Skip to content

🏆 Tiêu chuẩn Buổi 12: Valuation Deck Standards

"Standards exist not to constrain creativity, but to ensure communication."


1. CFA Institute Research Challenge Format

1.1 Overview

CFA Institute Research Challenge (IRC) thiết lập tiêu chuẩn vàng cho sinh viên viết equity research report.

Yếu tốQuy định
Report length10–15 trang (không tính appendix)
FontProfessional (Arial/Calibri/Times), 10–12pt
RecommendationBUY / SELL / HOLD (hoặc tương đương)
Target PriceBắt buộc, với horizon 12 tháng
Valuation methodsMinimum 2 phương pháp (thường DCF + Comps)
Risk analysisCả upside risks + downside risks
DisclosuresConflicts of interest, analyst certification
PlagiarismZero tolerance

1.2 Mandatory Sections

#SectionYêu cầu
1DisclosuresAnalyst có sở hữu stock không? Conflicts?
2Executive SummaryStandalone: đọc 1 trang hiểu toàn bộ thesis
3Business DescriptionBusiness model, segments, management quality
4Industry OverviewMarket dynamics, competitive landscape
5Investment ThesisWhy BUY/SELL — differentiated view
6Financial AnalysisHistorical + forecast, ratio analysis
7Valuation≥ 2 methods, sensitivity analysis
8Risk AnalysisIdentified, quantified, mitigated

1.3 CFA Ethics — Liên quan trực tiếp

CFA StandardÁp dụng Report
I(B) Independence & ObjectivityReport không bị ảnh hưởng bởi outside pressure
V(A) Diligence & Reasonable BasisMọi recommendation phải có supporting analysis
V(B) CommunicationClear distinction giữa fact và opinion
VI(A) Disclosure of ConflictsDeclare ownership, relationships
VI(B) Priority of TransactionsKhông front-run nếu biết sắp publish Buy

2. Goldman Sachs / Morgan Stanley ER Format

2.1 Bulge Bracket ER Standard

Equity Research departments tại major banks có format riêng nhưng share common elements:

ElementGSMSJP Morgan
Rating SystemBuy/Neutral/SellOverweight/Equal/UnderweightOverweight/Neutral/Underweight
Target Price12-month12-monthDec next year
Report typesInitiation / Update / Flash / ThematicSimilarSimilar
Model depthQuarterly + Annual, 5Y forecastSimilarSimilar
Comp tableIn every InitiationIn every InitiationIn every Initiation
Football FieldStandard practiceStandard practiceStandard practice
ESG sectionRequired since 2020RequiredVariable

2.2 Report Types

TypeLengthTriggerTurnaround
Initiation40–60 pagesNew coverage4–8 weeks
Update5–15 pagesEarnings, event1–3 days
Flash Note1–3 pagesBreaking newsSame day
Thematic20–40 pagesIndustry deep-dive2–4 weeks
Model UpdateExcel onlyQuarterly earnings<24 hours

2.3 Valuation Section Standards

RequirementDetail
DCFFCFF or FCFE, WACC sourced, TV capped at reasonable % of EV
CompsMinimum 5 peers, median + mean, justify outliers
Sensitivity2-way table (WACC × g or WACC × Exit Multiple)
Football FieldMust include: DCF range, Comps range, 52-week, precedent (if applicable)
Target PriceExplicit derivation — not just "DCF says $X so TP = $X"
Scenario AnalysisBull/Base/Bear with implied TP for each

3. IBCS — International Business Communication Standards

3.1 Tổng quan

IBCS (International Business Communication Standards) — chuẩn mực trình bày business charts và slides, được Deutsche Bank, SAP, và nhiều Fortune 500 áp dụng.

3.2 SUCCESS Rules

IBCS đưa ra 7 SUCCESS rules cho business communication:

RuleMeaningÁp dụng Valuation Deck
S — SayConvey a messageMỗi slide có clear takeaway
U — UnifyApply semantic notationConsistent symbols → meaning
C — CondenseIncrease information densityMinimize wasted space
C — CheckEnsure visual integrityAxes start at 0, no 3D charts
E — ExpressChoose proper visualizationRight chart for right data
S — SimplifyAvoid clutterRemove gridlines, borders, legends (when possible)
S — StructureOrganize contentLogical flow, headers, numbering

3.3 Chart Type Selection

Data typeRecommended chartAvoid
Trend over timeColumn chart (vertical)Pie chart
ComparisonBar chart (horizontal)3D bar
CompositionStacked bar / WaterfallDonut chart
CorrelationScatter plotLine chart
RangeFootball field (horizontal bar)Radar chart
KPITable with conditional formattingGauge chart

3.4 Financial Chart Best Practices

PracticeCorrectIncorrect
Y-axisStart at 0Truncated axis
Data labelsOn chart directlySeparate legend
ColorMeaningful (AC = blue, FC = light blue)Random colors
TitleMessage title (not just "Revenue")Descriptive only
SourceBottom of every chartMissing

