Building Financial Models That Actually Work
You've probably seen those spreadsheets that promise the world but fall apart the moment real data hits them. We've spent years teaching people how to build models that hold up under pressure and actually support meaningful business decisions.
Our Approach Makes Sense
Here's what bothers me about most financial modeling courses - they teach formulas without context. Students memorize functions but can't explain why they're using them or what happens when assumptions change.
We start with the business problem first. What decision needs to be made? What questions need answers? Once that's clear, the model practically builds itself.
- Start with scenario planning before touching spreadsheets - understand what you're actually trying to model
- Build assumptions separately so they're visible and challengeable rather than buried in formulas
- Create models that communicate clearly to people who aren't finance experts
- Test every assumption with sensitivity analysis to understand where your model is fragile
- Document your logic so someone else can pick up where you left off
How We Structure Learning
Business Fundamentals
Learn how different business models work financially. You can't model what you don't understand. We cover SaaS, retail, manufacturing, and service businesses.
Assumption Mapping
Practice identifying which variables drive outcomes and which are just noise. This skill alone will save you hundreds of hours over your career.
Model Architecture
Build structures that scale. Small models grow into monsters if you don't plan ahead. Learn layouts that accommodate complexity without becoming unwieldy.
Scenario Testing
Stress test every model you build. What breaks it? Where do circular references hide? How do you communicate uncertainty to stakeholders who want definitive answers?
Presentation Skills
Build dashboards that executives actually use. Learn which visualizations clarify and which ones confuse. Practice explaining your model to non-technical audiences.
Real Projects
Work through case studies based on actual companies. You'll encounter messy data, incomplete information, and shifting requirements - just like real work.
What Makes This Different
Look, there are plenty of places to learn Excel formulas. But knowing VLOOKUP doesn't mean you can build a three-statement model that makes sense. Here's what actually sets us apart.
| Learning Element | Our Approach | Typical Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Point | Business problem and decision context | Formula syntax and function reference |
| Practice Material | Real company scenarios with incomplete data | Clean datasets with clear answers |
| Assumption Handling | Explicit assumption layers with documentation | Hardcoded values scattered through formulas |
| Error Management | Building error-resistant structures from the start | Troubleshooting after formulas break |
| Scenario Analysis | Multiple scenarios built into model architecture | Manual changes to test different cases |
| Feedback Structure | Review sessions focused on model logic and business sense | Grading based on formula accuracy |
| Time Allocation | 60% business understanding, 40% technical execution | 90% technical skills, 10% application context |
| Communication Skills | Presenting models to non-technical stakeholders | Focus stays on spreadsheet mechanics |
Ready to Build Better Models?
Our next cohort starts in August 2026. Programs run for six months with weekly sessions and project work between meetings. If you're currently working with financial data and want to level up your modeling skills, let's talk about whether this is the right fit.
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