MBA 701: Business Valuation Master Syllabus
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Course Website Canvas
Case Studies (required)
From Harvard Publishing: Harnischfeger Corporation; Home Depot; A Textbook is not required for the course.
Course Materials
Posted on Canvas. Check periodically for updates.
Course Description and Objectives
The objective of this course is to provide hands-on-experience in financial statement analysis and valuation consistent with the learning goals mentioned below. In particular, the course offers a comprehensive framework for analyzing financial statements consisting of (a) Business Strategy Analysis, (b) Accounting Analysis, (c) Financial Analysis, and (d) Prospective Analysis & Valuation. The framework would enable the students to synthesize and integrate information to make complex decisions with limited information, as well as conduct the research, competitive analysis, and environmental scanning necessary for valuation of business entities.
Program Learning Goals
Professional skills: Our graduates will demonstrate professional skills necessary for success in the public accounting profession.
- Teaming & Leading - Our graduates will demonstrate the team leadership and interpersonal skills needed to form, lead, and work effectively in diverse organizational teams.
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility - Our graduates will understand the importance of ethical conduct and the regulatory environment of accounting.
- Professional Communications – Our graduates will communicate effectively to professional audiences in both written and oral forms.
- Analytical Decision Making - Our graduates will demonstrate analytical decision-making skills.
- Accounting Research - Our graduates will effectively conduct and communicate accounting research
Technical skills and knowledge: Our graduates will demonstrate and apply technical knowledge of accounting and auditing.
Group Cases
- Groups will consist of about five students.
- Selected portions of the cases may be covered in the exams and thus all cases must be read.
- The written report should include (a) an executive summary and (b) a detailed analysis of all questions assigned for each case.
- Requirements for Valuation project will be posted separately.
- All reports are due at the beginning of the class. Late submissions of case write-ups will not be accepted.
Grading
Course grades will be weighted by deliverable as follows:
| Case analysis (group): 2X8 | 16 |
| Valuation project (group) | 14 |
| Quizzes (individual) | 14 |
| Mid-term Exam | 23 |
| Final Exam | 33 |
| Total points | 100 |
Final grades will be assigned using the plus or minus designation (e.g., A, A-, B+, B, B-, C, and F). As a general guideline, the following are the cut-off points for the letter grades: A: 93%. A-: 90%. B+: 87%. B: 83%. B-: 80%. C: 73%. However, the instructor has the right to modify the cut-off points depending on class performance.
To assess the nature and extent of work contributed by each member of a group, group members will grade each other and this grade could influence your overall course grade. If there is a significant disparity among ratings assigned to a particular group member, this may result in a reduction of points for that member.
Extra Credit/Make-up/Late Submissions
There is no provision for extra credit in the class. Exams, project, and cases are the basis of grading. Exams must be taken at the appointed time. Case submissions should be made at the stated time and late submissions will be assigned zero points.
Student Responsibilities
You are expected to have read the assigned readings before responding to any posted discussion questions and attempting the related assignments. The amount of effort you put into studying the assigned materials before attempting classwork would determine the quality of your responses to questions, as well as how much you learn about the course topics. We encourage you to not only read the assigned materials but to analyze them carefully. Think about each reading from both a conceptual and a practical perspective.
Communication: Students must use their George Mason email accounts to receive important University information, including messages related to this class and correspondence with the instructor. See Masonlive to obtain your personal George Mason e-mail account. Mason policy requires faculty to communicate exclusively through the Mason email system. This means your instructor can respond to email from your George Mason account only and cannot respond to emails you send from your personal or work email.
Students who anticipate missing a deliverable due date for religious reasons should inform the instructor in advance as soon as possible. You can find the University semester schedule and religious holidays at academic calendar and religious holiday calendar.
Honor System and Code: George Mason is an Honor Code university. Please see the Academic Standards website for a full description of the George Mason Honor Code and the honor committee process. The principle of academic integrity is taken very seriously and violations are treated gravely. The sanctions for violations are outlined here.
College of Business Standards of Behavior: The mission of the Costello College of Business at George Mason University is to create and deliver high quality educational programs and research. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni who participate in these educational programs contribute to the well- being of society. High quality educational programs require an environment of trust and mutual respect, free expression and inquiry, and a commitment to truth, excellence, and lifelong learning. Students, program participants, faculty, staff, and alumni accept these principles when they join the School of Business community. In doing so, they agree to abide by the following standards of behavior:
- Respect for the rights, differences, and dignity of others
- Honesty and integrity in dealing with all members of the community
- Accountability for personal behavior
Integrity is an essential ingredient of a successful learning community. Ethical standards of behavior help promote a safe and productive community environment, and ensure every member the opportunity to pursue excellence. College of Business can and should be a living model of these behavioral standards. To this end, community members have a personal responsibility to integrate these standards into every aspect of their experience at the School of Business. Through our personal commitment to these Community Standards of Behavior, we can create an environment in which all can achieve their full potential.
Disability Statement
Students with disabilities who require special accommodation should contact the Student Disability Resource Center ((703) 993-2474) and should inform the instructor of their needs so it can be taken into consideration. Please take care of this during the first two weeks of the semester.
