Excel: Financial Modelling

Course Overview

Financial Modelling with Microsoft Exel

The widespread availability of computer spreadsheets has revolutionised budgeting, forecasting and planning. In the past, financial modelling was something done exclusively by accountants and as a result they had almost total control of financial information. Nowadays, many managers are expected to have a much closer control and understanding of the financial performance of their team. This programme shows you how you can combine basic financial knowledge with the power of spreadsheets to develop this closer understanding. This programme is for you if you are involved in business or financial planning, budgeting or forecasting and would like your computer to take the strain. Even if you have never used a spreadsheet before, it will show you how to build professional models for a variety of tasks. The programme includes presentations, discussions and computer based hands on modelling sessions.

Audience

• Anybody involved in business or financial planning, budgeting or forecasting.
• Previous spreadhseet experience is not required.

Skills Gained

Understand what financial models are and how to use them for decision making and problem solving

• Create your own financial models for many common business situations
• Understand the rules for creating good models
• Know the common problems encountered when building models and how to test your models to confirm their validity
• How to use models to perform 'what if' analyses

Course Outline

Introduction to financial models

What is a model?

• How do we use them?

Spreadsheet basics

What is a spreadsheet?

• Common functions used for financial modelling

Building your first simple models

A personal tax calculator

• Simple budget model

The basic principles of modelling

Model layout

• Handling of assumptions
• Documenting the model
• The logic of the model

Financial control models

Budgeting

• Costs for decision making
• Project costing
• Bids and quotations

Financial planning models

Profit planning

• Cash flow planning
• Balance sheet planning

Internal audit and control models

Working capital cycle models

• Stock control

Quality control and validation of models

Common spreadsheet problems

• Testing and validation
• Auditing spreadsheets

"What if" analysis

Review of Programme

Follow On Courses

• Accounting Budgeting and Forecasting
• Introduction to Strategic Financial Management

Excel: Financial Modelling / FINANMOD