Financial Modeler's Corner

Paul Barnhurst AKA The FP&A Guy
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Mar 14, 2024 • 47min

Shaping Business Strategy: Ian Bennett's Insights on What Makes for a Great Financial Modeler

Welcome to the 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 the Financial Modeling Institute (FMI), the most respected accreditation in Financial Modeling globally.In this episode, Paul is joined by Ian Bennett, Partner, Deals Modelling team at PwC, Australia.With over 20 years of experience as a professional financial modeler, Ian has constructed and assessed models critical for major transactions, infrastructure projects, and routine forecasting and reporting. Today Ian leads the deal modeling practice for Pwc Australia.In addition to being a world-class Modeller Ian is incredibly dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing (DI&W). This has propelled him through various positions within PwC and beyond. As a proud LGBTIQ+ ally, he serves on the Steering Committee of Shine@PwC, the firm's LGBTIQ+ employee network, and currently holds the role of wellbeing lead for the Financial Advisory business.In this episode, expect to learn:Why understanding the stakeholders involved in a project is vitalWhy it's essential to listen actively to clients, understand their needs, and ask the right questionsHow to analyze the success and effectiveness of the financial modeling processWhat are the tools and technologies available in the marketWhat are the new technologies and methodologies for financial modelers to stay effective and successful in their rolesQuotes: “You need a desire to understand the power of the things you have in front of you and not be scared.”“Every model tells a story, and that story is known at the start of the project, and the questions that the model will be able to answer.”“Models are built for a single primary purpose at the time that they are conceived’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.Go to https://earmarkcpe.com, download the app, take the quiz and you can receive CPE credit.Follow Ian Bennett: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianrbennettWebsite: https://www.pwc.com.au/deals/modelling.htmlFollow Paul:Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thefpandaguyYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpaguy8376Follow Financial Modeler's CornerLinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984In today’s episode:00:20: Introduction01:10: Problem that bettered Ian03:00: Ian’s insights on financial models05:18: Ian’s story07:13: What is MFM and why did Ian pursue it?08:35: Ian’s experience in the Global Excel Summit10:49 Why Ian is passionate about financial modeling11:52: Ian’s favorite industry that he likes to model13:13: What makes a good financial modeler?16:49: Things beyond the model that help in a project?22:05: Approach and methodology 27:00: Tools beyond Excel34:40: Technical nugget when building new models36:50:  Rapid fire 39:08: Ian’s favorite function45:00: Ian’s advice to become a better financial modeler45:36: Wrap up
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Feb 29, 2024 • 38min

Mastering SaaS Models: Derek Baker's insights on building robust SaaS models

Derek Baker shares insights on building robust SaaS models, the challenges faced in financial modeling, importance of business understanding, controversial modeling issues, and the evolution of Excel functionalities. He emphasizes the significance of continuous practice to improve modeling skills and the importance of business acumen for financial modelers.
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Feb 15, 2024 • 49min

Beyond the Numbers: Lance Rubin's Insights on AI, Power BI, and the Future of Financial Modeling

Lance Rubin shares insights on financial modeling, AI, and Power BI. He discusses the importance of Excel hygiene, avoiding hard-coding, and the HAC framework for finance transformation. He also talks about impactful social projects, embracing AI in modeling, and challenges in transitioning to new technologies.
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Feb 1, 2024 • 1h

Beyond the Classroom: Why Learning Excel is an Investment for your Career 

Listen to competitors share why learning Excel is crucial for career success. Andrew Ngai reflects on his hobby turning into a competition at the HyperX arena in Vegas. Students discuss their favorite Excel formulas and the benefits of financial modeling. Get 15% off Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation with code 'Podcast' at fminstitute.com/podcast
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Jan 18, 2024 • 55min

From Campus to Spreadsheet: The Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge Journey

Excel MVPs share their experiences at the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge. The importance of data cleaning and organization is discussed. Financial modeling skills and contestant introductions are highlighted. Benjamin Weber shares his experience and excitement for upcoming competitions. Excel's role as a foundational tool for data analysis is emphasized. The new features in Excel, such as lambdas and dynamic arrays, are explored and their benefits in financial modeling explained.
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Jan 4, 2024 • 42min

Precision in Modeling: Sam Sivarajan’s Wisdom on Balancing Art, Science, and Decision-Making

Sam Sivarajan, a Speaker, Wealth Management Consultant, and Behavioral Scientist, discusses his experience in telecom, advice on balancing art and science in modeling, making smart assumptions, critical thinking in modeling, and controversial modeling issues. He also shares insights from his books and emphasizes the importance of decision-making and validating assumptions in financial modeling.
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Dec 22, 2023 • 52min

Exclusive Talk: Dave Hallwood, Giles Male, and Rafaël Le Saux Explore Being a Better Financial Modeler and Financial Modeling Certifications

