So, as the title says, I am looking for some sort of financial valuation/modeling online course. I basically want to take this outside of my regular courses this semester.
I would like to know what other people have done and what they think, even if it might not be a WSO product. I was considering a Wallstreet prep premium valuation and modeling self study course for $499.
I would like a credible course, one that recruiters will recognize as a valuable experience.. if that makes sense. Also, I assume almost any of these online courses would be able to be completed by working weekends through a single semester.
Also, please let me know if this is not going to really set me apart or be a big help when I interview for full time positions in August. I am taking a pretty difficult course load as it is and don't want to bother with something if it is not going to end up helping me anyway.
I appreciate all advice.
Are the self study courses offered through Wall Street Prep going to be recognized/credible to employers/recruiters?
"Also, please let me know if this is not going to really set me apart or be a big help when I interview for full time positions in August. I am taking a pretty difficult course load as it is and don't want to bother with something if it is not going to end up helping me anyway."
Hate to break it to you this is not going to help you one bit in terms of screening. Basically, someone will read it and say "huh" because they will not have taken it nor will they care.
The big problem here is each firm has their own templates, models, powerpoint macros, excel macros, MSFT word macros etc. Understandably, you're trying to get an edge so the bigger question again comes down to the same, what is your experience and what course load did you take.
It's hard to understand sometimes for young guys but Advanced accounting would be 100x more helpful on your resume than "Chemical engineering creating the next universe". Eventhough Chem is likely harder, we don't care because its not going to show us you know anything about finance and it also is not directly applicable to the job.
Do you already have some sort of finance experience? Second is do you have the right courses under your belt (corp finance etc.). That is exactly how your resume will be screened after a glance at your GPA, Major and School.
With all that said if you feel like just taking the class go for it if you'd like. Come to think of it, after a job offer a hard core excel and PPT short key course would be in your best interest for your overall health and well being.
Best Excel modeling prep course to enter HF world? (Originally Posted: 12/22/2013)
Hi fellow monkeys,
I have several years of experience researching stocks, but mostly qualitative research skills. To get prepared for the equity hedge fund world and the modeling it might require, what are some of the Excel modeling prep courses you would recommend? Not looking for banking help, more so equity research/modeling/valuation - DCF, three statements, etc. Not worried about LBO etc.
Thanks!
Good to know DCF, comps and Sum of the Parts. (Note that some hedge funds just only do a 3 statement model. Some funds don't even do modelling and just look at Historical Price Trends).
U wont go wrong with WSP, BIWS or TTS if your willing to pay for something. If your feeling stingy, Macabus, IbankingFaq or Damodaran's site should do you fine.
Thanks!
Best online course for Excel modeling? (Originally Posted: 01/09/2008)
I need one that I can finish and have a certificate or credit or something to show I've completed the course, and I need one that isn't basic/easy shit
I did a really good one, but it wasn't online. Does it have to be an online course? They have locations in NY and San Fran I believe.
Deal Maven has a decent one and it counts for CPA countinuing ed. credit.
Have you tried ibankingtraining .com? You can give'em a try to crack any certification.
Which modeling course to take? (Originally Posted: 07/18/2012)
I work at a small firm and they offered to pay for me to take a financial modeling course of some kind since we don't really have any structured training.
I go to NYC quite a bit so I was thinking maybe attending a Training the Street workshop or some kind there, is that the best option? I am looking for like a 2 day crash course into excel/modeling.
I work in a small PE type of shop, so looking for something with that focus.
If they're paying, do the week-long TTS program. You'll get more days off, you'll arguably get better quality instruction, and you'll have the opportunity to make better contacts -- TTS is the industry standard. This coming from a guy who did a Wall Street Prep course.
For my SA class, they brought in an AMT instructor and he was honestly phenomenal. He had a ton of experience, made everything easily understandable, and, best of all, was just a really cool/funny dude. I've only had experience with them (and BIWS self-learning) so I'm probably biased, but I would go with AMT.
Best Public Comprehensive Modeling Course (5-day) (Originally Posted: 08/29/2014)
Hi guys,
Been lurking through the forums and it doesn't seem like their are any definitive answers for which school offers the best (comprehensive) modelling training program. I'm working at a large pension fund in the PE group and am able to select which program I would like to attend; currently I am deciding between TTS, which most bulge brackets seem to use, or AMT (Adkins, Matchett & Toy) - what were your experiences with each and who do you recommend?
I would not recommend AMT very strongly.
Did you take it yourself? I would say I'm fairly competent using excel but have just never gone through formal modelling training.
Yup, went through a formal training through AMT.
Any info on TTS 5 day course?
I was originally going to do the AMT training but that's been cancelled b/c of the deal I'm staffed on. Was thinking of going to TTS in December but looks like that's going to be postponed as well. From what I can tell they seem to be very similar
I did the 5 day TTS course in July. I've also done 2 Wall Street Prep 3-day courses and BIWS online.
Overall, I thought TTS was best. They do a fair amount of lecturing as opposed to just going through the models. Overall I felt TTS helped you grasp everything much more clearly than others and their templates wor easiest to use as references when you're building something from scratch on your own.
I'd recommend BIWS on the side for personal development - was too much good stuff not to spend the ~$500 to have it.
I've never gone to the AMT courses but I have some workbooks from them and really like those as well.
Hope this helps.
Modeling courses - Your opinion? (Originally Posted: 08/29/2010)
All,
First time posting, but have been lurking for quite sometime now.
Currently a senior, have a few potential, but very likely interviews with some of the bigger banks.
Contact I have told me about some of the technical questions asked during interviews, so I'd love to hear what you all have to say about how you went about learning them, especially modeling and such.
So far, I've come across "Wall Street Prep" and "wall st. training."
Which one's have you all used and found it to be the best?
Thank you all in advance, W5
Interested in this too. It seems like most people on this site recommend BIWS, but maybe just BC they're partnered with the site.
Is a course like this necessary for SA interviews? I'm taking an accounting and corporate finance class right now, but I don't think I'll learn how to do full models.
Has anyone taken "Training the Street?"
I've heard good things about breaking into wall street quite a few times, so maybe I'll stick to it, unless others object?
Training the Street is great
Took a live Training the Street course (financial modelling in excel). It was really good. I am in ER and liked the Excel tips, but it is certainly geared toward banking.
When I was wanted to do banking, I read:
Investment Banking: Valuation, Leveraged Buyouts, and Mergers and Acquisitions
http://www.Amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=investment+banking
What I learned probably would have got me a job in it--had I taken the interview ;)
It has detailed DCF, LBO, Comps excel examples, templates, etc that come with it. and they walk you through them from a banking perspective.
Our bank uses Training the Street ("TTS") during training for about two workweeks. It was a fantastic program, and from someone with little finance and accounting experience, I was very proficient by the end of it.
I would recommend taking a live course if possible because they will drill you harder on not using your mouse while you rip through excel.
Good luck
BIWS
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