Demonstrating modeling experience

Modeling courses are such a waste of time.

I’d consider myself a pretty experienced financial modeler. I built models for FP&A teams at a big 4 out of school and have ran point on 10 or so Sellside models at my current MM IB gig. I also build models in my spare time sometimes.

All you need to know how to do AT THE CORE is basically how to build out a P&L. Walk down each line and ask yourself how the line item works. Take revenue for example - is it price / volume based? Is it based on contracts? Etc. you can only come up with a revenue build by having a deep understanding of how the biz makes money. Expenses are easier and you can boil the ocean on expenses. If you want to model out raw material costs for COGS and a wage build for salaries expense … whatever blows your hair back man. There are some good three statement model templates online - I think corp finance institute has one. That should teach you how to link up each statement.

Obviously there are nuances to each. Are we modeling M&A? Is this a valuation model or an operating model?

I recommend just starting at the basic build down to EBITDA until you get everything set up and then start making shit more complex.