Financial Analytics: Forecasting, Modeling, and Optimization

Real-world applications of data analytics in finance.

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Course Dates

STARTS ON

TBD

Course Duration

DURATION

6 weeks, online
4 to 6 hours per week

Course Fee
Course Fee

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Overview

Research, modeling, forecasting — every aspect of the financial industry is driven by data and analytics to a greater degree than ever. This program will help you build the foundational knowledge you need to grasp the core concepts of data analytics, as well as how to apply them to create a framework for finance strategies that fit your organization's needs. From fine-tuning customer sales to assessing corporate credit risks, learn to use the analytics principles that drive informed decision making in this growing industry.

87%

The percentage of global data and analytics decision makers who are either currently increasing or planning to increase their ability to leverage external data in the next 12 months

SOURCE: FORRESTER RESEARCH

10%

The approximate CAGR for the global financial analytics market between 2022 and 2030

SOURCE: RESEARCH NESTER

Key Takeaways

Wharton Financial Analytics emphasizes real-world applications of data science across the finance sector. At the end of this six-week program, you will be able to:

  • Recognize the value data analytics provides to the financial decision-making process
  • Manage and engage effectively with data analytics teams and tools
  • Analyze the opportunities and limits of data and analytics when they are used in finance for causality and forecasting
  • Apply data analytic strategies and tools to real-world financial challenges
  • Create value for the organization based on financial data analytics

Program Modules

In this program, our world-class faculty will equip you to ask the right questions about your organization's finances — questions that generate informed decisions supported by data.

Module 1:

The Value of Data Analytics for Decision Making

Begin your journey by learning the value of data science and how to apply analytics to everyday decision making. You will:

  • Understand the value of data analytics when making financial decisions
  • Create an outline of the data science workflow
  • Learn potential pitfalls of data analytics

Module 2:

Analyzing Data — The Basics

Build a foundation for actionable financial data analysis by defining variables in targeted markets that lead to insights. You will:

  • Determine goals for financial data analysis
  • Perform exploratory data analysis
  • Formulate and refine relevant questions based on available data
  • Gain insights into data patterns

Module 3:

Forecasting Strategies

Learn to use modeling and other proven techniques to set realistic expectations and generate well-informed business decisions. You will:

  • Gain insights into the role of modeling in shaping market expectations
  • Apply forecasting techniques to business decisions
  • Choose an appropriate modeling technique for the desired outcome
  • Interpret machine-learning output

Module 4:

Quantifying Financial Risk

Learn the fundamentals of determining financial risk through data science. You will:

  • Define credit risk
  • Analyze financial statements for credit risk
  • Identify credit key performance indicators (KPIs)
  • Interpret credit risk models

Module 5:

Improving Investment Decisions

Explore different investment portfolios, asset classes, and the investment process to optimize financial decisions. You will:

  • Define investment portfolios
  • Identify various asset classes
  • Construct optimal portfolios, using a variety of methods, strategies, and tools

Module 6:

Integrating and Applying Data Analytics to Challenges in Your Organization

Use what you have learned to create an action plan for implementing a justifiable data analytics solution to a real-world problem at your organization. You will:

  • Specify the challenge you wish to solve at your organization by using data analytics
  • Propose a data analytics solution
  • Identify potential pitfalls and problems
  • Select appropriate methods to visualize and present data
  • Justify the choice of modeling techniques for real-world problem solving
  • Analyze internal and external resource needs for team building
  • Produce an action plan that prioritizes results and identifies key deliverables

Module 1:

The Value of Data Analytics for Decision Making

Begin your journey by learning the value of data science and how to apply analytics to everyday decision making. You will:

  • Understand the value of data analytics when making financial decisions
  • Create an outline of the data science workflow
  • Learn potential pitfalls of data analytics

Module 4:

Quantifying Financial Risk

Learn the fundamentals of determining financial risk through data science. You will:

  • Define credit risk
  • Analyze financial statements for credit risk
  • Identify credit key performance indicators (KPIs)
  • Interpret credit risk models

Module 2:

Analyzing Data — The Basics

Build a foundation for actionable financial data analysis by defining variables in targeted markets that lead to insights. You will:

  • Determine goals for financial data analysis
  • Perform exploratory data analysis
  • Formulate and refine relevant questions based on available data
  • Gain insights into data patterns

Module 5:

Improving Investment Decisions

Explore different investment portfolios, asset classes, and the investment process to optimize financial decisions. You will:

  • Define investment portfolios
  • Identify various asset classes
  • Construct optimal portfolios, using a variety of methods, strategies, and tools

Module 3:

Forecasting Strategies

Learn to use modeling and other proven techniques to set realistic expectations and generate well-informed business decisions. You will:

  • Gain insights into the role of modeling in shaping market expectations
  • Apply forecasting techniques to business decisions
  • Choose an appropriate modeling technique for the desired outcome
  • Interpret machine-learning output

Module 6:

Integrating and Applying Data Analytics to Challenges in Your Organization

Use what you have learned to create an action plan for implementing a justifiable data analytics solution to a real-world problem at your organization. You will:

