Strategy, Finance Valuation

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

What is strategy and what are some of the main concepts, tools and techniques to assist in strategic analysis? What are the relationships between strategy and financial statements? Does strategy drive the numbers or do numbers drive the strategy? Finally, how does the integration of strategy and finance generate value and how might we try to measure this? The course is split into 4 sections: o Strategy – an introduction to strategy with case led application o Finance - a case led refresher of key financial tools and metrics including financial modelling o Valuation – an introduction to valuation o Case led integration of the above Using a mix of theory, news events, blogs and research reports the course will draw upon current events to illustrate and analyze key principles. Learning Objectives & Pedagogy The key learning objective is for participants to gain the theoretical and practical expertise necessary to understand, analyze and debate the relationships between strategy, finance and value. In particular, the end-game is to be able to integrate the three “knowledge silos” of strategy, finance and valuation. Class discussion and homework assignments, both individual and team based, will grow the ability to analyze and fluently present insightful integration of the above. Whilst MSFS 515 is not a pre-requisite some base level of financial knowledge is required. Those who have not taken a finance course must read Financial Intelligence – “A Managers Guide to Knowing what the Numbers Really Mean” in advance of starting the course.