Select Topics in Finance

Learn about how finance impacts decision-making in corporations and personal investments. These topics will allow you to learn the vocabulary and the mechanics of cash flow, and demystify the language of money.

Who should attend:

• Individuals who do not have a background in finance but require the knowledge to be successful in their position.
• Managers with profit & loss responsibilities who work in non-financial areas like accounting, marketing, engineering, human resources, etc.
• Leaders who are responsible for making crucial financial decisions for their organization.
• Anyone who needs a refresher on financial topics.

Current topics include:

Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return and Valuation Techniques

Instructor: Tom George, Ph.D.

Participants with be introduced to:

• The concepts of Time Value of Money, Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return and Capital Budgeting.
• The importance of Capital Structure for Net Present Value and Capital Budgeting.
• Discounted Cash Flow, Unlevered Cash Flow and Weighted Average Cost of Capital calculations.
• Concepts will be illustrated with interactive examples, discussions and group work.

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Capital Markets

Instructor: Kris Jacobs, Ph.D.

This course offers participants an overview of the most important capital markets and financial securities: Stocks, Bonds, Options and Futures. Students will learn about the various debt instruments used by companies and governments.

We discuss the main features of these securities and analyze their payoffs and risks. We analyze this from the point of view of an investor, but also from the perspective of a corporation that seeks to raise capital or hedge its cash flow.

• Valuation in stock markets: the Gordon growth model and price-earnings ratios.
• Efficient markets and stock market anomalies.
• Yield to maturity and the risks faced by fixed income investors.
• Interest rates, inflation, and the role of the Federal Reserve.
• Analyzing and quantifying interest rate risk and credit risk using duration, credit ratings and more advanced credit tools.
• Payoffs to options and futures positions.
• Complex option strategies and option pricing models.
• Risks in futures markets, clearinghouses and mark-to-market.
• Hedging with derivative securities.

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Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)

Instructor: Vijay Yerramilli, Ph.D.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are the most important forms of corporate restructuring and have large effects on shareholders, consumers, labor and other stakeholders. This course provides a holistic view of the M&A market using a mix of class discussion, case studies, valuation exercises, and negotiation simulations. Specific topics include:

• The Basics: Motives behind M&As; methods of payment and financing; and implications for shareholder value.
• Valuation Issues: Quantifying synergies and net gains to shareholders.
• M&A Deal Design: Deal structures; tax issues; regulatory and other risks.
• Legal and institutional framework: Role of the Board of Directors; influence of activist investors; anti-takeover provisions (ATPs).
• Private Equity Funds and Leveraged Buyouts.
• Exit and restructuring strategies: Divestitures, spin-offs, and carveouts.

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Personal Financial Planning

Instructor: John Lopez, CFP®

This course will introduce participants to the topics that, when implemented, will lead to financial security.

• Creating and analyzing personal financial statements.
• Qualified and non-qualified retirement plans and retirement needs analysis.
• Personal risk management topics; property/casualty/liability/disability Insurance.
• Topics in estate planning. Wills, trusts and powers of attorney.