Mastering Financial Modeling & Valuation with Excel

In today’s finance-driven business world, the ability to build robust financial models is a superpower. Mastering Financial Modeling & Valuation with Excel is a comprehensive course designed to take you from beginner to proficient modeler through hands-on instruction, real-world case studies, and practical Excel tools. Whether you're preparing for a job in investment banking, private equity, corporate finance, or simply looking to sharpen your decision-making with data-driven insights, this course provides the complete roadmap.

Through six intensive sections, you’ll explore Excel functions, charting, Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Relative Valuation, and finally, complete financial modeling using a case study on Siemens AG. You’ll also prepare for job interviews with dedicated sessions on common valuation questions.

Section 1: Financial Modeling Overview

This foundation module introduces you to the world of financial modeling. You’ll understand what models are, why they’re built, and how they’re used across industries. The section includes a detailed case framework, outlines modeling requirements, explains user needs, and walks through economic and industry context—including macro factors like Brexit. It ends with a crash course in accounting equations that are essential for model building.

Section 2: FM Prerequisites – Excel Shortcuts

No modeler can succeed without Excel mastery. This section drills deep into over 50 essential Excel functions and formulas—from shortcuts like F2 and Ctrl + Shift + Tilde, to logical functions (IF, AND, OR), date/time functions, lookup functions (VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, MATCH), financial formulas (PMT, IPMT), and statistical tools. Every function is taught in a practical, modeling-relevant context to boost your speed and accuracy.

Section 3: FM Prerequisites – Excel Graphs & Charts

You’ll move from formulas to visual storytelling. This section covers every major Excel chart: bar, pie, line, area, bubble, sunburst, radar, histogram, and combo charts. You'll also explore dashboard elements, smart art graphics, and best practices for choosing the right chart for financial insights. The goal is to make your models visually compelling and client-ready.

Section 4: FM Prerequisites – DCF Valuation

Learn the theory and structure behind one of the most widely used valuation techniques: Discounted Cash Flow (DCF). You'll cover valuation methodologies, terminal value, net debt, beta, WACC, forecasting cash flows, and building a complete DCF case study. This section builds conceptual understanding before applying it in Excel later on.

Section 5: FM Prerequisites – Relative Valuation

This module explores Comparable Company Analysis (Comps) as a method of valuation. You'll learn to select peer groups, apply industry-specific multiples (like EV/EBITDA, P/E), and draw comps sheets. Using structured steps and equations, you’ll understand how relative valuation complements DCF and when each method is appropriate.

Section 6: Financial Modeling and Valuations on Excel

In the capstone module, you’ll build a full-blown 3-statement financial model from scratch using Siemens AG as a case study. You’ll populate historicals, forecast income statements, balance sheets, and cash flows. Then add depreciation, debt, equity, working capital schedules, and perform ratio analysis, sensitivity tables, and scenario modeling. Common Excel pitfalls and interview prep are also covered to solidify your real-world readiness.

Conclusion:

This course is a practical, immersive learning experience designed to make you fluent in Excel-based financial modeling and valuation. From foundational shortcuts to building complex valuation models, this is your all-in-one toolkit to excel in finance interviews, on the job, or in entrepreneurial decision-making.