We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Robert Metzger and James Bertram

This course will provide students the key building blocks required for a career in investment banking, valuation, and other corporate-finance focused fields. It is designed to provide a practical application of financial statement analysis and valuation techniques commonly performed by industry professionals.

The course has two major parts. The first focuses on the foundational elements of financial statement and ratio analysis.  The second applies the financial statements and forecasts within the context of company valuation, utilizing common industry valuation techniques.   

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Introduction and Module 1: Financial Spreads & Adjustments
In this module you will explore the concept of comparability of company financial information, a key building block of valuation. The primary application of that concept is the development of the financial spread template, which is used to standardize the presentation of company financial and market information within accounting periods and across companies. Also addressed in this module is the calculation of fully diluted shares and adjusting financial statements to consider the impact of one-time, non-recurring and unusual items.
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores industry-standard techniques and tools of investment banking and corporate finance
Taught by Robert Metzger and James Bertram, both esteemed professionals in the finance industry
Provides a comprehensive overview of financial statement analysis and valuation techniques
Develops practical skills that are directly applicable to roles in investment banking and corporate finance
May require prerequisite knowledge in accounting and finance, though this is not explicitly stated

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Investment banking: foundational financial analysis & valuation

According to students, this course provides a strong foundation in financial analysis and valuation techniques, essential for a career in investment banking and corporate finance. Learners frequently highlight the practical application of concepts, with many finding the modules on Comparable Public Companies Analysis and Discounted Cash Flows particularly useful. While the course is praised for its real-world examples and comprehensive coverage, some learners suggest that a solid background in finance and accounting is beneficial to keep up with the fast pace and depth of the material. Overall, it's considered an excellent resource for developing critical industry skills.
Learners benefit from a solid background in accounting and finance.
"While excellent, I believe a strong grasp of accounting fundamentals is crucial to fully benefit from the financial statement analysis module."
"Some parts felt quite fast-paced, and I found myself needing to review basic finance concepts to keep up."
"I recommend brushing up on your finance basics before starting, especially if you're new to valuation."
Instructor provides clear explanations and demonstrates deep industry knowledge.
"The instructor's clear explanations made complex topics much easier to digest and understand."
"His deep industry knowledge and practical insights were invaluable, providing real credibility to the lessons."
"I really appreciated how the instructor broke down the valuation techniques, making them accessible even for challenging topics."
Covers key valuation methodologies like DCF and comparable analysis.
"The modules on Comparable Public Companies Analysis and Discounted Cash Flows were incredibly thorough and well-explained."
"I appreciated the deep dive into different valuation methods; it truly provided a holistic view."
"This course does a fantastic job of breaking down complex valuation models into manageable, understandable components."
Focuses on real-world techniques relevant to finance careers.
"This course provided a practical application of financial concepts, exactly what I needed for my investment banking career goals."
"I found the discussions on valuation techniques to be highly relevant to current industry practices, making the content immediately applicable."
"The emphasis on real-world examples really helped solidify my understanding of how financial analysis is performed in practice."
Directly prepares students for roles in investment banking and finance.
"This course is a must-take for anyone serious about pursuing investment banking; it covers all the foundational skills."
"As someone aiming for a finance career, this course has provided me with invaluable knowledge and practical tools."
"I found the content perfectly aligned with what is expected in entry-level finance roles, making it highly beneficial for my career."

