Understanding Budget Models in FP&A Budgeting plays a central role in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), shaping how businesses allocate resources, control costs, and plan for the future. Choosing the right budgeting approach ensures that financial plans are realistic, data-driven, and aligned with business strategy. The best budgeting model for a business depends on factors…
Why the Capital Stack Matters in Corporate Finance If a company wants to expand, it needs funding. Companies must decide how to raise these funds, called capital. With adequate capital, companies can invest in growth opportunities like launching a new product, acquiring another business, or scaling operations. That’s where the capital stack comes in. Understanding…
Why Bank Regulatory Capital Matters in Valuation When analyzing a bank’s valuation, profitability alone doesn’t tell the full story. A bank may post billions in earnings yet remain constrained in dividend payouts or growth potential. The reason? Bank regulatory capital. Regulatory capital requirements determine how much capital banks must hold before distributing profits to shareholders…
What is Counterparty Credit Risk? Counterparty credit risk (CCR) is a major concern in financial markets, affecting transactions in trading, derivatives, and securities. It represents the likelihood that the other party in a financial transaction will default or fail to fulfill financial obligations before the contract is settled. If one party defaults, the other may face significant financial…
Why Do 3-Statement Models Fall Out of Balance? Every financial analyst has faced it: the dreaded imbalanced 3-statement model. Whether it’s right before a presentation or after hours of work, these errors seem to show up at the worst possible times. Yet imbalances are an inevitable part of building 3-statement financial models in Excel. Knowing…
In this episode of CFI’s Member Spotlight, Nigel Rayford shares his inspiring journey into the finance world, detailing his educational background, career progression, and the impact of COVID-19 on his professional life. He discusses his experiences at Nationwide and Goldman Sachs, his current role at Texas Capital Bank, and the importance of mentorship and representation…
Starting Your Finance Career Journey Finance offers a wide range of career paths but figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming. Should you pursue corporate finance, investment banking, FinTech, or asset management? Each area requires different skills and expertise, making it difficult to know which direction is right for you. The key to success?…
What is the Burn Multiple? Burn multiple is a key financial metric that measures how efficiently a company spends money and turns its spending into new recurring revenue. Understanding the burn multiple helps in assessing capital efficiency and overall company financial health. The burn multiple metric is particularly relevant for SaaS companies, where rapid growth…
Why AI Needs Machine-Readable Financial Data AI tools like ChatGPT rely on structured, machine-readable financial data to generate accurate insights. These models interpret financial statements by recognizing patterns, relationships, and trends in well-organized datasets. When data contains merged cells, inconsistent labels, or missing values, AI tools struggle to extract meaningful information, leading to errors in…
In this episode, Meeyeon, Jeff, and Duncan discuss the newly launched specialization in Investment Banking and Private Equity (IB and PE) at CFI. Join us as we explore the reasons behind the popularity of these fields, the misconceptions surrounding private equity, and the essential skills required for success in both areas. Transcript Meeyeon (00:13) Hi…
