Will I learn financial modeling in this course?

Yes, you will learn financial modeling concepts including building pro forma statements, DCF models, and forecasting cash flows similar to an FMVA course or financial modeling certification.

What are DCF models and why are they important?

DCF models (discounted cash flow models) estimate the value of a company based on projected cash flows, making them essential for valuation and investment decision-making.

What is discounted cash flow valuation?

Discounted cash flow valuation is a method used to determine the present value of future cash flows, widely used in equity research and financial modeling.

Does this course cover balance sheet and income statement analysis?

Yes, it includes detailed balance sheet analysis, income statement analysis, and cash flow analysis to help you evaluate a company’s financial health.

What is FMVA certification and how is it related?

FMVA certification focuses on financial modeling and valuation skills. This course covers similar concepts, making it useful for learners pursuing FMVA or financial modeling certification.

Can beginners take this financial analysis course?

Yes, the course starts with fundamentals and gradually moves to advanced topics, making it suitable for beginners with basic finance knowledge.

What career opportunities does this course support?

It prepares you for roles in equity research, financial analysis, investment banking, and financial planning and analysis (FP&A).

Does the course include technical analysis?

The course focuses primarily on fundamental analysis, financial modeling, and valuation rather than technical analysis course concepts.

How is financial statement analysis useful in real jobs?

Financial statement analysis helps professionals evaluate company performance, identify risks, and make informed investment or business decisions.

Will I learn cash flow analysis in detail?

Yes, the course includes detailed cash flow analysis, including operating, investing, and financing cash flows, along with free cash flow concepts.

Is this the best financial modeling course for beginners?

It is designed to provide a strong foundation in financial modeling and valuation, making it a good starting point for beginners and professionals.

Do I need Excel or any tools for this course?

Basic Excel knowledge is helpful, as financial modeling and valuation DCF models are typically built using spreadsheets and analytical tools.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Prepare for CFA Level 1: Financial Statements and Reporting

Prepare for CFA Level 1: Financial Statements and Reporting

This course is part of Prepare for CFA Level 1: Investment & Financial Basics Specialization

Instructor: Board Infinity

Included with

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Analyze financial statements for valuation and investment decisions
Build DCF models and financial modeling frameworks
Apply ratio analysis and forecasting techniques
Evaluate financial reporting quality and detect risks

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Prepare for CFA Level 1: Investment & Financial Basics Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

Build job-ready financial analysis skills used in a chartered financial analyst course by mastering financial statement analysis, financial modeling, and valuation techniques. This financial analyst course helps you evaluate companies using frameworks aligned with CFA and FMVA certification paths.

You will start with financial statement analysis, covering income statement analysis, balance sheet analysis, and cash flow analysis. You will learn how analysts interpret reports, assess performance, and identify financial risks. The course then covers inventories, long-term assets, and income taxes, helping you understand how accounting decisions impact valuation and reporting quality. You will also explore financial reporting quality and detect red flags in company disclosures. In the final section, you will apply ratio analysis, forecasting, and financial modeling techniques. You will build pro forma statements and perform discounted cash flow valuation, including valuation DCF model creation and cash flow forecasting. By the end, you will: • Analyze financial statements using structured frameworks • Build financial models and DCF valuation models • Apply ratio analysis and forecasting techniques • Evaluate financial reporting quality and risks • Perform valuation using cash flow analysis This course is ideal for finance students, aspiring analysts, investment professionals, and anyone interested in financial analysis. Start building your expertise and make smarter investment decisions in evolving markets. Disclaimer: This course is an independent educational resource developed by Board Infinity and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or officially associated with CFA Institute or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. This course is not an official preparation material of CFA Institute. All trademarks, service marks, and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification purposes only.

This module builds a strong foundation in financial statement analysis by covering the structure, purpose, and regulatory environment of financial reporting. It equips learners with the ability to interpret income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements using key concepts, ratios, and analytical techniques.

What's included

22 videos6 assignments

22 videosTotal 198 minutes

Overview of Financial Statement Analysis8 minutes
The Financial Statement Analysis Framework11 minutes
Regulatory Environment for Financial Reporting8 minutes
What Analysts Read Beyond Financial Statements10 minutes
Revenue Recognition — Principles & Standards11 minutes
Expense Recognition — Matching & Policies10 minutes
Capitalization vs Expensing6 minutes
Illustrative Example + Special Cases - Capitalization9 minutes
Non-Recurring & Unusual Items + Discontinued Ops9 minutes
Earnings per Share — Basic EPS8 minutes
Earnings per Share — Diluted EPS12 minutes
Common-Size Income Statement7 minutes
Key Profitability Ratios for Analysts5 minutes
Intangibles & Goodwill11 minutes
Financial Instruments & Non-Current Liabilities11 minutes
Common-Size Balance Sheet6 minutes
Liquidity & Solvency Ratios9 minutes
Inter-Statement Linkages & Cash Flow Concepts8 minutes
Cash Flow from Operating Activities — Direct vs Indirect Methods8 minutes
Numerical Example of CFO - Direct & Indirect Method10 minutes
Cash Flow from Investing & Financing Activities12 minutes
Free Cash Flow & Cash Flow Ratios12 minutes

