Navigating the Many Types of Financial Analysts Dreaming of a career where you can influence business decisions, drive financial strategy, or help organizations manage risk? Financial analysis might be your perfect match. But here’s the thing — the financial analyst path branches in several distinct directions, each with its own unique appeal. Finance offers remarkably…
Using Capital Planning Metrics to Evaluate Investments Every business faces critical decisions about where to invest capital. Companies must determine which projects will create value, generate strong financial returns, and align with long-term strategy. Capital planning metrics help businesses evaluate these investment decisions systematically. The most widely used capital planning metrics include: Net Present Value…
February 2025 – Corporate Finance Institute (CFI), the #1 rated online provider of finance and banking training, has announced that its six certification programs have been officially accredited by LIBF (formerly known as The London Institute of Banking & Finance), a globally-respected higher education institution with a long-standing legacy in banking and financial education. This…
In this episode, Ahmed Aboushady takes us through his extensive career in risk management, from his education in Cairo to professional experiences in Los Angeles, the UK, and his current role at the Ontario Securities Commission. He reflects on the impact of the 2007 financial crisis, the importance of mentorship, and the need for continuous…
What is Deep Learning in Finance? As a subset of machine learning, deep learning teaches itself patterns and relationships by analyzing vast amounts of data. Unlike traditional systems that follow pre-programmed rules, deep learning learns on its own — much like a human brain. It’s similar to how people can improve face recognition or languages…
The Hidden Cost of Poor Naming Conventions Imagine logging into a data room, expecting quick access to critical reports only to find a mess of inconsistently named files. You waste valuable time sifting through the chaos, and in the worst cases, you have to call the client just to locate what you need. However, this…
If you’ve used AI tools like ChatGPT before, you’ve likely run into a common issue — shallow, incomplete responses. These tools tend to analyze questions individually, offering generic summaries without context or failing to identify key financial patterns. Chain-of-Thought (CoT) prompting solves this by guiding AI tools through a step-by-step reasoning process, generating logical and…
In this conversation, Meeyeon and Ryan discuss collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), exploring their structure, relevance, and the impact of the Global Financial Crisis. They delve into the customization of CMOs for different investor risk profiles and the role of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) in isolating mortgage assets. The discussion highlights the importance of financial education…
The Challenges of Industry Research for Financial Analysis As a financial analyst, you’re expected to understand industries inside and out — whether you’re preparing a market report, evaluating a company for a loan, or benchmarking financial performance. But here’s the problem: Reliable industry data isn’t easy to find. Scouring through government reports, earnings transcripts, and…
Why Normalizing an Income Statement Matters in Financial Analysis Strong financial analysis starts with a clear view of a company’s real earnings. But one-time gains and losses — known as non-recurring items — can distort financial statements, making it harder for you to assess financial results. That’s why you need to normalize income statements to…
