Introduction to Financial Modelling

This is course number one in a series of three courses.

Financial Models (when done well) are powerful tools that can be used to help organisations make good business decisions. However, building robust and relevant financial models is not always easy.

This online training course in financial modelling provides a solid introduction to financial modelling. The course explores why and how models are used by businesses and how the standards (FAST) that exist can ensure that the financial models you develop work for your businesses.

This course also looks in detail at:
• how financial models are set-up
• how concept diagrams can be useful and
• the different considerations that feed into building calculations.

• Understand what constitutes a financial model, why businesses use models and some of the inherent limitations
• Recognise what standards are, why they are used and examples of commonly accepted standards
• Establish how to set up and structure input sheets, working sheets and output sheets
• Understand how to make concept diagrams
• Learn the best practice calculation block structure and key excel functions that are commonly used

What is a Financial Model?
• What is a financial model?
• Why do businesses use models?
• How do we do financial modelling?
• What do we use models for?
• What skills do I need to do financial modelling?
• Where can things go wrong?

Standards
• What are standards?
• Why do we use standards?
• When should I use a standard?
• Why is FAST significant?
• What are the key characteristics of FAST?

Setting up a Model
• How do I set up a model?
• Why have a standard structure for each model?
• What goes on the input sheet?
• What goes on the working sheet?
• What goes on the output sheet?
• What is the standard recommended format for each sheet?

Concepts Diagrams
• What are concept diagrams?
• Why use concept diagrams?
• What am I trying to model?
• When should I use concept diagrams?
• How are concept diagrams used?

Building a Calculation
• What are we trying to model?
• What are the ingredients?
• How shall I lay out the calculation block?
• What are the operators I could use?
• What functions are commonly used in financial modelling?
• What Excel shortcuts can I use?
• What other FAST principles should I use to build the block?
• How can I produce a graph to show the balance?

Accounting and finance professionals in practice and in industry.

This training course has been developed by the Government and Infrastructure Advisory (GIA) Financial Modelling and Analytics team in Grant Thornton UK LLP who specialise in developing, building and reviewing financial models for clients. Grant Thornton is one of the world’s leading organisations of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms. Over 38,500 Grant Thornton people, across 120 countries, are focused on making a difference to clients, colleagues and the communities in which they live and work. For more information please visit their website.