Objectives
To acquire the knowledge and skills required to perform financial analyses and assess an organization's overall performance. To learn to identify and measure performance indicators. To translate accounting information into financial information. To develop a sound knowledge of financial analysis concepts and techniques. To assess the profitability, financial position and operating efficiency of organizations.
Contents
Performance parameters: long-term viability, efficiency, value of resources and external legitimacy. Operational determination of performance indicators; performance measurement and analysis. Principal traditional concepts of financial statement analysis. DuPont analysis system: profitability, utilization of assets, financial leverage. Business and financial risk. Problems to resolve before performing a financial analysis. Profits: choice of accounting policies, judgment-based asset and liability valuation, intangible assets, write offs, allowances. Applications: credit decisions; financial restructuring; impact on financial statements, ratios and cash flow distribution to creditors and shareholders; bankruptcy forecasts.
Course materials
The course material includes lesson notes, supplementary readings, a technical guide for the calculation of financial ratios, an abstract from the CICA research report Using Ratios and Graphics in Financial Reporting and two manuals, Analyse financière by Guy Mercier (1998) and Performance indicators by E. Morin, M. Guindon and É. Boulianne (1996). Study guide and case analysis are available on the course Website.
Technological information
The course requires access to the Internet and the use of spreadsheet software.
Minimum configuration requirements to take this course: PC with Windows 98 (or higher operating system); Software suite, including word processing; spreadsheet and presentation software; Internet Explorer 5.5 (or higher version); Email address; Printer and loudspeakers, if necessary.
Student support
The duration of this course is 15 weeks. Tutor support is provided through e-mail and electronic forums.
Evaluation
Grading is based on two cases studies (65% and 35%).
Échelle de conversion
| Notation | Valeur numérique | Valeur en pourcentage |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4,3 | 90 à 100 % |
| A | 4 | 85 à 89 % |
| A- | 3,7 | 80 à 84 % |
| B+ | 3,3 | 75 à 79 % |
| B | 3 | 70 à 74 % |
| B- | 2,7 | 67 à 69 % |
| C+ | 2,3 | 63 à 66 % |
| C | 2 | 60 à 62 % |
| E | 0 | 0 à 59 % |
* Échelle de conversion actuellement en vigueur pour ce cours.
Enrolment Restrictions
This course is reserved for students registered in the Short Program in Financial Performance.
You cannot enrol in this course if you have previously succeeded FIN 6105 or FIN 6050.