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EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

Finance Fundamentals for Executives 

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Course Overview

The objective of the program, is to acquire an overall in-depth understanding of Corporate Financial Management, with a specific emphasis on the topics, issues and insights that are most relevant to general management, namely Value-Based Management, Making Investment Decisions and Valuation.

Key Takeaways

1
Interpret Financial Statements: Understand the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, and how they interrelate.
2
Assess Financial Performance: Analyze operational efficiency, profitability, and the impact of financial leverage.
3
Make Investment Decisions: Evaluate projects using free cash flow, NPV, IRR, and payback methods
4
Understand Financing Strategies: Identify financing needs, compare debt vs. equity, and calculate the cost of capital (WACC)
5
Apply Value-Based Management: Link financial decisions to value creation and simulate strategic planning in a business environment.

INSEAD
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As one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools, INSEAD offers participants a truly global educational experience. With locations in Europe (France), Asia (Singapore), the Middle East (Abu Dhabi) and North America (San Francisco) and alliances with top institutions, INSEAD's business education and research spans the globe. Our 165 renowned faculty members from 42 countries inspire more than 1,500 students in our degree and PhD programmes. In addition, more than 11,000 executives participate in INSEAD's executive education programmes each year.

Course Outline

Financial Accounting Fundamentals
Financial Accounting Fundamentals

This session introduces the core financial statements used to understand a company’s financial position and performance. Participants will examine the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, understand their structure and purpose, and learn how these statements are interconnected to reflect a firm’s underlying economics.

Corporate Performance Measurement
Corporate Performance Measurement

Participants will learn how to assess corporate performance using financial statements. The session covers operational efficiency, working capital management, profitability analysis, and key performance measures such as margins, ROIC, and ROE, while highlighting the relationship between financial leverage and risk.

Investment Decision-Making
Investment Decision-Making

This topic focuses on evaluating investment projects and value creation. Participants will learn how to estimate free cash flows, account for the timing and risk of cash flows through discounting, and apply key capital budgeting techniques including Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Payback methods.

Financing Decisions and Cost of Capital
Financing Decisions and Cost of Capital

This session explores how firms determine their financing needs and select appropriate funding sources. Participants will compare debt and equity financing, understand capital-raising processes, and learn how to calculate and apply the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), including the cost of debt and equity.

Value-Based Management and Strategic Simulation
Value-Based Management and Strategic Simulation

Bringing together investment and financing insights, this topic focuses on value-based management frameworks. Participants will explore the relationship between ROIC, WACC, and value creation using DuPont analysis. Through a hands-on simulation, participants will act as CEOs, making strategic investment and financing decisions to drive profitability, cash flow, and sustainable growth.

Who Should Attend?

• Non-finance executives and senior managers 
• Entrepreneurs and business owners 
• Functional leaders (e.g., operations, HR, marketing, strategy) 
• Project and program managers 
• Mid-career professionals transitioning into general management or financial oversight roles. 
• Public sector and NGO leaders.

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