants will have the opportunity to examine the impact of employment legislation and organizational strategy on human resources management practices.

Learner Outcomes

Learners who successfully complete the class will be able to:

• Understand legislative requirements in the employment relationship, including the Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Human Rights Code and Labour Relations Act.
• Identify critical requirements to attract and acquire skilled talent and explore best practices for developing talent.
• Determine strategies to effectively manage in a unionized environment, including dealing with challenging issues such as discipline, performance management, and job competition.
• Explore strategies to design and foster a Human Resource Strategy that directly aligns practices with organizational goals and actively contributes to the bottom line.
• Examine the strategic role of training and development within an organization and develop an organizational training needs analysis.

Learners will actively participate in online classes and complete a combination of assignments. Learners will be assigned a grade of "complete or incomplete" upon completion.

​Individual course fee: $375+HST. UWindsor Alumni, staff and students are all eligible for discounts*. Contact continue@uwindsor.ca for further details. *This offer is not valid with any other discounts

Instructor:

Diana Sarkis currently works as a Sessional Instructor at the Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor, where she teaches courses at the Master of Business (MBA) and the undergraduate program in the Management and Labour areas.  She is also an Instructor in the Post-Graduate Human Resources Diploma program at St. Clair College. Diana previously worked in the field of human resources for the last 12 years in various sectors, including manufacturing, professional services and the broader public sector. Through her employment experience, Diana has gained extensive experience in labour relations, recruitment, training and development and strategic human resources practices.  

Diana completed a Master of Industrial Relations (MIR), a specialized advanced degree in human resources and labour relations,  at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. She completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor. Diana also holds a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation through the Human Resources Professional Association.  She has served the HR community as the Chair of the Human Resources Professional Association of Windsor.

Dates: Saturdays, January 11 - February 1, 2025 | 9am-12pm

Next session: Saturdays, April 26 - May 24, 2025 | 9am-12pm

This online class provides an introduction to data analytics for business professionals. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the nature of business data, analyzing this data to obtain business insights, and communicating key insights derived from the application of data analytic techniques. Students will develop their ability to express business problems in forms that can be addressed using data analytics and their ability to perform analytics tasks using common software tools and methods. Students will also develop the foundations necessary for understanding and applying more advanced data analytics methods.

Learner Outcomes

Learners who successfully complete the module will be able to:

• Explain the value and importance of data analytics to organizations.
• Differentiate among different forms of data and select suitable methods for preparing these different forms of data for analysis.
• Analyze business data using basic data analytic methods and software.
• Appraise the business significance of insights derived from the application of data analytic methods.
• Create visualizations that effectively communicate data-driven business insights.
• Evaluate the risks posed by organizational reliance on data analytics.

Learners will actively participate in online classes and complete a combination of assignments. Learners will be assigned a grade of "complete or incomplete" upon completion.

​Individual course fee: $625+HST. UWindsor Alumni, staff and students are all eligible for discounts*. Contact continue@uwindsor.ca for further details. *This offer is not valid with any other discounts

Some courses in the miniMBA Certificate require knowledge of Microsoft Excel. Please complete the assessment form to determine the skills required for the class. Need to update your Microsoft Excel skills for the other miniMBA classes? Check out our Introduction to Microsoft Excel class. 

Instructor:

Mark Peco, CBIP

Analytics Consultant and Educator

Mark Peco is an educator, consultant and manager with expertise in data management, analytics, business analysis and process improvement. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering from the University of Waterloo and works with clients to identify and implement key capabilities needed to drive results from their investments in data and analytics. Mark teaches companies on a global basis how to implement and govern “intelligent” business solutions.

As a Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP) at the mastery level, Mark maintains his professional focus at the intersection of business, operations, and technology. He enjoys advising and facilitating management teams as they learn new concepts for shaping data-driven business strategies.

Dates: Saturdays, February 8 - March 1, 2025 | 9am-12pm

Next Session (Tentative): Saturday, June 7 - 21, 2025 | 9am-12pm

This class is designed to develop strategic problem-solving abilities of students in the miniMBA Program. The focus of the course is on the application of the strategic management process, strategy principles, analytical frameworks and tools by using a combination of lectures, readings and active learning through case studies.

In this intense, nine-hour online module, students wear the hat of the CEO and learn how a chief executive officer applies strategy principles, conducts problem solving cross functional barriers and formulates viable business strategies in order to achieve competitive advantage for the organization in the industries.

Learner Outcomes

Learners who successfully complete the module will be able to:

• Differentiate strategic problem solving from other forms of problem solving in business management.
• Explain the process of strategic management in complex business environments.
• Apply strategy principles, fundamental tools and frameworks when conducting strategic analysis.
• Assess the viability of business strategy in case studies.
• Improve business communication skills in writing and through public presentations.
   

Learners will actively participate in online classes and complete a combination of assignments and case studies. Learners will be assigned a grade of "complete or incomplete" upon completion.

​Individual course fee: $500+HST. UWindsor Alumni, staff and students are all eligible for discounts*. Contact continue@uwindsor.ca for further details. *This offer is not valid with any other discounts

Instructor: Tony Mao (Winter)

Tony Mao is a business professor and a strategy consultant with over thirty years of global business experience as an entrepreneur and a senior manager for multinational companies. He is the founder of KM Consulting, a consultant entity specializes in international expansion and organizational change management. He has taught capstone strategy courses in the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels for over fifteen years. As an educator, his goal is to be a great teacher who inspires his students to be self-motivated lifelong learners. 

This class is offered online through Brightspace and Microsoft Teams. Learners will require access to a computer with high-speed internet access.

Learning Management System Requirements

All course details can be accessed through Brightspace. A link will be provided through email to Brightspace and Microsoft Teams and you will have access the first day of class.

Please activate your UWinID. Your UWinID and password are needed to access Brightspace and Microsoft Teams. If you have any issues, please contact continue@uwindsor.ca.

Review the full Brightspace system requirements.

• This program is eligible for the OSAP Micro-credential application (OSAPMC).
• Participants must be registered into the program prior to applying for OSAPMC.
• Participants are obligated to pay their fees in full, or decide to withdraw at least one week prior to the course start date should they not receive OSAPMC.
  • If this is the case, email continue@uwindsor.ca immediately to withdraw and request a refund.
• Register for this program accordingly to allow ample time for your application to be processed. It takes approximately 10-15 business days for the OSAPMC application to be processed.