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  3. CFA Practical Skills Module Workshop Series (Due Diligence)

CFA Practical Skills Module Workshop Series (Due Diligence)

Course Code
FINA9385
Application Code
2365-1689NW
Study mode
Part-time
Start Date
03 Jan 2026 (Sat)
Next intake(s)
Jan-2026
Duration
12 hours
Language
Cant, supp with English (lecture materials in Eng)
Course Fee
HK$4,800
Deadline on 23 Dec 2025 (Tue)
Enquiries
2867 8468
2861 0278
cfa@hkuspace.hku.hk
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Highlights

This is a 12-hour short course to focus on CFA Practical Skills Module.

The workshop equips students with practical skills to evaluate and execute private equity deals, covering opportunity screening, valuation, due diligence, and exit strategies. Students will learn to assess financial, legal, and operational risks across the deal lifecycle. Through interactive content, they will gain the tools and confidence to manage private market investments and support informed, value-driven decision-making.

Programme Details

Teachers

(1) Dr Francis Lau, PhD, CFA, FRM, MRICS 

Dr Lau is a seasoned financial data analytics practitioner, and a professional trainer in finance related disciplines. He has over 22 years of experience in business planning, data analytics, management information, regulatory compliance, and risk management acquired from working for multinational analytics vendors, banks, consulting firms, and universities. Dr Lau is a subject matter expert in applying data analytics to enhance business decision-making, constructing quantitative models to gauge business performance, and streamlining the management reporting processes. In addition to industry experiences, Dr Lau also has extensive exposures in developing and delivering academic and professional education programs for financial institutions, professional associations and universities. Dr Lau is a well-recognized trainer in compliance, data science, financial markets, risk management, and sustainability. 

 

(2) Dr Lai Man-Kit, CFA®

Dr Lai is currently a professional trainer at Executive Training and Management Consultancy as well as a visiting scholar at HKUST.  Dr. Lai has extensive knowledge in teaching adult continuing education. He was also an Assistant Professor at City University from 1994-2000. Dr Lai has taught CFA examination preparatory programmes and finance postgraduate diploma programmes at HKU SPACE for over six years.

 

On completion of the workshop, students should be able to:

1. Identify and evaluate potential investment targets through comprehensive deal screening and selection processes, utilizing market analysis and strategic frameworks;

2. Conduct thorough financial due diligence to assess and mitigate financial risks, ensuring informed investment decisions;

3. Understand and apply legal and tax due diligence processes to navigate regulatory requirements and protect investment interests;

4. Analyse operational aspects of target companies to ensure post-investment efficiency and value creation;

5. Develop valuation and deal structuring skills to optimize capital structures and achieve strategic investment goals; and

6. Implement effective monitoring and exit strategies to manage risks and maximize investment returns. 

Application Code 2365-1689NW Apply Online Now
Start Date 03 Jan 2026 (Sat)
Apply Online Now

Venue

Modules

Syllabus

(1) Deal Screening and Selection

  • Learn how to assess industry conditions using frameworks like Porter’s Five Forces
  • Evaluate market size, growth drivers, and barriers to entry
  • Identify and screen potential acquisition targets based on market and financial data  
  • Analyse geopolitical risk and its impact on investment suitability
  • Understand the purpose and structure of Letters of Intent in private market transactions

(2) Financial Due Diligence

  • Review financial statements and identify trends in revenue, profitability, and leverage
  • Conduct detailed cash flow and earnings quality analysis
  • Assess working capital efficiency and liquidity risks
  • Perform stress testing and scenario analysis to evaluate financial resilience
  • Interpret due diligence findings to inform valuation and risk mitigation strategies  

(3) Legal and Tax Due Diligence

  • Explain how to best approach valuation as a senior practitioner
  • Examine the principles of stock valuation
  • Explore the limitations of multiples-based valuation methods
  • Explain the limitations of Price-to-Book (P/B), Enterprise Value to Sales (EV/Sales), Enterprise Value to Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EV/EBITDA) and dividend yield valuation methods
  • Use reference class forecasting to improve valuation analysis
  • Derive a price target using a relative P/E multiple
  • Explain the pros and cons of cash flow valuation methods

(4) Operational Due Diligence

  • Assess commercial arrangements, including supply chain dependencies and customer concentration  
  • Evaluate data protection policies and information technology (IT) infrastructure for operational continuity  
  • Analyse human resources (HR) practices and labour risk, including compliance with local employment laws
  • Develop strategies for talent retention and post-acquisition workforce integration  
  • Use operational risk assessments to inform final deal terms and integration planning  

