Core Course Descriptions

Generally accepted accounting principles, concepts, standards, and practices used in recording business transactions in order to prepare major financial statements such as the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. Overview of financial statements, financial reporting and financial analysis techniques (horizontal, vertical and ratio analysis), analyzing financing, investing and operating activities, cash flow analysis, return on invested capital, profitability, credit and risk analysis.

Statistical and Econometric tools used in financial research and decision making. Probability theory, random variables, mathematical expectations, distributions of random variables, distributions used in financial research, sampling, sampling distributions, hypothesis testing, estimation theory, and simple linear and multiple linear regression models. Emphasis on application of statistical and econometric techniques to problems in financial economics.

Introduction to the fundamental financial issues of the corporation. Basic concepts of debt and equity sources of financing and valuation; capital budgeting methods; cash flow forecasting and risk analysis; and the cost of capital. Rigorous analysis of firm’s capital structure and dividend policies, overview of the real-world considerations, constraints and risks facing managers.

Quantitative tools and the conceptual knowledge to analyze investments. “Investments” in this course is strictly monetary stakes in financial securities, not real assets or projects. How to best combine various financial instruments to fit the risk/return profile. Trade-off between risk and return, and market efficiency. Financial decision making process of an investor to maximize his wealth and/or minimize his risk. Theoretical models to value financial instruments such as stocks and bonds, how to allocate assets efficiently, how to measure and manage risk.

Widely accepted “Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct” developed by the CFA Institute. Case studies including well-known finance scandals that markets have been witnessing for decades. Ethical responsibilities of investment professionals and application of ethical codes and standards.

Effective team work for successful results. Problem solving and decision making mechanisms in situations when team members have asymmetric information and opposing interests. Leadership approaches and their effect on team performance under time pressure and internal conflict. Teamwork simulation for learning effective teamwork and leadership.

Review of the main principles and applications of financial modeling.  Discussing the interdependencies among financial statements and business decisions. Introduction of common Excel tools and financial functions employed in modeling. Finalizing a thorough financial model by diligently building its six main blocks. Applying Discounted Cash Flows and Multiple Analysis as well as scenario analysis.

Review how disruptive Technologies are shaping the future of financial institutions and markets, analyze the foundations of the blockchain technology, evaluate the role of cryptocurrencies and ICOs in the monetary system, examine smart contract s and their application in the industry, assess the opportunities AI and machine learning offering in the Wealthtech, brief overview of big data analysis.

Elective Course Descriptions

An intensive analysis of the effects of various corporate financial policy decisions on the value of the firm; effects of taxes, bankruptcy costs and agency costs on corporate financial decisions; the interrelation of financing policy with executive compensation, mergers and acquisitions, leasing, hedging and payout policies.   

Managing and trading risk both for real sector corporates and financial institutions. Dynamics of derivatives securities and how they respond to changing market variables. Use of derivatives for financing purposes. Futures, forwards, options, swaps and other complex structured products (warrants & certificates)

This course offers a unique analysis of the risks faced by investors and savers interacting through financial institutions and financial markets, as well as strategies that can be adopted for controlling and better managing these risks. Since our focus is on return and risk and the sources of that return and risk in global financial markets and institutions, this course relates ways in which a modern financial manager, saver, and investor can expand return with a managed level of risk to achieve the most favorable return-risk outcome within the portfolio theory. We will examine the risks faced by a modern financial institutions and managers and the various strategies for managing these risks. Risk measurement and management both on the balance sheet and off the balance sheet of financial institutions especially considering interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk, and credit risk will be the focus of the first half of the course.

 In the second part of the course, we will cover the portfolio theory and practice; consist of the relationship between risk and return, capital allocation and building the optimal risky portfolios. Then we will touch on the analysis of the determinants of value of securities including the broad-based aspects of fundamental analysis-macroeconomic and industry analysis as well the firm-specific analysis to the price of a firm’s stock will be given.

Effects of macroeconomic policies such as fiscal, monetary, and foreign exchange on business. Causes and consequences of inflation and unemployment. Economic growth and technological progress. Open economy, international flow of goods and capital, exchange rates.

Creating value through corporate restructuring and examining how various types of restructurings impact creditors, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders. Topics covered include quantitative background on corporate valuation methodologies; application of these methodologies to value creation through restructurings such as mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy reorganizations and workouts, corporate spin-offs, targeted stock offerings, and employee buyouts.

This course explores the private equity industry and particularly the venture capital market. The course has three primary objectives. First, the course seeks to deepen students’ understanding of corporate finance by applying the intellectual frameworks used in corporate finance to analyze activities and institutions in the private equity market. Thus, one goal is to review and apply the key concepts and tools of corporate finance in a new and interesting environment. Second, the course seeks to familiarize students with the key institutional features of the private equity industry. This involves examining how institutions and contracts are structured to mitigate agency costs and information problems that are endemic to private equity investments. While there will be a focus on the structure of contracts and institutions in the venture capital market, we will also examine private equity investments in mature and distressed companies. Finally, a crucial objective of the course is to build an appreciation of the valuation process in a private equity setting. Valuation issues are often an issue of intense negotiations and contentious disputes. The goal is to familiarize students with the valuation techniques used by private equity investors and to demonstrate how the value of private equity investments is inextricably linked to the cash flow and control rights provided to investors and entrepreneur/manager of the firms.

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are an essential part of business life and strategic planning. After a point, “leapfrogging growth” in most, if not all, companies, corporations and partnerships, in the industrial, consumer, and service sectors are based in business combinations, divestitures and purchase of some sort. Thus, as a future business leader, learning and eventually mastering this very important aspect of business is essential for a fruitful career.

The theory of financial intermediation and the structure of financial markets; interest rates and security valuation; central banking system and monetary policy; securities markets including money, capital and foreign exchange markets; commercial banking; investment banks, insurance companies, mutual funds and pension funds.