Time it took you to get your head around the modelling!?

Just completed my first week as a SA in London. Just wanted to know how long it took you guys whether previous SA's or normal Analysts to get your head around the concepts, valuations and modelling.

It seems like a lot of information to take in, process and remember (especially as I have done no finance modules at uni).

Just wanna know how underprepared I am, or whether I am in a similar position to others (if you remember your first week). My exams at uni finished a week before i started, so didnt have much time to prepare..

4 Comments
 

like a 2nd tier investment bank, like RBS/ABN AMRO/BNP paribas

"The future belongs to those who prepare for it today" - Malcolm X

--------------------------------------------------------------------- "The future belongs to those who prepare for it today" - Malcolm X
 

I think the more important thing is to understand the underlying logic in the model: that is, it is more important that you understand the three statements, cash flows, discount rates, premiums and discounts, etc. etc.

After that, it's about building a model that encorporates all these things. That's just understanding how these things change and are related. Think about what you have trouble with: is it the underlying logic, or just the VBA/assumptions/complexity of the sheet that's giving you trouble?

 

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