complete list of training courses

Successful financial analysis begins with a sound understanding of company fundamentals with particular emphasis on financial reports and related disclosures. Within this core area of our expertise, we offer a variety of multi-day programs that range from Accounting Bootcamps to Advanced Financial Statement Analysis. All Lucas & Associates programs feature mini-lectures, case-based studies, group exercises and real-world examples.

Alternative investment management is a multi-trillion industry that ecompasses sophisticated investing strategies, extensive operational considerations and use of a wide range of securities.   The modern institutional investor typically uses alternative strategies through a variety of investments in hedge funds, private equity firms, commodity trading advisors and real estate investment managers to enhance returns and/or reduce risk within their overall asset allocation models. 

The modern banking industry is governed by an extraordinarily complex system of local, industry, federal, and international regulations that are constantly being changed and updated in response to market conditions, innovations and of course, the global financial crisis. Financial services firms must continuously update their internal compliance systems in response to ongoing changes in regulatory requirements including liquidity, capital, anti-money laundering, anti-fraud, supervision and recor

The study of capital markets encompasses a wide array of topics but in essence it explains how buyers and sellers interact in the course of purchasing and selling securities.  The modern capital markets comprise equity, fixed income, derivatives, foreign exchange, commodities and structured products – in many cases, the markets and their products overlap. Our innovative courses help demystify the most important and complex components of the capital markets universe. 

While portfolio managers, investment bankers and traders receive most of the headlines from activity in capital markets, personnel in the middle and back offices of financial services firms play critical roles in the enabling of trading and markets in general to function smoothly and efficiently.  These inner workings can be complex and involve intricate processes.  

Capital structure for corporations is a key element in how a company’s management attempts to maximize shareholder value. Many considerations must be weighed as firms settle on the mix of debt, equity and other sources of capital on their balance sheets. In addition, companies may opt to grow and create shareholder value through mergers and acquisitions. Lucas & Associates brings deep industry experience within the M&A and corporate finance fields to bring to life a variety of training programs.

Derivatives have many different applications depending who is using them and why they are being used.  The most common application is to assist corporations, commodities producers, investors and financial services firms manage risk exposures.  Alternatively, derivatives may be used by investors and speculators to make leveraged bets and reduce transaction costs in an enormously wide range of markets.

Equities, for many investors, provide a cornerstone in their asset allocation models.  Our equity-related courses offer valuation and modeling suites as well as equity portfolio management programs.   Additionally, as equity markets have provided a launching ground for a variety of innovations including dark pools, high frequency and algorithmic trading, we are pleased to offer a program that provides insights into how the modern equity trader functions using these tools and strategies.

An extension and application of fundamental knowledge naturally leads a financial analyst to excel.  Programs that we offer in this area can be combined and integrated with our other courses given your training needs.  Alternatively they may serve as stand-alone courses if the audience already possesses fundamental knowledge and only needs to learn the application in Excel. 

Fixed income securities provide a cornerstone asset in the capital markets universe.  Issued by public corporations, private firms, governments and agencies, many types of fixed income instruments are brought to market that contain a wide range of attributes and features.  The breadth of this asset class gives rise to extensive trading and operational infrastructure of both buy-side and sell-side firms. 

While investment strategies may vary considerably, the principles behind sound portfolio management remain constant.  Within any strategy, asset selection and portfolio construction involve many considerations and risk factors.   The success of any strategy depends on how well risks are managed in the pursuit of an investment mandate.  Strategies can also be implemented through a variety of investment vehicles including private funds, separate accounts, mutual fund and exchange traded products. 

Risks arise in almost every part of an organization and risk management has emerged as one of the most important challenges facing enterprises today.  Risk management refers to the identification, measurement, monitoring and mitigation of potential losses.   Today most organizations have formalized intricate systems and processes to address the many risks they encounter.