DCF: Build, Apply, and Evaluate

Overview

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Master the art and science of business valuation in DCF: Build, Apply, and Evaluate. This intermediate-to-advanced course is designed for finance professionals who aim to move beyond theory and build robust, defensible Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) models from the ground up. You will learn to construct a dynamic, modular DCF template in Excel that can be reused across multiple projects, saving time and reducing errors. Through a series of expert-led videos, practical readings, and hands-on labs, you will dive deep into the core drivers of valuation: forecasting unlevered free cash flows, calculating the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), and estimating terminal value. Using real-world case studies, such as the valuation of a high-growth tech firm like NVIDIA, you will learn to apply these concepts in complex scenarios. You will leave this course with a complete DCF model and the confidence to apply it to sophisticated investment appraisal and strategic financial decision-making.

Syllabus

Analyze the Components of a DCF Model

This module breaks down the three pillars of a DCF valuation: unlevered free cash flows, the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), and terminal value. The learners will analyze what each component represents conceptually, how it drives the final valuation, and the common errors to avoid when defining them.

Apply the DCF Methodology

In this module, the learners will translate conceptual understanding into practical application. They will take financial data, forecast unlevered free cash flows, determine an appropriate discount rate, and apply the DCF methodology in a spreadsheet to calculate a company's enterprise value.

Create a Dynamic DCF Template

This module focuses on elevating the learners’ modeling skills to a professional standard. They will learn to create a dynamic, modular, and reusable DCF template. They will also learn how to audit and validate this model to ensure its calculations are sound and its outputs are defensible.