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Beyond the Financials

Insights, Analysis and Valuations

Brian Hamm, Nerissa C. Brown, PhD CFE, and W. Brooke Elliott

The objective of this course 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.

Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations 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

Orientation

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: Beyond the Financials - External and Internal

You will obtain an understanding of why it is important to consider information beyond the financials and how to access this data when performing financial statement analysis and valuation.

Module 2: Non-GAAP Adjustments

You will obtain an understanding of Non-GAAP adjustments, why they are permitted and how they are sometimes mis-used by companies

Module 3: Forecasting

You will obtain an understanding of different approaches to financial statement forecasting and the pros and cons of each.

Module 4: Valuations

You will learn why valuations are critical in making business decisions and how to execute Simple Valuation Models.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches foundational accounting principles needed to analyze companies

Provides tools and frameworks to break down and analyze complex financial reports

Instructors have decades of combined experience in financial analysis and valuation

Hands-on, practical approach to financial statement analysis

Useful for professionals in various industries, such as finance, accounting, and business

Emphasizes critical thinking and well-supported analysis

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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 Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations with these activities:

Review 'Financial Statement Analysis: A Practitioner's Guide'

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Gain advanced insights into financial statement analysis through a comprehensive review of a foundational book.

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

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Read the book thoroughly.
Summarize key concepts and frameworks.
Apply the knowledge to analyze real-world financial statements.

Analyze Case Studies

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Increase proficiency in applying financial analysis techniques by solving case studies.

Browse courses on Case Studies

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Obtain case studies from credible sources.
Review the case study materials to understand the problem.
Apply financial analysis techniques to evaluate the situation.
Develop recommendations based on the analysis.

Create Financial Models

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Develop a deeper understanding of financial concepts by creating models to simulate real-world scenarios.

Browse courses on Financial Modeling

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Identify a business scenario to model.
Gather relevant financial data.
Translate business assumptions into financial equations.
Build a financial model using tools like spreadsheets or specialized software.
Analyze the results and draw insights.

Two other activities

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Mentor Junior Financial Analysts

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Enhance your understanding by sharing your knowledge and providing guidance to aspiring financial analysts.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Find opportunities to mentor junior analysts.
Share your expertise in financial statement analysis.
Provide feedback and support to help them develop their skills.

Solve Practice Exam Questions

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Test your understanding and identify areas for improvement by solving practice exam questions.

Browse courses on Exam Preparation

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Obtain practice exam questions from reliable sources.
Practice solving the questions under timed conditions.
Review your answers and identify areas for improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

Data analysts use data to solve business problems. Data analysts who specialize in finance use financial analysis to solve business problems. As such, a strong foundation in financial analysis is essential for success in this role. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' can help data analysts to develop the skills they need to analyze and interpret financial data. This knowledge can help data analysts to solve business problems more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Risk Analyst

Risk analysts identify and assess risks to a company's financial health. A strong foundation in financial analysis is essential for success in this role. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' can help risk analysts to develop the skills they need to analyze and interpret financial data. This knowledge can help risk analysts to identify and assess risks to a company's financial health more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative analysts use financial analysis to make recommendations to investors. As such, a strong foundation in financial analysis is essential for success in this role. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' can help quantitative analysts to develop the skills they need to analyze and interpret financial data. This knowledge can help quantitative analysts to make better recommendations to their investors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Auditor

Auditors need to be able to review financial statements, analyze financial situations, and make recommendations to management. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' is helpful for Auditors because it teaches students how to use financial information to make informed decisions, how to analyze and interpret financial statements, and how to forecast financial statements. The course also covers Non-GAAP adjustments, which are often used by companies to adjust their financial statements for the purpose of making them look more favorable. This knowledge is essential for Auditors, as they need to be able to identify and adjust for these types of adjustments in order to get a true picture of a company's financial health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Auditor

Financial Controller

Financial controllers are responsible for the financial management of a company. As such, a strong foundation in financial analysis is essential for success in this role. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' can help financial controllers to develop the skills they need to analyze and interpret financial data. This knowledge can help financial controllers to make better decisions for their company.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Controller

Financial Manager

Financial managers are responsible for the financial planning and analysis of a company. A strong foundation in financial analysis is essential for success in this role. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' can help financial managers to develop the skills they need to analyze and interpret financial data. This knowledge can help financial managers to make better decisions for their company.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Manager

Investment Banker

Investment bankers help companies raise capital and advise them on mergers and acquisitions. A strong understanding of financial analysis is essential for success in this role. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' can help investment bankers to develop the skills they need to analyze and interpret financial statements, forecast financial statements, and value a firm. This knowledge can help investment bankers to provide better advice to their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Portfolio Manager

Portfolio managers manage investments for individuals and institutions. A strong understanding of financial analysis is essential for success in this role. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' can help portfolio managers to develop the skills they need to analyze and interpret financial statements, forecast financial statements, and value a firm. This knowledge can help portfolio managers to make better investment decisions for their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager

Risk Manager

Risk managers identify and assess risks to a company's financial health. A strong understanding of financial analysis is essential for success in this role. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' may be useful for risk managers, as it teaches students how to analyze and interpret financial statements, how to forecast financial statements, and how to value a firm. This knowledge can help risk managers to identify and assess risks to a company's financial health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Financial Planner

Financial planners help individuals and families manage their finances. A strong understanding of financial analysis is essential for success in this role. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' may be useful for financial planners, as it teaches students how to analyze and interpret financial statements, how to forecast financial statements, and how to value a firm. This knowledge can help financial planners to provide better advice to their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Planner

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts use financial information to make recommendations to investors. As such, a strong foundation in financial analysis is essential for success in this role. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' may be useful for financial analysts, as it teaches students how to analyze and interpret financial statements, how to forecast financial statements, and how to value a firm. This knowledge can help financial analysts to make more informed recommendations to investors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Budget Analyst

Budget analysts prepare and manage budgets for organizations. A strong understanding of financial analysis is essential for success in this role. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' may be useful for budget analysts, as it teaches students how to analyze and interpret financial statements, how to forecast financial statements, and how to value a firm. This knowledge can help budget analysts to prepare and manage budgets more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Budget Analyst

Consultant

Consultants provide advice to businesses on a variety of topics, including finance. A strong understanding of financial analysis is essential for success in this role. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' may be useful for consultants, as it teaches students how to analyze and interpret financial statements, how to forecast financial statements, and how to value a firm. This knowledge can help consultants to provide better advice to their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Commercial Banker

Commercial bankers lend money to businesses. A strong understanding of financial analysis is essential for success in this role. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' can help commercial bankers to develop the skills they need to analyze and interpret financial statements, forecast financial statements, and value a firm. This knowledge can help commercial bankers to make better lending decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Commercial Banker

Actuary

Actuaries use financial analysis to assess and manage risk. A strong understanding of financial analysis is essential for success in this role. The course 'Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations' may be useful for actuaries, as it teaches students how to analyze and interpret financial statements, how to forecast financial statements, and how to value a firm. This knowledge can help actuaries to assess and manage risk more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary

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 Beyond the Financials: Insights, Analysis and Valuations.

Analysis for Financial Management

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Provides a practical guide to financial analysis for managers. It covers a wide range of topics, including financial statement analysis, forecasting, and valuation. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to learn how to use financial analysis to improve their decision-making.

Beyond the Financials

Insights, Analysis and Valuations

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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