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There are 10 modules in this course
Financial Valuation and Deal Modeling with Excel is a deep-dive course for financial professionals who want to develop expert-level skills in creating comprehensive valuation models. This intensive course teaches you to construct sophisticated financial models used in investment banking, corporate finance, and strategic decision-making.
You'll learn to build Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) models from the ground up, perform rigorous comparable company and precedent transaction analyses, and develop complex valuation techniques used by top-tier financial professionals. The course covers advanced Excel techniques for creating intricate financial models that can assess company value, support mergers and acquisitions, and provide critical insights for high-stakes financial decisions.
Practical sessions focus on real-world scenarios, including project finance waterfalls, Net Present Value (NPV) calculations, and advanced valuation methodologies. You'll practice building models that are not just technically sound, but also capable of telling a comprehensive financial story.
Who this is for: Investment analysts, corporate finance professionals, financial consultants, and business strategists looking to elevate their financial modeling and valuation skills. Strong financial analysis background and advanced Excel skills recommended.
This module provides a focused introduction to fundamental business valuation methodologies. You will begin by mastering the core definitions and theoretical frameworks of industry-standard valuation approaches. Transitioning from theory to practice, the curriculum emphasizes the application of a professional-grade Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) template. Using provided financial inputs, you will learn to execute precise calculations to determine a company's enterprise value. By bridging the gap between conceptual knowledge and technical Excel modeling, this module ensures you can confidently build a DCF analysis and interpret the resulting financial narrative for real-world decision-making.
What's included
3 videos3 readings5 assignments
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 18 minutes
Choosing the Right Tool for the Job•8 minutes
How-To: Populate the DCF Model in Excel•4 minutes
How-To: Run a Sensitivity Analysis in Excel•6 minutes
3 readings•Total 16 minutes
Blueprint of Valuation: DCF, Comps, and Precedents•5 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Calculate Enterprise Value with a DCF Model•15 minutes
Knowledge Check: DCF Model Application•5 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Quantify the Impact of the Discount Rate•15 minutes
Financial Modeling with Excel NPV
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
This module focuses on mastering the mechanics of investment valuation. You will start by learning to recognize core financial formulas and the fundamental economic concepts that drive them. Moving into practical application, you will gain hands-on experience using NPV and XNPV functions to accurately value diverse cash flow streams. By differentiating between periodic and irregular flows, you will build robust models to compare investment opportunities. This module bridges the gap between theory and practice, ensuring you can apply the correct mathematical logic to deliver precise, data-driven project appraisals and professional financial analyses.
What's included
4 videos2 readings5 assignments
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 30 minutes
The Real Cost of Ignoring Cash Flow Timing•8 minutes
Building Your First Valuation Model with NPV•8 minutes
Understanding XNPV: Key Concepts•7 minutes
Modeling Irregular Cash Flows with XNPV•8 minutes
2 readings•Total 18 minutes
The Language of Value: Deconstructing the NPV Formula•9 minutes
When Regular Payments Aren't Reality: Introducing XNPV•9 minutes
5 assignments•Total 80 minutes
The "Efficiency vs. Expansion" Capital Budgeting Decision•30 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Recall and Apply NPV Fundamentals•20 minutes
NPV Fundamentals Quiz•5 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Proficiency in Present Value Calculations•20 minutes
Advanced Valuation with XNPV and Comparative Analysis Quiz•5 minutes
Model Project Cashflows with Confidence
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
This module equips finance and business professionals with the essential skills to master project finance dynamics. You will first explore the key project finance phases, gaining a clear understanding of their chronological relationships from initial construction through long-term operations. Building on this foundation, you will apply a cash-flow waterfall model to prioritize outflows, service debt, and project cash balances. By simulating real-world scenarios, you will learn to ensure solvency and calculate distributions to stakeholders. By the end, you will possess a professional toolkit to forecast project viability and make data-driven decisions throughout a project's lifecycle.
What's included
4 videos4 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 19 minutes
Channel Tunnel: When Forecasts Fail•6 minutes
Anatomy of a Cash Flow Waterfall•5 minutes
Modeling the Numbers: From Revenue to CFADS•5 minutes
Completing the Waterfall: Modeling Debt and Equity•4 minutes
4 readings•Total 23 minutes
The Three Acts of a Project's Financial Life•7 minutes
Blueprint for a Bulletproof Model: Structuring Your Excel File•6 minutes
Interpreting the Results: What the Numbers Tell You•5 minutes
Formulas for Forecasting: Key Excel Functions•5 minutes
4 assignments•Total 75 minutes
Model a Mini Solar Project•30 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Setting Up Your Project Model in Excel•20 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Analyzing Solvency: The Final Check•20 minutes
Analyze Cases, Evaluate Models, Finance
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
This module transforms your approach to financial oversight by bridging the gap between theory and rigorous audit. You will analyze detailed case studies to pinpoint exactly how flawed assumptions distort financial outcomes and lead to significant valuation errors. Parallel to case analysis, you will master technical verification by evaluating financial models against a comprehensive professional checklist. This systematic review ensures structural integrity, logical consistency, and robust documentation. By synthesizing these skills, you will move beyond simple data entry to critically auditing model architecture, ensuring every projection is grounded in sound logic and verified accuracy.
