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There are 12 modules in this course
Build financial models, analyze statements, calculate capital costs, and forecast revenue with scenario analysis. In this course, you’ll develop the core modeling skills used by financial analysts in corporate finance and investment settings.
You’ll start by interpreting income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to assess liquidity and performance. Then, you’ll calculate Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), analyze cost variances, and connect financial statements into integrated three-statement models. You’ll also apply top-down and bottom-up forecasting techniques and build discounted cash flow (DCF) models with sensitivity analysis.
What makes this course unique is its practical focus. You won’t just learn formulas—you’ll apply them in structured modeling exercises that mirror real analyst tasks. By the end, you’ll be able to build, test, and evaluate robust financial models with confidence.
You will examine the three primary financial statements—the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement—and explore how each contributes to understanding liquidity. You’ll connect key performance ratios to short-term financial stability and interpret how liquidity signals operational health.
What's included
3 videos2 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 12 minutes
Welcome to Financial Statements for Liquidity Insights•4 minutes
The Analyst’s Lens: Why Liquidity Drives Confidence•4 minutes
From Ratios to Relationships: Reading Between the Lines•4 minutes
2 readings•Total 13 minutes
The Big Three: Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Linkages•6 minutes
A Manager’s Guide to Liquidity and Working Capital•7 minutes
2 assignments•Total 26 minutes
Hands-on Activity: Liquidity Pulse Check: Decoding Company Brightline•20 minutes
Practice Quiz: Spot the Signal — Reading Liquidity Clues•6 minutes
Financial Statements for Liquidity Insights: How to Apply Liquidity Ratios to Real Data
Module 2•1 hour to complete
Module details
You will calculate and interpret liquidity ratios using structured datasets to assess short-term financial health. You’ll benchmark results, evaluate performance trends, and translate numerical findings into clear business insights.
What's included
2 videos2 readings3 assignments
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 9 minutes
The Liquidity Toolkit: Ratios That Tell the Story•4 minutes
From Numbers to Narrative — Explaining Liquidity Results•5 minutes
2 readings•Total 11 minutes
Benchmarking Liquidity: What Good Looks Like•6 minutes
5 ways to improve your liquidity ratio•5 minutes
3 assignments•Total 65 minutes
Hands-on Activity: Calculate & Comment: Last Year’s Liquidity Review•25 minutes
Graded Quiz: Decoding Liquidity — Turning Numbers into Insight•25 minutes
Calculate WACC: Capital Costs: Understanding the Cost of Capital
Module 3•1 hour to complete
Module details
You will explore the definition and components of the weighted average cost of capital (WACC), including debt, equity, and capital structure. You’ll examine how each component influences risk, return expectations, and funding strategy.
What's included
3 videos2 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 25 minutes
Welcome to Calculate WACC — Capital Costs•7 minutes
Breaking Down WACC Components•10 minutes
Case Example – How a Global Firm Balances Capital Costs•8 minutes
2 readings•Total 16 minutes
Understanding WACC: Definition, Formula, and Calculation•6 minutes
How Does Market Risk Affect Cost of Capital?•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 25 minutes
Hands-on Activity: Identify the Capital Components•15 minutes
Knowledge Check: WACC Fundamentals•10 minutes
Calculate WACC: Capital Costs: Applying WACC to Real Data
Module 4•1 hour to complete
Module details
You will apply the WACC formula step by step using capital structure data. You’ll verify calculations and interpret results to evaluate investment decisions and value creation potential.
What's included
2 videos1 reading3 assignments
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 14 minutes
Step-by-Step — Applying the WACC Formula•8 minutes
Interpreting WACC — What the Number Really Means•6 minutes
1 reading•Total 6 minutes
Common WACC Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them•6 minutes
3 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Hands-on Activity: Build and Verify a WACC Calculator•20 minutes
Hands-on Activity: Presenting WACC Insights to Leadership•15 minutes
WACC Application Challenge•25 minutes
Unravel Financial Statements: Modeling Concepts: Modeling Frameworks and Their Purpose
Module 5•1 hour to complete
Module details
You will compare the three-statement model and the discounted-cash-flow model to understand how each supports different financial decisions. You’ll identify when to use each framework based on operational analysis or valuation needs.
What's included
3 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 17 minutes
Introduction and Welcome•3 minutes
The Three-Statement Model Explained•10 minutes
When to Use DCF vs. Three-Statement Models•4 minutes
You will apply accounting principles to link the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement within an integrated model. You’ll test how changes in assumptions affect cash flow and financial projections
What's included
2 videos1 reading2 assignments
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 14 minutes
How Do the Statements Speak to Each Other?•5 minutes
Linking the Big Three - A Walkthrough•9 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
The Flow of Numbers - From Profit to Cash•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 40 minutes
Hands-on Activity: Build the Link and Cascade the 5% Sales Driver•20 minutes
Analyze and Highlight Cost Variances Effectively: Decode and Interpret Cost Variances
Module 7•1 hour to complete
Module details
You will break down price, quantity, and mix variances to understand how cost deviations occur. You’ll interpret variance outcomes and determine which differences require management attention.