(5) Valuation and Deal Structuring

  • Apply discounted cash flow (DCF) and comparable company analysis to determine intrinsic value 
  • Structure capital using senior debt, subordinated debt, and hybrid instruments
  • Assess shareholder dynamics, governance risk, and succession planning
  • Quantify revenue, cost, and financial synergies in merger and acquisition (M&A)
  • Evaluate pricing adjustments and financial covenants for final deal execution

(6) Monitoring and Exit

  • Develop monitoring frameworks using key performance indicators (KPIs) and financial covenants to track portfolio performance
  • Perform risk assessments and stress testing post-acquisition.  
  • Evaluate common exit methods [initial public offering (IPO), strategic sale, dividend recap] and their suitability.  
  • Align exit strategies with market timing, investor goals, and company readiness.  
  • Plan and manage post-exit activities to ensure smooth transitions and value preservation. 

Class Details

2026 jan INTAKE (ACCEPT NEW APPLICATION)

Venue: HKU SPACE Campus

Teacher: Dr Francis Lau

Lecture Date Time
1 03 Jan 2026 (Sat) 13:00 - 19:00
2 10 Jan 2026 (Sat) 13:00 - 19:00

* The above tentative schedule's for reference only.  Schedule details will be released one week before the commencement date of the class.
** Please inform that if there is inadequate number of applicants, the class may be subject to cancellation.

Fee

Course Fee
  • HK$4,800

Entry Requirements

Applicants should hold a degree awarded by a recognised institution.

Applicants should check with the CFA Institute that they are eligible to attempt the examination.

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Online Application Apply Now

Application Form Download Application Form

Enrolment Method
Payment Method
1. Cash, EPS, WeChat Pay Or Alipay

Course fees can be paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay or Alipay at any HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres.

2. Cheque Or Bank draft

Course fees can also be paid by crossed cheque or bank draft made payable to “HKU SPACE”. Please specify the programme title(s) for application and applicant’s name. You may either:

  • bring the completed form(s), together with the appropriate course or application fees in the form of a cheque, and any required supporting documents to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres;
  • or mail the above documents to any of the HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres, specifying “Course Application” on the envelope. HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of personal information and payment sent by mail.
3. VISA/Mastercard

Applicants may also pay the course fee by VISA or Mastercard, including the “HKU SPACE Mastercard”, at any HKU SPACE enrolment centres. Holders of the HKU SPACE Mastercard can enjoy a 10-month interest-free instalment period for courses with a tuition fee worth a minimum of HK$2,000; however, the course applicant must also be the cardholder himself/herself. For enquiries, please contact our staff at any enrolment centres.

4. Online Payment

Online application / enrolment is offered for most open admission courses (enrolled on first come, first served basis) and selected award-bearing programmes. Application fees and course fees of these programmes/courses can be settled by using "PPS by Internet" (not available via mobile phones), VISA or Mastercard. In addition to the aforesaid online payment channels, new and continuing students of award-bearing programmes with available online service, they may also pay their course fees by Online WeChat Pay, Online Alipay or Faster Payment System (FPS). Please refer to Enrolment Methods - Online Enrolment  for details.

Notes

  • If the programme/course is starting within five working days, application by post is not recommended to avoid any delays. Applicants are advised to enrol in person at HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres and avoid making cheque payment under this circumstance.

  • Fees paid are not refundable except under very exceptional circumstances (e.g. course cancellation due to insufficient enrolment), subject to the School’s discretion. In exceptional cases where a refund is approved, fees paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay, Alipay, cheque, FPS or PPS by Internet will be reimbursed by a cheque, and fees paid by credit card will be reimbursed to the credit card account used for payment. 

  • In addition to the published fees, there may be additional costs associated with individual programmes. Please refer to the relevant course brochures or direct any enquiries to the relevant programme team for details.
  • Fees and places on courses cannot be transferrable from one applicant to another. Once accepted onto a course, the student may not change to another course without approval from HKU SPACE. A processing fee of HK$120 will be levied on each approved transfer.
  • HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of payment, receipt, or personal information sent by mail.
  • For payment certification, please submit a completed form, a sufficiently stamped and self-addressed envelope, and a crossed cheque for HK$30 per copy made payable to “HKU SPACE” to any of our enrolment centres.
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