Financial Analysis Courses

Learn from the experts who are dedicated to giving you highly relevant skills that will propell you in your career. These courses are designed to prepare you to pursue new and emerging positions in the financial industry that require great analytical rigor and fintech expertise.

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Required courses (3 credits each)

FIN 511: Christian Leadership and Ethics in Business
This course examines theories, research and practical models of leadership in organizations, with an emphasis on providing students with examples of successful and unsuccessful leadership in relations to Christianity. Significant emphasis on ethical decision-making.

FIN 512: Economics for Finance Professionals
This course examines significant economic theories at both the micro and macro levels, as well as issues in the global economy. Additionally, the course examines the Christian concept of stewardship and how that compares and contrasts with the typical understanding of economics as the process of allocating scarce resources.

FIN 521: Quantitative Methods
This class explores the development, testing, and application of multiple regression models in financial, economic, and business analysis and forecasting. Course material will include statistical concepts, probability concepts, probability distributions, sampling, hypothesis testing, time series analysis, and multifactor models.

FIN 611: Financial Reporting and Analysis I
This course explains the elements of the major financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement); and a framework for analysis of these statements: collecting, processing, interpreting, communicating, and recommending changes based on the analysis. The course examines the mechanics and standards of financial reporting; the details of income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, inventory accounting, and long-lived asset accounting.

FIN 612: Financial Reporting and Analysis II
This course examines the details of Long-Term Liabilities accounting: bonds payable; amortization and interest expense accounting; leases; pensions; and other employee benefits. The course examines the details of income taxes, accounting for employee compensation post-employment, intercorporate investments, and accounting for a firm’s multinational operations. The course emphasizes the importance of financial reporting quality and explores financial statement analysis techniques.

FIN 621: Foundations of Financial Management
This course develops the analytical tools and understanding of business principles necessary to make optimal decisions in the management of a firm. Additionally, this course addresses a Christian approach to a firm’s objective of value maximization; recognizing the need for profits, but that profits alone do not sufficiently justify a firm’s existence

FIN 622: Corporate Finance
This course investigates strategic issues in corporate finance, such as merger/acquisition analysis and firm valuation; bankruptcy and reorganization of firm; optimal capital structure; capital budgeting models incorporating uncertainty; risk management credit policy and bond refunding analysis.

FIN 631: Fixed Income Analysis
This course explains the basic features of a bond, yield measures, and the structure of a bond’s cash flows. The course explains the primary and secondary bond markets; who issues bonds and why; who buys bonds and why. Additionally, the course examines the types of risks incurred by bond investors and the process of fixed-income portfolio management.

FIN 632: Equity Analysis
This course analyzes the market of equity securities; the primary market, the secondary market, market regulation, market indices, market efficiency, market pricing anomalies, and behavioral finance concepts. The course explores the various types of equity securities; common stock, preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, private equity and public equity.

FIN 633: Derivatives Analysis
This course introduces the mechanics of derivatives markets and types of available derivatives investments. The course examines the fundamentals of the future markets, hedging strategies using futures, the market of SWAPs, and the mechanics of the options markets.

FIN 634: Alternative Investments
This course studies both the theoretical and practical world of alternative investments, including mutual funds, hedge funds, private equity, real estate, etc. The course examines the rationale and risks of including alternative investments in a portfolio.

FIN 635: Portfolio and Risk Management
This course examines factors that influence portfolio decision making and distinguishes between portfolios managed by tax-payers (individuals, families, and corporations) versus those managed by non-tax payers (pension plans, foundations, endowments, etc.). The course emphasizes the importance of risk management in minimizing losses and maximizing opportunities, and examines strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate various risks.

Get a Head Start

Students will complete supplemental online learning modules prior to the start of the program. Content prepares incoming students for the quantitative demands of the master’s curriculum and will cover topics including accounting, finance, economics, statistics, and Excel.

Invest in your future.

“Gordon College’s M.S. in Financial Analysis will develop the next generation of financial analysts and executives with the kinds of skills and faith-based values so needed.”

Bob Howell
Former professor of business administration, The Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College, as well as IMD, Thunderbird, NYU Stern, and Harvard Business School.

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