7 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 –
- Fundamentals of Quantitative Modeling
- Introduction to Spreadsheets and Models
- Modeling Risks & Realities
- Decision Making & Scenarios
- Wharton Business & Financial Modeling Capstone
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.
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 –
- Valuation for Startups Using DCF Approach
- Valuation for Startups Using Multiple Approach
- Financial Analysis for Startups
- Applying Business Decisions Rules for Startups
- Valuation & Financial Analysis for Startups Capstone
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Snapshot of Online Financial Modeling Course by Wall Street Prep
| Delivery | Online |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Free/Paid | Paid |
