AI-Assisted Financial Analysis
Spring 2026

Instructor

Kerry Back
(kerryback@gmail.com)
J. Howard Creekmore Professor of Finance and Professor of Economics

Meeting Schedule

TTh 12:30 – 2:00
3/17/2026 – 4/23/2026

Special sessions:
  • Saturday, March 21, 9:00-12:00 - optional Python session
  • Tuesday, April 28 (exam week), 1:00-2:30 - group presentations

All sessions will be in McNair 212, including the special sessions.

Learning Objectives

  1. How to use AI with code-execution tools to perform financial analysis and generate spreadsheets, reports, and presentations
  2. How to collaborate with AI in planning and evaluating work
  3. How custom chatbots and AI agents work and are used in finance
  4. How to use AI with code-execution tools as general agents

Topic Schedule

  1. Using Google Colab with Gemini
  2. Mean-variance analysis and cost of equity with AI and Python
  3. Generating reports and presentations
  4. Building web apps with Streamlit
  5. Using Claude, Python, and Claude Code
  6. Generating pro-forma statements and simulation
  7. Using Claude Code in VS Code, using GitHub, and deploying web apps
  8. Valuing companies
  9. Custom chatbots and AI agents
  10. Building a valuation agent
  11. Claude skills
  12. Catch-up and extras

Grading

Grades will be based on three group projects (20% each), a group presentation (20%), and peer assessments (20%). The presentations will be on April 28 during exam week.

Group Project 1

Create a Jupyter notebook in Google Colab in which the user inputs the number of assets, their expected returns, their standard deviations, the correlation matrix, and the risk-free rate. The notebook should compute the tangency portfolio and plot the mean-variance frontier and capital allocation line. Due: 11:59 pm, March 31.

Group Project 2

Create a web app in which the user inputs a current income statement and balance sheet and forecasts of future sales growth and financial ratios. The app should generate a Word doc containing pro forma income statements, balance sheets, and statements of cash flows. Due: 11:59 pm, April 24.

Group Project 3

Create a web app in which an AI agent queries the user to build a current income statement, balance sheet, and to get forecasts of future sales growth and financial ratios. The app should generate a Word doc and PowerPoint deck containing a two-stage DCF analysis and an AI-generated discussion of the analysis. Due: 1:00 pm, April 28.

Claude Accounts

Each student will be reimbursed for a Claude Pro account ($20 per month).

Honor Code

The Rice University honor code applies to all work in this course. Each student must do his or her own assignments, but it is allowed and in fact encouraged for students to seek advice from each other.

Disability Accommodations

Any student with a documented disability requiring accommodations in this course is encouraged to contact me outside of class. All discussions will remain confidential. Any adjustments or accommodations regarding assignments or the final exam must be made in advance. Students with disabilities should also contact Disability Support Services in the Allen Center.