Advanced Financial Statement Analysis (Online)

Offset risk and make informed investment decisions for increased profitability

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Course Dates

STARTS ON

February 13, 2025

Course Duration

DURATION

6 weeks, online
4–6 hours per week

Course Fee

PROGRAM FEE

US$2,600 and get a referral benefit

Course Information Flexible payment available
Course Fee

For Your Team

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Early Registration Benefit

Apply now to secure your place at US$2,314 by . Connect with a learning advisor for more information.

Precision Financial Analysis Yields More
Wins and Better Investment Outcomes

In a volatile economy, being able to determine an asset’s value, understand an organization's financing sources, calculate profitability, and estimate risks is more critical than ever. These are the metrics that help determine a win or a loss.

Developed by Doron Nissim, the Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting and Finance at Columbia Business School, this program is designed for investors and financial professionals to assess the vital signs of an organization with more precision in order to make better investment decisions. Through the use of a proprietary Excel analysis tool and several case studies, each module illustrates the learnings through a real-world scenario, culminating in a live debriefing of a case with Professor Nissim.

87%

Of CFOs consider accurate financial forecasting and budgeting vital for company’s growth, highlighting the importance of advanced financial analysis.

SOURCE: PwC

30%

More profitability and shareholder value can be achieved by companies that excel in financial planning and analysis.

SOURCE: McKinsey

6%

Growth in employment for financial analysts by 2031 is projected, indicating strong demand for advanced financial analysis skills.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Key Takeaways

The Advanced Financial Statement Analysis (Online) program will enable you to:

  • Review the fundamentals of financial accounting principles and transactions
  • Analyze the quality, profitability, solvency, and liquidity of financial statements across a variety of organizations, including Google/Alphabet, Costco, and Tesla
  • Calculate the value of an organization using a variety of methods and scenarios
  • Utilize a proprietary Excel workbook from faculty that allows you to apply each of the analysis exercises to any organization
  • Leverage information from financial statements at a deeper level to inform your investment strategies—and drive better returns in your portfolio

Who Should Attend

  • Institutional and individual investors who want to make more informed decisions for better investment outcomes for their portfolios
  • Mid- and senior-level finance professionals who want to learn how to analyze financial statements and forecast for business planning and valuation
  • Private equity and banking professionals who want to learn a method for comprehensive profitability analysis and gain a deeper understanding of solvency and liquidity measures
  • Financial/credit analysts and risk managers who want more tools for evaluating risk, liquidity, and solvency, as well as assessing the quality of the financial statements
  • Financial advisors and consultants who seek to create more value for their clients through deeper analysis of investment opportunities

Program Modules

Module 1:

Foundations of Financial Accounting

Review the fundamentals of financial accounting principles and transactions.

Module 2:

Earnings Quality

Earnings quality analysis offers insights on several dimensions, including the sustainability of earnings, their informativeness and accuracy, and the likelihood that they have been manipulated.

Module 3:

Profitability Analysis

Learn how to conduct a comprehensive profitability analysis, starting with reformulation of the financial statements—and the motivation for doing so.

Module 4:

Solvency and Liquidity Analyses

Learn how to use financial reports to evaluate risks, including solvency, liquidity, market/macro exposures, earnings volatility, and other risk factors.

Module 5:

Forecasting Financial Statements

Knowing how to properly forecast financial metrics is a critical skill for management, investors, creditors, and other stakeholders.

Module 6:

Financial Statements-Based Investment Strategies

Leverage financial information to guide investment strategy decisions at your organization or in your own portfolio.

Module 1:

Foundations of Financial Accounting

Review the fundamentals of financial accounting principles and transactions.

Module 4:

Solvency and Liquidity Analyses

Learn how to use financial reports to evaluate risks, including solvency, liquidity, market/macro exposures, earnings volatility, and other risk factors.

Module 2:

Earnings Quality

Earnings quality analysis offers insights on several dimensions, including the sustainability of earnings, their informativeness and accuracy, and the likelihood that they have been manipulated.

Module 5:

Forecasting Financial Statements

Knowing how to properly forecast financial metrics is a critical skill for management, investors, creditors, and other stakeholders.

Module 3:

Profitability Analysis

Learn how to conduct a comprehensive profitability analysis, starting with reformulation of the financial statements—and the motivation for doing so.

Module 6:

Financial Statements-Based Investment Strategies

Leverage financial information to guide investment strategy decisions at your organization or in your own portfolio.

Program Experience

World-Renowned Faculty

Learn from accomplished faculty, and industry experts whose diverse backgrounds encompass a broad range of disciplines

Guest Speakers

Accomplished academics and experts offer unique perspectives and the opportunity to put learning into practice

Peer Interaction

Stimulating discussions with like-minded global peers expand your professional network and build a supportive community

Case Studies

Through exploratory sessions, examine practical examples and find innovative solutions to strategic challenges

Engaging Assignments and Activities

Hone business acumen and executive skills with try-it activities that help you redefine your potential

Case Studies

Decorative image relating to Costo

Costco

Organizations’ financial reports serve as the basis for illustrating key concepts, such as the fundamentals of the balance sheet, analysis of various transactions, and assessment of earnings quality and solvency ratios.

