Contract Finance and Funding
Learn to evaluate a potential suppliers' or customers' financial stability and ability to meet contractual and financial commitments through use of balance sheets and income statements.
Next available course: Fall 2025
Classes Start 09/22/2025
Registration Open Until 09/26/2025
Course Overview
In the realm of business, contracts serve as the unspoken backbone of daily operations. They guide and regulate the work we do, offering a structured framework that safeguards the interests of all parties involved. These legal agreements are the linchpin of business interactions, making the ability to comprehend, create, and manage them an indispensable skill.
Our comprehensive six-week online course offers a deep dive into the intricate world of business contracts. You'll emerge with a fresh perspective on the essentials that underpin these agreements, paving the way for astute contract management. With a focus on fostering effective relationships with external entities, this course empowers you with the proficiency to strategically utilize contracts as tools for ensuring cooperation and compliance.
Moreover, this course provides an insider's view of the entire contracting process, unraveling its complexities. From drafting and negotiating to enforcement and performance, you'll acquire the fundamental knowledge required to expertly navigate the multifaceted terrain of business contracts. By the course's conclusion, you'll be well-prepared to adeptly manage these critical agreements, enhancing your capability to protect interests, minimize risks, and optimize business processes.
Course Format
Instructor-led week-to-week cadence, with assignments, discussion boards, and learning assessments (quizzes) opening on Monday and to be completed by the end of the week. This gives students flexibility to review materials at their leisure. Additionally, recorded lectures and video recordings are available to enhance learning objectives.
Price
$625Course Details
Units 2.4 CEUs / 24 PDUs
Location Online Courses
Course Type Group-Paced
Next Available Course
Term Fall 2025
Classes Start 09/22/2025
Registration Open Until 09/26/2025
What You’ll Learn
After successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Develop the ability to meticulously determine the costs associated with each contract, including identifying direct and indirect expenses, enabling you to make informed financial decisions.
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of how various business functions impact the financial health of your organization, empowering you to assess financial implications across departments and make well-informed strategic decisions.
- Learn strategic approaches to reduce operational costs and enhance overall company performance. Explore methods to optimize resource utilization, increase efficiency, and drive profitability while maintaining high performance standards.
Your Instructor
Head of Procurement, Southern California Edison
<p>Brian P. Gatus leads the Indirect Procurement group for Southern California Edison (SCE). He is responsible for managing over $1.2B in annual spend and leading a team of professionals in delivering effective procurement (sourcing, contracts & negotiations) and category spend management solutions for SCE's indirect procurement and business enterprise supply chain. </p>
<p>He has a proven track record of success in leveraging spend, optimizing procurement controls, minimizing risk and improving product quality. With over 20 years of public and private sector experience, his areas of expertise include sourcing of various IT/OT hardware and software, complex contract negotiations, logistics, and execution of business process improvements. </p>
<p>From 2000 – 2010, he served with the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s 2nd largest public school district, holding various supply chain leadership roles. He started his professional career in Southeast Asia, holding business operations roles in the construction and textile industries.</p>
<p>Brian is recognized by the National Contract Management Association as a Certified Professional Contracts Manager and by the Institute of Supply Management as a Certified Professional in Supply Management. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University and an undergraduate degree in Business Information Systems.</p>