CFO Series: Advanced Financial Analysis: Use the Right Tools

Overview

Humans are hard-wired to fear uncertainty, but we can learn from the ambiguity that is common today. The upside of uncertainty is that it is the gateway to new possibilities, including new tools. The analytical tools we currently use were designed for the physical world, but today we live in a data-driven digital world, especially for those in the service economy. What are the best tools to deal with unknowns and ambiguity in today's environment? We will show you how to use the right tools in the proper manner.

Prerequisites

None, preferably at least six (6) months of professional financial statement analysis experience and/or at least six (6) months of professional experience in preparing or reviewing accounting processes and reports; experience working with internal clients or external clients and business leaders.

Objectives

After attending this presentation, you will be able to...

• Analyze tools to help inform decision makers.
• Recall appropriate tools to use to help augment financial analysis.
• Utilize modern tools for advanced financial analysis.

Highlights

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:

• Advanced financial analysis and modeling tools
• Proper modeling of long-term decisions
• Best practices in project analysis 
• Alternative evaluation methods
• Why should you consider multiple metrics?
• Capital rationing 
• Choosing the correct discount factor
• Year-end convention and other less understood assumptions
• Sensitivity and scenario analysis
• Monte Carlo Simulation in practice
• Interpreting results properly
• NPV vs IRR vs MIRR vs ROI.
• Considerations when metrics contradict other metrics
• Real options are hard to value but are invaluable
• Behavioral issues
• Evaluating projects with no obvious return
• Multiple numeric examples and work sheets