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Daniel Wolfenzon

In this course, you will gain an understanding of time-honored financial concepts and rules, and how these can be applied to value firms, bonds, and stocks.

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In this course, you will gain an understanding of time-honored financial concepts and rules, and how these can be applied to value firms, bonds, and stocks.

We will cover the time value of money, cost of capital and capital budgeting. You will be using Excel for many process including valuing bonds and stocks, computing NPV and finding IRR.

An introductory finance course that is required for all first-year MBA students at Columbia Business School, the course is taught by a world-class instructor, actively training the next generation of market leaders on Wall Street.

Participants from all backgrounds will be prepared to participate on the ever-evolving financial playing field.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to value any asset
  • Decide which projects to take out of the many a corporation might be considering
  • Compute the return on any project
  • Compute the value that a project adds
  • Value a bond and compute its yield
  • Value a stock using a simple model (i.e., determine the fair price of a stock)

Syllabus

Week 1: The Time Value of Money & Present Value Week 2: Net Present Value & The Internal Rate of Return Rule Week 3: Capital Budgeting Week 4: Valuation of Bonds and Stocks

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Introduces fundamental financial principles used by professionals on Wall Street
Covers essential concepts like time value of money, cost of capital, and capital budgeting
Provides hands-on experience valuing stocks and bonds using Excel
Taught by a world-class instructor from Columbia Business School
Suitable for individuals from diverse backgrounds seeking to enhance their financial literacy
Course assumes no prior knowledge of finance

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Corporate Finance with these activities:
Review Probability and Statistics Concepts
Refresh your understanding of fundamental probability and statistics concepts, laying a strong foundation for comprehending the probabilistic nature of financial markets and risk assessment.
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  • Review basic probability concepts, such as probability distributions and Bayes' theorem
  • Recall key statistical concepts, including mean, variance, and correlation
Excel Functions for Financial Analysis
Enhance your proficiency in using Excel functions specific to financial analysis, empowering you to efficiently perform calculations and enhance your modeling skills.
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  • Explore Excel functions such as NPV, IRR, and PMT
  • Learn how to use these functions to solve financial problems
  • Apply these functions in practice by completing tutorial exercises
Discussion Group on Capital Budgeting
Engage in peer discussions to exchange ideas, clarify concepts, and deepen your understanding of capital budgeting techniques and their significance in business decision-making.
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  • Join a discussion group with other students
  • Read and prepare the assigned materials on capital budgeting
  • Participate actively in discussions, sharing insights and perspectives
Five other activities
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Calculate Net Present Value
Strengthen your understanding of NPV calculations, a fundamental tool used to evaluate the profitability of investments and projects.
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  • Review the formula for calculating NPV
  • Practice calculating NPV using different cash flows and discount rates
Workshop on Financial Modeling Best Practices
Attend a workshop led by an industry expert, gaining practical guidance and insights on best practices for developing robust and reliable financial models.
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  • Register for the workshop
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions
  • Apply the best practices learned to your own financial modeling projects
Review Cash Flow Statement
Master how to analyze cash flow statements from a practitioner's perspective, reinforcing the ways in which this process aids decision-making and improving your knowledge of the time value of money.
Show steps
  • Read chapters 1-3 of the book
  • Identify the key components of a cash flow statement
  • Interpret cash flow statements
  • Apply cash flow statement analysis to financial modeling
Financial Model for Investment Analysis
Develop proficiency in building financial models to analyze investment opportunities, allowing you to make informed decisions regarding project selection.
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  • Identify the key assumptions and variables for the investment
  • Build a financial model using Excel or another modeling tool
  • Conduct sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of changes in key variables
  • Present the results of the financial analysis in a clear and concise manner
Stock Valuation Project
Gain hands-on experience in valuing stocks using various methods, enabling you to make informed investment decisions in the real world.
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Show steps
  • Select a stock to analyze
  • Research the company and industry
  • Use different valuation methods to determine the fair value of the stock
  • Write a report summarizing your findings and recommendations

