What is an Alternative Reference Rate? An alternative reference rate (ARR) is a standard reference rate used to price financial instruments, such as bonds, derivatives, and other securitized financial instruments. Alternative reference rates provide more transparent and reliable benchmarks and replacements for historical benchmarks like LIBOR. This guide covers five of the most widely used…
Are you a finance professional who relies on Excel but is curious about the power of programming? In this episode of FinPod: What’s New at CFI, we’re joined by subject matter expert Joseph Yeates to discuss his new course, Getting Started with Python. Joseph explains why Python is a must-learn skill for data analysis and…
Understanding ROCE and ROA ROCE (Return on Capital Employed) represents how much profit a company makes for each dollar of capital employed in the business. ROA (Return on Assets) indicates how well a company uses its total assets to drive profit. ROCE and ROA are both profitability ratios that provide different perspectives on how well…
Deciding Between CFI’s Certifications and Specializations Finance professionals often ask about the difference between CFI Certifications and Specializations. Certifications are comprehensive programs that build in-depth expertise in a specific finance field. Specializations are focused learning tracks that allow you to develop expertise in a particular topic or skill within finance. Each path offers distinct advantages…
Blockbuster, Lehman Brothers, WeWork. The names are familiar, but the financial stories behind their collapse are often a mystery. In this deep dive, we go beyond the headlines to pull out the crucial lessons in corporate bankruptcy and insolvency for every finance professional. We’ll equip you with the foresight to spot financial distress long before…
What is the Tokyo Overnight Average Rate (TONAR)? The Tokyo Overnight Average Rate (TONAR) is Japan’s key risk-free reference rate (RFR). It measures the interest rate at which banks lend and borrow Japanese yen from one another on an overnight basis without requiring collateral. TONAR reflects real borrowing costs in Japan’s short-term money markets. It…
In this episode of Careers in Finance with CFI, we’re joined by Charlie Schilling, the CEO of Macabacus. Charlie’s career journey is a masterclass in navigating diverse industries, spanning investment banking, management consulting, and senior leadership roles at major companies like Bloomberg and General Assembly. Join us as we unpack Charlie’s remarkable path and get…
Understanding Finance Careers in Family Offices Banks, corporations, and investment firms remain the most common career destinations for finance professionals. But family offices are emerging as one of the fastest-growing alternatives. These private organizations manage the wealth of ultra-high-net-worth families and now play a major role in investment analysis, portfolio management, and finance leadership. Inside…
You’ve spent days building a perfect financial model, yet something about the final decision just feels “off.” The numbers don’t lie, but our own brains can quietly lead us astray. In this episode of FinPod, we dive deep into the world of cognitive biases and reveal how these hidden mental shortcuts can derail even the…
What is Fractional Finance? The Career Path Reshaping Finance Leadership You’ve spent years building expertise and guiding businesses through challenges. Now you’re ready for something different. Fractional finance means providing professional financial services on a part-time basis to multiple companies instead of one full-time employer. Companies get senior talent without the full-time cost. You get…
