Training Courses - Model Presentation and Analysis
Transaction
Training
Model
Client
T104
Model Presentation and Analysis
Overview
Model Presentation and Analysis (T104) is a 1-day course that teaches the application of effective visual presentations to financial models and techniques for conducting commercially-relevant analyses in the short timescales available to modelers. The course builds on the techniques and knowledge taught in the FAST Modeling Skills (T101) course which participants will find a useful pre-requisite. Participants will learn advanced skills and features related to model optimization, sensitivity and scenario analysis, including the principles of Monte Carlo simulations, as well as setting up fundamental model error checks and result tracking.
Please note the course fees below exclude VAT, which will be added to all invoices.
| Date | Location | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Dec08 | London | £950 | 12 places available |
| 4 Feb09 | London | £950 | 12 places available |
| 19 Mar09 | London | £950 | 12 places available |
| 2 Apr09 | London | £950 | 12 places available |
Target audience
Model Presentation and Analysis is aimed at financial modelers who are interested in improving their skills in presenting financial model results to higher-level management. As typical ‘customers’ of model output, non-modelers will also benefit from attendance and will learn what is achievable in/from financial models. The focus of the course will be on actual implementation and as such, individuals who lack the requisite skills will find it difficult to follow the technical procedures and should expect to take a more passive involvement in the course.
Teaching approach
Consistent with all Financial Mechanics T-series courses, Model Presentation and Analysis is a hands-on course with limited lecturing or speaking to PowerPoint slides. Attendees follow the instructor as they add required elements to a starting reference model on their own computers; in this way they immediately practice what they have been taught and can confirm their understanding of the required techniques.
Agenda
The course is organized into four modules:
• Auxiliary Model Components. Starting from a basic semi-annual
financing model that includes primary financial statements and key
debt and equity metrics, participants will walk through the
rationale and implementation of features used for model integrity
checks and commercial alerts, scenario and sensitivity management,
and ‘delta sheets’ that compare model outputs.
• Model Optimization. This session will include a review of the effective
use of Goal Seek (and some review of Solver) and MS Excel Data
Tables (including presenting output visually in ‘spider charts’).
Features will be explored in the context of a classic two parameter
model optimisation problem, i.e. searching for the lowest
price/revenue that can support minimum debt ratio and equity return
thresholds.
• Presentation of Results. This session focuses on the application of
well-recognised visualization standards and principles to financial
model key input and output using the features available from (and
within the constraints imposed by ) MS Excel. Participants will be
guided on the value and pitfalls of printing, constructing mini ‘stamp
charts’, using the Excel camera feature to construct ‘information
dashboards’, and features available for integration with other MS
applications, e.g. PowerPoint slides.
• Monte Carlo Simulation. This session will be dedicated to a review
of Monte Carlo simulation using software commonly available in the
market (currently we use Crystal Ball). As the required software is not
part of the standard Excel software installation this session will be
based primarily on a walk-through of techniques and outputs.
Instructor
John Richter is the instructor for this course. John was formerly a principal instructor for F1F9, a specialist financial modeling company that now licenses its training courses exclusively to Financial Mechanics. He has over 20 years experience in finance and has been teaching both introductory and advanced courses in financial modeling, as well as running his own modeling services company, for the past 8 years.
In partnership with his former colleague at F1F9, John developed the principles of FAST modeling; an approach to financial modeling adhered to by leading financial institutions and other organizations around the world. He has a BSc in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (1985) from Princeton University and an MBA (1992) from Harvard Business School.
Requirements
Attendees must be familiar with the general purpose and inter-workings of financial models, including basic features of MS Excel. A useful, if not absolutely mandatory, pre-requisite for this course is the FAST Modeling Skills (T101) course, which teaches the principles of FAST modeling upon which the Model Presentation and Analysis reference model has been built.
Attendees will also need to bring a laptop with them, ideally one they are accustomed to using, with a Microsoft Windows operating system and MS Excel loaded. Laptops may be rented from Financial Mechanics for an additional charge.
Attendee comments
Here are some comments from past course attendees:
I indeed really enjoyed the course and thought that it was excellent. It certainly will be of much help for me as I have received many ideas where to improve my current work.