Choose a format
Course Description
Free Cash Flow: A Powerful Decision-Making Metric compares the free cash flow metric with other common investment strategies and demonstrates its superiority for measuring shareholder value creation. Learn how to use free cash flow to maximize shareholder value by evaluating both capital budgeting and acquisition opportunities. Additional topics include financial drivers (or component building blocks) of free cash flow, frameworks for designing an incentive compensation program linked to free cash flow, and the interrelationship between cost of capital and return on investment.
Instructor
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Chapter 1
- Define free cash flow and terminology associated with the performance metric
- Recognize the structure and components of a free cash flow framework, identifying major areas where this type of framework differs from a traditional accounting framework
- Recognize a basic cash flow calculation, and identify the characteristics of the measurement components
- Note the relationship between market value and free cash flow as well as the relationship between Return on Investment and Cost of Capital
- Cite the purpose of financial statement adjustments and identify the kinds of adjustments to be made as well as the impact on NOPAT and invested capital
Chapter 2
- Recognize the purpose and goals of disaggregating the free cash flow metric into its component parts
- Identify measurements used to evaluate and manage the performance of free cash flow drivers, noting the objective of linking the measurements to one another
Chapter 3
- Recognize the attributes of cost of debt capital and cost of equity capital
- Define beta and what it measures
- Recognize what market risk premium and market portfolio represent
- Identify the components and appropriate usage of the capital asset pricing model
- Define weighted average cost of capital and identify its characteristics and usage
- Calculate after-tax interest expense, cost of equity, and a security’s market risk premium in a given set of circumstances
Chapter 4
- Define net present value and identify the results of a positive, negative, and net present value of zero
- Cite the reason why a discount rate for an investment project can differ from a company’s current cost of capital
- Define terminal value and identify ways to quantify the dollar amount of a terminal value
- Calculate net present value of free cash flow given a set of circumstances
Chapter 5
- Recognize the defining characteristics of the modified free cash flow approach, noting its value creation impact over the short to intermediate term
- Calculate modified free cash flow and market value by using the modified free cash flow method
- Note the relationship between market value and modified free cash flow
Chapter 6
- Identify the components and framework of a free cash flow acquisition analysis as well as what the results indicate
- Calculate the stand-alone value of a possible acquisition
- Determine the bid value of an acquisition given a set of circumstances
Chapter 7
- Identify the components of a traditional incentive compensation and a free cash flow-based incentive plan, noting the applicable benefits, drawbacks, and ricks of each
Chapter 8
- Specify potential free cash flow implementation issues and cite possible ways to address these issues
Choose Your Preferred Format
Online Access
Get immediate access to a robust collection of learning and reference materials, allowing you to dive deep into the information you need. Our self-study materials are authored by top-quality, industry experts who focus on helping you grasp concepts quickly using real-life examples. Download your CPE to any device, and take it with you so you can learn when and wherever you want. Complete your CPE with an online exam, and enjoy instant grading with the option to print your certificate immediately upon passing.
Hard Copy
Our self-study materials are authored by top-quality, industry experts. You’ll receive a bound notebook of all the course materials, shipped to you within one business day. In addition, you’ll also have full online access. Each self-study package includes a robust collection of learning and reference materials to help you cover the information efficiently and put it into practice immediately.
Self-Study Video
Experience high-quality instruction with our Self-Study Videos, available to you 24/7. With more than 80+ videos currently in the Western CPE Self-Study Video library, you can see and hear our expert instructors deliver the information you need in a dynamic way that allows you to immediately apply your learning. Unlike a live course or webcast, you can complete the course on your own time, playing and pausing as needed. Self-Study Videos allow you to complete your CPE requirements on your own time.
Back to top