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Doug Williamson

Through this five week course you will not only learn key financial concepts, but how to apply them to a business to improve its financial prospects.

As you know, sustainable businesses need to earn consistent and predictable profits, but it is important to understand how these are calculated. Different accounting techniques, and how to value a business are explored throughout the sessions below:

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Through this five week course you will not only learn key financial concepts, but how to apply them to a business to improve its financial prospects.

As you know, sustainable businesses need to earn consistent and predictable profits, but it is important to understand how these are calculated. Different accounting techniques, and how to value a business are explored throughout the sessions below:

  • Profits aren't enough - servicing capital providers
  • Future value, Present value and Net present value
  • Internal rate of return, Yield and Total shareholder return
  • Valuation, Market and Book values
  • Growing and Safeguarding stakeholder value __

Whether one of your KPIs is Total shareholder return, or you want to understand the figures associated with your capital investments, this course will de-mystify financial reports and help you to make balanced assessments of risks and opportunities.

What you'll learn

On completion of this course you will understand:

  • Project evaluation & discounted cash flow techniques
  • Net present value, internal rate of return, and total shareholder return
  • Market values and book values
  • What traditional accounting misses out
  • Shareholders and other stakeholders

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Project evaluation & discounted cash flow techniques
  • Net present value, internal rate of return, and total shareholder return
  • Market values and book values
  • What traditional accounting misses out
  • Shareholders and other stakeholders

Syllabus

1. Profits aren’t enough – Servicing capital providers
Sustainable businesses need to earn consistent and predictable profits. But accounting profits alone are not enough. Let’s say you’re in the happy position of owning a profitable business outright, and your business managers are generating and reporting $1 million of annual profits and cash flows for you, the 100% owner. So far so good?
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Developers project evaluation skills
Introduces principles of capital risk and management
Investigates the relationship between project cash flow and its timing
Students work through financial valuation techniques like Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return
Yield calculation is included in project evaluation
Uses discounted cash flow techniques for project analysis

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Reviews summary

Financial concepts for stakeholder value

According to students, this course provides a strong foundation in financial concepts critical for building stakeholder value. Learners report gaining a clear understanding of project evaluation and discounted cash flow techniques, including Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Total Shareholder Return (TSR). The curriculum is praised for demystifying financial reports and helping professionals make balanced assessments of risks and opportunities. It covers essential topics like market and book values and highlights what traditional accounting misses out. Overall, it's considered highly relevant for career-focused individuals seeking to enhance their financial acumen in a business context.
Strong theoretical grounding, with potential for more real-world case studies.
"The theoretical explanations are very robust and detailed."
"I would have welcomed more real-world company examples or case studies to solidify understanding."
"It's great for understanding the 'how' and 'why' behind calculations."
Expands understanding of value creation beyond just shareholders.
"It was insightful to learn about growing and safeguarding value for a wide group of stakeholders, not just shareholders."
"The course highlighted what traditional accounting often misses out in terms of broader value."
"I now better understand how businesses increasingly consider the interests of all stakeholders."
Detailed coverage of essential valuation methods and metrics.
"The deep dive into NPV, IRR, and TSR provided a robust understanding of investment evaluation."
"I appreciate the clear distinction and explanation of market and book values."
"The course clearly articulates how different accounting techniques impact business valuation."
Equips learners with tools to apply financial concepts in real business scenarios.
"I learned how to apply key financial concepts directly to improve a business's financial prospects."
"This course helped me de-mystify financial reports and make balanced assessments of risks and opportunities."
"The techniques for project evaluation and discounted cash flow are immediately applicable in my role."
Benefits those with some prior exposure to finance or accounting basics.
"While comprehensive, I found having some foundational finance knowledge was quite helpful."
"For someone completely new to financial concepts, the pace might feel a bit fast."
"I recommend reviewing basic accounting principles before diving into this material."

