Course Overview

Module 1: Introduction to Financial Analysis

• Understanding the Role of a Financial Analyst
• Overview of Financial Statements: Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement
• Financial Ratios and Metrics: Liquidity, Solvency, Profitability, Efficiency
• Introduction to Excel for Financial Analysis: Basic Formulas and Functions

Module 2: Financial Modeling Fundamentals

• Principles of Financial Modeling
• Building Financial Models from Scratch
• Forecasting Techniques: Time Series Analysis, Regression Analysis
• Sensitivity Analysis and Scenario Analysis
• Advanced Excel Skills for Financial Modeling: Data Validation, PivotTables, VLOOKUP

Module 3: Valuation Techniques

• Introduction to Valuation Methods: Comparable Company Analysis (CCA), Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis
• Determining Intrinsic Value of a Company
• Relative Valuation: Comparable Company Analysis (CCA), Precedent Transactions Analysis
• Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis: Free Cash Flow (FCF) Projection, Terminal Value Calculation
• Real Options Valuation

Module 4: Financial Statement Analysis

• Vertical and Horizontal Analysis of Financial Statements
• Ratio Analysis: Liquidity Ratios, Solvency Ratios, Profitability Ratios, Efficiency Ratios
• DuPont Analysis: Breaking Down Return on Equity (ROE)
• Trend Analysis and Common Size Analysis

Module 5: Corporate Finance Essentials

• Time Value of Money (TVM) Concepts: Present Value, Future Value, Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
• Capital Budgeting Techniques: Payback Period, Discounted Payback Period, Profitability Index
• Cost of Capital Calculation: Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)
• Capital Structure and Leverage Analysis

Module 6: Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management

• Introduction to Investment Analysis
• Fundamental Analysis vs. Technical Analysis
• Portfolio Management Strategies: Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
• Risk Management Techniques
• Behavioral Finance: Understanding Investor Behavior

Module 7: Financial Reporting and Compliance

• Overview of Financial Reporting Standards (e.g., GAAP, IFRS)
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) Compliance
• Internal Controls and Audit Procedures
• Financial Fraud Detection and Prevention

Module 8: Advanced Topics in Financial Analysis

• Merger and Acquisition (M&A) Analysis
• Leveraged Buyout (LBO) Modeling
• Restructuring and Distressed Debt Analysis
• Equity Research and Financial Forecasting
• Case Studies and Practical Applications

Module 9: Investing Strategies and Risk Management

• Value Investing vs. Growth Investing
• Dividend Investing and Dividend Growth Strategies
• Option Strategies: Covered Calls, Protective Puts, Collars
• Hedging Techniques for Managing Portfolio Risk
• Asset Allocation Strategies for Diversification

Module 10: Career Development and Professional Skills

• Resume Writing and Interview Preparation for Financial Analyst Positions
• Networking Strategies for Career Advancement
• Continuing Education and Professional Development Opportunities
• Soft Skills for Success in the Finance Industry: Communication, Leadership, Time Management

Bonus Module: Excel Templates and Tools

• Downloadable Excel Templates for Financial Modeling and Analysis
• Excel Add-Ins and Tools for Streamlining Financial Analysis Processes
• Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Efficiency in Excel

Course Project:

• Hands-on Financial Modeling Project: Building a Comprehensive Financial Model for a Publicly Traded Company
• Investment Analysis Project: Analyzing Investment Opportunities and Creating a Diversified Portfolio

Course Duration: The course is designed to be completed over a span of 12 weeks, with approximately 8-10 hours of study per week.

Prerequisites: Basic understanding of finance and accounting concepts is recommended, but not required. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel is beneficial.

Course Format: The course is delivered through a combination of video lectures, interactive quizzes, hands-on exercises, case studies, and practical projects. Students will have access to downloadable resources, Excel templates, and supplementary materials to enhance their learning experience.

Certification: Upon successful completion of the course and passing the final assessment, participants will receive a certificate of completion in Financial Analysis and Investing from Nithya Edu.