What's included
5 videos3 readings5 assignments
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 27 minutes
Trace Errors: From Flawed Assumption to Failed Valuation•7 minutes
Why Checklists Matter: The Cost of "Good Enough"•5 minutes
From Gut Feeling to Evidence: The Three Pillars of Model Auditing•5 minutes
From Analyst to Advisor: The Power of a Good Critique•5 minutes
Final Project Walkthrough: From Audit to Submission•5 minutes
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
Anatomy of a Flawed Model: Lessons from Enron•10 minutes
The QA Checklist in Practice: The LTCM Lesson•10 minutes
How to Write and Visualize a Defensible Critique•10 minutes
5 assignments•Total 75 minutes
The Financial Model Audit•30 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Practice Analysis: Quantifying the WeWork Flaw•15 minutes
Knowledge Check: Principles of Model Deconstruction•5 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Practice Audit: Applying the QA Checklist•20 minutes
Knowledge Check: First-Pass Audit•5 minutes
Comps: Valuate Companies Smartly
Module 5•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module provides a rigorous framework for mastering comparable company analysis. You will learn to strategically select peer groups by identifying companies with similar operational and financial profiles. The curriculum focuses on calculating essential valuation multiples such as EV/EBITDA and P/E—to establish credible market ranges. Beyond calculation, this module emphasizes critical evaluation. You will develop the expertise to justify your peer set selections and refine data by identifying and excluding statistical outliers. By synthesizing these outputs, you will gain the confidence to provide robust valuation conclusions that drive informed investment and strategic decision-making.
What's included
3 videos1 reading3 assignments
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 20 minutes
The Power and Pitfalls of Comps: Lessons from the Salesforce-Slack Acquisition•6 minutes
Selecting Your Peers: The Art of Finding Truly Comparable Companies•6 minutes
Building a Comps Sheet in Excel•8 minutes
1 reading•Total 8 minutes
From Anatomy to Calculation: A Practical Guide to Comps Analysis•8 minutes
3 assignments•Total 50 minutes
Valuation Analysis and Recommendation•30 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Build Your Own Comps Analysis•15 minutes
Knowledge Check: Core Concepts of Comps•5 minutes
Evaluate and Transform M&A Data for Valuations
Module 6•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module empowers financial analysts to master the intricacies of M&A data transformation. You will learn to analyze historical transaction data by precisely adjusting for transaction-specific synergies and control premiums to ensure valuation accuracy. The curriculum focuses on evaluating the reasonableness of transaction multiples through the systematic organization and analysis of comparable deal data. By normalizing complex datasets and mastering benchmarking techniques, you will create consistent comparisons that reflect true market dynamics. This module bridges the gap between raw data and actionable intelligence, enabling you to construct robust valuation models grounded in rigorous data evaluation.
What's included
3 videos1 reading3 assignments
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 17 minutes
Why Normalization Matters?•5 minutes
Decoding the Data: Identifying Transaction-Specific Factors•6 minutes
Normalizing M&A Data and Calculating Premiums in Excel•5 minutes
1 reading•Total 8 minutes
The Analyst's Guide to M&A Data Transformation•8 minutes
3 assignments•Total 50 minutes
M&A Valuation and Data Analysis Report•30 minutes
Hands-On Learning: M&A Data Transformation in Action•15 minutes
Knowledge Check: Core Principles of M&A Valuation•5 minutes
DCF: Build, Apply, and Evaluate
Module 7•2 hours to complete
Module details
This module equips you to master the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) methodology for professional valuation. You will design and build a modular DCF template featuring dynamic forecasting periods for maximum flexibility. The curriculum focuses on the technical precision required to compute the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) and determine accurate terminal values. Beyond construction, you will learn to rigorously evaluate model integrity by verifying underlying calculations and financial balances. Through hands-on application, you will gain the skills to produce defensible, error-free valuations essential for high-stakes investment appraisal and strategic decision-making.