Diversity
George Mason University promotes a living and learning environment for outstanding growth and productivity among its students, faculty and staff. Through its curriculum, programs, policies, procedures, services and resources, George Mason strives to maintain a quality environment for work, study and personal growth. These goals apply to online learning at George Mason University equally as it does to classroom learning.
An emphasis upon diversity and inclusion throughout the campus community is essential to achieve these goals. Diversity is broadly defined to include such characteristics as, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, disability, and sexual orientation. Diversity also entails different viewpoints, philosophies, and perspectives. Attention to these aspects of diversity will help promote a culture of inclusion and belonging, and an environment where diverse opinions, backgrounds and practices have the opportunity to be voiced, heard and respected.
Notice of Mandatory Reporting of Sexual Assault, Interpersonal Violence and Stalking: As a faculty member, I am designated as a “Responsible Employee,” and must report all disclosures of sexual assault, interpersonal violence, and stalking to Mason’s Title IX Coordinator per University Policy 1412. You may seek assistance from George Mason’s Title IX Coordinator, Jennifer Hammat, by calling (703) 993-8730 or email cde@gmu.edu. If you wish to speak with someone confidentially, please contact one of Mason’s confidential resources, such as Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) at (703) 993-3686 or Counseling and Psychology Services (CAPS) at (703) 993-2380. The 24-hour Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence Crisis Line for George Mason is (703) 380-1434.
Resources and Support
Course support: Preparedness is a major facilitator for a heightened learning experience in an online course. For help on Canvas tools like Honorlock and other resources, please refer to courses support or tutorials for additional information. If you encounter any difficulties accessing Canvas or your course you can reach the Technical Help Desk at the following email: courses@gmu.edu.
Library resources: The Libraries at George Mason University strive to provide the best possible collections of research resources and scholarly materials in all formats for our users throughout the university community, supporting the University’s goals of learning, teaching, and research. The School of Business has a dedicated librarian liaison and more information is available at library resources. The University Libraries also provides resources specifically for distance students, including the ability to e- reserve materials. For more information on these services and the process to e-reserve texts, see Mason Online University Libraries.
Writing center: The George Mason University Writing Center is committed to supporting writers in the Mason community and offers free writing support to George Mason students. You can now sign up for an Online Writing Lab (OWL) session just as you would sign up for a face-to-face session in the Writing Center, which means you set the date and time of the appointment! Learn more about the Online Writing Lab (OWL).
Student services: If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see me and contact the Disability Services at (703) 993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through the Disability Services. George Mason offers counseling and psychological services that can provide assistance if you find yourself overwhelmed by life, want training in academic or life skills, or the like.
University policies: The University Catalog is the central resource for university policies affecting student, faculty and staff conduct in university affairs.
Information regarding weather related changes in the University’s schedule (e.g., closing or late opening) will be provided on the George Mason website and via MasonAlert. Changes to schedule or deliverable due dates, if any, will be communicated via email and on Canvas.
George Mason Student privacy is governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and is an essential aspect of this course.
Copyright: Any audio or visual recording of lectures, reuse or remix of course materials, or further dissemination of course content is not permitted without prior written consent of the course instructor and George Mason University unless the recording is part of an approved accommodation plan.
Disclaimer: Any changes to assignments or course schedule will be announced on Canvas and/or via e-mail. Inability to access the course webpage or failure to read e-mails cannot be an excuse for late submissions or non-completion of assignments.
Course Schedule
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Week 1 Topic:
Submit by email Group member names: |
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Week 2 Topic: Overview of Accounting Analysis Case #1: Harnischfeger Corporation |
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Week 3 Topic: Implementing Accounting Analysis |
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Week 4 Topic: Financial Analysis Midterm Exam |
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Week 5 Topic: Financial Analysis |
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Week 6 Topic: Forecasting; Prospective Analysis: Valuation Theory and Concepts Case #2: The Home Depot, Inc |
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Week 7 Topic: |
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Week 8 Topic: Prospective Analysis: Valuation Implementation Valuation Project Due |
| Final Exam |
Group Evaluation
Instructions: As specified in the syllabus, a group participation evaluation is to be completed by each group member. The evaluation should be completed independently in the following manner:
- List your group members (including yourself) in the first column.
- Rate the participation of your group members by awarding each member some number of points between 0 and 100. For example, if you feel that all members of your group participated equally, you would give 100 points to each group member. The points should be given to your team members based upon a consideration of the following: (1) willingness and participation in carrying out assigned tasks, (2) ability of the individual to meet deadlines, (3) cooperation with other team members, (4) quality of the individual’s work, and (5) overall contribution to the projects.
- Sign the evaluation at the bottom and return it to the instructor no later than the last class. This evaluation will be reviewed by the instructor and may affect an individual group member’s case grades. You may use the back of this form to provide any written comments related to your group evaluation (all information disclosed will be kept confidential).
| Group Members and Evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Group Member Name | Participation Score |
| SELF: | |
| Student Signature | |
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