Ví dụ message title:

❌ "FPT Revenue 2019–2024" ✅ "FPT Revenue tăng trưởng 18% CAGR nhờ FPT Software"


4. CFI FMVA® Capstone Standards

4.1 Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®)

CFI (Corporate Finance Institute) — chương trình FMVA® certification — có rubric rõ ràng cho capstone project:

CriteriaWeightDescription
Model Accuracy25%Formulas correct, BS balances, no circular errors
Assumptions Quality20%Reasonable, sourced, documented
Valuation Rigor20%DCF + Comps + Sensitivity
Presentation15%Clear slides, professional format
Analysis Depth10%Industry context, competitive analysis
Risk Assessment10%Identified, quantified, scenario analysis

4.2 Model Quality Checklist (CFI Standard)

#CheckPass/Fail
1Color coding: Blue = input, Black = formula, Green = link
2One formula per row (consistent across columns)
3No hardcoded numbers inside formulas
4Balance Sheet balances ALL periods (A = L + E)
5Cash Flow links to IS and BS correctly
6Circular reference handled (toggle switch)
7Error checks tab (or row) — flagging #REF!, #DIV/0!
8Assumptions tab separate from calculations
9Print-friendly layout
10Version control (v1.0, v1.1, etc.)

4.3 Wall Street Prep (WSP) vs. CFI Standards

AspectWSPCFI
Model structureDense, single-tab preferredMulti-tab, organized
Color codingBlue/Black (strict)Blue/Black/Green
Circular refCopy-paste macro methodToggle switch + iterative
Revenue buildTop-down defaultBottom-up preferred
Comp tableManual build, paste-specialTemplate-based
CertificationSelf Study + Live CoursesFMVA® designation

5. Pitchbook Standards (Investment Banking)

5.1 IB Pitchbook Format

SectionPagesPurpose
Credentials3–5"We've done similar deals" — IB track record
Market Overview5–8Industry landscape, recent transactions
Company Profile3–5Target company overview
Valuation8–12DCF + Comps + Precedent + Football Field
Transaction Structure3–5Cash/Stock/Mixed, financing plan
Process Timeline1–2Milestones from mandate to closing
AppendixAs neededDetailed model, additional comps

5.2 Formatting Rules (unwritten but universal)

RuleDetail
FontArial or Calibri, 8–10pt body, 12–14pt headers
ColorsBank colors (GS = blue, MS = blue, JPM = dark blue)
ChartsClean, no 3D, no gridlines, data labels on
TablesAlternating row colors, bold headers
Page numbersEvery page, bottom right
Confidential"CONFIDENTIAL — For Discussion Purposes Only" on every page
PrintingLandscape for financial tables, Portrait for text

6. Tổng hợp Standards cho Capstone Project

Ma trận áp dụng

Khía cạnhStandard tham khảoYêu cầu cụ thể
Report contentCFA IRC Format10–15 pages, ≥2 valuation methods
Model qualityCFI FMVA® + WSPColor coding, balance check, toggle
Chart designIBCS SUCCESSMessage titles, proper chart type
PresentationCFA IRC Rubric15 min + Q&A, conviction, teamwork
EthicsCFA Code of EthicsDisclosures, objectivity, reasonable basis
Professional formatGS/MS ER StandardFootball Field, sensitivity, scenario

Scoring Rubric cho Capstone (100%)

ComponentWeightExcellentGoodPassFail
Excel Model30%BS balances, no errors, professional formatMinor issuesFunctional but messyBroken formulas
Valuation25%DCF + Comps + Sensitivity + Football Field2 methods1 method onlyNo clear valuation
Report/Slides20%CFA IRC quality, IBCS chartsProfessionalAcceptableUnprofessional
Presentation15%Confident, clear, handles Q&AGood deliveryReads slidesPoor/unprepared
Analysis Depth10%Industry + Company + Risk fully coveredMostly coveredSurface levelMissing sections

📚 Tham khảo

NguồnChi tiết
CFA InstituteResearch Challenge Guidelines (cfainstitute.org)
IBCSInternational Business Communication Standards (ibcs.com)
CFIFinancial Modeling & Valuation Analyst® (corporatefinanceinstitute.com)
Wall Street PrepFinancial Modeling Standards (wallstreetprep.com)
Goldman Sachs GIREquity Research format (internal, referenced from published notes)
Rosenbaum & PearlInvestment Banking: Valuation, LBOs, M&A — Wiley

🧭 Điều hướng

Nội dungLink
📘 Bài học chínhCapstone — Full Valuation Deck
📝 BlogTừ sinh viên đến Analyst
🧠 Case StudyGoldman Sachs ER · FPT Deck · CFA Research Challenge
🛠 WorkshopHoàn thiện Valuation Deck
🎮 Mini GamePitch Competition