Course overview
This course aims to enhance learners’ conceptual grasp of the role and practical application of financial statements in business analysis, integrate skills from prior learnings in accounting, statistics, economics, law, and finance, and provide a framework for business analysis and valuation that covers historic analytical techniques and prospective (future) projections. Learners will gain skills in utilising financial statements in decision-making, setting strategic direction, evaluating new acquisitions, communicating with external stakeholders, and working in teams. This will prepare them for professional roles focussing on valuation, credit assessment, strategic decision-making, and assessment of corporate governance and regulatory compliance in the accounting, consulting, and finance sectors.
Course learning outcomes
- Assess macroeconomic factors, business strategy, corporate governance, and ethics in a business environment in order to enhance interpretation of a firm's financial statements
- Provide critical financial assessments of the firm's operating, financing, and investment decisions relative to its historical performance and to the contemporary performance of its competitors and peers
- Undertake forecasts for valuation, strategy and policy analyses using financial statements and other sources of business and economic information
- Develop teamwork skills and oral communication skills applicable to presentation of complex accounting and finance information to a non-specialist audience