Financial Modeling Guidelines

Understand the principles of how best-in-class financial models are designed and built.

Understand how to design models backwards starting with the model outputs.
Review common modeling structures like waterfalls and corkscrews.
Use navigational columns, row grouping, and custom views to move efficiently through the model.

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Corporate Finance Institute

Financial Modeling Guidelines

Overview

Financial Modeling Guidelines Course

This Financial Modeling Guidelines course covers all the principles of financial modeling that we adhere to here at CFI. You will learn the principles to follow to ensure your financial models are simple, clear, and transparent. Following these recommended guidelines will ensure that your models instill confidence in stakeholders, allowing them to confidently use the models to inform important financial decisions.

Financial Modeling Guidelines Course Learning Objectives

Recommend various techniques for navigating vertically stacked models.
Compare common financial model structures and our recommended schedule layout.
Explain our preferred approach to model design.
Explain why transparency is so important in financial models.
Identify various model attributes that can contribute to good formatting.
Explain our view on the use of names, macros, and circularity in financial models.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is intended for anyone designing, building, or maintaining financial models in their financial role.

Financial Modeling Guidelines Learning Objectives

Recommend various techniques for navigating vertically stacked models.
Compare common financial model structures and our recommended schedule layout.
Explain our preferred approach to model design.
Explain why transparency is so important in financial models.
Identify various model attributes that can contribute to good formatting.
Explain our view on the use of names, macros, and circularity in financial models.

Prerequisite Courses

Recommended courses to complete before taking this course.

Prerequisite Skills

Recommended skills to have before taking this course.

Excel
Financial modelling

What You'll Learn

Lesson

Multimedia

Exams

Files

Qualified Assessment

This Course is Part of the Following Programs

Why stop here? Expand your skills and show your expertise with the professional certifications, specializations, and CPE credits you’re already on your way to earning.

Financial Planning & Analysis Professional

Skills You’ll Gain Accounting, Finance, Excel, Data Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Modeling, Budgeting, Forecasting, Power Query, Power BI, Data Visualization, Economics, and more
Great For The FPAP certification focuses on practical, desk-ready skills that are immediately applicable to current FP&A professionals or anyone seeking to land a role in FP&A

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the requirements to take the courses?

All of our certification programs are open to students and professionals in various industries and levels of experience. Our curriculum is designed to teach what you need to know from basic fundamentals to advanced practical case studies. To take the courses and complete the exercises, students will only need access to a PC and/or Mac, Microsoft Suite (2016 or newer), and a stable internet connection. Click here to view the Technical Requirements

Can I download the Excel files and financial modeling templates for the course?

Absolutely! All the files and templates needed in a course are available for download. Just look for a module that shows Downloadable Files within the course dashboard. See here for a visual guide on how to do this.

How long do I have to complete the courses?

You will have yearly access to the courses as long as you maintain an active subscription. All the courses are self-paced as well so you can take your time in learning without worrying about any deadlines. Click here to compare our available enrollment options.

Are CFI courses officially accredited?

Yes, CFI is accredited by the Better Business Bureau® (BBB) to maintain training standards, the CPA Institutions in Canada, and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) in the USA. Most of our courses qualify for verified CPE credits for CPA charter holders. Please refer to this page to view all available CPE credits.

Are there any additional fees or costs?

None! The bundle price includes everything and there are no additional fees or charges to earn your digital certification. You can see our enrollment fees listed here.

What currency are your courses priced in?

All our online courses are priced in USD. As this is a recurring payment, we accept all major credit and debit cards including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.

How do I earn my certificates?

Students must complete all the video lessons, quizzes, and final assessments in each course. You can retake the assessments as many times as necessary until you reach an 80% passing grade. For more information on how to earn a course certificate, click HERE.

How are the exams conducted?

Students are required to complete an online assessment (Multiple choice questions, Fill-in-the-Blanks, and Excel Questions) at the end of each course. You can take the exams on your own schedule and will need to earn at least 80% to pass the course and earn your certificate of course completion. Please note that course exams can be repeated as many times as you need. Students are also required to complete the FMVA® final exam to earn their certification. How to Take a Qualified Assessment

Can I email the instructor if I have questions?

While the courses are designed mainly for self-study, we are happy to provide email assistance for general or technical support inquiries. The Full Immersion bundles include a premium email support function that allows you to communicate directly with in-house experts regarding course content. This is one of the key features that sets the Full Immersion bundle apart and makes it a worthwhile upgrade over the more affordable self-study bundle. You can compare more features in our bundles here.

Will these courses help me advance my career?

Based on hundreds of reviews from thousands of students we know how CFI courses have helped so many people advance their finance careers. Our courses are designed to be extremely practical and simulate the experience of being trained as a professional financial analyst…the ultimate way to advance your career. For real-world examples and to help delve even deeper into the course concepts, please look into our free career resources library.

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Except as required by law, all payments to CFI are non-refundable, including fees and any other associated charges. Canceling your subscription will not generate a refund. Your access to CFI's paid content will remain active until your current billing cycle ends. For more information please visit our refund policy page.

Financial Modeling Guidelines

Financial Modeling Guidelines Course

Financial Modeling Guidelines Course Learning Objectives

Who Should Take This Course?

Financial Modeling Guidelines Learning Objectives

What You'll Learn

Introduction

Design & Layout

Transparency & Formatting

Recommended Structures

Other Guidelines

[OPTIONAL] Full Discussion

Qualified Assessment

This Course is Part of the Following Programs

Financial Planning & Analysis Professional

Frequently Asked Questions