6 assignmentsTotal 210 minutes

Practice Quiz: Introduction to FSA30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Understanding the Income Statement30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Income Statement Analysis30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Balance Sheet Fundamentals30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Cash Flows: Concepts & Methods30 minutes
Graded Quiz: Foundations of Financial Statement Analysis- Income Statements, Balance Sheets & Cash Flows60 minutes

This module focuses on the accounting and analysis of inventories, long-term assets, and liabilities, including their measurement, valuation, and impact on financial statements. Learners will develop the ability to evaluate accounting choices, understand impairments, and interpret disclosures for better financial analysis.

What's included

14 videos4 assignments

14 videosTotal 117 minutes

Inventory Valuation Methods (GAAP vs IFRS)17 minutes
Inflation/Deflation Effects on COGS & Margins10 minutes
Numerical Example of Impact of Inflation/Deflation5 minutes
Inventory Disclosures & Ratios8 minutes
Development & Impact of Intangible Assets8 minutes
Intangibles from Business Combinations6 minutes
Asset Impairments10 minutes
Numerical Example on Asset Impairment5 minutes
Asset Derecognition & Impairment Reversals6 minutes
Using Asset Disclosures for Better Analysis8 minutes
Lease Classification (Finance vs Operating)10 minutes
Numeric Example on Finance&Operating Lease and Impact on FS8 minutes
Lessee vs Lessor Accounting7 minutes
Pensions & Share-Based Compensation9 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 150 minutes

Practice Quiz: Inventory Analysis30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Long-Term Assets & Impairment30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Leases, Pensions & Share-Based Pay30 minutes
Graded Quiz: Inventories, Long-Term Assets & Liabilities60 minutes

This module explains the complexities of income tax accounting, including deferred taxes and differences between accounting and taxable income. It also develops a critical lens to assess financial reporting quality, identify earnings manipulation, and recognize red flags in financial statements.

What's included

8 videos4 assignments

8 videosTotal 65 minutes

Accounting Profit vs Taxable Income8 minutes
Deferred Tax Assets & Liabilities11 minutes
Numerical - DTA/DTL creation4 minutes
Tax Expense, Presentation & Disclosures7 minutes
What Is High-Quality Financial Reporting?8 minutes
Why Managers Misreport & Who Stops Them9 minutes
Presentation Choices & Accounting Estimates9 minutes
Warning Signs in Financial Reporting8 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 150 minutes

Practice Quiz: Income Taxes30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Financial Reporting Quality Concepts30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Earnings Manipulation Red Flags30 minutes
Graded Quiz: Income Taxes & Financial Reporting Quality60 minutes

This module equips learners with advanced financial analysis tools, including ratio interpretation, trend analysis, and forecasting techniques. It also introduces financial modeling concepts, enabling learners to build pro forma statements and make informed investment and valuation decisions.

What's included

13 videos4 assignments

13 videosTotal 92 minutes

The Financial Analysis Process5 minutes
Common-Size, Trend, Cross-Sectional Analysis9 minutes
Working with Graphs & Regression7 minutes
Introduction to Ratio Analysis and Activity Ratios9 minutes
Liquidity Ratios6 minutes
Solvency Ratios6 minutes
Profitability Ratios6 minutes
Numericals on Ratio Analysis6 minutes
DuPont Analysis8 minutes
Industry-Specific Ratios+Integrated Ratio Analysis8 minutes
Pro Forma Income Statement & Revenue/Cost Forecasting7 minutes
Forecasting BS & CF10 minutes
Numerical Example of Forecasting4 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 150 minutes

Practice Quiz: Financial Analysis Techniques30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Ratio Interpretation Deep-Dive30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Introduction to Financial Modeling30 minutes
Graded Quiz: Ratio Analysis, Modeling & Forecasting60 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Board Infinity

246 Courses404,729 learners

Offered by

Board Infinity

Explore more from Finance

Board Infinity
Prepare for CFA Level 1: Corporate Finance and Governance
Course
Category: Credit offered
Board Infinity
Prepare for CFA Level 1: Economics and Global Markets
Course
Category: Credit offered
Board Infinity
Prepare for CFA Level 1: Quantitative Methods and Returns
Course
Category: Credit offered
Board Infinity
Prepare for CFA Level 1: Ethics and Professional Standards
Course
Category: Credit offered

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Learn more

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Explore degrees

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

A chartered financial analyst course prepares learners for roles in investment analysis, covering financial statement analysis, valuation, and portfolio management concepts aligned with CFA certification standards.

Yes, the course covers core topics such as financial statement analysis, cash flow analysis, and ratio analysis, which are essential for CFA Level 1 preparation.

A financial analyst course includes financial statement analysis, financial modeling, valuation techniques like discounted cash flow valuation, and forecasting methods used in real-world finance roles.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.