Corp Finance·Course
Corporate Finance
Financial statements, DCF valuation, free cash flow, capital structure and investment decisions
Part of the Business & Economics track — finish it for a verifiable diploma →
§ 01 — Orientation
New here?
What you'll be able to do, who this is for, how long it takes, and where to begin.
By the end, you will be able to
- 01Read a balance sheet, P&L, and cash-flow statement — and how they link.
- 02Value a company with DCF and multiples.
- 03Estimate free cash flow and the cost of capital.
- 04Decide on investments using NPV and IRR.
- 05Judge a firm's capital structure and dividend policy.
Who this is for
How long it takes
- Quick orientationSkim the opening module and the cheatsheet to get the shape of it.~2 h
- Full read-throughRead every article once, in order.~5 h
- Mastery pathRead, take the quizzes, and space out your reviews.~2 weeks
- APA
Stoa. (2026). Corporate Finance [Online course]. Stoa. https://stoa.school/course/corporate-finance
- MLA
Stoa. “Corporate Finance.” Stoa, 2026, https://stoa.school/course/corporate-finance.
- Chicago
Stoa. “Corporate Finance.” Stoa. Accessed September 1, 2026. https://stoa.school/course/corporate-finance.
§ 02 — Curriculum
14 modules.
Each module is a small unit. Most read in sequence — but a determined reader can begin anywhere.
- M IFinancial Statements: The Three Key ReportsFinancial statements: the three key reports4 articles
24 minBegin → - M IIKey Metrics and AnalysisKey metrics and analysis5 articles
30 minBegin → - M IIIFree Cash FlowFree Cash Flow2 articles
12 minBegin → - M IVTime Value of MoneyTime value of money3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VCost of Capital and Capital StructureCost of capital and capital structure2 articles
12 minBegin → - M VIDividend Policy and Payout PolicyDividend policy and payout policy2 articles
12 minBegin → - M VIIBusiness Valuation: DCFBusiness valuation: DCF3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VIIIBusiness Valuation: MultiplesBusiness valuation: multiples2 articles
12 minBegin → - M IXSpecial Topics in ValuationSpecial topics in valuation3 articles
18 minBegin → - M XCurrent Topics in Corporate FinanceCurrent topics in corporate finance4 articles
24 minBegin → - M XIM&A and Deal StructuringM&A and deal structuring5 articles
30 minBegin → - M XIIFinancial ModelingFinancial modeling4 articles
24 minBegin → - M XIIITrade Finance and Treasury ManagementLetters of credit, factoring, forfaiting, SCF, liquidity management, and hedging of treasury risks.4 articles
24 minBegin → - M XIVVenture Capital and Startup FinancingVC ecosystem, deal structuring, startup valuation, portfolio management, and exit strategies.5 articles
30 minBegin →
§ 03 — Learning outcomes
4 outcomes.
Read and analyze the three key financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement), understand their interrelationships, and interpret key financial indicators.
Apply company valuation methods (DCF, multiples) and calculate the cost of capital.
Analyze free cash flow and the time value of money, and make investment decisions based on NPV and IRR.
Assess the optimal capital structure, dividend policy, and corporate governance framework.
§ 04 — Practices