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 LinkedIn Live, Paul Barnhurst is joined by three amazing Modelers, Dave Hallwood, Giles Male and Rafa ë l Le Saux.   Dave is the Group Finance Director at Aldrich Group Ltd . He is a Chartered Certified Accountant, Commercially minded with a background in Accounting and Business in SMEs Dave took the AFM last year and the CFM this year. Giles Male is a co-founder of Full Stack Modeler - an award-winning training program and community for Modelers at every level, with an opportunity to gain Full Stack Modeler accreditation. He will also be taking on a limited number of coaching clients in 2024. Giles took his AFM 2 years ago and is awaiting the result of CFM. Rafaël Le Saux is a Director and Valuation & Modeling Advisory Lead at PwC Luxembourg / LVPA Board Member. He is passionate about Valuation and Modeling disciplines and has piloted his professional path toward amassing sufficient knowledge to support clients in solving complex valuation problems across different asset classes, industries, and geographies.   Listen to this episode as the guests talk about: Their experiences in Modeling. The value of Financial Modeling Accreditation.How to improve your Financial Modeling skillsTheir position on controversial modeling issues, including circular references, dynamic arrays, modeling standards, AI in modeling, and more. Quotes:    “this job is about people, it's about talking to people, it's about giving them information instead of data”   “One of the really good things about FMI is if you have got both AFM and CFM on your CV, that’s the level of credibility that reflects what you are doing.”   "Simple is hard, complex is easy"  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.   Go to https://earmarkcpe.com , download the app, take the quiz and you can receive CPE credit.    Follow Dave:     LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hallwood-fcca-87270449/ Follow Giles:     LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giles-male-30643b15/Apply to get Coached - https://fullstackmodeller.typeform.com/to/RezB1GRA Follow Rafaël: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-le-saux/   Follow Paul: Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com/    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/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) Background of the guests - Dave, Giles, Rapha ë l; (02:36) How did they become interested in building Financial Models?; (06:40) Rapid Fire; (14:55) What led these guys to take the FMI?; (21:45) Why are they a fan of Financial Modeling World Cup?; (23:36) How FMI helped them professionally?; (24:45 - 25:30) Validate your Financial Modeling Skills with FMI’s Accreditation Program (ad); (27:18) What makes FMI unique?; (37:36) When must someone take AFM and CFM?; (41:03) FMI as a part of regular Graduation; (46:08) Advice on being a better Financial Modeler; (49:26) Connect with Dave, Giles and Rapha ë l ; (50:40) Outro
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Dec 7, 2023 • 41min

From Classroom to Certification: Andy Temte's Unique Perspective on Financial Modeling

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 Dr. Andy Temte .   Dr. Andrew Temte, CFA, is the former CEO of Kaplan Professional and author of “Balancing Act: Teach, Coach, Mentor, Inspire,” and "The Balanced Business: Building Organizational Trust and Accountability through Smooth Workflows." He is also a board member and senior advisor at the FMI.   A thought leader on financial education and issues related to organizational health, continuous improvement, and workforce re-skilling, his articles have appeared in a number of media outlets, including Chief Executive and Chief Learning Officer.   This blend of higher education and professional education experience gives Dr. Temte a unique perspective when it comes to financial education and financial modeling   Listen to this episode as Andy shares:  His learning from the worst models he has come across.His experience reviewing financial models for acquisitions.His experience as a Member of the Board of FMI.The value of Financial Modeling Accreditation.Why he wrote his book ‘The Balancing Act’.His position on controversial modeling issues. Quotes:   “FMI is one of the only institutes that’s delivering a truly experiential credentialing process.”   “At the end of the day, modeling is about communication because you're helping communicate insights, derived from data and assumptions to drive behavior or changes or decisions. And so it's all about communicating.” 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.   Go to https://earmarkcpe.com , download the app, take the quiz and you can receive CPE credit.    Follow Andy Temte:     LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/atemte/ Podcast - Balancing Act Website - https://www.andrewtemte.com/   Andy’s books:   Balancing Act - https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Balancing-Act/dp/B0CFCZT4HN/ref=sr_1_2?crid=17K8UI3208G9Q&keywords=Andy+Temte&qid=1701342458&sprefix=andy+temte%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-2   The Balanced Business: Building Organizational Trust and Accountability through Smooth Workflows - https://www.amazon.com/Balanced-Business-Organizational-Accountability-.   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 Andy; (01:05) The worst financial model Andy has ever seen ; (01:52) Andy’s key learning experience from the worst financial model ; (02:45) Andy ’s background; (05:07) Andy’s journey as a professor; (07:16) Andy’s motivation to teach Finance ; (11:02) Time at Kaplan; (13:55) Andy’s views on the CFA program; (17:27 - 18:13) Validate your Financial Modeling Skills with FMI’s Accreditation Program (ad); (18:18) Andy’s experience as a Member of the Board of FMI; (20:03) Value of Financial Modeling Accreditation; (25:23) Andy’s motivation behind writing the book “The Balancing Act”; (33:17) What motivated Andy to start a Podcast?; (34:54) Rapid Fire; (37:27) Advice on being a successful Modeler; (39:32) Connect with Andy; (40:10) Outro.
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Nov 30, 2023 • 51min

Special Bonus Episode: Run the Numbers by CJ Gustafson

Sebastian Duesterhoeft from Lightspeed Ventures joins CJ Gustafson to discuss Total Addressable Market importance for investors, frameworks for calculating TAM, market maturity, extensibility, and the crucial initial insertion point in business growth.
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Nov 22, 2023 • 40min

How Financial Modelers build a goldilocks “Just-right” Financial Model with Brian Egger

Brian Egger, Global Head of Financial Modeling at Bloomberg, discusses finding balance in financial modeling, learning from bad models, trends in the industry, and controversial modeling issues. Topics include integrated models, key drivers, collaboration in financial modeling, industry consolidation patterns, and career trajectory insights.

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