SPECIALISTS IN FINANCIAL MODELLING

Beware False Accuracy

🌟 It’s better to be roughly right than exactly wrong 🌟

A financial model which forecasts into the future, by definition, contains a certain degree of uncertainty. We feed our best estimates based on the most accurate information we have at the time, into the assumptions of the model which in turn feeds our predictive forecasts. To then use those forecasts to made ridiculous statements about the future direction of the company with utter confidence and absolute precision is completely preposterous!  Yet we see this happen all the time.

The output of a model is only as good as its inputs (garbage in and garbage out) and it’s reckless to use the outputs of the model without qualifying the inputs used to come up with those numbers. In the example below, it would make a lot (more…)

Best Practices for Building a DCF Valuation Model

Most financial models contain a valuation section for investors, which usually includes a DCF calculation. But is this method sufficient for professional valuation practitioners when they value an investment? What do investors look at when they use a financial model to assess the value of an asset? Watch this live hybrid session streamed live from the CPA offices in Sydney to hear from senior financial modeller and valuation practitioner, Ruby Liu, who will help you to understand (more…)

RIP PivotTables? Analysing Data with GROUPBY and PIVOTBY in Excel 365

For decades PivotTables have been the ‘go-to’ tool in Excel for analysing data. The popularity of the humble PivotTable lies in its flexibility, ease of use and ability to make sense of large amounts of data quickly. However, there are two ‘New Kids On the Block’; the GROUPBY and PIVOTBY functions. All the power of PivotTables wrapped up in a formula! So, is this really the end of PivotTables In Excel? (more…)

Budget Modelling with DAX in Power BI

Budgeting is one of the most challenging scenarios in the Power BI arena. For example, you might need to summarise sales in previous years and allocate the budget forecasts. You must work with data at different granularities and find a way to author DAX code to compute the forecasts at the desired granularity. When it comes to budgeting, each company has a unique scenario. In this session, you will see common techniques for building a budget model with Power BI. As a bonus, you see a lot of DAX code and several advanced techniques to allocate (more…)

Twenty Principles for Good Spreadsheet Practice

Excel spreadsheets remain the dominant tool of choice for sharing and presenting financial information. However, when used incorrectly, they are fraught with challenges. Lack of consistency, incorrect formulas and well-publicised spreadsheet errors all conspire to give them a poor reputation for quality. Watch to hear from financial modeller Angela Collins to discuss the latest release of ICAEW’s (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) well-known list of key considerations that could save you hours of effort or help (more…)

Managing Spreadsheet Risk in Financial Models

Watch to hear from Mary Pat Campbell who will showcase the methods and standards we should follow as financial modellers to reduce errors in financial models. Mary Pat Campbell is an actuary and an expert in the life insurance industry, with a special focus on insurer investments and solvency-related issues. As an active member of EUSPRIG, she is passionate about promoting spreadsheet and data visualisation best practices in the actuarial community. (more…)

Interactive Excel Charts

Static charts are great for data storytelling but with good Excel skills we can add some spice by having control over how the chart is dynamically presented. With Form Controls or PivotTable slicers, we can determine what to display on the visualisation and progressively reveal each of its data points as we advance through the presentation. With Excel’s new calculation engine, including spilled ranges and the new functions of Dynamic Arrays, implementation becomes much easier. (more…)

Linking three financial statements and how to balance the balance sheet every time

Being able to build a full financial model with all three financial statements is a foundational skill for any financial modeller. Linking all three dynamically and, most importantly, getting the balance sheet to balance (and stay balanced!) is not always an easy task. Watch to hear from expert financial modeller Carolina Lago as she takes us through her unique and simple approach for building each statement and ensuring the balance sheet balances at every step. (more…)