Certified Financial Modeler
Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst Program
What is a Certified Financial Modeler?
A Certified Financial Modeler is someone who has successfully completed all the requirements of CFI’s Financial Modeling & Valuation Program. The program includes 12 required courses (9 core courses and 3 elective courses) and requires a passing grade of at least 80% in each of the courses’ final assessments.
What are the skills of a Certified Financial Modeler?
A Certified Financial Modeler must possess strong skills in three main areas: accounting, finance, and Excel. To learn these skills, students will complete instructor-led, video-based classes with numerous examples and exercises that teach practical applications.
Skills include:
- Understanding of accounting principles
- Ability to read and analyze financial statements
- Excel keyboard shortcuts, functions, and formulas
- Ability to dynamically link the three statements in Excel
- Use of assumptions and drivers to create a financial forecast
- Perform business valuation using Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), comparable company analysis, and precedent transactions
- Apply the above skills to specific industries
- Advanced modeling activities such as sensitivity and scenario analyses
- Transactions and other cases studies such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A) modeling
- Ability to effectively communicate the results of the above skills in a presentation using charts and graphs
Why become a Certified Financial Modeler?
There are many reasons to become a Certified Financial Modeler. The most important is to demonstrate to employers your commitment and focus on becoming a world-class financial analyst.
In a world of increasing competition for top jobs in finance, it’s more important than ever to stand out from the pack. Completing a rigorous 100-hour program such as CFI’s certification will demonstrate to employers that you have the ambition and the skills required to perform great financial analysis.
Unlike other designations, CFI’s program focuses almost entirely on practical applications and real-world analysis. This approach means you gain the actual hands-on skills required to take financial information, interpret it, analyze, come to conclusions, and communicate the results.
Additional Information
CFI is the official provider of the Financial Analyst Certification in Financial Modeling. To learn more about how CFI can help you advance your career, these additional resources will be helpful: