Become a Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)®. Enroll today to advance your career!

Financial Modeling Terms

Resources › Questions & Answers › Financial Modeling › Financial Modeling Terms

Financial Modeling Terms & Definitions

The most common financial modeling terms and definitions are: (1) Hardcodes – manually entered numbers, (2) Assumptions – independent variables in a model, (3) Three Statement Model – a fully linked income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement, (4) Capex – capital expenditures, (5) WACC – weighted average cost of capital, (6) DCF – discounted cash flow analysis, (7) Sensitivity Analysis – measuring changes in dependent variables based on changing assumptions, (8) LBO – a leveraged buyout using as much debt as possible, (9) Cash Sweep – when all excess cash is automatically swept towards some other use, (10) IRR – the internal rate of return from all cash flows of an investment.

Additional Questions and Answers

CFI is the official global provider of financial modeling and valuation analyst FMVA DesignationFinancial Modeling CertificationFinancial Modeling Certification - earn your certificate as a Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA)® for careers in investment banking, FP&A,. CFI’s mission is to help anyone become a world-class financial analyst and has a wide range of resources to help you along the way.

In order to become a great financial analyst, below are some additional questions and answersKnowledgeCFI self-study guides are a great way to improve technical knowledge of finance, accounting, financial modeling, valuation, trading, economics, and other areas. These resources give you the technical skills you need to advance your career in investment banking, equity research, corporate development, and other areas of for you to explore further:

What is are the types of financial models?Types of Financial ModelsThe most common types of financial models include: 3 statement model, DCF model, M&A model, LBO model, budget model. Discover the top 10 types of Excel models in this detailed guide, including images and examples of each. Financial modeling is performed for many reasons including to value a business, raise money
What is sensitivity analysis?What is Sensitivity Analysis?Sensitivity Analysis is a tool used in financial modeling to analyze how the different values for a set of independent variables affect a dependent variable under certain specific conditions. Sensitivity Analysis is performed in Excel to asses risks, measure potential outcomes, and plan for an uncertain future
What is bookkeeping?AccountingOur Accounting guides and resources are designed as self-study guides to learn accounting and finance at your own pace. Browse hundreds of articles on important topics such as the income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, depreciation methods, how to link the 3 statements, debits & credits, journal entries
What are the most common valuation methods?Valuation MethodsWhen valuing a company as a going concern there are three main valuation methods used: DCF analysis, comparable companies, and precedent transactions. These methods of valuation are used in investment banking, equity research, private equity, corporate development, mergers & acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and finance

Example Excel Model

Below is a screenshot from one of CFI’s online analyst training and certification courses, offered 100% online.

To learn How to Build an Excel Model step-by-step, click on the image below.

Analyst Certification Program

Financial Modeling Terms

Financial Modeling Terms & Definitions

Additional Questions and Answers

Example Excel Model

Analyst Certification Program

Contact Us