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 Building stakeholder value with these activities:
Review Capitalism
Reviewing the basic concepts of capitalism will help prepare you to engage with the more intricate financial concepts introduced in the course.
Browse courses on Capitalism
Show steps
  • Read a popular book summarizing the key principles of capitalism
  • Summarize the chapter contents in your own words
  • Re-explain the concepts to a layperson in your own words
Read 'The Intelligent Investor' by Benjamin Graham
Reading 'The Intelligent Investor' will provide you with a solid foundation in financial principles and investment strategies.
Show steps
  • Read the book
  • Summarize the key ideas of each chapter
  • Discuss the book with a friend or colleague
Join a Study Group
Joining a study group will provide you with a supportive environment to learn and discuss the course material with peers.
Show steps
  • Find or create a study group
  • Meet regularly to discuss the course material
  • Help each other with understanding concepts
  • Work together on assignments and projects
Five other activities
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Show all eight activities
Practice Discounted Cash Flow Calculations
Practicing DCF calculations will make you more comfortable with the technique and improve your understanding of its applications.
Browse courses on Discounted Cash Flow
Show steps
  • Find a DCF calculator online
  • Gather all the necessary information to solve a DCF problem
  • Complete at least 3 practice problems
  • Take a practice quiz on DCF calculations
Develop a Financial Model
Developing a financial model will allow you to apply the concepts learned in the course to real-world scenarios and enhance your technical skills.
Browse courses on Financial Modeling
Show steps
  • Choose a business or project to model
  • Gather the necessary data
  • Build the model in Excel
  • Test and validate the model
  • Write a report summarizing the results
Create a Course Summary
Taking the time to create a course summary will help you reinforce your understanding of the material and easily review it later.
Show steps
  • Review all of the assigned readings
  • Review all of the lecture slides
  • Review all of the course notes
  • Summarize the key concepts in your own words
Create a Presentation on a Financial Concept
Creating a presentation on a financial concept will force you to deeply understand the concept and develop your communication skills.
Browse courses on Financial Concepts
Show steps
  • Choose a financial concept to present on
  • Research the concept thoroughly
  • Create presentation slides to illustrate and explain the concept
  • Practice your presentation
  • Present your concept to a group of peers
Contribute to an Open-Source Financial Project
Contributing to an open-source financial project will allow you to apply your skills, learn from others, and make a positive impact on the community.
Browse courses on GitHub
Show steps
  • Find an open-source financial project to contribute to
  • Read the documentation and familiarize yourself with the codebase
  • Identify an issue or feature to work on
  • Create a pull request with your changes
  • Collaborate with others to get your changes merged

