For Individuals
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  • FMVA® certification program
  • 33 total courses (17 required)
  • Self-Paced & 100% Online
Earn Your Certification
  • Get this program and CFI's full training catalog for your organization
  • Manage learning, create custom paths & measure progress
  • For teams of 2 or more learners
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Self-Study Plan
Full Immersion Plan
Get FMVA and unlimited access to all courses, certifications, specializations, and comprehensive financial models.
Get FMVA and unlimited access to all courses and certifications, plus 1-on-1 guidance, AI course tutor, financial model reviews, and more.
Get FMVA® Certified with our Self-Study Plan
Get FMVA and unlimited access to all courses, certifications, specializations, and comprehensive financial models.

FMVA® Program Overview

CFI's Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification imparts vital financial analysis skills, emphasizing constructing effective financial models for confident business decisions. This comprehensive program ensures mastery in modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and overall competency in accounting and finance.

The FMVA® certification equips you with essential skills and tools for success as a financial professional. The hands-on curriculum and real-world applications prepare individuals for roles in investment banking, private equity, M&A, business valuation, and corporate finance. The flexible online format, designed for busy professionals, facilitates self-paced learning for skill enhancement and career advancement.

What's in the Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst Program?

33 courses

Consisting of 2427 lessons

210+ interactive exercises

Learn by doing with guided simulations

Blockchain certificate

To verify your skills

500,000+ 5-star ratings

Best-in-class training, as rated by you

Earning Your Certificate in Financial Analysis

Step 1.

Prep Courses

Optional

Choose from 8 optional courses to learn or review the fundamentals.

Excel Fundamentals - Quick Start Guide
4.9 (216 Ratings)
2h 33min
2h 33min
Excel Fundamentals - Formulas for Finance
4.8 (4,948 Ratings)
2h 14min
2h 14min
Accounting Fundamentals
4.9 (7,488 Ratings)
2h 28min
2h 28min
Reading Financial Statements
4.8 (4,300 Ratings)
1h 45min
1h 45min
Corporate Finance Fundamentals
4.8 (2,942 Ratings)
1h 36min
1h 36min
Math for Finance Professionals
4.9 (1,569 Ratings)
2h 48min
2h 48min
Workflow Best Practice for Analysts
4.9 (29 Ratings)
1h 56min
1h 56min
The Role of The FP&A Professional
4.9 (109 Ratings)
1h 2min
1h 2min
See All Prep Courses
Step 2.

Core Courses

Complete 14 required core courses to build your skill set in financial modeling & valuation analyst.

Financial Analysis Fundamentals
4.8 (1,916 Ratings)
2h 4min
2h 4min
Introduction to 3-Statement Modeling
4.8 (159 Ratings)
3h
3h
3-Statement Modeling
4.8 (972 Ratings)
3h 15min
3h 15min
Auditing and Balancing a 3-Statement Model
5 (24 Ratings)
1h 45min
1h 45min
Operational Modeling
4.9 (240 Ratings)
3h 45min
3h 45min
Introduction to Business Valuation
4.8 (151 Ratings)
3h 9min
3h 9min
DCF Valuation Modeling
4.9 (155 Ratings)
4h 55min
4h 55min
Comparable Valuation Fundamentals
5 (21 Ratings)
1h 28min
1h 28min
Scenario & Sensitivity Analysis in Excel
4.9 (824 Ratings)
48min
48min
Monthly Cash Flow Modeling
4.9 (905 Ratings)
1h 10min
1h 10min
Budgeting and Forecasting
4.9 (981 Ratings)
2h 44min
2h 44min
Excel Data Visualization and Dashboards
4.9 (934 Ratings)
1h 32min
1h 32min
PowerPoint & Pitchbooks
4.9 (894 Ratings)
2h 53min
2h 53min
Professional Ethics
4.9 (5,042 Ratings)
50min
50min
Hide All Core Courses
Step 3.

Elective Courses

Choose a minimum of 3 electives (out of 9 available) to master more advanced topics and specialized areas.

Advanced Excel Formulas & Functions
5 (964 Ratings)
2h 14min
2h 14min
Comparable Valuation Analysis
4.8 (84 Ratings)
2h 14min
2h 14min
Mining Financial Model & Valuation
4.9 (51 Ratings)
1h 40min
1h 40min
Startup / e-Commerce Financial Model & Valuation
4.9 (83 Ratings)
2h 9min
2h 9min
Corporate & Business Strategy
5 (825 Ratings)
2h 24min
2h 24min
Introduction to Bank Valuation
4.7 (7 Ratings)
2h
2h
Normalizing Income Statements
4.8 (8 Ratings)
1h 30min
1h 30min
Presentation of Financial Information
5 (857 Ratings)
43min
43min
Real Estate Financial Modeling
4.9 (77 Ratings)
2h 14min
2h 14min
See All Elective Courses
Step 4.

Case Study Challenges

Optional

These case study challenges allow you to apply your knowledge and skills by solving real-world problems.

