International Certified Valuation Specialist with Advanced Studies in Financial Instruments (ICVS-A) 

This unit introduces the basic concepts of business valuation.  One will learn to appreciate the art as well of science of this profession.  Students will be exposed to the various valuation methodologies, discounts/ premiums, forecasting techniques and the myriad of valuation standards applied to report writing.

This unit addresses the very controversial fair value accounting regime.  This accounting system is quite different than what most accountants have learned in the past.  Some of the topics included in this area include both GAAP & IFRS rules governing fair value accounting, the fair value hierarchy and its associated levels, and the pros and cons of this regime.

This unit address the various techniques of valuing equities.  Importantly, this course discusses the difference between valuing and pricing equities as these terms are incorrectly interchanged.  The concept of the cost of capital will be addressed at length due to its importance in the valuation of financial instruments.  There will be major emphasis placed on forecasting and discounted cash flow techniques.  Additional methods such as market multiples and the asset method will be discussed as well.

This unit covers the very complex area of debt instruments and the various securitized products.  We will first learn basic bond terminology and then progress to the very sophisticated, hybrid forms. We will also address the factors that affect yields and spreads.  An understanding of critical bond metrics such as duration and convexity will be explored and tie it into the field of valuation. Afterward, the unit focuses on defining the various types of securitized instruments along with its valuation techniques.

The topic of derivatives garners much commentary both pro and con.  In Part 1 of the course, we will first go over the basic definitions of derivatives. Subsequently, we will then focus solely in the area of options for the rest of the class.  Options can range from very basic to highly, complex, exotics.  We will learn the various valuation techniques used to values these derivatives.

This unit continues where we left off as we begin to learn the valuation techniques of other derivative products such as forwards, futures, and swaps.  As with Part 1, we will address the various techniques used to value these instruments. We will gain an understanding and appreciation of the similarities and dissimilarities in the methodologies used for these various types of instruments.  

This review course will go over concepts learned for students interested in obtaining the International Certified Valuation Specialist- Advanced Studies in Financial Instruments (ICVS-A) credential.  We will go over typical practice questions used in Part 1 of the examination and similar-type case studies used in Part 2