Career center

Learners who complete Building stakeholder value will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Investment Analyst
Investment Analysts play a crucial role in the financial sector by evaluating and recommending investments. This course provides a solid foundation in financial concepts, including discounted cash flow (DCF) techniques and valuation methods, which are essential for making informed investment decisions. By understanding how to analyze financial reports and assess risks, learners can develop the skills needed to succeed as Investment Analysts.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts provide valuable insights into the financial performance of companies and make recommendations on investment strategies. This course offers a comprehensive overview of financial analysis techniques, including project evaluation, net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and valuation methods. By mastering these concepts, learners can enhance their analytical skills and make informed decisions in the financial industry.
Portfolio Manager
Portfolio Managers oversee investment portfolios for individuals and institutions, making decisions that aim to maximize returns and manage risk. This course provides a deep understanding of financial markets, valuation techniques, and risk management strategies. By applying the principles learned in this course, Portfolio Managers can effectively construct and manage investment portfolios that align with their clients' financial objectives.
Equity Research Analyst
Equity Research Analysts conduct in-depth research on companies to provide insights and recommendations to investors. This course offers valuable training in financial analysis, valuation methods, and market research techniques. By gaining proficiency in these areas, Equity Research Analysts can develop the skills necessary to excel in this demanding field.
Corporate Finance Analyst
Corporate Finance Analysts play a critical role in advising companies on financial decisions such as mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and investment strategies. This course provides a strong foundation in financial analysis, valuation techniques, and risk management principles. By understanding how to evaluate investment opportunities and assess financial risks, Corporate Finance Analysts can contribute effectively to the success of their organizations.
Consultant
Consultants provide expertise and guidance to organizations on a wide range of business issues, including financial strategy, risk management, and operational efficiency. This course offers a broad overview of financial concepts, valuation methods, and risk management techniques. By gaining a deeper understanding of these areas, Consultants can enhance their ability to provide valuable insights and solutions to their clients.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
CFOs are responsible for overseeing the financial operations of an organization, including financial planning, budgeting, and risk management. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of financial management principles, including project evaluation, valuation techniques, and stakeholder management. By mastering these concepts, CFOs can effectively lead their organizations' financial strategies and ensure long-term success.
Financial Planner
Financial Planners provide personalized financial advice to individuals and families, helping them plan for their financial future. This course offers a foundation in financial planning concepts, including investment strategies, retirement planning, and risk management. By gaining proficiency in these areas, Financial Planners can develop the skills needed to effectively guide their clients towards achieving their financial goals.
Venture Capitalist
Venture Capitalists invest in early-stage companies with high growth potential. This course provides insights into the principles of venture capital investing, including valuation techniques, risk assessment, and portfolio management. By understanding how to evaluate investment opportunities and manage risk, Venture Capitalists can increase their chances of success in this competitive field.
Economist
Economists study economic trends and develop policies to address economic issues. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in financial concepts, including project evaluation, valuation techniques, and risk management. While not directly related to the core field of economics, the course can enhance an Economist's understanding of the financial implications of economic policies and decisions.
Budget Analyst
Budget Analysts develop and manage financial plans for organizations, ensuring efficient use of resources. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in financial planning concepts, including project evaluation, valuation techniques, and risk management. While not directly related to the core responsibilities of a Budget Analyst, the course can enhance their understanding of financial principles and decision-making.
Risk Manager
Risk Managers identify and assess risks that organizations face, and develop strategies to mitigate those risks. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in risk management principles, including project evaluation and risk assessment techniques. While not directly related to all areas of risk management, the course can enhance a Risk Manager's understanding of financial risk and its impact on organizational decision-making.
Loan Officer
Loan Officers evaluate loan applications and determine the creditworthiness of borrowers. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in financial analysis concepts, including project evaluation and risk assessment techniques. While not directly related to all aspects of loan underwriting, the course can enhance a Loan Officer's understanding of financial risk and its impact on lending decisions.
Insurance Underwriter
Insurance Underwriters assess risks associated with insurance policies and determine the appropriate premiums. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in risk management principles, including project evaluation and risk assessment techniques. While not directly related to all areas of insurance underwriting, the course can enhance an Underwriter's understanding of financial risk and its impact on policy pricing.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers oversee the operational aspects of an organization, ensuring efficient and effective processes. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in project management principles, including project evaluation and risk assessment techniques. While not directly related to all areas of operations management, the course can enhance an Operations Manager's understanding of financial risk and its impact on operational decision-making.

Reading list

We've selected 15 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 Building stakeholder value.
This authoritative textbook provides a comprehensive overview of investment principles and practices, making it a valuable resource for students and investment professionals alike.
This comprehensive guide to business valuation techniques is an essential reference for professionals involved in financial analysis and decision-making.
This practical guide to portfolio management offers valuable insights and best practices from one of the world's leading investment managers.
This foundational text on security analysis provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating stocks and bonds, making it a valuable resource for investors.
Provides a comprehensive overview of financial management concepts and techniques, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to enhance their understanding of financial matters.
This thought-provoking book challenges conventional wisdom in finance and investing, arguing that many financial events are driven by chance rather than skill.
This fascinating book examines the irrational behaviors that often influence financial decisions, providing insights into the psychology of money.
This classic work by Benjamin Graham provides timeless principles for value investing, offering valuable insights into the stock market and investment strategies.
This thought-provoking book provides a unique perspective on financial markets and investment strategies, offering insights from a legendary investor.
This popular book provides a simple and straightforward guide to financial literacy, offering insights into the importance of financial education and investing.

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