Teaching Financial Analysis That Actually Works

We've spent years in real trading floors and boardrooms. Now we share practical skills that help professionals make better investment decisions in uncertain markets.

Started from Real Experience

Back in 2019, I was working as a senior analyst at a mid-tier investment firm. Every day brought endless spreadsheets, quarterly reports, and pressure to spot the next opportunity before competitors did.

What struck me wasn't how complex the work was — it was how many brilliant people struggled with fundamental analysis simply because they'd never learned it properly. University courses taught theory. Professional training focused on software tools. But nobody was teaching the practical judgment calls that separate good analysts from great ones.

The Missing Link

Real fundamental analysis isn't about memorizing ratios. It's about understanding what numbers actually tell you about a business, and more importantly, what they don't tell you.

How We Actually Teach This

Most finance education gets stuck in textbook examples. We start with real companies, real problems, and real decisions that analysts face every day.

Real Company Cases

Every lesson uses actual financial statements from companies you know. We dig into the messy reality of how businesses actually report their numbers and what it means for analysis.

Progressive Complexity

Start with straightforward retail companies, then move into manufacturing, tech, and finally complex financial services. Each step builds on previous knowledge naturally.

Decision-Making Focus

Analysis is only valuable if it leads to better decisions. We practice turning financial data into actionable insights that actually help with investment choices.

Who's Teaching You

Our instructors have worked as analysts, portfolio managers, and consultants. They've made the mistakes you'll learn to avoid and discovered the shortcuts that actually work.

Calder Mortensen

Lead Instructor, Financial Analysis

Experience: 12 years in equity research and portfolio management

Background: Previously senior analyst at Henderson Asset Management, covered technology and healthcare sectors

Specialization: Valuation methodologies, financial statement analysis

Teaching Methodology

Industry-First Approach

We start by understanding the business model, then learn how financial statements reflect that model. This context makes the numbers meaningful rather than abstract.

Comparative Analysis

Learn to analyze companies within their competitive context. Understanding peer comparison is essential for realistic valuation and risk assessment.

Practical Application

Each module includes hands-on exercises with real financial data. You'll work through actual analyst reports and learn to spot common pitfalls.

Supporting Expertise

Nerida Blackwood brings a different perspective from corporate finance. She spent eight years in FP&A roles at FTSE 100 companies, which means she understands financial statements from the preparer's side as well as the analyst's side.

This inside knowledge helps students understand not just what the numbers say, but how management teams think about presenting their results. That insight is invaluable for reading between the lines.

Cash Flow Analysis

Management Discussion

Sector Trends

Risk Assessment

Your Learning Journey

The program is designed as a six-month progression, with new cohorts starting in September 2025. Each stage builds practical skills you can use immediately in your current role.

Financial Statement Foundations

Master the three core statements and understand how they connect. Learn to spot red flags and unusual items that require deeper investigation.

Key Skills:

Balance Sheet Analysis Income Statement Quality Cash Flow Patterns

Ratio Analysis and Benchmarking

Go beyond basic ratios to understand what drives business performance. Learn industry-specific metrics and how to build meaningful peer comparisons.

Key Skills:

Profitability Metrics Efficiency Ratios Industry Benchmarks

Valuation Methods

Apply multiple valuation approaches and understand when each method works best. Practice with complex scenarios including cyclical and growth companies.

Key Skills:

DCF Modeling Multiple-Based Valuation Scenario Analysis Risk Adjustment

Advanced Analysis and Decision Making

Synthesize all previous learning into comprehensive investment analysis. Create actionable recommendations and present findings effectively to stakeholders.

Key Skills:

Investment Thesis Development Risk-Return Assessment Presentation Skills