Ashish Karkera is a Chartered Accountant with years of expertise working in leading organizations like HDFC and Deloitte. At BankingSchool.co.in, Ashish contributes in-depth, practical, and exam-oriented articles across subjects in his expertise. His writing blends conceptual clarity with hands-on insights, making complex financial topics easier for bankers, JAIIB/CAIIB aspirants, and finance learners to understand and apply in their careers.

Risk-Based Internal Audit (RBIA): A Proactive Early Warning System for Banks

Risk-Based Internal Audit is a forward-looking methodology that aligns audit priorities with the enterprise’s top risks so assurance focuses on what truly matters for strategy, compliance, and resilience. It connects the audit universe, risk assessment, and audit plan to the organization’s risk appetite, delivering insight and early warning rather than after‑the‑fact findings. What is Risk-Based…

Special Audits v/s Regular Audit: Purpose, Process, and Examples

In the world of banking and business, audits play a crucial role in maintaining financial transparency and regulatory compliance. While routine audits examine overall financial health, a **special audit** is different. It is conducted only under specific circumstances—such as suspected fraud, compliance violations, or financial irregularities. Unlike regular audits, which cover the entire financial landscape,…

Understanding Information Systems Audit (IS Audit)

An Information Systems Audit (IS Audit) is a specialized review conducted to ensure the security, integrity, and effectiveness of an organization’s information technology infrastructure, especially vital in banking. IS Audit focuses on evaluating IT controls, risk management, and compliance within the computerized environment of banks. Purpose and Scope An IS Audit in banking aims to:…

Explained: Requirements of Banking Companies as to Accounts and Audit

Correct and accurate compilation of financial information and its disclosure, in a manner that is standardized and understood by stakeholders, is central to the credibility of the corporates including banks. The preparation of financial information and its audit is regulated by the banking regulator in India (RBI) with stringent penalties for non-observance. Accounting Standards serve…

Stock and Debt Approach in Business Valuation

The Stock and Debt Approach is a comprehensive valuation method that estimates a company’s total value by considering both the market value of its equity (stock) and the market value of its debt. This approach provides a fuller picture of a company’s worth than equity valuation alone because it accounts for financial obligations as well.…

Discounted Cash Flow Valuation: Estimating Inputs

Estimating inputs for a ‘Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) valuation’ is one of the most critical skills in corporate finance. Whether for banking, investment analysis, or project evaluation, accurate input estimation forms the foundation of a reliable valuation model. Introduction to DCF Valuation The DCF approach values a business, asset, or investment based on its ability…

Discounted Cash Flow Approach: Step-By-Step Guide to Valuation

Introduction Understanding the true value of a business or investment opportunity is essential in finance. Among the various valuation methods, the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) approach stands out for its robust, future-focused perspective. This article explores the core steps involved in conducting a DCF analysis, helping both professionals and beginners grasp how to estimate intrinsic…

Approaches to Corporate Valuation

In the realm of corporate finance and banking, understanding how to accurately value a company is essential for investment decisions, mergers and acquisitions, financing, and strategic planning. Corporate valuation involves estimating the economic value of a business or company, and there are several approaches commonly used by analysts and investors. This article explores the primary…

Cash Flow Estimation in Capital Budgeting: A Comprehensive Overview

IntroductionCash flow estimation in capital budgeting involves forecasting the future cash inflows and outflows associated with a proposed investment. Since these cash flows form the primary basis for assessing the financial viability of a project, accuracy in their projection is critical. The process typically includes estimating the initial cash outflows, annual operating cash inflows, and…