Python for Data Analysis in Corporate Finance
Zero to Hero 1hr/day Roadmap (12 Weeks)
Step 1: Knowledge Assessment (Skill Tree)
1. Core Components:
2. Python Programming (syntax, data types, loops, functions)
3. NumPy & Pandas (arrays, DataFrames, data wrangling)
4. Data Cleaning (missing values, outliers, duplicates)
5. Data Visualization (Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly)
6. Basic Statistics (mean, correlation, regression)
7. Finance Domain (statements, ratios, time series)
8. Complexity Levels:
9. Beginner: Python, NumPy
10. Intermediate: Pandas, Cleaning, Visualization
11. Applied: Stats + Finance Context
12. Dependencies: Python → NumPy → Pandas → Cleaning/EDA → Visualization + Stats → Finance
use
13. Foundations:
14. Logic/math
15. Basic finance (week 9+)
Step 2: Learning Path (12 Weeks)
Week Focus Key Deliverables
1-2 Python Basics Syntax, functions, lists, dicts
3-4 NumPy & Pandas Load CSVs, slice, group, merge
5-6 Data Cleaning Handle missing, outliers, duplicates
7-8 Visualization + Stats Charts (line, bar), describe(), corr()
9-10 Finance Foundations Read F/S, calculate ratios
11-12 Projects + Integration Clean + visualize stock or financial reports
Step 3: Resource Curation
• Videos:
1
• CFI Python for Finance (Beginner to Intermediate)
• Coursera: Python & Statistics for Finance (HKUST)
• YouTube: Corey Schafer, FreeCodeCamp (Basics, Pandas)
• Interactive:
• Kaggle Learn (Python, Pandas, Cleaning)
• IBM Python for DS (CognitiveClass)
• DataCamp (optional, paid)
• Books/Articles:
• Python for Data Analysis (Wes McKinney)
• PyQuantNews (cleaning guides)
Priority Order: 1. Kaggle Learn → 2. CFI + Coursera → 3. McKinney book → 4. Projects
Step 4: Practice Framework
• Exercises by Topic:
• Python: Loops, functions → write simple apps
• Pandas: Load & summarize financial CSVs
• Cleaning: Fix missing/inconsistent stock data
• Visualization: Plot revenue, returns
• Finance: Compute P/E, ROI from statements
• Mini-Projects (checkpoints):
• Clean & plot stock prices
• Analyze company financial ratios
• Create dashboard of financial KPIs
• Spaced Review: Weekly flashcards + code redo (revisit every 2-3 weeks)
Step 5: Progress Tracking
• Indicators:
• Skills mastered (checklist per module)
• Quizzes (Kaggle, Coursera)
• Notebook projects submitted
• Milestones:
• Week 4: Clean raw data solo
2
• Week 8: Create full data report with charts
• Week 12: Analyze real financial dataset end-to-end
Step 6: Study Schedule (1hr/day)
Day Focus
Mon Video Lesson
Tue Hands-on Coding Practice
Wed New Topic + Reading
Thu Exercise (Kaggle / Project)
Fri Review + Flashcards
Sat Spaced Review or Mini-Project
Sun Optional: Rest or Personal Data Project
Cycle: Learn → Apply → Review → Integrate
Results: After 12 weeks, you will be able to write scripts to clean, analyze, and visualize corporate
finance data using Python and interpret the results with financial logic.
Use this plan as your core framework. Let me know if you'd like a printable version or Notion/Excel
tracker template.