  • Specify the challenge you wish to solve at your organization by using data analytics
  • Propose a data analytics solution
  • Identify potential pitfalls and problems
  • Select appropriate methods to visualize and present data
  • Justify the choice of modeling techniques for real-world problem solving
  • Analyze internal and external resource needs for team building
  • Produce an action plan that prioritizes results and identifies key deliverables
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Program Experience

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Polls

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Try-it Activities

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Knowledge Checks

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Live Office Hours

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Assignments

Wharton Financial Analytics in Action

Understanding financial analytics in theory is only the start. The Wharton Financial Analytics: Forecasting, Modeling, and Optimization program goes a step further by illustrating how to apply financial analytics in the real world, with a particular focus on:

  • Customer Sales Learn to set realistic sales goals with informed hypotheses developed through incisive questions. You can then identify the key variables that yield actionable insights — all determined through financial data analysis.
  • Firms' Earnings Gain insights into how modeling helps the market form expectations — and use those insights to develop modeling techniques to achieve desired outcomes. You will also learn how to interpret machine-learning output and how to use forecasting techniques when making business decisions.
  • Corporate Credit Risk Leverage data science to define credit risk more precisely. Learn how by conducting financial statement analyses, identifying credit KPIs, and using machine-learning classification outputs.
  • Asset Management Use financial analytics to create better-performing portfolios by identifying various asset classes more precisely, examining key elements of the investment process, and conceptualizing optimal outcomes.

Program Faculty

Faculty Member Jules H. van Binsbergen, PhD

JULES H. VAN BINSBERGEN, PHD

The Nippon Life Professor in Finance; Professor of Finance, The Wharton School

Professor van Binsbergen specializes in theoretical and empirical research in finance, with a focus on asset pricing. His current research is mostly in asset pricing and focuses on the relationship between financial markets and the macro economy and the organization, skill, and performance of financial intermediaries... More info

Faculty Member Michael Roberts, PhD

MICHAEL ROBERTS, PHD

William H. Lawrence Professor; Professor of Finance, The Wharton School

Professor Roberts' primary research is in the area of corporate finance, specifically in capital structure, investment policy, financial contracting, and payout policy. His recent work has examined the design of debt securities and the role of control rights in influencing financial and investment policy... More info

Guest Speaker

Faculty Member Anamaria Pieschacon

ANAMARIA PIESCHACON

Guest Speaker

Anamaria Pieschacon, Director in the Predictive Analytics unit at Moody's Analytics, shares her expertise in corporate credit risk and environmental, social, and governance models. She was part of the team that won the model validation solution category in the Chartis RiskTech100.

Before joining Moody’s in 2015, Anamaria was a Vice President in the Global Investment Research division at Goldman Sachs. She holds a PhD in economics from Duke University and has served as a visiting Assistant Professor of Finance at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University; an external Research Associate at OxCarre, University of Oxford; and a Global Fellow at the Center for Global Business and the Economy, Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Certificate

Example image of certificate that will be awarded after successful completion of this program

Certificate

Upon successful completion of the program, you will earn a digital certificate of completion from the Wharton School.

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Note: After successful completion of the online program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wharton School.

FAQs

  • How do I know if this program is right for me?

    After reviewing the information on the program landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow-up with you very shortly.


    Are there any prerequisites for this program?

    Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page, as well as in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at the ID mentioned above.


    Note that, unless otherwise stated on the program web page, all programs are taught in English and proficiency in English is required.


    What is the typical class profile?

    More than 50 percent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but, generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry, and geography — leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.


    What other dates will this program be offered in the future?

    Check back to this program web page or email us to inquire if future program dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.

  • How much time is required each week?

    Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.


    How will my time be spent?

    We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities including:



    • Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty
    • Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific program schedule
    • Reading or engaging with examples of core topics
    • Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities
    • Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers
    • Completing your final project, if required

    The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on program activities.


    What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?

    More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.

    All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.

    A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.


    How do I interact with other program participants?

    Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.

  • What are the requirements to earn the certificate?

    Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.

    This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.


    What type of certificate will I receive?

    Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
    The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.


    Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?

    No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.


    Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?

    No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.


    How long will I have access to the learning materials?

    You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 12 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.

  • Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?

    Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.


    What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?

    The program fee is noted at the top of this program web page and usually referenced in the program brochure as well.

    • Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this program web page next to FEE).
    • Tuition assistance is available for participants who qualify. Please email learner.success@emeritus.org.

    What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?

    Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor, or email us for details.


    I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?

    Yes! Please email us with the details of the program you are interested in, and we will assist you.


    How can I obtain an invoice for payment?

    Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.


    Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?

    Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the program fee in installments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.


    How can I obtain a W9 form?

    Please connect with us via email for assistance.


    Who will be collecting the payment for the program?

    Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.

  • What equipment or technical requirements are there for this program?

    Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.


    Do I need to be online to access the program content?

    Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.

    Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.

  • What is the program refund and deferral policy?

    For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Academic Advisors or call us at +1 680 205 5118 (US) / +44 185 845 9995 (UK) / +65 3135 1422 (SG)

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