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 Investment Banking: Financial Analysis and Valuation with these activities:
Review Accounting Principles
Review the fundamental principles of accounting to strengthen your understanding of financial statements and their analysis.
Browse courses on Financial Reporting
Show steps
  • Revisit key accounting concepts, such as assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, and expenses.
  • Review the accounting equation and its implications for financial statement analysis.
  • Practice analyzing simple income statements and balance sheets.
The Intelligent Investor
Read this classic book on value investing to gain insights into the principles of financial analysis and investment decision-making.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts, such as intrinsic value, margin of safety, and diversification.
  • Apply the principles of value investing to your own investment analysis.
Walkthrough of Valuation Techniques
Follow guided tutorials or online courses to gain a deeper understanding of different valuation techniques and their applications.
Browse courses on Valuation Methods
Show steps
  • Identify the most common valuation techniques used in investment banking and corporate finance.
  • Learn the key steps involved in conducting a discounted cash flow analysis.
  • Practice applying multiples analysis to value companies in different industries.
  • Understand the process of comparable company analysis and its limitations.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Valuation Study Group
Join or form a study group with other students to discuss valuation concepts and work on practice problems together.
Browse courses on Valuation Techniques
Show steps
  • Find or create a study group with other students taking the course.
  • Meet regularly to discuss course material, solve problems, and prepare for exams.
  • Share notes, resources, and insights with your group members.
Financial Statement Analysis Practice
Solve practice problems and case studies to improve your ability to analyze financial statements and make informed investment decisions.
Show steps
  • Download practice financial statements from company websites or financial databases.
  • Calculate key financial ratios and analyze trends over time.
  • Develop financial spreadsheets to perform sensitivity analysis and valuation calculations.
  • Present your findings and recommendations in a clear and concise manner.
Valuation Workshop
Attend a workshop led by industry experts to learn about advanced valuation techniques and best practices.
Browse courses on Valuation Techniques
Show steps
  • Research and identify upcoming valuation workshops or conferences.
  • Register for and attend the workshop.
  • Take notes and ask questions during the workshop.
  • Apply the knowledge gained from the workshop to your own work.
Valuation Blog Post
Write a blog post or article that summarizes your understanding of a particular valuation technique or concept.
Browse courses on Valuation Techniques
Show steps
  • Choose a valuation topic that you are interested in writing about.
  • Research the topic thoroughly and gather data from credible sources.
  • Write a clear and concise blog post that explains the topic to a general audience.
  • Share your blog post on social media or other platforms.
Valuation Model Project
Develop a comprehensive financial model to value a real-world company using industry-standard techniques.
Browse courses on Financial Modeling
Show steps
  • Select a publicly traded company that you are interested in analyzing.
  • Gather financial data from the company's financial statements and other sources.
  • Build a financial model using Excel or another financial modeling software.
  • Perform a valuation analysis using multiple techniques, such as discounted cash flow and comparable company analysis.
  • Write a report summarizing your findings and valuation结论.

