Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization

4.8 (1,428 Ratings)

Learn financial modeling and valuation techniques used by investment banks and private equity firms while earning an industry-recognized credential.

Skills You’ll Gain:

Accounting, Advanced Financial Modeling, Excel, Financial Statement Analysis, Forecasting, Valuation, and more.

Great For:

Investment Banking, Private Equity, Equity Research, and more

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Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization
11 total courses (11 required)
Self-Paced & 100% Online

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Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization Overview

CFI's Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization is your pathway to mastering advanced financial analysis and modeling techniques used by top investment banks and private equity firms. This program focuses on building expertise in financial modeling (3-statement, DCF, LBO, and M&A), valuation, forecasting, and transactional decision-making — core skills for thriving in high-stakes finance roles.

Designed with flexibility in mind, this self-paced online program combines hands-on learning with real-world applications. You’ll gain practical experience applying best-in-class financial modeling standards, ensuring you’re ready to excel in investment banking, private equity, or related fields. Earn your specialization and showcase your proficiency in the financial modeling and valuation skills that matter most.

What's in the Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization?

11 courses

Consisting of 794 lessons

80+ 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.

Core Courses

Complete 11 required core courses to build your skill set in investment banking & private equity modeling.

Introduction to Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs)

5 (4 Ratings)

1h 2min

Introduction to Mergers & Acquisitions

5 (6 Ratings)

1h 53min

Origination Fundamentals - Debt Capital Markets Perspective

4.9 (14 Ratings)

2h 11min

3-Statement Modeling

4.8 (972 Ratings)

3h 15min

DCF Valuation Modeling

4.9 (155 Ratings)

4h 55min

Accounting for Diluted Shares and Earnings per Share

5 (6 Ratings)

1h 6min

Leveraged Buyout (LBO) Modeling

5 (56 Ratings)

4h 33min

Normalizing Income Statements

4.8 (8 Ratings)

1h 30min

M&A Accounting & Purchase Price Allocation

4.8 (16 Ratings)

1h 31min

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Modeling

4.9 (107 Ratings)

2h 41min

Comparable Valuation Analysis

4.8 (84 Ratings)

2h 14min

Hide All Core Courses

Step 2.

Get Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Certified

Congratulations! 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 Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling

Accounting

Understand key components of financial statements and how they interconnect.
Learn fundamental accounting principles that underpin detailed accounting standards.
Identify common accounting standards and how they impact financial statements, analysis, and models.

Excel

Finance

Financial Modeling

Valuation

Meet Your Instructors

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 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.

Meeyeon Park

Meeyeon is based in Vancouver, BC. Having spent most of her career in Toronto, Meeyeon has previous experience in both the buy/sell-side of Finance with roles at Ontario Teachers Pension Plan in Fixed Income Portfolio Management and BMO Capital Markets in Investment Banking. Meeyeon holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, with High Distinction, from the University of Toronto.

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.

Careers in Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling

Investment Banking

Provide capital market financing and financial advisory services (e.g. M&A, restructurings).
Private Equity

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

Analyze publicly traded companies to guide investment decisions through financial and market insights.

The Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization has upskilled teams at:

What Our Students Say

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

The resources are very educational and will go a long way not only for me but also for our colleagues in the energy regulatory agency. I appreciate very much the CFI material!

Arthur Evangelista, Chairman, Grid Management Committee Inc.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

What is the Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization and who is it designed for?

The Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization is CFI’s advanced program focused on building practical skills in valuation, financial modeling, and deal structuring. It is designed for aspiring investment bankers, private equity associates, corporate development professionals, and finance analysts who want to excel in transaction-driven roles.

What are the admission requirements for the specialization?

There are no formal prerequisites to begin the program. The curriculum starts with investment banking and private equity fundamentals and progresses to advanced case studies, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced professionals. All you need is a computer with Excel (2016 or newer) and a reliable internet connection.

How long does it take to complete the specialization, and how flexible is the program?

Most learners finish the specialization in about 4-6 months, though the program is completely self-paced. You can study at your own speed, revisit lessons anytime, and access future updates as long as your subscription remains active.

Is the specialization recognized worldwide by employers?

Yes. CFI certifications are trusted by over 2 million professionals and thousands of organizations globally. Completing this specialization signals to employers that you have the practical, job-ready skills required in investment banking, private equity, and corporate finance.

What career opportunities can the specialization help me pursue?

This program prepares you for roles such as investment banking analyst, private equity associate, M&A advisor, and corporate development analyst. You'll gain the modeling, valuation, and transaction skills employers seek in these highly competitive fields.

How does CFI ensure the training is practical and job-ready?

The curriculum is designed by experienced investment banking and private equity professionals and emphasizes hands-on learning. Through real-world case studies, Excel-based modeling exercises, and deal simulations, you’ll graduate with tools and frameworks you can apply immediately in your career.

How are 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 to achieve a minimum score of 80% to pass, and exams can be retaken as often as needed with an active CFI subscription. Once you successfully complete all required courses, your blockchain-verified digital certificate will be issued instantly.

Are CFI courses accredited?

Yes. CFI is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and recognized by leading professional bodies such as NASBA and CPA institutions in Canada and the US. Completing the specialization may also count toward your continuing professional education (CPE) or continuing professional development (CPD) requirements. You can find more information here.

How much does the specialization cost, and what’s included with my subscription?

The specialization is included in CFI’s annual subscription plans, which provide unlimited access to the full course library. Your subscription includes all lessons, downloadable templates, interactive case studies, exams, and certificates, with no hidden fees.

What kind of learner support and career resources does CFI provide during the program?

All learners receive access to technical and learning support, as well as CFI’s global finance community. Full Immersion subscribers also benefit from premium services like personalized model feedback, instant help from AI Tutor, and one-on-one email support from expert analysts.