In this course, you'll gain a strategic introduction to credit analysis and fixed income investing, blending foundational principles with practical tools to assess financial health, creditworthiness, and investment potential. Designed for professionals in investment management, corporate finance, or credit evaluation, the course explores how credit decisions are made, how debt instruments function, and how financial and non-financial data inform risk assessment.



Advanced Financial Analysis and Credit Risk Modeling
This course is part of Credit Analyst Academy Specialization


Instructors: Michael McDonald
Access provided by Signature Performance, Inc.
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Execute comprehensive ratio analysis for credit evaluation using industry-standard metrics.
Perform advanced cash flow analysis to assess debt servicing capabilities.
Calculate probability of default and expected loss using quantitative models.
Apply structural and reduced-form credit risk models for investment decision-making.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know

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August 2025
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There are 6 modules in this course
In this course, you’ll learn how to conduct advanced financial analysis and build robust credit risk models used by professional analysts and institutional lenders. You’ll focus on techniques like ratio and cash flow analysis, probability of default estimation, expected loss modeling, and structural vs. reduced-form credit risk approaches. Through expert instruction and hands-on Excel labs, you’ll gain the skills to evaluate creditworthiness, forecast default scenarios, and support high-stakes lending and investment decisions with data-driven insights. This course will equip you to move from foundational analysis to enterprise-grade credit risk modeling that drives real-world financial performance.
What's included
1 reading
In this module, you’ll learn how to evaluate credit risk through comprehensive ratio analysis, using liquidity, leverage, and profitability metrics to assess financial health and debt servicing ability. You’ll examine the practical application of ratios in real-world credit assessments and explore common pitfalls to avoid misinterpretation. Through expert-led sessions, hands-on Excel exercises, and an applied case study, you’ll gain the skills to interpret financial statements with precision and make informed credit evaluation decisions.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment1 peer review
In this module, you’ll learn how to assess a company’s debt servicing ability through advanced cash flow analysis techniques. You’ll explore the role of EBITDA, free cash flow, and liquidity metrics in evaluating creditworthiness, and apply stress testing and scenario analysis to gauge financial resilience under adverse conditions. Through expert instruction, Excel-based exercises, and case-driven applications, you’ll develop the skills to interpret and model cash flow data for robust credit risk analysis.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt
In this module, you’ll explore the structure, methodologies, and real-world impact of credit ratings within financial markets. You’ll examine how major credit rating agencies assign ratings, how these ratings influence borrowing costs and capital access, and how they differ across sovereign and corporate entities. Through a detailed case study, hands-on analysis of an actual credit rating report, and critical evaluation of rating limitations, you’ll build the skills to interpret, apply, and question credit ratings in professional financial decision-making.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt
In this module, you’ll examine the influence of macroeconomic factors on credit risk, focusing on how variables like inflation, interest rates, and economic cycles shape credit markets. You’ll explore sector-specific vulnerabilities, global risks, and the interplay between economic conditions and default probabilities. Through case studies and hands-on analysis using real data sources, you’ll learn to evaluate how shifting macroeconomic conditions impact credit quality and risk assessment strategies.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment1 peer review
In this module, you’ll analyze the distinctions between corporate and sovereign bonds, focusing on their respective risk factors, credit assessment methods, and market behavior. You’ll investigate how yield spreads signal default risk and economic confidence, and how factors like country risk, debt structure, and market sentiment shape investment decisions. Using real-world data and comparative case studies, you’ll learn to assess the creditworthiness of governments and corporations, and apply bond performance metrics to inform credit risk strategy and portfolio decisions.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment2 peer reviews
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