What Financial Tools and Software Are Used During the Master’s Programme?
Knowing financial theory is not enough. Recruiters expect candidates who are able to work directly with the tools used in companies, without a long adjustment period. The MSc in Corporate Finance at EDC Paris Business School integrates professional software training into its teaching, ensuring that every graduate is operational from their very first day in the workplace.
Financial Analysis and Modelling Software
Financial analysis is primarily carried out using spreadsheets. Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, complex formulas, valuation models) are a prerequisite for most corporate finance roles. The programme includes teaching in financial mathematics and econometrics, both of which rely heavily on Excel to build forecasting and analytical models.
The LBO and Private Equity module, as well as the Mergers and Acquisitions and Value Creation module, use financial modelling tools to value companies, structure deals and analyse the impact of transactions on balance sheets and cash flows. These courses prepare students directly for the expectations of financial advisory firms and corporate finance departments in large organisations.
For market data, finance professionals rely on terminals such as Bloomberg or Refinitiv. These platforms are industry standards for accessing real-time financial data, analysing assets and building sector comparisons.
Cash Management and Risk Tools
Corporate treasury management is covered in a dedicated MSc module. Students learn how to build cash flow forecasts, optimise working capital and manage banking relationships. These skills are applied using risk and treasury management tools used in corporate finance departments, including advanced spreadsheets, cash pooling systems and treasury management platforms.
The Portfolio and Risk Management module further develops this approach by training students to identify, measure and manage financial risks such as interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk, counterparty risk and liquidity risk. These treasury and risk tools are directly transferable to roles such as treasury analyst or risk manager.
The Fintech: Digital Transformation of Finance module also introduces emerging technologies reshaping financial management, including process automation, open banking and digital scoring tools, helping students understand how finance roles are evolving through digitalisation.
Reporting Tools and Financial Dashboards
Financial reporting software is a core component of the Data Analysis with Power BI module, which is officially integrated into the programme. Students learn how to import financial data, build analytical models and create interactive corporate finance dashboards to track key performance indicators in real time.
This type of financial visualisation is increasingly demanded by recruiters: management accountants and financial analysts who can present insights through clear, dynamic dashboards increase both their impact and their decision-making value within organisations. Power BI has become one of the market standards in this area.
The Advanced Financial Analysis module complements this by focusing on structuring and communicating financial results—an essential skill when working with non-financial executives.
Practical Training in Financial Tools
The teaching approach of the MSc in Corporate Finance is based on blended learning: classroom teaching, digital tools and flipped classroom methods are combined to support progressive, practice-based skill development.
Finance tool workshops take different forms depending on the module:
- Business games and financial simulations, including the Capital Operations Challenge, which replicate real corporate decision-making in a competitive environment
- Team-based projects built around real company case studies, with deliverables produced using professional financial tools
- Flipped classroom sessions where students explore software functionalities independently before applying them in class
The objective is clear: ensure that every student masters the core corporate finance technical skills required to be credible from day one in a company, whether through internships, work-study programmes or their first job.
The financial software tools taught in the MSc (Power BI, financial modelling, cash management systems and risk analysis tools) directly match employer expectations in corporate finance roles.
To see how these technical skills are integrated into the MSc in Corporate Finance curriculum at EDC Paris Business School, please refer to the full programme description on the official website.