What's included
6 videos3 readings6 assignments
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 46 minutes
Valuing High-Growth Tech•6 minutes
Conceptual Walkthrough: Deriving the Key Components•8 minutes
From Spreadsheet to Boardroom•7 minutes
Calculating Enterprise Value in Excel•9 minutes
The Problem with Static Models•8 minutes
Building a Dynamic and Validated Model in Excel•7 minutes
3 readings•Total 17 minutes
The Three Pillars: FCF, WACC, and Terminal Value•6 minutes
The Mechanics of Discounting•6 minutes
Anatomy of a Modular and Auditable DCF Model•5 minutes
6 assignments•Total 80 minutes
Comprehensive DCF Valuation of a Public Company•30 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Deconstruct a Valuation Scenario•15 minutes
Knowledge Check: Applying the DCF Methodology•5 minutes
Knowledge Check: Model Creation and Validation•5 minutes
Model and Analyze Project Finance Viability
Module 8•2 hours to complete
Module details
This module equips you with the technical expertise to evaluate complex infrastructure and investment ventures. You will master the construction of comprehensive project finance models from scratch, specifically integrating sophisticated debt schedules and multi-tiered equity waterfalls. Beyond structural modeling, this module emphasizes rigorous valuation techniques. You will analyze long-term financial viability by conducting scenario analysis to stress-test project resilience and calculating Net Present Value (NPV) to determine profitability. By synthesizing these metrics, you will develop the data-driven insights necessary to provide "go/no-go" recommendations for high-stakes investment committees.
What's included
4 videos5 readings5 assignments
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 29 minutes
The Downside Case Matters Most•6 minutes
How to Analyze Scenarios in a Model•6 minutes
Forecasting Project Cash Flows•7 minutes
How to Build a Sculpted Debt Schedule•9 minutes
5 readings•Total 35 minutes
Understanding the DSCR Covenant•6 minutes
What is Scenario Analysis?•6 minutes
A Lesson in Flawed Assumptions•8 minutes
Anatomy of a Project Finance Model•8 minutes
How to Structure an Equity Waterfall•7 minutes
5 assignments•Total 85 minutes
Build and Evaluate a Renewable Energy Project Finance Model•30 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Build the Model Skeleton•15 minutes
Impact of Interest Rate Change on a Project Finance Model•10 minutes
Financial Forecasts: Learn from Errors
Module 9•2 hours to complete
Module details
This module empowers financial professionals to transform historical inaccuracies into strategic assets. Participants will analyze past financial models to pinpoint the precise root causes of forecast errors, ranging from flawed logic to data inconsistencies. Beyond identifying failures, you will evaluate successful adaptations from complex projects to synthesize a best-practice checklist for future applications. Through hands-on labs, you will bridge the gap between error detection and process refinement. By the end of this module, you will be equipped to implement a robust improvement plan that ensures higher model reliability and precision.
What's included
3 videos3 readings5 assignments
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 19 minutes
How-To: Deconstruct a Failed Model•7 minutes
How-To: Build a Checklist in Excel•7 minutes
Why Good Analysis Isn't Enough•6 minutes
3 readings•Total 15 minutes
Frameworks for Failure Analysis•5 minutes
From Success to System: The Art of Knowledge Transfer•5 minutes
Closing the Loop: From Insight to Action•5 minutes
5 assignments•Total 75 minutes
Connecting an Insight to an Action•30 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Identify the Root Cause•10 minutes
Knowledge Check: Root Cause Analysis•5 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Draft a Checklist Item•25 minutes
This module empowers you to construct defensible, deal-ready financial models for complex acquisitions. You will develop a modular Excel portfolio artifact featuring a dynamic DCF analysis with integrated WACC calculations and selectable terminal methods. Beyond core valuation, you will master comparable company and precedent transaction analysis through rigorous normalization and peer selection. The curriculum bridges technical precision and strategic judgment, ensuring model integrity through automated audit sheets. This module culminates in the creation of a presentation-ready summary designed to communicate high-level investment recommendations and transaction adjustments effectively, providing you with a high-impact artifact for your professional portfolio.
What's included
2 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
2 readings•Total 11 minutes
Why This Project Matters: Building a Defensible Valuation and Deal Model•4 minutes
Your Project Blueprint: Requirements and Evaluation•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 109 minutes
Project: Valuation and Deal Model (Portfolio Artifact)•109 minutes
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What makes this course different from basic financial modeling courses?
This course goes beyond basic valuation, teaching professional-grade techniques used in investment banking and corporate finance for complex deal modeling and company assessment.
Do I need to be an Excel expert to take this course?
Advanced Excel skills are strongly recommended. The course assumes proficiency with complex formulas, financial functions, and sophisticated spreadsheet techniques.
How will these skills apply to real-world financial analysis?
You'll learn the exact valuation techniques used by top investment banks and corporate finance teams to assess company value, support M&A decisions, and create defensible financial projections.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, 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.