Financial Analysis

General

Course Contents

  1. Presentation of the Financial Statements.
  2. Usefulness and necessity of FS.
  3. Users of Financial Statements.
  4. Horizontal and Vertical Analysis.
  5. Introduction to Numerals.
  6. Liquidity Indicators.
  7. Efficiency Indicators.
  8. Debt Burden Indicators.
  9. Performance Indicators.
  10. Investment Indicators.
  11. Application by industry.
  12. Altman’s Z-score Bankruptcy Index.
  13. Sustainability Analysis.

Educational Goals

The main objective of the course is the understanding and knowledge of the operation of businesses in the context of both the Greek and the international economic environment, the trends and requirements of the interested parties regarding the degree of comparability and disclosure of financial results. In particular, with the lectures and laboratory applications, the objectives are for the students to get to know the Principles, Rules, Methods and Procedures followed for recording and presenting the financial facts of a business entity  based on the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Also, be able to use the knowledge and understanding in the issues of analyzing the results of multinational organizations and groups, improving the abilities to develop and support arguments to solve problems related to the international business environment. Finally, to be able to apply the methods of analyzing financial indicators in order to evaluate the financial situation of a company and to be able to make important comparisons and findings regarding its efficiency and sustainability. In addition, to be able to form judgments on relevant business and scientific issues, as well as be able to present and support data, ideas, problems and solutions to qualified and non-qualified audiences.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  • Know the modern business environment and be able to identify any potentials and weaknesses of organizations in the era of globalization.
  • Know how to synthesize and analyze financial statements, as they are shaped by the new accounting policies.
  • Understand the characteristics and differences of businesses according to their sectors of activity.
  • Analyze and interpret the results of the financial years of the companies.
  • Interpret the application of accounting principles to the actual result of the business.
  • Evaluate and compose reports and analyzes referring to financial management issues (inventories, depreciation, consolidations).
  • Acquire the necessary skills to support the extroverted orientation of agencies and businesses.
  • Develop the necessary knowledge acquisition skills in accounting management of financial results for further studies at postgraduate level.

General Skills

  • Independent work.
  • Team work.
  • Decision making.
  • Production of free, creative and inductive thinking.

Teaching Methods

  • In the classroom, face to face.

Use of ICT means

  • Basic software (windows, word, power point, the web, etc.).
  • Support of learning process through the electronic platform / e-class

Teaching Organization

ActivitySemester workload
Lectures26
Laboratory26
Independent Study79
Total131

Students Evaluation

Written final exams (60%) that may include:

  • Judgemental questions.
  • Short answer questions.
  • Application exercises.
  • True/False and multiple choice questions.
  • Composite theoratical questions.

In each question, corresponding evaluation points are specified.
Laboratory final exams corresponds to 40% of the final grade.

Recommended Bibliography

  1. Ανάλυση και Διερεύνηση  Χρηματοοικονομικών Καταστάσεων, Π. Παπαδέας  Ν. Συκιανάκης, Εκδόσεις Παπαδέα, 2016,
    Κωδικός Εύδοξου:86197887.
  2. Νιάρχος Ν., Χρηματοοικονομική ανάλυση Λογιστικών Καταστάσεων, Εκδ. ΕΚΔΟΣΕΙΣ ΣΤΑΜΟΥΛΗ, 2004.

Related Research Journals

  1. Journal of Accounting Review.
  2. American Journal of Applied Sciences.