ADVANCED FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS MODELING
Mastering Dynamic Excel-Based Models for Strategic Planning, Forecasting, and Decision Support
Course Schedule
| Date | Venue | Fees (Face-to-Face) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 – 20 Jun 2025 | Dubai, UAE | USD 3495 per delegate |
Course Introduction
In today’s data-driven environment, financial and business modeling has become an indispensable skill for finance professionals, analysts, and decision-makers. This advanced training course provides hands-on experience in developing robust, flexible, and dynamic Excel-based models to evaluate business scenarios, assess risk, project cash flows, and support strategic decision-making.
Participants will work on real-life case studies to design and build integrated financial models from scratch—covering income statements, balance sheets, cash flow forecasting, scenario analysis, valuation modeling, and sensitivity testing.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
• Build fully integrated financial statements using best-practice Excel modeling techniques
• Develop business forecasting models for revenue, cost, and cash flow projections
• Perform scenario and sensitivity analyses to evaluate business risks and strategies
• Construct valuation models including discounted cash flow (DCF) and comparables
• Apply dynamic Excel functions and controls to optimize usability and accuracy
Key Benefits of Attending
• Gain advanced Excel modeling skills tailored to finance and business planning
• Learn to link business drivers with financial performance metrics
• Design professional-grade models for decision-making and presentations
• Reduce modeling errors through logical structures and formula control
• Enhance your role in budgeting, forecasting, investment appraisal, and valuation
Intended Audience
This program is designed for:
• Financial analysts, business analysts, and investment professionals
• Corporate finance managers and planning teams
• Banking and private equity professionals
• CFOs, controllers, and strategic decision-makers
• Anyone responsible for financial reporting, forecasting, or modeling
Individual Benefits
Key competencies that will be developed include:
• Advanced Excel proficiency with financial functions and logic
• Model structuring, auditability, and documentation
• Scenario planning and Monte Carlo simulations
• DCF modeling, IRR, and ROI calculations
• Building dashboards and decision support tools
Organization Benefits
Upon completing the training course, participants will demonstrate:
• Improved accuracy and consistency in financial forecasts and business plans
• Better risk analysis and scenario modeling to support strategic decisions
• Enhanced collaboration between finance, operations, and strategy teams
• Faster decision-making supported by dynamic and transparent models
• Stronger investment appraisal and project evaluation systems
Instructional Methdology
The course follows a blended learning approach combining theory with practice:
• Strategy Briefings – Modeling standards, structure, and logic flow
• Case Studies – Real business scenarios requiring financial modeling solutions
• Workshops – Step-by-step model building, live formula development
• Peer Exchange – Model review and feedback among participants
• Tools – Excel templates, macro-enabled models, model auditing guides
Course Outline
Training Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Daily Format: 3–4 Learning Modules | Coffee breaks: 09:30 & 11:15 | Lunch Buffet: 01:00 – 02:00
Day 1: Modeling Frameworks and Excel Foundations
Module 1: Model Design Principles and Structures (07:30 – 09:30)
• Planning, standard layout, modular design
Module 2: Excel for Finance – Functions & Tools (09:45 – 11:15)
• LOOKUPs, INDEX/MATCH, IF statements, named ranges
Module 3: Building a Model Skeleton (11:30 – 01:00)
• Input sheets, assumptions, outputs, checks
Module 4: Workshop – Start a Business Model (02:00 – 03:30)
• Build the framework of a model from scratch
Day 2: Financial Statement Modeling
Module 5: Income Statement Modeling (07:30 – 09:30)
• Revenue forecasting, COGS, SG&A, depreciation
Module 6: Balance Sheet Modeling (09:45 – 11:15)
• Working capital, fixed assets, equity/debt balances
Module 7: Cash Flow Statement and Linking (11:30 – 01:00)
• Direct vs indirect methods, reconciling to balance sheet
Module 8: Workshop – Build a 3-Statement Model (02:00 – 03:30)
• Link all financials using dynamic formulas
Day 3: Forecasting, Scenarios, and Dashboards
Module 9: Forecasting Techniques and Drivers (07:30 – 09:30)
• Growth rates, cost ratios, volume/price drivers
Module 10: Scenario and Sensitivity Analysis (09:45 – 11:15)
• Data tables, switches, what-if analysis
Module 11: Model Optimization and Error Checks (11:30 – 01:00)
• Balance tests, circularity, error trapping
Module 12: Workshop – Scenario Planning Dashboard (02:00 – 03:30)
• Create toggles and charts for key assumptions
Day 4: Valuation and Investment Modeling
Module 13: Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Modeling (07:30 – 09:30)
• FCFF vs FCFE, terminal value, WACC
Module 14: Comparable Company Analysis (09:45 – 11:15)
• EV/EBITDA, P/E, benchmark selection
Module 15: Project Evaluation and IRR/NPV (11:30 – 01:00)
• CAPEX planning, hurdle rates, ROI
Module 16: Workshop – Build a Valuation Model (02:00 – 03:30)
• Model and interpret valuation results
Day 5: Final Case Study and Certification Assessment
Module 17: Final Case Study Modeling Project (07:30 – 09:30)
• Team challenge: build and present a model
Module 18: Presentation and Peer Feedback (09:45 – 11:15)
• Defend assumptions and outputs
Module 19: Model Review and Enhancement (11:30 – 01:00)
• Apply review techniques and fine-tune models
Module 20: Wrap-Up and Certification Exam (02:00 – 03:30)
• Final assessment and knowledge check
Certification
Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion in Advanced Financial and Business Modeling, confirming their proficiency in building, evaluating, and presenting financial models that support high-impact business decisions across sectors.