Macquarie University

Applied Business Valuation - AFCP860

This unit will give students a taste of the range of assignments encountered in a career in valuations. The course will be equally useful for those who might commission or use valuations such as company directors, chief financial officers, company secretaries, corporate advisors and equity analysts. The course will equip students to value portfolio and controlling interests in both public and private companies. We will also examine the specific nuances of performing valuations for mergers and acquisitions vs independent expert’s reports vs financial reporting vs taxation purposes. The course starts with an overview of the Australian and international standards and regulations that apply to valuations in Australia. We then examine the most common circumstances that give rise to the need for a valuation. Finally, we look at what is involved in giving expert evidence in court. A mock-trial setting is used to test the theory covered in class. The objective of this unit is to build on these valuation skills from Corporate Finance, and present new theory in a practical way through discussion and analysis of case studies that represent real-life situations. Students will have access to S&P Capital IQ.