tips for incoming consultant, finance/modeling skills

Hi Guys,

So, I will be joining a good consulting firm after graduation. However, I have no background in finance or modeling. Nonetheless, I am interested in getting on PE/due diligence/MnA projects. What kind of financial modeling skills would I be expected to know? Any good books/websites/online resources that I should read/learn to get a head start? I am aware I will be competing with undergrad b-school kids for these kind of projects.

In addition, what kind of skills are incoming consultants supposed to have, esp for someone who graduated from a liberal arts college. What level of management, business, finance, modeling skills are expected? I am aware that there are not that much training which occurs before job starts.

Has anyone heard of the $3000/ANNUM template sold by firmsconsulting? That seems very expensive, and I am aware most consulting firms have their own database anyways.

5 Comments
 

You'll get all the training you need once you join (assuming it actually is a good consulting firm).

Firmsconsulting are bottom feeders, using crap like "Are you worried about succeeding at a consulting firm?" to peddle their templates at ridiculous prices. Templates mean nothing without the experience and understanding behind them, which you will learn on the job.

 

The role you'll play as a new consultant on a due diligence might not be "owning the model"...more validating the hypotheses used to build the model. You'll get the training you need, but a lot of this you'll learn when you need it. They gave us all accounting books to read over the summer, which were helpful, but I'm sure I'd need some help from my manager if I got staffed on a due diligence on Monday.

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