Financial modeling is one of the most crucial skills in the corporate world. A financial model analyst is a professional becoming increasingly in demand in business.

Understanding financial modeling will not only help finance professionals with their careers, but it will also help companies better understand the business landscape.

What Is Financial Modeling?

Financial modeling uses various tools to determine the financial performance of a project or business based on past performance.

Therefore, a financial model is a tool used to project a company’s future financial performance based on current and previous variables. 

The model’s assumptions will determine future revenue, expenses, profits, and other variables. 

Financial modeling is typically done by financial analysts, investment bankers, credit analysts, lenders, risk analysts, portfolio managers, business executives, managers, and investors.

A financial model will be formulated based on a company’s financial statements, including its balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, and supporting schedules. Since the models use financial statements, the forecasts will typically be for a year, quarter or month. Most financial models are made using Excel spreadsheets and need manual data entry. 

Learning to Carry Out Financial Modeling Yourself

Financial modeling is a critical skill, and it is in the best interest of every corporate employee and corporation to understand it. There are various ways to learn how to create financial models, including going through an excel financial modeling course.

You can start by learning the basics of financial modeling and proceed to more advanced elements. The best way to learn financial modeling is to commit to an entire course where you deeply immerse yourself in the subject.

If you can learn how to perform financial modeling, you will increase your value and become an indispensable asset for any corporation. 

Importance of Financial Modeling

Financial modeling is used for a wide range of functions in the business, including: 

Company Valuations and Raising Capital

If you are trying to establish the value of a company, you will use financial modeling by examining the business’ financial statements and knowing how much it is worth.

Investment bankers will perform financial modeling to decide how much they should sell shares of a company in an IPO. The same goes for a company looking to raise capital via venture funding, loans, or other financing avenues to determine how much money they need. 

Budgeting and Forecasting

Every company needs to perform financial planning for the sake of its future. A plan needs to be supported by adequate data, and financial modeling is the best tool to analyze a company’s budgeting.

The company will input numbers based on various aspects of the business to forecast their future needs to address them now, for example, working capital. Hence, the company can ensure they have enough funds to address their needs and can forecast financial results for the future. 

Capital Allocation

Every business needs capital which it will use to invest in various assets, operations, and projects. Each of the above will have different requirements and returns to the business, which the company must determine.

Financial modeling helps companies know which are the best places to allocate their capital for the best returns or business growth.

Capital is necessary whether the company wants to open new locations, acquire various assets, or enter a new market. They can then prioritize which areas receive money, in which order, their returns, and their contribution to the company.

Finding Suppliers

The partnerships a company makes are vital to its success or failure. Every business has suppliers or vendors to provide them with various products or services.

It can be difficult sourcing for suppliers, but financial modeling can help tremendously. The model can help evaluate the financial health of vendors and their cost to the business. The right supplier can either make or break a company, hence choosing the right ones. 

Management Accounting

Management decisions have a direct impact on the financial health of the company. Management accounting is the evaluation of how management decisions affect the company’s books.

With financial modeling, management accounting becomes much easier than otherwise. The company executives can know the impact of their decisions on the company, industry, and the economy. The data provided by financial modeling, such as returns on capital, can help them make better decisions. 

Credit Analysis

Investors need financial models to help them decide which company to invest in or give money to for the best returns. Lenders also need financial models to determine a business’s creditworthiness. The model will let them know if they will receive their funds or make a profit. 

Financial modeling is a crucial skill and necessary for the corporate world. You need to understand what financial modeling is and how it can help your company.

Financial modeling is vital for credit analysis, management accounting, company valuations, raising capital, budgeting, and forecasting. You can learn financial modeling online.