Career center

Learners who complete Investment Banking: Financial Analysis and Valuation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Investment Banker
This course will provide you with the foundational elements of financial statement and ratio analysis, which are essential skills for Investment Bankers. You will also learn how to apply financial statements and forecasts within the context of company valuation, utilizing common industry valuation techniques. This course will help you build a strong foundation for a career in investment banking.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts use financial statement analysis and valuation techniques to make recommendations on investments. This course will provide you with the skills you need to perform these tasks effectively. You will learn how to analyze financial statements, conduct ratio analysis, and value companies using a variety of methods. This course will help you build a strong foundation for a career as a Financial Analyst.
Equity Research Analyst
Equity Research Analysts use financial statement analysis and valuation techniques to make recommendations on stocks. This course will provide you with the skills you need to perform these tasks effectively. You will learn how to analyze financial statements, conduct ratio analysis, and value companies using a variety of methods. This course will help you build a strong foundation for a career as an Equity Research Analyst.
Portfolio Manager
Portfolio Managers use financial statement analysis and valuation techniques to make investment decisions. This course will provide you with the skills you need to perform these tasks effectively. You will learn how to analyze financial statements, conduct ratio analysis, and value companies using a variety of methods. This course will help you build a strong foundation for a career as a Portfolio Manager.
Investment Manager
Investment Managers use financial statement analysis and valuation techniques to make investment decisions for clients. This course will provide you with the skills you need to perform these tasks effectively. You will learn how to analyze financial statements, conduct ratio analysis, and value companies using a variety of methods. This course will help you build a strong foundation for a career as an Investment Manager.
Financial Planner
Financial Planners use financial statement analysis and valuation techniques to help clients make financial decisions. This course will provide you with the skills you need to perform these tasks effectively. You will learn how to analyze financial statements, conduct ratio analysis, and value companies using a variety of methods. This course will help you build a strong foundation for a career as a Financial Planner.
Private Equity Investor
Private Equity Investors use financial statement analysis and valuation techniques to make investment decisions. This course will provide you with the skills you need to perform these tasks effectively. You will learn how to analyze financial statements, conduct ratio analysis, and value companies using a variety of methods. This course will help you build a strong foundation for a career as a Private Equity Investor.
Venture Capitalist
Venture Capitalists use financial statement analysis and valuation techniques to make investment decisions. This course will provide you with the skills you need to perform these tasks effectively. You will learn how to analyze financial statements, conduct ratio analysis, and value companies using a variety of methods. This course will help you build a strong foundation for a career as a Venture Capitalist.
Hedge Fund Manager
Hedge Fund Managers use financial statement analysis and valuation techniques to make investment decisions. This course will provide you with the skills you need to perform these tasks effectively. You will learn how to analyze financial statements, conduct ratio analysis, and value companies using a variety of methods. This course will help you build a strong foundation for a career as a Hedge Fund Manager.
Investment Advisor
Investment Advisors use financial statement analysis and valuation techniques to make investment recommendations to clients. This course will provide you with the skills you need to perform these tasks effectively. You will learn how to analyze financial statements, conduct ratio analysis, and value companies using a variety of methods. This course will help you build a strong foundation for a career as an Investment Advisor.
Corporate Finance Analyst
Corporate Finance Analysts use financial statement analysis and valuation techniques to make financial decisions for corporations. This course will provide you with the skills you need to perform these tasks effectively. You will learn how to analyze financial statements, conduct ratio analysis, and value companies using a variety of methods. This course will help you build a strong foundation for a career as a Corporate Finance Analyst.
Management Consultant
Management Consultants use financial statement analysis and valuation techniques to help clients make business decisions. This course will provide you with the skills you need to perform these tasks effectively. You will learn how to analyze financial statements, conduct ratio analysis, and value companies using a variety of methods. This course may be useful for building a foundation for a career as a Management Consultant.
Commercial Banker
Commercial Bankers use financial statement analysis and valuation techniques to make lending decisions. This course will provide you with the skills you need to perform these tasks effectively. You will learn how to analyze financial statements, conduct ratio analysis, and value companies using a variety of methods. This course may be useful for building a foundation for a career as a Commercial Banker.
Credit Analyst
Credit Analysts use financial statement analysis and valuation techniques to assess the creditworthiness of borrowers. This course will provide you with the skills you need to perform these tasks effectively. You will learn how to analyze financial statements, conduct ratio analysis, and value companies using a variety of methods. This course may be useful for building a foundation for a career as a Credit Analyst.
Risk Manager
Risk Managers use financial statement analysis and valuation techniques to assess the risks of financial decisions. This course will provide you with the skills you need to perform these tasks effectively. You will learn how to analyze financial statements, conduct ratio analysis, and value companies using a variety of methods. This course may be useful for building a foundation for a career as a Risk Manager.

Reading list

We've selected nine 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 Investment Banking: Financial Analysis and Valuation.
This practical guide focuses on discounted cash flow analysis, a core technique covered in the course's valuation module.
This textbook provides a comprehensive foundation in financial analysis and valuation, covering topics aligned with the course's learning objectives.
This practical guide provides a comprehensive overview of financial modeling, a valuable skill for investment banking professionals.
While not directly related to investment banking, this classic text offers valuable insights into value investing, providing a solid foundation for understanding valuation principles.
This introductory text provides a broader overview of investment banking, complementing the course's focus on valuation and financial analysis.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser