What are the Financial Modeling Tools?
Financial modeling tools are the set of information or skills or any other factor element which helps an analyst to evaluate the value of a company or a business segment or to evaluate the viability of the project.
Here, we discuss the top 10 tools an analyst possesses for this purpose.
#1 – Microsoft Excel
The first and foremost tool that an analyst needs to have is Microsoft excel. Now why excel only and not any other software? Well, Microsoft Excel has so many functions within it that ease the job of any scale in the globe.
#2 – Excel Knowledge
Just owning Microsoft Excel Software does not make you a pro. You need to know the inbuilt capacities of Microsoft excel. Unless you don’t know what Excel can do, you will never try those things.
#3 – Knowledge of Finance
The first step in financial modeling is to gain an intermediate knowledge of finance. Finance is the crux of financial modelling. There are three levels for any knowledge viz., basic, intermediate and expert. Expert knowledge is required for suggesting or decision making based on information available. Intermediate knowledge lets you work on the ground. Basic knowledge is what the traditional financial bankers do when you keep a time deposit with them.
4.9 (927 ratings) 16 Courses | 15+ Projects | 90+ Hours | Full Lifetime Access | Certificate of Completion
To start with financial modelling, you at least need the intermediate level of financial knowledge.
#4 – Knowledge of Accounting
You don’t need to possess expert knowledge of accounting. Basic accounting knowledge or accounting norms are required for financial modelling.
#5 – Knowledge about Economy
It would help if you had your opinion about the current scenario of the economy. Your opinion defines the level of your knowledge of the economy. Again at least, the basic knowledge about the economy is expected. If you can’t decide the direction of price levels by observing the demand and supply, then you need to develop the perspective.
#6 – Mindset
Problem-solving mindset is necessary for financial modelling. You have to start from a scattered type of information & reach towards a goal. So, the approach and the right mindset is essential.
#7 – Presentation Skills
Your presentation skills define you. Here, we are talking about the Powerpoint PPT. It does not mean using too many colours or making a fancy type of PPT. You are a professional & hence high quality is expected in the presentation.
#8 – Colour Formatting Knowledge
The most essential parameters of colour formatting in excel are consistency, efficiency & clarity. Lack of any of these generally does not serve the purpose of the financial model. To incorporate these things into a model, you need to develop these things within your habits.
#9 – Decision Making Skill Set
Decision making is the result of a financial model. Every working prepared for financial modelling should be relevant for decision making. If something is not necessary for decision making, such information such ideally be hidden.
#10 – Critical Thinking Skill
An open mind of critical & rationale thinking is required to deciding various parameters in the financial model. This tool is necessary to be developed if one does not possess it. Critical thinking means the approach of thought-process should be towards achieving the end purpose.
Recommended Articles
This has been a guide to Financial Modeling Tools. Here we discuss the list of top 10 tools including excel knowledge, knowledge of finance, mindest and presentation skills. You can learn more about from the following articles –
