NIRI’s reimagined Virtual Finance Bootcamp is a six-part program designed to give investor relations professionals a clear, practical understanding of the financial concepts that matter most in their roles. Delivered over three weeks (two sessions per week), this bootcamp offers a structured, progressive learning experience that connects capital markets, financial reporting, valuation, and value creation into one cohesive curriculum.
Participants will start with the fundamentals of how capital markets work and how investors evaluate companies, then move into interpreting financial statements, key metrics, and performance indicators. The program culminates with valuation basics and guidance on translating financial results into a compelling investment story. Each session builds on the last, helping attendees not only understand the numbers, but also communicate them effectively to investors, analysts, and internal stakeholders.
Designed for early-career IR professionals, those switching careers, and experienced practitioners looking to refresh their financial foundation, this bootcamp emphasizes practical application, real-world examples, and clarity over complexity. By the end of the program, participants will be better equipped to engage confidently in earnings preparation, investor conversations, and strategic financial communications.
Flexible Registration Options
The Financial Skills Bootcamp is designed to fit your schedule and learning needs. Attendees may choose to register for the full six-part bootcamp or enroll in two-session bundles focused on specific topic areas.
- Full Bootcamp (Parts 1-6):
Ideal for participants looking for a comprehensive, end-to-end understanding of capital markets, financial fundamentals, valuation, and investor communications. Sessions are designed to build on one another for a cohesive learning experience. - Two-Session Bundles:
Prefer to focus on specific skills? You may also register for the following paired sessions:- Parts 1–2: Economic Backdrop, Capital Markets & Investor Relations
- Parts 3–4: Financial Information, Metrics & Financial Storytelling
- Parts 5–6: Valuation, Value Creation & Strategic Financial Communication
Each two-session bundle offers a complete, self-contained learning experience, while also aligning seamlessly with the full bootcamp for those who choose to attend additional sessions.
Parts 1-2: Economic Backdrop, Capital Markets & Investor Relations
April 15-16, 12:00 – 2:00pm ET
After completing Parts 1-2, attendees will be able to:
- Explain how key macroeconomic factors — including growth, inflation, and interest rates — influence capital markets and investor behavior.
- Identify the fundamental features of bonds and shares and articulate how each fits into a company’s capital structure.
- Apply an understanding of economic context and funding sources to better frame investor relations messaging and stakeholder discussions.
- Describe the capital-raising process in public markets, including IPOs and follow-on share issuances, and explain the role investment banks play in these transactions.
- Differentiate among key capital markets participants — including institutional investors, portfolio managers, sell-side analysts, and rating agencies — and interpret how their perspectives influence market behavior and company valuations.
- Apply an understanding of the regulatory framework, financial calendar, and material information requirements to support compliant and effective investor communications.
Parts 3-4: Financial Information, Metrics & Financial Storytelling
April 22-23, 12:00 – 2:00pm ET
After completing Parts 3-4: attendees will be able to:
- Interpret income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements — and explain how they connect to provide a complete picture of company performance and financial health.
- Analyze key earnings metrics and financial jargon, including profitability measures, cash flow indicators, leverage ratios, and adjusted/non-GAAP figures, to assess underlying performance.
- Evaluate earnings results from an investor, analyst, and media perspective, including identifying one-off items, headline drivers, and areas requiring further scrutiny.
- Contribute more effectively to the earnings process by helping shape clear, credible earnings headlines, disclosures, and messaging that add value for external audiences.
Parts 5-6: Valuation, Value Creation & Strategic Financial Communication
April 29-30, 12:00 – 2:00pm ET
After completing Parts 5-6, attendees will be able to:
- Explain how investors and analysts value companies, including the use of intrinsic and relative valuation approaches and the assumptions that drive them.
- Identify the key drivers of shareholder value and assess how strategy, capital allocation, and performance influence valuation outcomes.
- Interpret how market expectations are reflected in a company’s valuation and evaluate gaps between company performance, guidance, and investor perceptions.
- Translate valuation and value creation concepts into clear, credible investor messaging that supports long-term trust and effective capital markets engagement.
All cancellation and refund requests must be submitted in writing via email to ProfessionalDevelopment@niri.org. Cancellation requests received up to 2 weeks (10 business days) before the event will be refunded in full, less a $50 administrative fee. No refunds will be given for cancellation or postponement requests received within 2 weeks (10 business days) of the event, including no-shows. All refunds will be processed within 10 business days of confirmation and in the same manner as original payment.
IRC credential holders can earn 1.0 professional development units (PDUs) for each part, or 6.0 PDUs for the entire series.