View
Renewable Energy - Solar Financial Modeling
2h 8min
View
Using IBISWorld to Analyze and Benchmark a Business
1h 1min
See All Case Study Challenges
Step 5.

Final Exam

After completing the required courses, take the final exam (with a minimum passing grade of 70%) to earn your program certification.

Step 6.

Get FMVA® Certified

Congratulations on becoming a certified Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst! Upon completion of the program, you will receive a blockchain digital certificate with your new credentials.

* Steps are for individual learners. For customized learning solutions for your team, please visit our CFI for Business page to contact us.

Skills & Learning Objectives in Financial Modeling & Valuation

1
25%
Finance
2
25%
Financial Modeling
3
16%
Excel
4
10%
Valuation
5
8%
Presentation & Visuals
6
7%
Budgeting & Forecasting
7
5%
Accounting
8
4%
Strategy
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
  1. 1.
    25%
    Finance
  2. 2.
    25%
    Financial Modeling
  3. 3.
    16%
    Excel
  4. 4.
    10%
    Valuation
  5. 5.
    8%
    Presentation & Visuals
  6. 6.
    7%
    Budgeting & Forecasting
  7. 7.
    5%
    Accounting
  8. 8.
    4%
    Strategy

Accounting

  • Identify key items on the financial statements and describe the interrelationship between all the components
  • Explain the fundamental accounting principles that underly detailed accounting standards
  • Identify the key accounting standards commonly encountered by financial analysts and explain the impact on financial statements and financial models

Excel

  • Utilize the keyboard shortcuts to save time and be more efficient in Excel
  • Conduct data analysis using data tables, pivot tables, and other common functions
  • Use advanced formulas and functions to enhance the functionality of financial models

Finance

  • Explain key concepts around capital investments, the capital-raising process, different forms of financing, and the optimal capital structure
  • Assess the profitability, efficiency, returns, and value of a business using common financial ratios and analytical tools
  • Use key statistical measures to assess trends and relationships within sets of data

Financial Modeling

  • Build a dynamic, logically designed, well structured 3-statement financial model
  • Create multi-year forecasts for the income statement, cash flow, and balance sheet
  • Perform scenario and sensitivity analyses to enhance the robustness of the financial model

Valuation

  • Identify the different valuation methodologies and discuss the pros and cons of each
  • Perform a valuation analysis using comparable company and precedent transactions analysis
  • Calculate the weighted-average cost of capital and construct a DCF model in Excel

Budgeting & Forecasting

  • Apply various forecasting techniques to develop a robust financial forecast
  • Track actual performance against budgeted amounts using variance analysis and other techniques
  • Analyze the impact of a variance analysis on the financial statements and use the results to improve the budgeting process

Presentation & Visuals

  • Create insightful dashboards and advance data visualization techniques to communicate the results of financial analysis
  • Create aesthetically pleasing and insightful charts, graphs, and tables in Excel
  • Design impactful presentations to communicate key messages to a wide variety of audiences

Strategy

  • Differentiate between the different levels of a company’s strategy
  • Perform an analysis of external forces and internal competencies and assess the impact on a company’s competitive advantage
  • Generate, evaluate and select optimal strategic alternatives and tie these to a company's mission, vision, and goals

Meet Your Instructors

Tim Vipond, FMVA

Tim Vipond, FMVA

Tim is the Co-Founder and CEO of CFI Education with an extensive background in entrepreneurship, financial analysis, and investment banking.
Scott Powell

Scott Powell

Scott is the Co-Founder of CFI. Over the past 30 years, he has focused on designing and delivering learning solutions for clients in the financial services sector, particularly in the areas of commercial banking, investment banking, capital markets, and asset management.
Duncan McKeen

Duncan McKeen

Duncan is the Executive Vice President, Financial Modeling at CFI. Since 2014, Duncan has been focused on designing courses and teaching financial modeling to employees working in accounting, valuation, investment banking, equity research, and private equity.
Jeff Schmidt

Jeff Schmidt

Jeff is the Vice President, Financial Modeling at CFI. Prior to joining CFI, Jeff Schmidt taught financial modeling and valuation to thousands of learners all over the world for over a decade.

Careers in Financial Modeling & Valuation

Over 85% of executives, supervisors, and HR professionals agree that certified individuals bring value, gain credibility, and are seen as top performers.
* Source

  • Equity Research

    Equity Research

    Provide investors with financial analysis and recommendations on whether to buy, hold, or sell a particular investment.
  • Investment Banking

    Investment Banking

    Provide capital market financing and financial advisory services (e.g. M&A, restructurings).
  • Corporate Development

    Corporate Development

    Pursue and execute organic and inorganic growth opportunities for a corporation.
  • Financial Planning & Analysis

    Financial Planning & Analysis

    Develop budgets and forecasts that support a corporation’s strategic planning process.
  • Private Equity

    Private Equity

    Invest in businesses with the goal of increasing their value over time before divesting of the investment.

