How Financial Modelers build a goldilocks “Just-right” Financial Model with Brian Egger
Financial Modeler's Corner
Finding the Balance in Financial Models and Advice for Modelers
This chapter emphasizes the importance of striking a balance in financial models to support decision-making, including key considerations like detail level, reliance on drivers and formulas, balance between granularity and simplicity, and leveraging data and analytical tools. Financial modelers are advised to stay attentive to detail and foster intellectual curiosity.
Welcome to Financial Modeler's Corner (FMC) where we discuss the art and science of financial modeling with your host Paul Barnhurst. Financial Modeler's Corner is sponsored by Financial Modeling Institute (FMI) the most respected accreditations in Financial Modeling globally.
In this episode, Paul Barnhurst is joined by Brian Egger .
Brian is the Global Head of Financial Modeling, Senior Gaming/Lodging Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence.
He has been publishing models professionally and writing investment research since the 90s on the sell-side as a brokerage analyst. His industry focus has always been broadly centered around consumer gaming, lodging, and leisure.
Brian has also worked in player-coach roles, whether it's being a research director or team leader or his current role, head of financial modeling, and outside the realm of being a practitioner, he has experience teaching as well.
Listen to this episode as Brian shares:
- His experience with finding the right balance as a Modeler
- His learning from the worst models he has come across.
- His role as the Global Head of Financial Modeling at Bloomberg
- Everything about Bloomberg’s Interactive Calculator.
- Trends of the Industry over the years.
- His thoughts on the FMI program and why continuous learning is so important.
- His position on controversial modeling issues, including circular references, dynamic arrays, modeling standards, AI in modeling, and more .
Quotes:
“ Models should be dynamic and not static, they should be integrated and not sort of siloed pieces not speaking to each other. ”
" There's a lot of merit just to continuously reinvesting in both your skill set and your credentials, and that it's really important to never stop doing that. The FMI has created a really intriguing platform as a way to do that. ”
“ The CFA exam prepares you in many ways to be a capable securities analyst. ”
Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation or FMI Fundamentals Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’.
Visit www.fminstitute.com/podcast and use code Podcast to save 15% when you register.
Join Paul in Vegas for the FMI World Cup Championship from
December 7, 2023 - December 9, 2023.
Sign up for the event today and receive 10% off by using the special code ‘FP&AGUY10’ .
Go to https://earmarkcpe.com, download the app, take the quiz and you can receive CPE credit.
Follow Brian Egger:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianegger/
Brian’s article on the balance between complexity and simplicity -https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-level-detail-enough-financial-model-brian-egger/?trackingId=08lGH6pSQ865qLFJar2nzQ%3D%3D
Follow Paul:
Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefpandaguy/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thefpandaguy
Twitter - https://twitter.com/TheFPandAGuy
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpaguy8376
Follow Financial Modeler's Corner
LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/?viewAsMember=true
Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984
In today’s episode:
(00:22) Intro;
(00:46) Welcoming Brian;
(01:02) The worst financial model Brian has ever seen ;
(02:37) Brian’s key learning experience from the worst financial model ;
(03:13) Brian ’s background;
(05:05) Role as a Global Head of Financial Modeling at Bloomberg;
(06:19) How to find the right balance while Modeling? ;
(08:08) Signs that a Model is too detailed;
(10:57) Signs that a Model is too simple to make decisions;
(13:43 - 14:30) Validate your Financial Modeling Skills with FMI’s Accreditation Program (ad);
(14:39) About Bloomberg’s Interactive Calculator;
(15:58) Brian’s key learning from that Project;
(20:25) Guidelines on Balance;
(23:52) Brian’s thoughts on FMI;
(27:44) Trends of the Industry over the years;
(29:58) Rapid Fire;
(34:31) Advice on being a successful Modeler;
(35:23) Connect with Brian;
(35:50) Paul’s Top Picks - Finding the balance between complexity and simplicity
(39:32) Outro.
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