Taxmann Cracker - Strategic Management & Corporate Finance (SMCF) Book for CS Professional (2022 Syllabus) by N.S. Zad, Divya Bajpai

Strategic Management & Corporate Finance | CRACKER is a comprehensive exam-oriented resource meticulously designed for CS-Professional students appearing under the New Syllabus (Group 2 | Paper 5). The book is an all-in-one repository of fully solved previous exam papers, curated in line with the latest examination trends and thoroughly updated in accordance with relevant provisions and case laws.

The Present Publication is the 3^rd Edition for the Dec. 2025/June 2026 Exams. This book is authored by CS NS Zad and CS Divya Bajpai, with the following noteworthy features:

• [Fully Solved Previous Exam Papers] Incorporates complete, up-to-date solutions for all past examination questions up to June 2025, ensuring alignment with the latest exam patterns
• [Topic-wise Arrangement] Past exam questions are meticulously arranged chapter-wise, enabling targeted and effective practice
• [Updated & Amended Answers] All solutions are drafted as per the latest legal provisions, amendments, and relevant case laws
• [Chapter-wise Marks Distribution] In-depth analysis of marks allocation across chapters, helping aspirants identify high-yield topics and trends
• [Trend Analysis] Detailed examination of previous exams to highlight recurring question types and areas of emphasis
• [ICSI Study Material Comparison] Chapter-by-chapter cross-reference with the official ICSI Study Material for holistic coverage

The book is divided into two comprehensive parts:

• Part I – Strategic Management
• Introduction to Strategic Management
• Analysing External & Internal Environment
• Business Policy & Formulation of Functional Strategy
• Strategic Analysis & Planning
• Competitive Positioning
• Managing Multi-Business Firm & Analysing Strategic Edge
• Part II – Corporate Finance
• Sources of Corporate Funding
• Raising of Funds from Equity & Procedural Aspects – Public Funding
• Real Estate Investment Trusts
• Infrastructure Investment Trusts
• Raising of Funds – Private Funding
• Raising of Funds – Non-Fund Based
• Overview of Listing & Issuance of Securities in International Financial Services Centre
• Raising of Funds from Debt & Procedural Aspects
• Foreign Funding – Institutions
• Foreign Funding – Instruments, Laws & Procedures
• Role of Intermediaries in Fund Raising
• Project Evaluation
• Additional Inclusions
• Solved Papers – December 2024 & June 2025 (with suggested answers)
• Chapter-wise Comparison with ICSI Study Material
• Extensive trend analysis and marks distribution charts

The structure of the book is as follows:

• Logical Chapter Sequence – Chapters are organised in a manner that mirrors the structure of the official ICSI syllabus, facilitating seamless integration with regular study plans
• Chapter-wise Segregation – Every chapter begins with a list of past exam questions pertaining to that topic, followed by detailed, updated solutions
• Tabular Data & Analysis – Includes clear tables for marks distribution and trend analysis, assisting students in strategic planning of their studies
• Study Material Mapping – Each chapter references its equivalent in the ICSI Study Material for ease of cross-learning and comprehensive coverage
• Solved Papers Section – Complete solutions for recent exam papers are provided at the end for hands-on exam practice