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Corporate Finance will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Investment Banker
Investment Bankers combine their knowledge on how to appraise and value assets with their financial models to help institutions and companies with their investments. Entities large and small seek out Investment Bankers to aid them in making the best decision for their future. As a result, they handle mergers, acquisitions, and other important transactions for institutions, governments, and corporations. Those who wish to enter into Investment Banking should take this course as it builds a foundation for understanding asset and company valuation, which is their primary focus. This course is particularly useful for Investment Bankers because it teaches how to use financial models to decide whether or not to acquire a company or how to determine fair value.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts apply their knowledge of financial models and valuation to assess and project an organization's financial performance and make recommendations on investments. They may also evaluate and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of companies, and how well they perform compared to competitors. Those who wish to become Financial Analysts should take this course as it would help them learn how to crunch balance sheets, create financial models, and make recommendations based on the financial performance of a company.
Equity Research Analyst
An advanced degree is recommended but not necessary for someone looking to get into this role. Equity Research Analysts assess the value of, make recommendations on, and often follow companies and industries. They use their financial knowledge and modeling to determine a stock's fair value. Heavy knowledge of finance is essential to succeed in this career, and this course would provide a strong background in the subject. Those looking to become Equity Research Analysts are encouraged to take this course to learn how to model out a company's value and how to create buy and sell recommendations.
Portfolio Manager
Portfolio Managers help grow and preserve the money of their clients by managing their financial assets and making investment decisions. They utilize their knowledge of finance and valuation to generate optimal returns. Understanding the value of a stock, bond, derivative, and a firm itself, is of paramount importance to the success of a Portfolio Manager. This course, which focuses on teaching learners how to model and value assets and financial instruments, would be quite beneficial. It would give learners a head start in their understanding of the building blocks of the financial system.
Venture Capitalist
Venture Capitalists invest in new businesses or early-stage companies, and provide both financing and advisory services. They evaluate the fundamentals of a company, its leadership, and its financial projections. They must also decide which companies and industries are most likely to grow and generate a return on their investment. Those who wish to become Venture Capitalists can benefit from this course since it will teach them how to value companies and how to assess risk.
Private Equity Investor
Private Equity Investors invest in private or non-listed companies, either by buying a stake in an existing company, or by financing the start-up of a new business. They often seek opportunities for growth, and look for companies that are undervalued or not reaching their full potential. Understanding how to value a company is essential to this role, which is why those who wish to become Private Equity Investors should take this course.
Financial Advisor
Financial Advisors help clients manage their finances, make prudent investment decisions, and plan for future financial goals, such as retirement. They also may provide advice on insurance, tax planning, real estate, and other personal finance matters. Those who aim to become Financial Advisors can benefit from this course as it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of finance and how to value different types of companies.
Financial Risk Manager
Financial Risk Managers are responsible for assessing and mitigating financial risks within a company. They create financial models and strategies which can help the company avoid financial losses due to uncertain future events. Those who want to become Financial Risk Managers can benefit from this course as it teaches how to create financial models and how to use management techniques to avoid risk.
Budget Analyst
Budget Analysts create and manage budgets, as well as develop and implement financial plans, for businesses and governments. They must have a thorough understanding of accounting principles, financial markets, and cost-benefit analysis. Those who wish to become Budget Analysts should take this course since it covers topics such as time value of money, capital budgeting, and return on investment, which are essential to the role of a Budget Analyst.
Investment Associate
Investment Associates assist Portfolio Managers in making investment decisions. They must have a strong understanding of financial analysis, investment strategies, and risk management. Those who wish to become Investment Associates should take this course since it focuses on topics like asset valuation, capital budgeting, and return on investment, all of which are key areas of focus for those in this role.
Financial Planner
Financial Planners help clients make sound financial decisions and prepare for their financial future. They provide advice on investments, retirement planning, tax planning, insurance, estate planning, and other financial matters. This course will be useful for those looking to become Financial Planners, as it covers topics that are essential to their role, such as time value of money, risk management, and investment strategies.
Actuary
Actuaries use their financial knowledge, statistical skills, and mathematical modeling to assess and manage financial risk and uncertainty. They analyze data to estimate the likelihood and financial impact of future events, and then use this information to develop and implement risk management strategies. Those seeking an Actuary role will find this course to be useful as it provides a foundation in mathematics, statistics, and economics, all of which are essential to the role of an Actuary.
Credit Analyst
Credit Analysts assess the creditworthiness of individuals, corporations, or governments. They use their financial knowledge and analytical skills to evaluate the likelihood that a borrower will repay their debts. This course may also be useful for those seeking a role as a Credit Analyst, as it provides a foundation in financial analysis and risk management.
Economist
Economists study economic systems and human behavior to analyze and predict economic trends. They collect and analyze data and use it to identify economic problems and develop solutions. Those seeking an Economist role may find this course to be useful as it provides a foundation in economics, which is essential to the role of an Economist.
Market Research Analyst
Market Research Analysts study market trends and customer behavior to help businesses make informed decisions about their products and services. This course may be useful for Market Research Analysts as it provides a foundation in economics and statistics, both of which are essential to the role of a Market Research Analyst.

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Corporate Finance.
This comprehensive handbook provides a detailed and up-to-date reference on all aspects of fixed income securities. It would be a valuable resource for students who want to gain a thorough understanding of the fixed income market and its complexities.
Provides a comprehensive overview of modern portfolio theory and its applications in investment analysis. It would be a valuable resource for students who want to gain a deeper understanding of portfolio management and how to construct and manage efficient portfolios.
Provides a rigorous and in-depth examination of investment theory and the principles of valuation. It would be a valuable resource for students who are interested in developing a strong theoretical foundation in finance and understanding the underlying principles of investment decision-making.
Provides a practical guide to quantitative equity investing, including techniques for security selection, portfolio optimization, and risk management. It would be a valuable resource for students who want to gain a deeper understanding of quantitative investing and how to apply it in practice.
Another seminal work by Benjamin Graham, this book delves into the detailed analysis of securities and provides a framework for making sound investment decisions. It would be a useful reference for students who want to gain a deeper understanding of security analysis and valuation techniques.
Provides a comprehensive guide to equity asset valuation, covering various methods and approaches used in the industry. It would be a valuable resource for students who want to gain a deeper understanding of equity valuation techniques and how to apply them in practice.
Used as a textbook in many undergraduate and graduate finance courses, this book offers a clear and accessible introduction to the fundamental concepts of corporate finance. It would be a helpful resource for students who are new to the field or who want to reinforce their understanding of the basics.
Examines the psychological and behavioral aspects of financial markets, including the role of emotions and biases in investment decision-making. It would be a valuable read for students who want to gain a better understanding of the irrational behavior that can influence financial markets.
Provides insights and practical advice from legendary value investor John Templeton. It would be a valuable read for students who are interested in understanding the principles and strategies of value investing from one of its most successful practitioners.
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Provides a sweeping history of money and finance, tracing their evolution and impact on human societies. It would be a valuable read for students who are interested in understanding the broader context and historical development of the financial system.
This classic work by Benjamin Graham, considered the father of value investing, provides timeless principles and insights into the world of investing. It would be a valuable read for students interested in developing a long-term investment strategy and understanding the fundamentals of value investing.

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