From Santa Clara University’s classroom
Understand the idea.
Put it to work.
Clear answers to the finance questions that come up in class, in a first job and in real decisions. Work an example. Change an assumption. See what happens.
Find your guideChoose a question
What are you working on?
Each guide starts with the answer, shows the work and gives you a useful next step.
12 guides to explore
Business & deals
How to build a should-cost model
Build a should-cost estimate from materials, labor, overhead and supplier margin. Try a worked example and download a free Excel template.
Business & deals
Financial due diligence: a practical checklist
Understand quality of earnings, EBITDA adjustments, net debt and the working-capital peg. Follow a worked purchase-price bridge and a diligence checklist.
Real estate
Real estate waterfalls: preferred return, catch-up and promote
See how a GP/LP waterfall allocates profit. Compare an 8% preferred return with and without a GP catch-up in a clear, interactive example.
Real estate
Gross vs. modified gross vs. NNN leases
Compare gross, modified gross, triple net and absolute net commercial leases. See who pays operating costs and calculate total occupancy cost.
Real estate
California property tax for a new homebuyer
Understand reassessment, supplemental property tax bills and the costs a mortgage payment leaves out. Includes a California buyer example and official sources.
Accounting & AI
SaaS bookings vs. billings vs. revenue vs. cash
Follow a $12,000 SaaS contract through bookings, invoices, revenue, cash, receivables and deferred revenue. Includes an interactive monthly timeline.
Accounting & AI
SOX vs. SOC 2: what is the difference?
Compare SOX financial-reporting controls with SOC 2 service-organization assurance, including SOC 1, Type 1 and Type 2 and practical next steps.
Accounting & AI
How to write a technical accounting memo
Use a practical technical accounting memo template: facts, issue, authoritative guidance, analysis, alternatives, conclusion, entries and review evidence.
Accounting & AI
Build a 13-week cash flow forecast with AI support
Build a weekly cash forecast from receipts and payments. Download a free Excel template, test a late collection and use AI for grounded commentary.
Business & deals
SAFE dilution: understand the ownership you sell
Follow a post-money SAFE through a simplified cap table and a later priced round. Understand valuation caps, option pools and dilution with a worked example.
Pay & careers
Is $100K a good salary in the Bay Area?
Translate a $100,000 Bay Area salary into hourly pay and a realistic monthly budget. Compare household costs, benefits, saving and career tradeoffs.
Pay & careers
CPA vs. CFA vs. MBA: which fits your career?
Compare the CPA license, CFA charter and MBA degree by career, requirements and next steps. Includes California’s 2027 CPA transition and SCU resources.
Not sure where to begin?
A question is a good starting point.
Use a short answer to get oriented, a guide to practice, and a course to build the full foundation.
- 01Get a clear answer
Salary, cash flow, valuation and real estate explained in plain language.
- 02Test your assumptions
Use a calculator to see what changes when the inputs change.
- 03Choose a learning path
Start with the right course for your level and the work you want to do.
- 04Build a career plan
Explore SCU clubs, local resources, pay, skills and credentials.
The examples are fictional and the assumptions are visible. Each guide links to its sources and related learning tools. This is Devon Coombs’s independent educational resource, not an official Santa Clara University advising service.