Training Course on Advanced Financial Modeling with Excel (DMC005)
Training Course on Advanced Financial Modeling with Excel
The Financial Modeling Using Microsoft Excel course is a comprehensive, hands-on training designed to equip participants with practical skills to build robust financial models for analysis, forecasting, and decision-making. Financial modeling is a critical competency for finance professionals, analysts, and managers seeking to evaluate business performance, assess investment opportunities, and support strategic planning.
Throughout the course, participants will develop dynamic and well-structured financial models using Microsoft Excel. The training combines foundational financial concepts with advanced Excel techniques, enabling participants to translate financial data into meaningful insights and professional reports applicable across various industries.
Course Duration
10 days (Intensive training combining theory, practical exercises, and case studies)
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the principles and importance of financial modeling
- Apply key financial concepts such as time value of money, risk, and return
- Build integrated financial statements (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement)
- Use advanced Excel functions and tools for financial analysis
- Conduct valuation using Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) and Comparable Company Analysis (CCA)
- Perform sensitivity analysis and scenario modeling
- Audit and validate financial models for accuracy and reliability
- Automate financial models using Macros and VBA
- Apply financial modeling skills to real-life business cases
Organisational Impact
Organizations will benefit from:
- Improved financial planning, forecasting, and budgeting processes
- Enhanced investment appraisal and risk assessment capabilities
- Better-informed strategic and operational decision-making
- Increased efficiency through automation and standardized financial models
- Improved financial reporting and analysis quality
- Strengthened internal financial and analytical capacity
Personal Impact
Participants will gain:
- Practical, industry-relevant financial modeling skills
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Confidence in building and interpreting complex financial models
- Stronger analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- Enhanced career prospects in finance, consulting, and analytics roles
- Transferable skills applicable across multiple sectors
Course Outline
Module 1: Introduction to Financial Modeling
- Definition and importance of financial modeling
- Applications across various industries
- Key financial concepts: Time value of money, risk, and return
- Overview of financial statements and key ratios
Module 2: Review of Basic Excel Functions and Advanced Excel Features
- Excel formulas and functions
- Cell referencing techniques
- Data validation and controls
- Named ranges and structured modeling
- Data tables, scenarios, Goal Seek, and Solver
Module 3: Building Financial Statements
3.1 Income Statement Modeling
- Revenue projections and growth assumptions
- Expense forecasting
- Depreciation and amortization
3.2 Balance Sheet Modeling
- Asset, liability, and equity forecasting
- Working capital management
3.3 Cash Flow Statement Modeling
- Operating, investing, and financing cash flows
- Free cash flow calculations
Module 4: Advanced Excel Tools for Analysis
- Sensitivity and scenario analysis
- Data tables for model sensitivity testing
- Introduction to Monte Carlo simulation
- Building simple simulations in Excel
Module 5: Valuation Techniques
5.1 Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Modeling
- Estimating future cash flows
- Determining appropriate discount rates
- Terminal value calculations
5.2 Comparable Company Analysis (CCA)
- Identifying peer companies
- Analyzing and applying valuation multiples
Module 6: Financial Model Audit and Error Checking
- Model structure, modularity, and flexibility
- Documentation of assumptions and formulas
6.2 Model Auditing Techniques
- Error-checking methods and validation tools
- Debugging and troubleshooting models
Module 7: Automation with Macros and VBA
7.1 Introduction to Macros
- Recording and executing macros
7.2 VBA Fundamentals
- Variables, loops, and conditional statements
- Creating custom functions
7.3 Automation in Financial Modeling
- Automating repetitive tasks
- Developing interactive dashboards
Module 8: Real-life Case Studies and Projects
- Industry-specific applications (finance, real estate, technology, etc.)
- Practical application of learned concepts
- Peer review, presentations, and feedback
Note: The specific content, activities, and duration of each session may be adjusted based on the target audience, learning objectives, and available time.
Course Language
English
Training Methodology
Presentations are well guided, practical exercise, a plenary presentation, and group work. Participants are encouraged to bring any data relevant to their job responsibilities. This is hands-on, product-oriented training and will mostly involve practical exercises. Each participant MUST bring along their own working laptop and android phone.
Certification
Upon completion of training, the participant will be issued with a certificate of Completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Training Course on Advanced Financial Modeling with Excel course.
Financial modeling in Excel is the structured construction of forecasts that combine historical financial data, business assumptions, and scenario logic to produce projected income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements. Models support investment decisions, fundraising, valuation, scenario planning, and budgeting. Strong financial models follow a consistent structure (inputs → calculations → outputs), use formatting conventions (blue for inputs, black for formulas), include sensitivity tables, and document assumptions clearly. Excel remains the dominant tool because of flexibility, though specialist platforms exist for complex use-cases.
A three-statement financial model integrates the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement so they roll forward consistently across projection periods. Net income flows from the income statement into retained earnings on the balance sheet; depreciation and working capital changes flow from balance sheet to cash flow statement; ending cash flows back into the next period's opening balance sheet. Building a properly-balanced three-statement model is a fundamental analyst skill — required for valuation, budgeting, capital raising, and most strategic finance roles.
Sensitivity analysis is the practice of testing how a financial model's outputs change when key input assumptions are varied — exchange rates, donor-disbursement timing, growth rates, cost inflation, programme participation. It typically uses Excel's Data Table feature for one- or two-variable scenarios, or scenario manager for discrete cases. Sensitivity analysis exposes which assumptions drive results most strongly, where to focus due diligence, and what range of outcomes is plausible — making it essential for any model used in donor proposals, board decisions, or capital raises.
Financial analysts, investment and commercial bankers, corporate finance professionals, private equity and venture capital associates, project finance analysts, and M&A advisors who build models for valuation, transactions or internal decision support.
Three-statement integrated modelling, DCF valuation, LBO and M&A models, scenario and sensitivity analysis with data tables, project finance cashflow waterfalls, debt sculpting, ratio and KPI dashboards, and best-practice model structure, formatting and audit review.
Yes — this is an advanced course. A finance or accounting qualification (or equivalent professional experience), strong Excel skills, and familiarity with the three financial statements are expected. Our Intermediate Excel or Financial Analysis course is a better starting point otherwise.
Online and in-person. Both formats are fully hands-on with live model-building. Both issue the Perk Group Africa certificate of completion with a verification code, accepted for CPD records in ACCA, CFA, and comparable bodies.
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