Checking a financial model
As a consultant starting on a new project, I’d always prefer to start a new model from scratch – but that rarely happens! Normally we modellers have to take apart, check and validate a model that’s already been built by another modeller and when this happens, you can either start over and build your own model from the ground up or validate and verify the existing model to the extent that you’re comfortable to take responsibility for the calculations. Starting over to build your own model from scratch is inefficient and a waste of resources. Unless the model is in extremely poor shape, it’s usually far more efficient to use what you already have — but leave no cell untouched during the process of validation and verification.
In this special interview we talk about travel, work/life balance, the highs and lows of starting a business, the privilege of working for yourself and plans for the future.
When people think about financial modelling or forecasting in Excel, what comes to mind is worksheets loaded with formulae, built in a report-focussed layout. Watch as Ken Puls showcases examples of using Excel’s Power Technologies to build Financial Models and Forecasts for clients. From data shaping with Power Query to DAX in Power Pivot, these tools play an essential role in modern financial modelling solutions.
The Full Stack financial modelling community have been working collectively to “solve” the problem of creating flexible rolling monthly forecasts that can cater for new periods of actuals. This is an area of modelling that thousands of businesses and modellers can relate to, and that many find extremely time-consuming and frustrating. 
If you’re going to compete this year, now’s the time to get in at the beginning of the season. Still undecided? Not sure if your skills are good enough? I’m gonna level with you. They’re probably not. You’ll most likely fail spectacularly. The competition is brutal and heart breaking but the experience is invaluable. You’ll dread the next round but won’t be able to wait. Just do it – your career will thank you.
Major improvements are being made with Microsoft Excel Online. It is completely free, works on any browser and is particularly useful if you need to share files and collaborate with others. It’s basically a slimmed-down version of Excel and although Microsoft is constantly working to improve the functionality, what we want to know is *can we use Excel Online yet for financial modelling?* 
Have you ever built a fantastic Excel model only to have the user “break” it almost straight away? Building a model widely available for anyone to use is very different process to building one for other modellers. If your model is going to be operated by non-Excel users, the challenge is to build a robust model that will stand the test of time but is simple for others to follow as well as bullet-proof so that they can’t mess it up. 
Following on from “I didn’t know Excel could do THAT”, join us once again to hear from Excel legend Bob Umlas who will take us through some of his best Excel tips and tricks. Prepare to be amazed! Bob received the first ever Microsoft Excel MVP award back in 1993, continued to receive it for 25 years after that and is still the longest-running MVP. 
