Stop guessing your capital structure—learn the quantitative models and qualitative signals that drive real-world financing decisions.

Have you ever wondered why a company chooses certain ways of capital funding over others? Through analysis, discussion questions, and a review of prevailing financial theory, this course explores why some companies choose debt financing, while others choose equity financing.
Navigating the complexities of corporate finance requires a deep understanding of the cost of capital—the ultimate benchmark for evaluating investment opportunities and driving corporate value. This comprehensive course explores the critical components of the cost of capital, breaking down the exact when, why, and how of this fundamental financial metric.
The curriculum dives into the mechanics of calculating the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), detailing the nuances of determining both the cost of equity and the cost of debt. It also examines the practical applications of these calculations in real-world scenarios, including capital budgeting, project evaluation, enterprise valuation, and mergers and acquisitions.
By exploring the relationship between risk, required rates of return, and capital structure, this course provides the foundational knowledge needed to establish accurate hurdle rates, assess financial viability, and make strategic decisions that align with long-term corporate growth objectives.
Who Should Attend:
Financial professionals, CPAs, controllers, and accountants who are looking to gain a better understanding of the theoretical and practical considerations that go into capital funding decisions.

CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
David Peters is the Founder and Owner of Peters Professional Education in Richmond, VA. He is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an Investment Advisor Representative (IAR) with Peters Financial LLC. He brings over 20 years of experience in financial services, including three years in the hedge fund industry and six years in insurance. David was the first Chief Financial Officer of Compare.com, where he served for more than three years. He holds four master’s degrees, contributes frequently to professional publications, and is a nationally recognized CPE instructor and discussion leader for Surgent seminars and a former instructor for Don Farmer. David received the AICPA Outstanding Facilitator Award in 2021, 2023, and 2024 as well as Surgent's Outstanding Discussion Leader awards in 2019 and 2022. He also co-authored the Virginia CPA Ethics course in 2018, 2019, and 2020, which is a requirement for all CPAs licensed in Virginia. Through Peters Professional Education, David is the author and instructor for over 125 recorded on-demand CPE courses and leads private trainings, in-person tax seminars, and quarterly live tax update webinars. His areas of instruction include accounting, finance, insurance, financial planning, and ethics, and he regularly teaches professionals across the United States.