The exact type and structure of a 'financial analysis' depends largely on the specific decision making context in which the analyst is placed - is it equity investment, credit extension, analysis of supplier/customer health, competitor analysis, regulatory overview or intervention, or valuation for take-over or restructuring purposes?
However, many of the techniques of financial analysis are common to each.
This course devotes considerable attention to these 'techniques' and the difficulties associated with their application; primarily in the context of equity investment/valuation and credit extension decisions.
The emphasis is on sharpening analytical abilities in financial statement analysis from a managerial standpoint.
Particular attention is placed on developing an ability to 'pierce the accounting veil' to get at the underlying bottom line - cash flow and the inherent volatility thereof.
The Core Finance and Core Accounting courses are prerequisites for this elective.