What jobs can I get with financial modeling skills?

Financial modeling skills open doors to roles including Financial Analyst, Investment Banker, FP&A Analyst, Valuation Analyst, and Business Intelligence Manager. They all require strong financial analysis and modeling and Excel expertise.

Do I need prior finance experience to take this financial modeling course?

No prior finance experience is required. Basic Excel familiarity and an interest in business or financial modeling are sufficient. This financial modeling course is structured to build competence progressively from fundamentals to advanced model-building.

What topics are covered in this financial modeling fundamentals course?

This financial modeling course covers model structure and layout, dynamic Excel functions, revenue and expense forecasting, integrated three-statement modeling, financial modeling and valuation, scenario analysis, and error-checking techniques.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Financial Modeling Fundamentals

Financial Modeling Fundamentals

This course is part of Accounting and Financial Modelling Bootcamp Specialization

Instructors: Michael McDonald

Included with

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3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

7 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

7 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Apply Excel modeling best practices to structure financial models for accuracy, usability, and professional financial modeling standards.
Forecast revenues, expenses, and working capital using assumption-driven logic, core techniques in financial analysis, modeling & business planning.
Build a fully integrated three-statement financial model and perform scenario/sensitivity analysis to support data-driven financial modeling.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Microsoft Excel

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Accounting and Financial Modelling Bootcamp Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 3 modules in this course

This financial modeling course introduces the principles and practice of building structured, assumption-driven financial models in Microsoft Excel. You will apply Excel modeling best practices to design clear input, calculation, and output sections; write robust formulas; and document assumptions for transparency and auditability that are the core skills in any financial modeling and valuation workflow.

Starting with model layout and dynamic functions such as INDEX/MATCH and IFERROR, you will develop driver-based forecasts for revenue, expenses, capital expenditures, and working capital. It is the foundation of sound financial analysis and modeling. You will then integrate these projections into a fully linked three-statement financial model, connecting the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement with automated logic and validation checks. The course also covers scenario analysis, sensitivity testing using data tables, and model error-checking to support sound financial decision-making. By the end of this financial modeling fundamentals course, you will be able to build dynamic, assumption-driven Excel models suitable for business planning, financial modeling and valuation, and performance analysis.

This module covers foundational skills in building structured Excel models. Learners will be introduced to proper layout principles, naming conventions, formula design, and basic troubleshooting tools. The module also focuses on model usability and documentation — essential skills for professional modelers.

What's included

11 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 45 minutes

Intro Video to Course 2 minutes
Module Introduction 1 minute
Inputs, Calculations, Outputs: The Golden Rule 6 minutes
Layout, Labeling, and Color-Coding Standards4 minutes
Navigating and Designing for User-Friendliness5 minutes
Absolute vs. Relative References4 minutes
Lookup Functions: INDEX/MATCH vs. VLOOKUP5 minutes
Error-Checking with IFERROR and Conditional Logic4 minutes
Creating an Assumptions Dashboard5 minutes
Tracking Model Changes and Version Control 4 minutes
Sourcing Data and Referencing External Inputs4 minutes

2 readingsTotal 10 minutes

Welcome to the Course: Course Overview5 minutes
Modeling in Excel and Its Importance 5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 20 minutes

Excel Modeling Techniques and Best Practices 20 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 25 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Building a Clean, Structured Financial Model Template25 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

The Golden Rule of Modeling 10 minutes

This module focuses on building forward-looking forecasts for a company’s operations. Learners will develop revenue and cost projections using driver-based assumptions. Lessons will include forecasting techniques for SG&A, cost of goods sold (COGS), depreciation, and working capital. The goal is to build a dynamic, assumption-driven operating model that feeds directly into financial statements and scenario analysis.

What's included

10 videos1 reading1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt

10 videosTotal 52 minutes

Module Introduction 2 minutes
Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Forecasting 4 minutes
Unit Economics and Pricing Strategies5 minutes
Market Size, Growth Rates, and Penetration Scenarios5 minutes
Fixed vs. Variable Costs5 minutes
Operating Leverage and Break-Even Analysis6 minutes
Driver-Based Cost Allocation6 minutes
Maintenance vs. Growth Capex6 minutes
Modeling Depreciation and Asset Schedules7 minutes
Forecasting Working Capital (DSO, DPO, Inventory Turns) 7 minutes

1 readingTotal 5 minutes

7 Financial Forecasting Methods to Predict Business Performance5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 20 minutes

Operating Model Forecasting 20 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 30 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Forecasting Revenues, Costs, and Working Capital Drivers30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Balancing Simplicity and Realism in Forecasts 10 minutes

This module teaches students how to link the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement into an integrated three-statement model. Learners will create dynamic linking logic using forecasted assumptions and formulas, build checks and balances to validate model accuracy, and then explore scenario and sensitivity analysis. The goal is to create a fully functional model capable of supporting real-world decision-making.

What's included

11 videos1 reading1 assignment2 peer reviews1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 64 minutes

Module Introduction 1 minute
Connecting Income Statement and Balance Sheet4 minutes
Automating the Cash Flow Statement6 minutes
Handling Circular References and Iterative Calculations8 minutes
Calculating Operating and Free Cash Flow7 minutes
Building a Debt Schedule with Interest Expense5 minutes
Modeling Equity Raises and Dilution6 minutes
Setting Up Sensitivity Tables (Data Tables)8 minutes
Scenario Planning and Toggle Controls8 minutes
Validating and Stress-Testing Your Model7 minutes
Course Wrap-Up3 minutes

1 readingTotal 5 minutes

Scenario Analysis: Definition, Process, and Benefits5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 20 minutes

Three-Statement Model Construction and Scenarios 20 minutes

2 peer reviewsTotal 95 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Integrating the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow35 minutes
Project: Designing and Building a Dynamic Three-Statement Financial Model 60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

The Value of Transparency in Complex Models 10 minutes

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Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructors

Michael McDonald

Starweaver

8 Courses3,332 learners

Offered by

Starweaver

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Frequently asked questions

Financial modeling is the process of building structured, assumption-driven financial models in Excel to forecast performance, support financial modeling and valuation, and drive data-backed business decisions across planning, investment, and analysis functions.

Financial modeling is the process of building structured, assumption-driven financial models in Excel to project a company's future revenue, expenses, and cash flow, serving as the analytical foundation for business and investment decisions. Financial modeling and valuation extend this by applying those projections to determine a company's intrinsic economic worth using methods such as Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Comparable Company Analysis, and Precedent Transactions.

In short, financial modeling builds the forecast; valuation determines what that forecast is worth. Together, they form the core analytical skill set of any finance professional.

Core skills include Excel modeling best practices, driver-based forecasting, three-statement financial model construction, scenario and sensitivity analysis, and financial modeling and reporting — all covered progressively in this course.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.