Getting Your Head Around Financial Models

Building spreadsheets that actually work takes more than Excel skills. Here's what you need before diving in—not just technical bits, but the real groundwork that makes everything click.

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Are You Ready? (Honest Check)

Look, we're not gatekeeping here. But financial modeling isn't something you jump into on a whim. Some people think they need a finance degree—that's not true. Others think they can wing it—also not true.

What actually matters? A decent grasp of numbers, curiosity about how businesses tick, and patience for detail work. Our September 2025 intake saw 87 participants start strong because they came prepared with realistic expectations and a willingness to get their hands dirty.

Comfortable with basic spreadsheet functions and formulas
Understanding of fundamental business concepts like revenue and profit
Can commit 6-8 hours weekly for focused learning
Interested in how financial decisions shape business outcomes
Patient with iterative problem-solving and testing assumptions
Open to constructive feedback and refining your approach

Financial modeling workspace with laptop and planning materials

Build Your Foundation First

These aren't prerequisites in the formal sense. Think of them as the difference between struggling through and actually enjoying the process. You can start without all of these, but having them makes your life easier.

Numbers Comfort

You don't need to be a maths whiz, but basic arithmetic and percentages should feel natural. If you can calculate a 15% discount or figure out growth rates without a calculator, you're solid.

Business Context

Read annual reports. Follow business news. Understand that revenue isn't profit and cash flow isn't the same as earnings. Real-world context makes abstract formulas suddenly make sense.

Critical Thinking

Financial models are tools for decision-making. You need to question assumptions, spot dodgy logic, and understand what your numbers actually mean. Spreadsheets lie if you let them.

Attention to Detail

One misplaced formula can throw off an entire forecast. Good modelers are methodical, double-check their work, and build models that other people can actually follow and audit.

Technical Basics

Knowing your way around Excel or Google Sheets helps. Functions like SUM, IF, and VLOOKUP should ring a bell. You'll learn advanced stuff in the program—just don't start from absolute zero.

Learning Mindset

Financial modeling is iterative. You'll build something, realize it's wrong, tear it apart, and rebuild better. That's not failure—that's the process. Get comfortable with it.

Detailed financial analysis with charts and documentation

What This Actually Looks Like

Time Investment Reality

Our October 2025 cohort tracked their hours. Most spent 7 hours weekly on average—4 hours on structured lessons, 3 on practice projects. Some weeks hit 10 hours when tackling complex case studies. Plan accordingly. This isn't something you squeeze into lunch breaks.

The Learning Curve

First month feels steep. You're building fundamentals and everything seems slow. Month two, things click. By month three, you're building models that actually solve real problems. The curve exists—acknowledge it and push through.

Collaboration Matters

Solo learning only gets you so far. Our peer review sessions in early 2025 showed that students who engaged with cohort discussions improved 40% faster on model accuracy. You'll get feedback that makes you better—if you participate.

Application Focus

We don't teach theory for theory's sake. Every concept links to practical scenarios—startup valuations, budget forecasting, scenario analysis. By week 8, you'll have built 5 working models for different business situations.

What Past Participants Wish They'd Known

Torsten Bjørnstad

Completed January 2025

Honestly thought I'd breeze through since I used Excel daily. Wrong. Financial modeling requires a different mindset—thinking through business logic, not just formulas. Wish I'd brushed up on basic accounting concepts beforehand. Would've saved me some confusion in weeks 2 and 3.

Vesna Kowalski

Completed March 2025

The peer learning aspect caught me off guard in the best way. I'd been preparing solo, grinding through tutorials. But the group sessions where we dissected each other's models? That's where real learning happened. Come ready to share your work and receive honest feedback—it's uncomfortable but valuable.