Strategic Financial Management: Tools, Analysis, and Decision-Making
In a world where financial decisions require both analytical depth and strategic perspective, this microdegree equips learners with the tools and thinking needed to navigate complexity. The programme develops the ability to apply modern financial models and data analysis in making sound business and investment decisions, evaluating risk and return, and communicating value with clarity and impact.
Strategic Financial Management: Tools, Analysis, and Decision-Making is in preparation
If interested, add your email to the waiting list and we'll send you a notification when the microdegree details are ready and registration is possible.
Learn to turn financial data into decisions that create real business value
A great finance professional doesn’t just work with numbers – they bring clarity, see patterns, and turn business complexity into strategic direction. This master’s-level microdegree stands out for its practical structure and strategic focus. Participants don’t just learn how to analyse and model – they learn to see the bigger picture and shape decisions through meaningful financial insights. The programme brings together data-driven analysis, financial management tools and the strategic thinking expected from today’s forward-looking finance professionals.
As part of the programme, students will also complete a practical data analysis course, working with real financial data and using tools such as Excel, Power BI, and introductory Python. Prior programming experience is not required, but a willingness to work with analytical tools is important.
The curriculum is registered in the Estonian Education Information System (curriculum code 260909) and complies with the requirements of the current continuing education standard and the Adult Education Act.
Who is Strategic Financial Management: Tools, Analysis, and Decision-Making intended for?
This microdegree is designed for
- Finance professionals – involved in budgeting, investment analysis and performance planning
- Advisors and auditors (including ESG or IT auditors) who want to strengthen their capabilities in financial analysis, sustainability reporting, and communication with stakeholders.
- Data- and tech-savvy specialists (e.g. business analysts or IT consultants) seeking to enter or advance in finance by integrating data tools and financial reasoning.
- Entrepreneurs and consultants needing skills in capital raising and financial storytelling, as well as career changers and finance professionals re-entering the job market with up-to-date and practical financial skills.
Explore the microdegree
The updated programme will be offered again in the 2027/2028 academic year. Join our waiting list to be among the first to receive further information.
The programme includes nine full days of in-person learning at EBS in Tallinn, typically held every second Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 17:15.
As the sessions are practical and interactive, participants are expected to attend all scheduled days on campus. Please ensure you can commit to the full schedule before enrolling. Lecture recordings will be available to support learning but are not a substitute for attendance.
Topics Covered
The Microdegree offers a comprehensive understanding of how financial analysis and data-driven tools support corporate strategy and drive value creation. The programme integrates classical financial management, modern technologies, and real-world decision-making to develop strategic thinking and analytical precision.
The courses are delivered by international faculty members and industry practitioners who bring together academic excellence, analytical rigour and a practical perspective on strategic finance.
The learning journey follows a cyclical structure – starting with data acquisition and analysis, moving into financial modelling and investment strategy, and culminating in effective financial communication and capital acquisition. Each course contributes to the development of a well-rounded competence profile, helping learners understand financial decisions from both corporate and investor perspectives.
The learning approach is highly practical: contact sessions and group work are combined with independent assignments. Real-life case studies are used alongside tools such as Excel, Power BI and Python. Discussions, simulations and project-based work create a learning experience that is at once analytical, creative and strategic.
This microdegree is not only about acquiring knowledge; it is designed to shape your professional identity at the intersection of business thinking and financial leadership.
The programme is intended for participants who already have the ability to read and interpret financial statements and who understand the core principles of corporate finance, including investment decisions, the functioning of capital markets, and the relationship between risk and return.
Data Tools for Financial Management – 16 h in classroom, 62 h independent studies – 3 ECTS
Master the data skills modern finance runs in Python, from the ground up. This hands-on course takes you from messy spreadsheets to AI-powered analysis, with every concept explained in plain English before you write a line of code. You'll clean and analyze real market data, build statistical models and regressions, pull live data from APIs, scrape the web, push results into Excel and Power BI dashboards, and even put large language models like Claude and GPT to work inside your own scripts. By the end, you'll be able to build a complete data pipeline from raw file to polished, credible insight, and bring the analytical edge that today's finance leaders are expected to have.
Lecturer: Samuli Saarinen- PhD Student / AML Analyst
To support a smooth start to the programme, we will offer an optional introductory workshop on 17 October. During the workshop, participants can get help with installing the required software and Python libraries and receive a short practical introduction to Python. The workshop is recommended for those who feel they would benefit from additional preparation. Participants who are already comfortable with these tools do not need to attend.
Financial Modelling – 16 h in classroom, 88 h independent studies – 4 ECTS
This course provides in-depth knowledge and hands-on skills in building dynamic financial models to support decisions on capital budgeting, dividend policy, and M&A. Learners construct integrated pro forma statements and dashboards in Excel and Power BI, incorporating data-driven assumptions and scenario analyses. The course also emphasizes ethical decision-making, ESG considerations, and the ability to clearly communicate complex financial outcomes.
