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Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis

Brian Hamm and Nerissa C. Brown, PhD CFE

The objective of Financial Statement and Ratio Analysis for MBAs is to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze, interpret, understand, and use financial information to make informed decisions. We will discuss financial reporting from a user’s perspective, use a variety of tools to break apart financial reports into meaningful units for analysis, forecast financial statements, and value a firm. This course is intended to give you exposure to the issues facing users of financial statements. You will better understand your role in the financial reporting process if you know how the financial statements will ultimately be used.

Financial Statement and Ratio Analysis for MBAs will require you to think critically about issues for which there can be more than one “correct” answer. Hence, your analysis and conclusions must be based on sound assumptions and well-constructed analysis and arguments.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Introduction

You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.

Module 1: Introduction to Financial Statements & Basic Accounting Principles

In this module, you will review financial statements and basic accounting principles and learn the differences between the book value, intrinsic value, and market value of equity.

Module 2: Introduction to SEC filings

In this module, you will obtain an understanding of the most common SEC filings and the information included within them.

Module 3: Financial Ratios and Share Buybacks

In this module, you will obtain an understanding of common financial ratios, learn how to calculate various ratios, and understand the performance drivers of the applicable ratios.

Module 4: Accounting Quality

In this module, you will learn what is meant by accounting quality, understand why "accounting quality" matters and how to detect issues.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches financial statement and ratio analysis, which are used by professionals in banking, consulting, and finance

Instructors have extensive experience in the field of financial reporting

Develops accounting skills as well as skills in assessing accounting information

Examines SEC filings, which are a key source of information for investors

Covers accounting quality, which is a critical issue for investors and creditors

Emphasizes critical thinking skills, which are essential for success in business and 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 Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis with these activities:

Review Fundamentals of Financial Management

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This book can help refresh your foundational knowledge of financial management in advance of taking the course

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Read Chapter 1: Introduction to Financial Management
Read Chapter 2: The Financial Environment
Read Chapter 3: Financial Analysis
Complete the end of chapter exercises

Review the textbook: Financial Statement Analysis

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Reinforce understanding of financial statement analysis concepts by reviewing a textbook.

View The Little Book of Picking Top Stocks: How to... on Amazon

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Read the assigned chapters in the textbook.

Practice financial ratio calculations

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Practice calculating common financial ratios to improve understanding of their use and interpretation.

Browse courses on Financial Ratio Analysis

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Identify the necessary financial data from the financial statements.
Calculate the ratios using the appropriate formulas.
Interpret the results of the calculations.

Three other activities

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Engage in peer discussions on financial statement analysis

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Participate in group discussions to share insights, ask questions, and improve understanding of financial statement analysis.

Browse courses on Financial Statement Analysis

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Join or create a study group with peers.
Discuss financial statements, ratios, and analysis techniques.

Create a financial analysis report

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Compose a comprehensive report analyzing the financial statements of a company to demonstrate understanding of financial reporting.

Browse courses on Financial Statement Analysis

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Select a company and gather its financial statements.
Analyze the financial statements using relevant ratios and metrics.
Write a report presenting your analysis and insights.

Conduct a financial analysis of a personal investment

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Apply financial analysis techniques to a real-world investment to demonstrate understanding and decision-making.

Browse courses on Financial Statement Analysis

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Select a personal investment or potential investment.
Gather financial data about the investment.
Analyze the financial data using relevant ratios and metrics.
Make a decision about the investment based on your analysis.

Career center

Learners who complete Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Forensic Accountant

Forensic Accountants investigate financial fraud and other financial crimes. The course Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis may be useful to Forensic Accountants, as it will help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial statements and ratios. This is an essential skill for investigating financial fraud and other financial crimes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Accountant

Securities Analyst

Securities Analysts research and evaluate stocks and other securities. The course Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis may be useful to Securities Analysts, as it will help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial statements and ratios. This is an essential skill for researching and evaluating stocks and other securities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Securities Analyst

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers help companies raise capital by issuing debt or equity securities. They also advise companies on mergers and acquisitions. Investment Bankers typically work in teams and spend much of their time meeting with clients, conducting research, and analyzing financial data. The course Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis may be useful for Investment Bankers, as it will help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial statements and ratios. This is an essential skill for evaluating investment opportunities and making sound investment decisions.

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Venture Capitalist

Venture Capitalists invest in early-stage companies with high growth potential. The course Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis may be useful to Venture Capitalists, as it will help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial statements and ratios. This is an essential skill for evaluating investment opportunities in early-stage companies.

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Private Equity Analyst

Private Equity Analysts evaluate investment opportunities for private equity funds. The course Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis may be useful to Private Equity Analysts, as it will help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial statements and ratios. This is an essential skill for evaluating investment opportunities for private equity funds.

See salaries and explore the career path for Private Equity Analyst

Credit Analyst

Credit Analysts assess the creditworthiness of borrowers and make recommendations on whether to lend them money. The course Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis may be useful to Credit Analysts, as it will help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial statements and ratios. This is an essential skill for assessing the creditworthiness of borrowers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Credit Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts develop, evaluate, and present financial plans and reports. Many Financial Analysts specialize in specific industries, while others offer expert advice on a wider range of topics. The course Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis may be useful for Financial Analysts in any domain, but particularly those focusing on specific industries. The course will help you understand the financial aspects of a specialized industry. It will also provide you with practice analyzing financial statements and ratios, a skill that is essential for evaluating investment opportunities.

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Auditor

Auditors examine a company's financial records and operations to ensure that they are accurate and compliant with regulations. The course Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis may be uſeful to Auditors, as it will help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial statements and ratios. This is an essential skill for ensuring that a company's financial records are accurate and compliant with regulations.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers are responsible for identifying and managing financial risks within a company. The course Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis may be uſeful to Risk Managers, as it will help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial statements and ratios. This is an essential skill for identifying and managing financial risks.

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Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families develop and implement financial plans. The course Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis may be useful to Financial Planners, as it will help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial statements and ratios. This is an essential skill for helping individuals and families develop and implement financial plans.

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Insurance Underwriter

Insurance Underwriters evaluate risks and determine the premiums that policyholders must pay. The course Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis may be useful to Insurance Underwriters, as it will help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial statements and ratios. This is an essential skill for evaluating risks and determining the premiums that policyholders must pay.

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Portfolio Manager

A Portfolio Manager is responsible for making investment decisions for clients. The course Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis may be useful to Portfolio Managers, as it will help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial statements and ratios. This is an essential skill for understanding the risks and returns of different investment options and making sound investment decisions.

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Actuary

Actuaries use mathematical and statistical models to assess risks and create financial plans. The course Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis may be useful to Actuaries, as it will help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial statements and ratios. This is an essential skill for assessing risks and creating financial plans.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants advise businesses on how to improve their performance. The course Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis may be useful to Management Consultants, as it will help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial statements and ratios. This is an essential skill for advising businesses on how to improve their performance.

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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 Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis.

Security Analysis: Sixth Edition, Foreword by...

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A classic text that is still considered one of the best books on the topic of financial statement analysis. Useful as additional reading material for those seeking more depth.

Financial Statements, SEC Filings and Ratio Analysis

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What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

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Activities

Career center

Reading list

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