Financial Valuation That Actually Makes Sense

Most analysts struggle with valuation because they're taught formulas, not thinking. We teach you how professional valuators approach real companies—the kind of work investment banks and private equity firms actually pay for.

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Financial analyst reviewing valuation models and company data

Three Valuation Approaches You'll Master

Professional valuations require multiple perspectives. Here's how each method reveals different aspects of company worth—and when each matters most.

Discounted Cash Flow

The foundation of intrinsic value. You'll build models that project future cash flows and discount them properly—not just plug numbers into templates.

Free cash flow forecasting
WACC calculation from scratch
Terminal value scenarios
Sensitivity analysis that matters

Comparable Companies

Market-based valuation using trading multiples. The trick isn't finding comps—it's selecting the right ones and adjusting for real differences.

Screening for true comparables
Multiple selection strategy
Adjustments for size and growth
When markets get it wrong

Precedent Transactions

What buyers actually paid for similar assets. This tells you market reality—including premiums, synergies, and strategic value no model can capture.

Transaction database research
Control premium analysis
Deal structure impact
Market timing considerations

Corinne Svendsen

Lead Valuation Instructor

I spent twelve years valuing companies for mergers and acquisitions before teaching this material. The difference between classroom valuation and professional work? Real companies are messy. Financial statements need interpretation. Management guidance requires scepticism.

This program reflects how I actually valued businesses for transactions—not how textbooks say it should work. You'll see real annual reports, build models with incomplete information, and make judgement calls about discount rates.

CFA Charterholder

12 Years M&A Experience

Former Investment Banking

100+ Transaction Valuations

How The Program Progresses

Foundation Month (September 2025)

Financial statement analysis and accounting quality assessment. You'll learn to spot aggressive revenue recognition, understand working capital dynamics, and normalize earnings for valuation purposes. Most students are surprised how much accounting matters.

DCF Modeling (October–November 2025)

Building discounted cash flow models from scratch. Revenue drivers, margin assumptions, capital expenditure forecasting, and working capital requirements. Then the hard part—determining appropriate discount rates and terminal values.

Market Approaches (December 2025)

Trading comps and transaction comps. How to select peer groups, which multiples matter for different industries, and how to adjust for company-specific factors. We'll value real companies and compare our results to market prices.

Integration Project (January 2026)

You'll complete a full valuation of an actual company—DCF, comps, precedent transactions, and a final recommendation. This becomes portfolio work you can show potential employers.

Analyst reviewing financial models and valuation spreadsheets

Real Cases, Not Textbook Examples

Every valuation you'll complete uses actual company financials and market data. We pull annual reports, research industry trends, and make assumptions you'll need to defend.

This matters because textbook cases are clean. Real companies have discontinued operations, one-time charges, questionable revenue growth, and confusing capital structures. You need practice with messy situations.

Australian Market Focus

ASX-listed companies and local market dynamics, including franking credits and regulatory considerations unique to Australian valuations.

Industry Variety

Mining, retail, technology, and financial services cases. Different industries require different valuation approaches and different multiples.

Model Building

You'll build every model yourself in Excel. No templates, no black boxes—just formulas and your judgement about assumptions.

Written Reports

Professional valuation means defending your work. You'll write reports explaining methodology, assumptions, and conclusions.

Program Begins September 2025

Four months of intensive valuation training, limited to 24 participants. Classes meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with weekend sessions for project work. Based in Crescent Head with remote participation available.

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