The FMVA® program has upskilled teams at:

What Our Students Say

Over 75% of CFI learners report improved productivity or competency within weeks.

FMVA certification is challenging, robust and interesting that equips an accounting/finance professional with world-class skills set to advance their careers excel in their endeavors!

Adrian Young

This course was very detailed and structured. I would definitely recommend this Certification for any budding Financial Analyst.

Anirudh Ganeshan

I believe the program fully performs what it promises, bridging the gap between work and higher education. For me it means an added value that I cannot describe in words. The program focuses on technical knowledge, which is highly valued since, on average, a student only learns theory before starting work.

Benjamin Briner

Strongly recommend to everyone who wants to receive new careers opportunities and enhance their knowledge in finance. CFI FMVA is perfect opportunity for everyone to obtain neccessary and strong background in financial modeling and valuation of companies. CFI helped me a lot with providing a financial aid and now my profile as a finance specialist is much more attractive and I receive additional confidence in my valuation skills. Thanks to everybody in the CFI team for creating such brilliant courses.

Alexandr Palienko

See more

Frequently Asked Questions

If you haven’t found your answer from our FAQ, please send us a message.

Contact Us
What is the FMVA® certification and who is it designed for?
The Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) certification is CFI’s most popular program, designed for anyone looking to build professional skills in finance. It’s ideal for students, career changers, and working professionals who want to strengthen their financial modeling, valuation, and analysis expertise.
What are the admission requirements for the FMVA®?
There are no formal prerequisites—you don’t need a finance background to start. The program begins with fundamentals and builds to advanced case studies, making it accessible for beginners and valuable for experienced professionals. All you need is Excel (2016 or newer), a computer, and an internet connection. You have the option to take prep courses in areas such as Excel, accounting, and corporate finance—all included in your CFI subscription.
How long does it take to complete the FMVA®, and how flexible is the program?
On average, most learners finish in 4-6 months, but the program is completely self-paced. You can move quickly or take your time for the duration of your subscription, with ongoing access to all courses, updates, and resources. You can also take as many electives as you like—your subscription unlocks the entire CFI library. Need more time? You can renew your subscription to continue your progress.
Is the FMVA® certification recognized worldwide by employers?
It takes an average of 4-6 months to complete the entire program. However, you are given the freedom to complete all of the training at your own pace! Please see the “How the FMVA Program Works” section for recommended study hours for each course to give you a better idea for your time management.
How much time do I have to complete the courses?
Yes. The FMVA® certification is recognized globally and trusted by over 2 million professionals and organizations. Many graduates report promotions, new job offers, or successful career transitions after completing the program, making it one of the most respected credentials in corporate finance.
What career opportunities can the FMVA® help me pursue?
The FMVA® program prepares you for roles as a financial analyst, investment banking associate, equity research analyst, corporate development professional, and private equity analyst. By mastering real-world modeling and valuation skills, you’ll stand out in competitive finance roles across industries.
How does CFI ensure the FMVA® training is practical and job-ready?
Courses are built by industry experts and include hands-on Excel exercises, case studies, and simulations that mirror real finance work. You’ll graduate with desk-ready skills you can apply immediately, along with templates and tools you can use on the job.
How does CFI ensure the FMVA® training is practical and job-ready?
Yes! You can download and edit the Excel models and templates included in your courses. All of the files needed in a course are available for download. Please note that while our study materials can be downloaded, the lecture videos are only available online due to copyright infringement issues.
How are FMVA® exams conducted, and how do I earn my certificate?
Each course includes an online exam with multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and Excel-based questions. You’ll need at least 80% to pass, and you can retake exams as many times as needed. Once you complete all required courses and the final exam, your digital FMVA® certificate will be available instantly. See more details on the FMVA® final exam.
Are CFI courses accredited?
Yes. CFI is accredited by the Better Business Bureau® (BBB) and recognized by leading professional bodies for continuing education, including NASBA in the U.S. and CPA institutions in Canada. Accreditations ensure your training meets high standards and may count toward professional CPE/CPD requirements. You can find more information here.
How much does the FMVA® certification cost, and what’s included with my subscription?
The FMVA® certification is included in CFI’s annual subscription plans, giving you unlimited access to the full course library. Your subscription covers all video lessons, downloadable templates, interactive exercises, exams, and certificates—plus any future updates. There are no hidden fees; everything you need to complete the FMVA® and earn your credential is included.
What kind of learner support and career resources does CFI provide during the program?
CFI courses are designed for self-paced learning, but you’ll have access to email support for technical and general questions. Learners in the Full Immersion plan also receive premium benefits like one-on-one email feedback from instructors, instant help with AI Tutor, and personalized model feedback. All learners gain access to CFI’s global community, career tools, and free resources to help you apply your skills and take the next step in your career. You can learn on the go with the CFI Mobile App —this course is mobile-friendly and accessible on both smartphones and tablets.

If you haven’t found your answer from our FAQ, please send us a message.

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