Introduction

Advanced corporate finance focuses on the complex financial decisions that companies make to maximize shareholder value, manage risk, and ensure financial stability. This 5-day course is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of corporate finance concepts, focusing on areas such as capital structure, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, financial modeling, and strategic financial decision-making. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to address advanced financial challenges, evaluate investment opportunities, and optimize corporate finance strategies.

Course Objectives

• Deepen knowledge of advanced corporate finance concepts and techniques.
• Learn how to make strategic capital structure and financing decisions.
• Gain skills in financial modeling and valuation techniques for investment decision-making.
• Understand the principles of mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance.
• Develop the ability to analyze financial data and provide recommendations for improving corporate performance.
• Learn how to use advanced financial tools and techniques to optimize financial strategy.

Who Should Attend?

• Financial analysts, managers, and corporate finance professionals looking to enhance their strategic decision-making skills.
• CFOs, business owners, and senior executives involved in capital planning and investment decisions.
• Professionals pursuing a career in investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, or corporate finance.
• Anyone interested in understanding advanced financial strategies, including capital structure, risk management, and financial forecasting.

Day 1: Introduction to Advanced Corporate Finance

• Session 1: Overview of Corporate Finance and Value Maximization
  • The role of corporate finance in maximizing shareholder value
  • Key principles of advanced corporate finance: time value of money, risk and return, and financial management
  • The connection between finance strategy and overall corporate strategy
• Session 2: Financial Analysis and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  • Review of financial statements and key financial ratios: liquidity, profitability, leverage, and efficiency ratios
  • Analyzing and interpreting financial data for decision-making
  • How to use financial analysis to measure company performance and identify improvement areas
• Session 3: Advanced Capital Budgeting Techniques
  • Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Payback Period
  • Discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis for investment decisions
  • Adjusting for risk in capital budgeting: risk-adjusted discount rates and scenario analysis

Day 2: Capital Structure and Financing Decisions

• Session 1: Theories of Capital Structure
  • Trade-off theory, pecking order theory, and market timing theory
  • Understanding the optimal capital structure for a company
  • Impact of debt and equity financing on company value, financial risk, and control
• Session 2: Cost of Capital and Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)
  • Understanding the cost of equity and cost of debt
  • Calculating WACC and its role in investment decisions
  • The role of WACC in corporate finance: project valuation and risk-adjusted returns
• Session 3: Financing and Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs)
  • Different sources of financing: debt, equity, and hybrid financing
  • How companies raise capital in financial markets: IPOs, private equity, and debt issuance
  • Leveraged buyouts (LBOs): structure, financing, and risks of LBO transactions

Day 3: Mergers, Acquisitions, and Corporate Restructuring

• Session 1: Mergers and Acquisitions Overview
  • The types of mergers and acquisitions: horizontal, vertical, and conglomerate
  • Strategic motivations behind M&As: synergies, market expansion, and diversification
  • The M&A process: target identification, due diligence, negotiation, and integration
• Session 2: Valuation of Target Companies
  • Methods of company valuation: DCF, comparable company analysis, precedent transactions
  • Estimating the value of synergies in an M&A transaction
  • Assessing financial health and risks of acquisition targets
• Session 3: Post-Merger Integration and Risk Management
  • Strategies for successful post-merger integration: cultural, operational, and financial considerations
  • Managing risks during the integration phase
  • Corporate governance and stakeholder management in M&As

Day 4: Advanced Financial Modeling and Forecasting

• Session 1: Introduction to Financial Modeling
  • The purpose and structure of financial models in corporate finance
  • Types of financial models: forecast models, valuation models, and merger models
  • Best practices for building accurate and efficient financial models
• Session 2: Forecasting Financial Statements
  • Projecting income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements
  • Sensitivity analysis and scenario modeling for decision-making
  • Integrating assumptions into financial forecasts: economic conditions, market trends, and company-specific factors
• Session 3: Valuation Models in Practice
  • Building DCF models for business valuation
  • Using relative valuation techniques: market multiples and precedent transactions
  • Valuing companies in different industries and market conditions

Day 5: Corporate Governance, Risk Management, and Financial Strategy

• Session 1: Corporate Governance and Financial Management
  • The role of corporate governance in managing financial risks and decision-making
  • Aligning management incentives with shareholder interests: executive compensation, ownership structure, and boards of directors
  • Ethical considerations in corporate finance and governance
• Session 2: Risk Management and Financial Strategy
  • Identifying and managing financial risks: market risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and operational risk
  • Hedging strategies using derivatives and financial instruments
  • Strategic financial decisions under uncertainty and market volatility
• Session 3: Developing a Strategic Financial Plan
  • Integrating financial strategy with corporate strategy for long-term growth
  • Using financial reporting and analysis for strategic decision-making
  • Key performance metrics and benchmarking for strategic planning

Course Conclusion

• Recap of Key Learnings
• Interactive Q&A Session
• Certification of Completion
• Networking Opportunity