Why Driver-Based Planning Matters in FP&A Businesses need dynamic, forward-looking planning methods to keep up with rapidly changing market conditions. Traditional approaches built on historical data and static assumptions often fail to capture the real drivers of performance, leading to inaccurate forecasts and rigid budgets. This is where driver-based planning makes a difference. By focusing…
AI’s Growing Role in Financial Anomaly Detection When financial errors like miscalculations and reporting mistakes go unnoticed, they can cost a company millions of dollars in losses. Traditional financial audits rely on manual oversight, leaving room for human error and undetected discrepancies. This is where AI anomaly detection is changing the game. AI-powered financial analysis…
In this episode of What’s New at CFI, Ryan is joined by Jeff Schmidt to introduce CFI’s latest course, Accounting for Inventory. They discuss the importance of inventory accounting across industries, covering key methods such as Weighted Average, FIFO (First In, First Out), and LIFO (Last In, First Out). Jeff explains how different inventory accounting…
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?…
