5 Best Financial Modeling Courses & Certifications

Financial Modeling is a mathematical model of a financial situation, typically to determine the performance of a project, financial asset or company valuations. As Wikipedia says – “It is about translating a set of hypotheses about the behavior of markets or agents into numerical predictions.” In a world where vagaries of doing business are increasing on a daily basis, financial modeling helps bring some structure into chaos. And therefore the demand for financial modeling courses have also risen with time.

However with so many different offerings for financial modeling certifications, it becomes difficult to narrow down to the right one. Our panel of 20 experts have compiled a list of the 5 Best Financial Modeling Courses that you will find anywhere.

7 Best Financial Modeling Courses

Business & Financial Modeling Specialization By Wharton School
Valuation & Financial Analysis for Startups Specialization by Yonsei University
Beginner to Pro in Excel: Financial Modeling & Valuation
Financial Modeling Course by Investopedia Academy
FMVA Certification by Corporate Finance Institute
Financial Modeling Foundations by LinkedIn Learning
Online Financial Modeling Course by Wall Street Prep

1. Business & Financial Modeling Specialization by Wharton School

With more than 37,000 learners already enrolled in this financial modeling certification by Wharton School, it is one of the most popular and comprehensive online financial modeling course.

Spread across 5 modules, the course introduces learners to spreadsheet models, financial modeling techniques and applications to investment valuations. These modules are –

As is clearly visible, this financial modeling certification builds the entire knowledge grounds up and involves faculty from statistics, accounting and finance. Loaded with lots of quizzes, practical exercises and a Capstone project, this offering from Wharton School will not only enable theoretical knowledge but also practical experience.

Key Point – A beginner with no prior knowledge can start with this certification

Snapshot of Business & Financial Modeling Specialization by Wharton School

Delivery	Online
Duration	16-20 Weeks
Level	Beginner
Free/Paid	7 Day Free Trial

2. Valuation & Financial Analysis for Startups Specialization by Yonsei University

Launched by one of the most reputed and old universities of South Korea, Yonsei University, this financial modeling certification is more focussed on startups valuations. Learners understand how to value the founder’s ownership before funding and after funding of the start-up. Besides this, you also learn 2 different methods to value startups –

Discounted Cash Flow Method
Multiple Approach

As a learner, you will learn concepts like time value of money, DCF (discounted cash flow) method, multiple method, financial statement analysis, IRR (individual rate of return), business decision rules etc.

Spread across 5 different sections over 3 months of duration, this financial modeling course from Yonsei University can be taken up by even beginners. 5 different modules are –

Key: This is a Hidden Gem. Individual Modules are very comprehensive

Snapshot of Valuation & Financial Analysis for Startups Specialization by Yonsei University

Delivery	Online
Duration	16 Weeks (3 Months)
Level	Beginner
Free/Paid	7 Day Free Trial

3. Beginner to Pro in Excel: Financial Modeling & Valuation

With a whopping 79,000 learners already enrolled and a bestseller on Udemy with an average rating of 4.5 over more than 14,000 ratings, this financial modeling course will make it to any list.

Spread across 10.5 hours of on-demand video lectures allowing download of 418 resources, this offering will make you an excel expert. You will also learn how to build a P&L statement from raw data, cash flow statement, valuation models (using DCF approach) and good looking charts.

Key – The course is practical in nature that focuses on doing. An exhaustive case study at the end of the course is a plus

Snapshot of Beginner to Pro in Excel: Financial Modeling & Valuation

Delivery	Online
Duration	10.5 Hours
Level	Beginner
Free/Paid	Paid (30 days money back guarantee)

4. Financial Modeling Course by Investopedia Academy

Led by Andrew Russakoff who has 2 decades of experience in building financial models for entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies, this financial modeling certification jumps straight to valuations and models.

Divided into 8 parts, the course starts off with building a simple financial model, then move to advanced topics like sensitivity analysis, capex and depreciation, depreciation schedule and shortening the cash cycle.

The course includes 8 hours of On-Demand Video, exercises and interactive content and it allows learners to have lifetime access to all the videos.

Key: Case Study at the end of every part helps firm up the learning

Snapshot of Financial Modeling Course by Investopedia Academy

Delivery	Online
Duration	8 Hours
Level	Beginner
Free/Paid	Paid (Financial Assistance Available)

5. FMVA Certification by Corporate Finance Institute

This is not to be mistaken as a financial modeling course but a financial modeling degree. Corporate Finance Institute’s (CFI) FMVA program is an extensive one with over 100 hours of recorded videos, 100s of Excel & PPT templates and span for over 6 months.

It claims that its alumni works with big names like Citibank, Amazon, Starbucks, Deloitte, PWC, Morgan Stanley etc. and around 75% earn more than $75K per annum. Impressive numbers!

The entire program is also structured like an online degree with core subjects and a variety of electives. One close look at the core subjects, like Financial Analysis Fundamentals, Business Valuation Modeling, Budgeting and Forecasting, Powerpoint & Pitchbooks etc, will easily establish this offering from CFI as the most comprehensive one out in the market.

Key: If you really want to master financial modeling (advanced level), this is the course for you. Also has real estate financial modeling elective

Snapshot of FMVA Certification by Corporate Finance Institute

Delivery	Online
Duration	Estimated 6 Months
Level	Beginner
Free/Paid	Paid

6. Financial Modeling Foundations by LinkedIn Learning

Created by Michael McDonald who is a finance professor at Fairfield University and brings in rich experience of working with large data set, this course teaches different financial statement models, investment banking models, M&A models, buyout models and DCF models – all using Microsoft Excel.

Broken into 8 parts and spread over close to 3.5 hours of on-demand video lectures, this financial modeling course is for beginners and intermediate learners.

Tip: Since the instructor has rich experience with data, it ought to be data heavy course.

Snapshot of Financial Modeling Foundation Course by LinkedIn Learning

Delivery	Online
Duration	3.5 Hours
Level	Beginner/Intermediate
Free/Paid	Paid

7. Online Financial Modeling Course by Wall Street Prep

Wall Street Prep is one name that has built its true credibility as financial education training provider. They have been a trusted training provider for top investment banks, Fortune 1000 companies and Ivy league business schools.

Wall Street Prep has a variety of financial modeling courses but their Premium package is the most comprehensive one. It gives in-depth understanding of financial statement modeling, DCF, Comps, M&A and LBO modeling.

This premium package is used as a training material at prestigious institutions and schools like Halliburton, Raymond James, Cornell University, Wharton etc. As a learner, you could also avail private tutoring sessions from experienced investment bankers although that comes at a hefty price.

Note: Accounting basics is a pre-requisite

Tip: It really prepares you for the job. So enrol if you are looking to transition into financial modeling career. Also sample videos are up for viewing for free.

Snapshot of Online Financial Modeling Course by Wall Street Prep

Delivery	Online
Level	Intermediate
Free/Paid	Paid