Two-Day Financial Modeling Talent Accelerator
In this intensive two-day training, participants will gain the technical foundation to build fully integrated, three-statement financial models in Excel.
Whether they’re preparing for the desk or leveling up for the next step in their career, this accelerator delivers the tools, techniques, and confidence required to model like a pro.
We’ll start by sharpening Excel fluency and introducing the shortcuts analysts rely on to move fast and efficiently. From there, we’ll break down how the financial statements connect—and reinforce those concepts through hands-on model building.
Next Class: May 8th – 9th
Throughout the program, participants will:
✏️ Master Excel shortcuts used by top professionals
✏️ Build a fully integrated three-statement model from scratch
✏️ Navigate and extract key insights from a company’s 10-K
✏️ Construct a circular model with a robust debt schedule and FCF sweep
✏️ Run dynamic sensitivity analyses and scenario planning
By the end of the two days, participants will:
Work confidently in Excel under real-world conditions Understand how the three financial statements flow together Build, audit, and stress-test financial models Apply modeling frameworks used in banking, PE, and corporate finance
Outline
Date: May 8th – 9th
Day 1: Mastering Excel for Financial Modeling
- Becoming an Excel Ninja
- Optimizing Your Computer Setup: Configure Excel for maximum efficiency
- Essential Excel Shortcuts: Master the shortcuts and techniques professionals swear by
- Formatting Best Practices: Understand the unwritten rules bankers expect
- Fundamentals of Financial Statement Modeling
- Overview of the Three Financial Statements (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement)
- How the statements interconnect
- The Matching Principle
- Understanding A = L + E (Assets = Liabilities + Equity)
- EBIT and EBITDA: Key concepts and differences
- Building the 3-Statement Model
- Structuring and projecting key line items
- Instructor led model construction (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement)
- Reinforcing Excel shortcuts through practical modeling
- Working Capital Modeling
- Understanding Net Working Capital
- Calculating Activity Ratios
- Analyzing how changes in Net Working Capital impact cash flow
- Performing model sanity checks
- Property, Plant & Equipment (PP&E) Schedule
- Depreciation basics and its impact on financial statements
- Methods of projecting depreciation
- Advanced Excel tips for managing PP&E schedules
Day 2: Financial Modeling Continued and Advanced Excel
- Intangible Assets & Amortization
- Distinguishing between Definite-Life and Indefinite-Life Intangibles
- Depreciation vs. Amortization: Similarities and key differences
- Projecting amortization and linking it efficiently to the financial statements
- Equity and Shares Projection
- Share fundamentals: Actual vs. Average shares, Basic vs. Diluted
- Projecting weighted average shares outstanding
- Basics of the Equity Account
- Projecting and linking Equity
- Forecasting Debt and Interest Expense
- Overview of debt instruments: Loans, Bonds, Revolvers, Commercial Paper
- Understanding interest rates: Fixed vs. Floating (including SOFR)
- Using Excel’s MIN function for realistic debt projections
- Calculating interest expense based on average debt balances
- Completing and Utilizing the Financial Model
- Model finalization: Ensuring accuracy, consistency, and balance
- Troubleshooting models: Addressing common pitfalls and errors
- Sensitivity Analysis: Utilizing Data Tables to enhance decision-making
Requirements:
- Computer with wifi connection and Zoom
- Microsoft Excel (Windows Excel preferred; Mac Excel acceptable)
- Adobe Acrobat or similar PDF reader
Not what you're looking for?
Contact us about classes you would like to see or semi-custom content for your firm.
Why Our Talent Accelerator?
Accelerate Your Talent. Elevate Your Team.
Your New Hires Already Know Us. Now, Let Us Train Them. Looking to make your interns, new hires, and off-cycle analysts desk-ready from day one?
FAQ
Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone who is either interviewing for an entry level Investment Banking or Private Equity role — or for anyone who has landed an IBD or PE offer and wants to get desk-ready.
Note: if you are a current practitioner, this will largely be review from new hire training. Stay tuned for our advanced courses!
Is this a financial modeling course?
No — we will have a separate class JUST for financial modeling and Excel. However, you will get a TON of hand-on modeling experience in this course, building your own DCF and LBO models complete with debt schedules and free cash flow sweeps.
You’ll also learn all the accounting concepts necessary to build a 3-statement model.
Can I use a Mac?
Yes. BUT…
You’ll be using a PC when you’re on the job. When it comes to the Excel sections of the course, the closer you can get to Windows Excel, the better off you’ll be.
You can purchase software like Parallels and Windows Excel to run Windows Excel on your Mac, which will be an upgrade from Mac Excel. This is not a requirement, though.
What makes your courses different from your competitors?
Quite a lot actually. First, Kristen here taught these concepts on site at banks all over Wall Street. She has iterated and refined her explanation of concepts over the course of 15 years. She has an OCD level of detail when it comes to making sure the visuals and examples are fun and engaging. Jen’s is a natural born story teller and teacher, a skill that is quite rare among those on Wall Street. The two of us were VERY focused on creating engaging videos that goes way beyond droning over a PowerPoint presentation. Additionally, through our podcast, we have conversations all the time with thought leaders in the industry, and through our community on social media which is made up of 300k people and counting, we are constantly hearing from YOU about what questions you are being asked in real time. In fact, the exact content of this course was tailored to all of YOU who shared the questions you were asked. To us, this course is our masterpiece, something that is the culmination of literally 25 years of learning and teaching.
I’ve never seen Succession or The Industry. Will I find the course boring?
Not at all! The stories are there as just that: stories.
Sure, you might be more excited about the material if you’ve seen the shows, but it’s absolutely NOT essential.
If you want the cliff notes version, you can listen to our podcast series (start with our episode on Succession season 1 here) that gets into the finance of these shows 🙂
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