Hands-on Activity: Diagnose Hidden Cost Drivers in Variance Reports•15 minutes
Practice Quiz: Analyze and Highlight Cost Variances Effectively•10 minutes
Analyze and Highlight Cost Variances Effectively: Apply and Communicate Material Cost Variances
Module 8•1 hour to complete
Module details
You will apply standard cost formulas to calculate material cost variances using real-world templates. You’ll highlight unfavorable variances and communicate their implications for cost control and forecasting.
What's included
1 video1 reading2 assignments
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 6 minutes
From Formula to Insight: Calculating Variances •6 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Material Variance Formulas and Practical Calculations•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 45 minutes
Hands-on Activity: Analyze and Highlight Variances Using a Data Template •25 minutes
Graded Quiz: Analyze and Highlight Cost Variances Effectively•20 minutes
Forecast Revenue: Scenario Analysis: Forecasting Foundations: Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up
Module 9•1 hour to complete
Module details
You will compare top-down and bottom-up forecasting methods to understand how projections are built from market-level versus operational data. You’ll evaluate when each approach is most appropriate for strategic planning.
What's included
3 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 8 minutes
Introduction and Welcome•2 minutes
Forecasting from Above: The Top-Down Approach•3 minutes
Forecasting from Below: The Bottom-Up Approach•3 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Comparing Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Forecasting•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Hands-on Activity: Build Your Forecast Model (Quick Simulation)•15 minutes
Forecast Revenue: Scenario Analysis: Scenario Analysis in Action
Module 10•1 hour to complete
Module details
You will apply scenario analysis to build optimistic, base, and pessimistic revenue forecasts. You’ll create a three-case model and summarize findings in a visual chart to communicate risk and opportunity clearly.
What's included
2 videos1 reading2 assignments
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 5 minutes
What If? Thinking in Scenarios•3 minutes
Visualizing the Story: Presenting Scenarios with Impact•3 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Building a Three-Case Revenue Forecast•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 40 minutes
Hands-on Activity: Scenario Modeling Exercise: Create and Chart Three Revenue Cases•15 minutes
Graded Quiz: Revenue Forecast Scenario•25 minutes
Build and Evaluate Robust Financial Models: Building the Core: Constructing a Dynamic DCF Model
Module 11•1 hour to complete
Module details
You will construct a dynamic discounted cash flow model that incorporates sensitivity tables for WACC, growth rates, and terminal value. You’ll test how changes in assumptions influence enterprise value and model outputs
What's included
3 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 14 minutes
Introduction and Welcome•1 minute
How a DCF Model Connects Financial Statements•3 minutes
Building What-If Scenarios•10 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Free Cash Flow to Firm and Equity•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Hands-on Activity: Create a DCF with Linked Sensitivity Tables•15 minutes
Build and Evaluate Robust Financial Models: Evaluating Model Integrity: Model Audit and Best Practices
Module 12•1 hour to complete
Module details
You will evaluate a financial model for technical accuracy, logical consistency, and adherence to modeling standards. You’ll trace formulas, audit linkages, and identify risks that affect credibility and decision-readiness.
What's included
3 videos1 reading2 assignments
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 14 minutes
Why Every Model Needs an Audit•3 minutes
Inside a Model Review: Finding Hidden Risks•4 minutes
Trace Dependents and Evaluate Formulas•7 minutes
1 reading•Total 8 minutes
Model Integrity and the Auditor’s Lens•8 minutes
2 assignments•Total 35 minutes
Hands-on Activity: Run a Formula Audit and Build an Issue Checklist•15 minutes
Graded Quiz: Evaluate and Build Robust Financial Models•20 minutes
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Coursera brings together a diverse network of subject matter experts who have demonstrated their expertise through professional industry experience or strong academic backgrounds. These instructors design and teach courses that make practical, career-relevant skills accessible to learners worldwide.
Is Financial Modeling: Statements, Costs & Forecasts suitable for beginners?
Yes. This course is designed for learners with no prior finance experience. Concepts are introduced step-by-step with guided practice and applied examples.
What tools will I use in this course?
You’ll primarily use spreadsheet tools like Excel to build financial models, perform forecasting, and conduct sensitivity analysis.
How is this course different from general finance courses?
This course focuses on applied modeling skills. Instead of theory alone, you’ll build and evaluate real financial models used in analyst roles.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
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.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, 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.