Decorative image relating to Google/Alphabet

Google/Alphabet

SEC reports and financial statements serve as the foundation for this multilayered case that weaves many critical concepts into the program, including the Summary of Significant Accounting Principles in the footnotes section, risk analysis, earnings quality analysis, and reformulation of the balance sheet.

Decorative image relating to Tesla

Tesla

The final project is focused on the case, Financial Analysis and Valuation of Tesla, and culminates with a live debrief with lead faculty, Doron Nissim, the Earnst & Young Professor of Accounting and Finance at Columbia Business School.

Hands-On Activities

  • Conduct an earnings quality review for Costco
  • Reformulate income statements and balance sheets for both real and fictitious organizations
  • Assess the solvency balance sheet for Costco
  • Calculate Costco’s EBIT margin
  • Examine the decomposition of growth at Unilever
  • Conduct a DCF analysis of Google/Alphabet
  • Perform a financial analysis and valuation of Tesla

Past Participant Profile

Past participants of the Advanced Financial Statement Analysis (Online) program come from diverse backgrounds, industries, and experiences.

Average years of work experience:

  • Less than 10 years: 21%
  • 10 to 14 years: 15%
  • 15 to 19 years: 20%
  • More than 20 years: 44%

Top industries:

  • Banking and Financial Services
  • Consulting
  • Energy
  • Healthcare
  • Real Estate

Top functions:

  • Accounting and Control
  • Finance
  • General Management
  • Sales and Business Development
  • Strategy and Corporate Planning

Top countries:

  • United States
  • Canada
  • Switzerland
  • Germany
  • France

Note: Data from across previous cohorts

Program Faculty

Profile picture of program faculty, Doron Nissim

DORON NISSIM

Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting and Finance, Columbia Business School

Doron Nissim teaches MBA, EMBA, MS, and PhD courses in financial accounting, earnings quality, fundamental analyses, valuation, investment management, financial institutions, and research methods... More info

FAQs

  • How do I know if this program is right for me?

    After reviewing the information on the program landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow-up with you very shortly.


    Are there any prerequisites for this program?

    Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page, as well as in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at the ID mentioned above.


    Note that, unless otherwise stated on the program web page, all programs are taught in English and proficiency in English is required.


    What is the typical class profile?

    More than 50 percent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but, generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry, and geography — leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.


    What other dates will this program be offered in the future?

    Check back to this program web page or email us to inquire if future program dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.

  • How much time is required each week?

    Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.


    How will my time be spent?

    We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities including:



    • Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty
    • Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific program schedule
    • Reading or engaging with examples of core topics
    • Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities
    • Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers
    • Completing your final project, if required

    The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on program activities.


    What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?

    More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.

    All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.

    A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.


    How do I interact with other program participants?

    Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.

  • What are the requirements to earn the certificate?

    Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.

    This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.


    What type of certificate will I receive?

    Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
    The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.


    Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?

    No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.


    Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?

    No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.


    How long will I have access to the learning materials?

    You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 12 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.

  • What equipment or technical requirements are there for this program?

    Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.


    Do I need to be online to access the program content?

    Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.

    Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.

  • Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?

    Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.


    What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?

    The program fee is noted at the top of this program web page and usually referenced in the program brochure as well.

    • Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this program web page next to FEE).
    • Tuition assistance is available for participants who qualify. Please email learner.success@emeritus.org.

    What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?

    Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor, or email us for details.


    I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?

    Yes! Please email us with the details of the program you are interested in, and we will assist you.


    How can I obtain an invoice for payment?

    Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.


    Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?

    Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the program fee in installments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.


    How can I obtain a W9 form?

    Please connect with us via email for assistance.


    Who will be collecting the payment for the program?

    Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.


    Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the program?

    Program fees for Emeritus programs with Columbia Business School Executive Education may not be paid for with Title IV financial aid funds. Participants may be able to pay the program fee with funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, or similar types of military education funding benefits. Participants must contact the Columbia University’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs to determine benefit eligibility.

  • What is the program refund and deferral policy?

    For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.

Certificate

Example image of participation of completion that will be awarded upon completion of the program

Certificate

Upon completion of the Advanced Financial Statement Analysis (Online) program, you will receive a certificate of participation from Columbia Business School Executive Education. This certificate also awards two credits towards the Certificate in Business Excellence, which grants select alumni and tuition benefits. Learn More

Download Brochure

Your digitally verified certificate will be issued in your legal name and emailed to you, at no additional cost, upon completion of the program, including all modules of the program (online, in person, or live online, inter-module). All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of Columbia Business School Executive Education.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Program Advisors or call us at +1 315 387 4431 (US) / +44 203 838 0836 (UK) / +65 3138 4449 (SG)

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Flexible payment options available. Learn more.