Chapter 1: What is Financial Modelling?
What’s the Difference Between a Spreadsheet and a Financial Model?
Types and Purposes of Financial Models
Tool Selection
What Skills Do You Need to Be a Good Financial Modeller?
The “Ideal” Financial Modeller
Summary
Chapter 2: Building a Model
Model Design
The Golden Rules for Product Design
Design Issues
The Workbook Anatomy of a Model
Project Planning Your Model
Model Layout Flowcharting
Steps to Building a Model
Information Requests
Version-Control Documentation
Summary
Chapter 3: Best-Practice Principles of Modelling
Document Your Assumptions
Linking, Not Hardcoding
Enter Data Only Once
Avoid Bad Habits
Use Consistent Formulas
Format and Label Clearly
Methods and Tools of Assumptions Documentation
Linked Dynamic Text Assumptions Documentation
What Makes a Good Model?
Summary
Chapter 4: Financial Modelling Techniques
The Problem with Excel
Error Avoidance Strategies
How Long Should a Formula Be?
Linking to External Files
Building Error Checks
Circular References
Summary
Chapter 5: Using Excel in Financial Modelling
Formulas and Functions in Excel
Excel Versions
Handy Excel Shortcuts
Cell Referencing Best Practices
Named Ranges
Basic Excel Functions
Logical Functions
Nesting Logical Functions
Summary
Chapter 6: Functions for Financial Modelling
Aggregation Functions
LOOKUP Functions
Nesting Index and Matching
OFFSET Function
Regression Analysis
Choose Function
Working with Dates
Financial Project Evaluation Functions
Loan Calculations
Summary
Chapter 7: Tools for Model Display
Basic Formatting
Custom Formatting
Conditional Formatting
Sparklines
Bulletproofing Your Model
Customising the Display Settings
Form Controls
Summary
Chapter 8: Tools for Financial Modelling
Hiding Sections of a Model
Array Formulas
Goal Seeking
Structured Reference Tables
PivotTables
Macros
Summary
Chapter 9: Common Uses of Tools in Financial Modelling
Escalation Methods for Modelling
Understanding Nominal and Effective (Real) Rates
Calculating a Cumulative Sum (Running Totals)
How to Calculate a Payback Period
Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)
Building a Tiering Table
Modelling Depreciation Methods
Break-Even Analysis
Summary
Chapter 10: Model Review
Rebuilding an Inherited Model
Improving Model Performance
Auditing a Financial Model
Summary
Appendix: QA Log
Chapter 11: Stress Testing, Scenarios, and Sensitivity Analysis in Financial Modelling
What are the Differences Between Scenario, Sensitivity, and What-If Analyses?
Overview of Scenario Analysis Tools and Methods
Advanced Conditional Formatting
Comparing Scenario Methods
Adding Probability to a Data Table
Summary
Chapter 12: Presenting Model Output
Preparing an Oral Presentation for Model Results
Preparing a Graphic or Written Presentation for Model Results
Chart Types
Working with Charts
Handy Charting Hints
Dynamic Named Ranges
Charting with Two Different Axes and Chart Types
Bubble Charts
Creating a Dynamic Chart
Waterfall Charts
Summary
Index