Financial Modeling Guides

Self-study resources to help you master financial modeling

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What is Financial Modeling?

Learn what a financial model is, the different types of models, why they’re used and how to build one yourself in Excel

DCF Terminal Value

A Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model requires a terminal value for the business beyond the forecast period. There are two main methods…

Sensitivity Analysis

Once a model is built an analyst will perform sensitivity analysis to determine how sensitive the business is to changes in assumtpions

Financial Modeling Resources

CFI has compiled a broad range of financial modeling resources to help you learn important skills and techniques for building financial models in Excel and performing world-class financial analysis. These resources include examples and step-by-step instructions on how to build models from scratch, how to perform each calculation that’s required, and how to perform additional types of analysis like scenarios and sensitivity analysis.

Learn Financial Modeling

These resources are designed so you can learn Excel modeling at your own pace, and 100% free. If you’re feeling confident after reading these guides you may be ready to take things to the next level with an accreditation. CFI is the official provider of the Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA)™ certification, which is designed to prove your status as a world-class financial analyst.

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Free Financial Modeling Guide

A Complete Guide to Financial Modeling This resource is designed to be the best free guide to financial modeling! We will break down the most important aspects of various types of financial models and provide numerous tips and tricks with industry-leading best practices. Learn to build a model yourself with this free financial modeling guide....

Financial Modeling Best Practices

Financial Modeling Best Practices The article below will provide readers with information on financial modeling best practices in an easy to follow, step-by-step guide on how to building a financial model in Excel. The tips are adapted from CFI instructors with over 15 years of financial analyst training experience. Screenshot from CFI’s financial modeling...

3 Statement Model

What is a 3 Statement Model? A 3 statement model links the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement into one dynamically connected financial model. 3 statement models are the foundation on which more advanced financial models are built, such as discounted cash flow (DCF) models, merger models, leveraged buyout (LBO) models, and various...

DCF Model Training Free Guide

What is a DCF Model? A DCF model is a specific type of financial modeling tool used to value a business. DCF stands for Discounted Cash Flow, so a DCF model is simply a forecast of a company’s unlevered free cash flow discounted back to today’s value, which is called the Net Present Value (NPV)....

Types of Financial Models

Top 10 Types of Financial Models There are many different types of financial models. In this guide, we will outline the top 10 most common models used in corporate finance by financial modeling professionals. Here is a list of the 10 most common types of financial models: Three Statement Model Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Model...