Financial Modelling: a practical approach using Excel
Quartic Training is proud to present a new course on Financial Modelling with Microsoft Office Excel.
Course Overview
Financial modelling is a set of practical skills, techniques, methodology and discipline adopted in developing a financial model; a core analytical tool used by businesses to aid decision making in financial planning, investment analysis, valuation and strategy.
The modern-day business environment has become so complex and highly competitive that just having good spreadsheeting skills is not enough. While employers consider these spreadsheet skills essential for business professionals, specialists in financial modelling are highly sought after within the marketplace. The ability to develop high quality financial models is a valuable asset to the successful finance professional.
Learning about the latest financial modelling techniques, and how to apply them in different situations, will give participants of this course the confidence and ability to develop highly sophisticated financial models and a strong competitive advantage.
Course Objectives
Over ten three-hour evenings, or five six-hour days, this highly interactive and hands-on course will enable candidates to:
- develop the strong financial modelling skills, methodology, techniques and discipline that are highly sought after by top accounting/consulting firms and major financial institutions;
- quickly construct comprehensive, well-structured, transparent, accurate and robust 'state-of-the-art' financial models from scratch;
- enhance their ability to solve complex analytical problems using advanced Excel formulae and functionalities;
- demystify valuation methods (including CAPM, dividend and cash flow valuation, free cash flow and relative valuation) used by financial analysts;
- learn how to audit, and incorporate error-traps and integrity checks in their models to avoid errors;
- discover lots of Excel tips, tricks and keyboard shortcuts that will improve their speed and overall efficiency at work;
- learn the most efficient ways to set up and perform scenario and sensitivity analyses as it is done at leading financial institutions, accounting and consulting firms.
Who should attend?
This course is designed for anyone involved in designing and building Excel models. Whether you are a novice or an expert, this course will enhance your modelling skills significantly. Typical participants include:
- financial analysts and consultants
- professionals looking to become expert financial modellers or model auditors
- professionals working in areas such as investment banking, asset management, private equity, venture capital, corporate finance, project or structured finance, etc.
- seasoned accountants and other experienced finance professionals looking to develop or enhance their financial modelling skills
- public sector finance officers involved in bid evaluation and financial forecasting
- accounting, finance, CFA® and MBA students seeking to bridge the gap between academic studying and a high-flying career.
Prerequisites
Participants require fairly advanced understanding of financial concepts and Excel, though all financial or technical terms will be clearly explained as they arise. Excel novices can sign up for the Start-Up course, which will provide an "Introduction to the Financial Modeller's Excel Toolbox"; an invaluable learning platform in its own right, as well as being a stepping stone to the more advanced program.
Course Director
The course director is Atem Akoh-Arrey, a senior consultant at PKF (UK) LLP, a top 10 UK firm of accountants and business advisers. He has many years of experience developing complex financial models for infrastructure projects funded by corporate or project finance or bond financing. His clients include Barclays, HSBC, Nationwide, Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Bank, Nord LB and SMBC.
Course Content
The practical nature of the course will enable participants to develop solid modelling skills through a step-by-step application of the techniques learned from real-life cases. Topics covered include:
- An overview of financial modelling
- The key steps involved in developing a financial model
- A review of modelling best practices
- Advanced Excel mechanics and functionality
- Designing and structuring a model from scratch
- Working with Excel date functions, flags, masks, switches and flexible timings
- Dealing with inflation
- Forecasting revenues and costs
- Building in a cash cascade or cash waterfall
- Forecasting plant, property and equipment
- Forecasting working capital requirements
- Forecasting long-term liabilities
- Dealing with taxation
- Forecasting share capital, dividends and reserves
- Generating integrated financial statements
- Valuation methods
- Model presentation and management reporting
- Risk analysis techniques (sensitivity and scenario analysis)
- Model optimisation and targeting (using goal seek, solver, macros, etc)
- Model review and auditing techniques
- Introduction to VBA Macro programming
- Course assessment - case study
Course Date and Prices
The next course dates are as follows:
Start-up: Saturday 27, Sunday 28 March 2010
Financial Modelling: Saturdays 10, 17, 24 April, 8, 15 May 2010.
The course fees are just £1400 + VAT for the five-day programme, £490 + VAT for the two-day Start-up and £1800 + VAT for the complete package. All delegates also have access to post-course technical support from the instructor.
To book or for further information, please see our contact details here.