Operating Model
Hi All,
My group calls the models that we build for deals an "Operating model" - which is typically a financial build up by segment driven by several drivers such as growth rates of each segment, contracts, etc. They typically build up to revenue by volume * price for each segment and end market and then goes down to EBITDA most of the time. Just for semantics, would the rest of you call this an "operating Model" or just a "financial model"/"(P&L build)"? The models are typically 400-500 lines in excel across multiple segment tabs. I've heard other people say that "operating Model" specifically means a full fledged 3 statement build, but we have never included a balance sheet/CFS in our operating models, so just wanted to clarify what "operating model" refers to when I talk about my experience with other people on the street
Ah, the age-old debate of semantics in the finance world! When you're swinging through the jungle of financial modeling, terminology can sometimes get as tangled as vines. Based on the most helpful WSO content, let's break this down:
An "Operating Model," as you've described – focusing on the financial buildup by segment, driven by various drivers like growth rates and contracts, and primarily building up to revenue by volume * price for each segment and market, then down to EBITDA – is indeed what many would consider an operating model. The key here is that it's centered around the operations of the business, dissecting revenue and costs in a detailed manner to understand the underlying performance.
However, in the broader finance community, when folks talk about an "Operating Model," they often expect a comprehensive 3-statement model that includes not just the income statement (P&L) but also the balance sheet and cash flow statement, all integrated together. This full-fledged approach provides a holistic view of the company's financial health and operational efficiency over time.
Your models, with their 400-500 lines in Excel across multiple segment tabs, focusing up to the EBITDA level without incorporating a balance sheet or cash flow statement, might more commonly be referred to as detailed "segmented financial models" or "P&L builds." These are incredibly valuable for understanding the operational drivers of each segment and their contribution to the overall financial performance.
In conversations with others on the street, it might be helpful to specify that your expertise lies in building detailed financial models focused on operational drivers and segment performance, leading up to EBITDA. This clarification will help set the right expectations and showcase your skills accurately.
Remember, in the canopy of finance, the clarity of your communication can be as important as the accuracy of your models. Keep swinging, finance monkey!
Sources: Almost 1 year into the job, little to no modeling experience to show for it..., Ask CompBanker, Seeking advice on Corporate Banking modeling, delete delete delete delete, Almost 1 year into the job, little to no modeling experience to show for it...
When I worked for a middle market shop, what you described was what we referred to as an operating model. Rarely did we do a 3 statement
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