5:00 p.m.
GSB 3.138
People and Curriculum
Students apply to the Financial Analyst Program in the fall of their junior year. Candidates accepted to the program take Security Analysis (FIN 377.3) in the spring of their junior year and the Practicum (FIN 366P) in the fall of their senior year.
These classes are only open to program students.
Spring Curriculum
The Security Analysis (FIN 377.3) class provides MBA-level coverage of valuation, financing, business model assessment, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, and more.
In addition to covering key concepts underpinning financial analysis, we delve into essential features of financial markets, including the IPO underwriting process, the structure of debt contracts, how corporate bankruptcy works, and the steps involved in a corporate acquisition.
Students will apply the tools of financial analysis through Harvard Business School cases and other assignments. We will also use insights from the course to better understand significant recent and current events and trends in financial markets.
Fall Curriculum
The Practicum (FIN 366P) exposes students to financial analysis practice. Approximately half of the class sessions are devoted to outside speakers, many from the Advisory Council. Speakers describe the practice of financial analysis in their areas of expertise, discuss actual investments they have evaluated, offer career advice based on their own experiences, and much more.
Talks cover private equity, hedge fund, venture capital investment, distressed investing, undertaking an entrepreneurial endeavor, blockchain/cryptocurrency, and post-graduation recruiting and career planning. Other class sessions are devoted to learning insights about investment from academic research.
As part of the practicum, students conduct and present detailed company-level stock analysis with the assistance of assigned investment professionals.
Program Advisory Council
The Financial Analyst Program Advisory Council acts as a source of knowledge about investment practices and trends, a mentoring body, and a conduit for networking and job opportunities.
Students get the opportunity to engage with many members of the Advisory Council at the Council’s annual meeting. Advisory Council members also organize informal summer get-togethers in their respective cities for local program alumni and current students interning in the area.
Advisory Council Members assist on an uncompensated basis.