Financial Management and Investment Strategies

Course introduction

This course develops the core skills needed for financial decision-making in corporations and investment contexts. You will learn how firms evaluate projects, manage capital structure and liquidity, value assets and securities, and construct diversified portfolios. Emphasis is on practical tools — financial modeling, valuation techniques, and risk-return frameworks — that translate directly to roles in corporate finance, investment management, treasury, and consulting.

What you'll learn

Interpret financial statements and use them for decision-making and valuation.
Perform discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation and comparable-company analysis.
Assess capital budgeting decisions using NPV, IRR, and sensitivity/scenario analysis.
Understand capital structure choices, cost of capital, and dividend policy trade-offs.
Construct and evaluate portfolios using mean–variance analysis and basic factor models.
Apply risk management tools (hedging basics, derivatives overview) and measure performance.

Who this course is for

Suitable for aspiring finance professionals, MBA students, entrepreneurs, and managers who need to make or evaluate investment and financing decisions. Prior business or quantitative coursework helps but is not required for motivated learners.

Prerequisites

Comfort with algebra and percentages; basic familiarity with present value concepts is helpful.
Introductory understanding of accounting and financial statements is strongly recommended.
Working knowledge of spreadsheets (Excel or Google Sheets) — building and auditing simple models.
No prior experience with investments or derivatives required; all technical topics are introduced from first principles.

If you need accommodations for prerequisite expectations, contact the program office before the course start.

Course format & assessment

The course combines lectures, problem sets, spreadsheet labs, case studies, and a final applied project (valuation or portfolio exercise). Typical assessment breakdown:

Problem sets and spreadsheet labs (35%)
Midterm case or exam (20%)
Final project: valuation or portfolio analysis (35%)
Participation & short quizzes (10%)

Assignments emphasize reproducible spreadsheet models, clear assumptions, and sensitivity testing.

Sample module breakdown

Foundations: time value of money and financial statement analysis
Discounted cash flow valuation and forecasting cash flows
Relative valuation: multiples and transaction analysis
Capital budgeting and project evaluation (NPV, IRR, real options overview)
Cost of capital, WACC, and capital structure theory
Working capital management and corporate liquidity
Portfolio theory, diversification, and asset allocation
Asset pricing basics: CAPM, multifactor models, and expected returns
Introduction to fixed income and derivative instruments for hedging
Performance measurement, attribution, and behavioral considerations
Final applied project: valuation or investment strategy presentation

Resources & tools

Core resources include case studies, valuation templates, spreadsheet lab files, and selected readings from finance texts and practitioner articles. Tools used: Excel/Sheets (advanced functions, scenario manager), Bloomberg/market data demonstrations where available, and portfolio simulation templates. Optional: Python (pandas) or R examples for students interested in quantitative finance.

Frequently asked questions

Is prior coursework in accounting required?

Not strictly required, but familiarity with basic accounting terms and how to read financial statements will make the course easier. We provide a short preparatory primer for students who need a quick refresher.

Will I learn to trade or use live brokerage platforms?

The course focuses on theory and applied analysis (valuation, portfolio construction, risk management). It does not provide hands-on trading with real funds, though simulated trading or portfolio simulation exercises may be used for learning.

Can I use this course to prepare for finance certifications (e.g., CFA)?

Many topics overlap with professional exams (valuation, portfolio theory, corporate finance). This course is not a dedicated certification prep, but it provides strong foundational material useful for later exam study.

How technical are the quantitative topics?

Quantitative topics are introduced with a practical, applied focus. Calculus-based derivations are minimal; emphasis is on intuition, spreadsheet implementation, and applied interpretation. Advanced mathematical extensions are optional.

What is the final project like?

The final project can be a company valuation (DCF plus sensitivity analysis) or an investment strategy/portfolio construction exercise with performance backtesting (simulation). Deliverables include a written report, a model file, and a short presentation.

How much time should I plan per week?

Expect ~6–10 hours per week for a standard-term offering, varying with the intensity of modeling assignments and project work.

Who should I contact for enrollment or accommodations?

For enrollment, contact the program office at program-office@example.edu. For accommodations, contact accessibility services at accessibility@example.edu.