Analytical Insights Using
Accounting and Financial Data
RSM 8224
ABDUL MOHI KHIZER
Meeting Times & Office Hours
• Meetings: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00pm – 2:30pm
• Location: LL1035
• Email: abdul.khizer@utoronto.ca
• Phone: 437-329-7970
• For office hours (held virtually using Zoom), drop me an email
• TA: Anosha Haidri: anoshahaidri78@gmail.com
Course Description
• This course provides a basic understanding of how accounting and
financial data are constructed and how these data can be analyzed for
economic decisions including valuation
• For example, we will learn how to take advantage of the rich accounting
and financial databases to 1) forecast firm performance, 2) detect
financial frauds and 3) predict bankruptcy etc.
• Helpful for careers 1) in financial sectors, including (investment) bankers,
equity analysts, 2) as regulators, 3) as business consultants, strategy
planning, forensic accounting and 4) personal financial planning
• As an applied course, students will be expected to routinely perform
financial analyses by applying the analytics skills you have learned and
coding knowledge (Python and/or SAS)
Why is this course useful & relevant?
Deliverables and Course Grade
Item Weight % Due Date Note
Class Participation
10 ongoing Individual
and Contribution
Project 1 30 April 1st Individual
Project 2 30 April 25th Group
Final Exam 30 TBD Individual
Projects: Individual (30%) + Group (30%)
• You will be required to conduct two high-quality analyses, one
individually and one in a group on two different topics (to be shared
later in the course) and submit reports.
• These projects will test:
• 1) your conceptual understanding of the material
• 2) your ability to manipulate and analyze data
• 3) your ability to convey your thoughts formally in technical writing, and
• 4) your ability to work in a team with diverse personalities and talents
• For the group project, all group members will receive the same grade
in a team!
Final Exam
• Provides an opportunity for you to review important concepts we have
learned in class
• Shorter and longer written answer questions; no computers/coding
required
• We can discuss more as we get closer to the exam.