Lecturer: Alvin Kamienski – PhD professor and consultant with extensive experience bridging business and education; has taught finance, strategy, and economic freedom in the U.S. and internationally
Investment Decisions – 16 h in classroom, 62 h independent studies – 3 ECTS
This course builds a solid foundation in investment principles, risk management, and portfolio construction, enabling participants to evaluate asset classes and make sound investment decisions. Students learn how macroeconomic trends and capital market mechanisms affect portfolio strategies, and how to assess risk-reward trade-offs. By formulating a personal investment philosophy, participants align financial goals with real-world market behavior and investor logic.
Lecturer: Valeria Kiisk – PhD, Partner at Redgate and Head of the Capital Markets Working Group at FinanceEstonia.
Financial Storytelling for Capital Acquisition – 24 h in classroom, 106 h independent studies – 5 ECTS
As the capstone course of the microdegree, this module challenges students to combine financial modelling, investment strategies, valuation methods, and data-driven analysis into compelling investor narratives. Teams develop investor-focused reports and presentations grounded in rigorous financial analysis, valuation, risk assessment, and market insight. The final project simulates a real-world investment setting, where students present and defend their analysis before an investor panel, strengthening strategic thinking, persuasive communication, and team collaboration
Lecturer: John Paul Broussard – PhD, finance professor and researcher of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data applications in finance.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the microdegree, the learner will be able to:
- Acquire and process financial and economic data from various sources using statistical and programming tools. (Application, Transferable)
- Build and apply financial models that integrate assumptions and forecasts to support strategic financial decision-making. (Knowledge)
- Design and evaluate investment portfolios based on macroeconomic indicators, portfolio theory, and risk management strategies. (Application, Critical Thinking)
- Interpret financial analysis results in a strategic context and provide data-driven recommendations for capital allocation and business decisions.(Individual)
- Communicate financial insights and recommendations persuasively to diverse stakeholder audiences using visualizations and structured reports.(Communication, Social)
Micro completion requirements
To complete the microdegree, learners must pass all courses with at least a grade of E (51–60%). Assessment is course-based, with differentiated grading (A–F) based on practical tasks and learning outcomes.
Issued Certificates
Graduates of the programme will receive a certificate of microdegree with ECTS credits
Assessment Criteria
Assessment is course-based, with differentiated grading based on practical tasks and learning outcomes of each course
Learning Enviroment
The courses takes place at EBS’s modern campus in Tallinn, Lauteri 3. Students have access to ergonomic classrooms, the EBS library, and the cloud-based Canvas learning platform. The study process is supported by online tools such as Canvas and MS Teams. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.
Prerequisites
Please note: Participants from non-EU countries must already hold a valid temporary residence permit. Residence permits are not issued for short-term courses, including this microdegree. If you require a permit, please explore our full-time degree programmes instead.
Microdegree Instructors
Samuli Saarinen
Junior Research Fellow
My key research interests are in asset pricing. Specifically how different type of information is transforming into prices in the markets. Other points of interests are forensic accounting, crypto asset pricing, topics related in statistical programming and machine learning model development.
Alvin Kamienski
Visiting Professor
Professor and consultant with 25+ years of expertise at the intersection of business and education. Professional experience in global management consulting and corporate finance. Academic experience teaching and researching in US-based and international schools of business. Founding of the Freedom Forum of NPU, Chicago, a student-led, grant-funded nonprofit organization exploring issues of economic freedom in theory and practice. Research interests in economic freedom and happiness, instructional methods in international schools of business, and nonprofit finance.
Valeria Kiisk
Lektor
Valeria Kiisk is a seasoned financial sector expert and Partner at the investment banking group Redgate. She leads the firm's financial advisory practice, focusing on capital raising and M&A transactions. Valeria is passionate about creating value for clients and enjoys tackling complex deal structures and bold business ideas.
In addition to her advisory work, she actively contributes to the development of the financial ecosystem by chairing the Capital Markets Working Group at FinanceEstonia. She is also committed to promoting financial literacy among investors and entrepreneurs alike.
Valeria holds a PhD and Master’s degree (cum laude) in Business Administration from Tallinn University of Technology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business from the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga
Certificate
Graduates of the programme will receive a certificate with ECTS credits and practical skills in financial modelling, investment analysis and strategic financial decision-making. The microdegree also serves as a strong foundation for further studies at EBS master's programmes.
Course reviews
The microdegree turned out to be quite different from what I had originally expected, but in a positive way. Although not every topic fully matched my initial expectations, the programme gave me many valuable insights and new perspectives. I was especially pleasantly surprised by Finance Modelling, where the practical workbook we created is something I will definitely continue to use in my work. Finance Storytelling, together with its energetic lecturer, was a real eye-opener for me. At first, I wasn't sure whether it was what I was looking for in the microdegree, but during the course I realised that this was exactly the skill I had been missing. I was also very pleased with Valeria’s Investment Decisions course. I gained a great deal of new knowledge because I had never explored these topics in such depth before, and the lecturer was excellent.
Imbi Sinilaid
Finance Manager at Toggl
participant in the 2026 programme
Strategic Financial Management: Tools, Analysis, and Decision-Making is in preparation
If interested, add your email to the waiting list and we'll send you a notification when the microdegree details are ready and registration is possible.
EBS SUPPORT SERVICES
Interested in the next intake?
The current group (october 2026) is fully booked. Join the waiting list to be among the first to receive information about the next intake in the 2027/2028 study year.
