What to do with your career when you're not particularly great in Financial Modelling

Hello fellow monkeys.

As title states, I am a senior analyst working at CBRE/JLL working on the usual package - deal modelling, teasers, IMs. Lately I have been thinking that my financial modelling skills are average at best. I've been doing a certain model for a certain region, and I can get the job done, but i keep finding myself making mistakes (which i will troubleshoot eventually, but i would rather just not make the mistake in the first place) or having trouble explaining how the overly complicated model works to other people - likely because of 3 lines long formula - which means I probably don't understand it too well myself either. I've been working close to 2+ years, though not a lot of it on modelling, at the beginning i thought it was a matter of practice and I'll get expertise sooner or later. But recently, starting to doubt myself.

Originally, like everyone else on this forum, I had been aiming for REPE roles, acquisitions analyst only! as it seemed to be the holy grail of real estate career paths. But I have had second thoughts - what if i actually really do get the job as an investment analyst and totally suck at modelling it? Short of the actual modelling skills, I've been doing great at my current workplace due to skills in organisation/proactivity/getting stuff done attitude and generally getting along well with everyone. I still want to stick to my goal of going to REPE, but I wonder what other types of roles should I strive for if not acquisitions? I don't believe that if you suck at modelling, your future is bleak - there's a dime a dozen senior brokers who don't know modelling and still get into senior positions earning good dough. But the view on exit opportunities, should i remove acquisitions, is slightly narrow and tunnel visioned from where I'm standing at.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? Do let me know how you dealt with your situation.

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Et voluptas qui rerum et et voluptas id. Et voluptate voluptatem voluptas laborum molestiae saepe. Consequuntur asperiores maiores hic. Voluptatum vel veniam occaecati ea cupiditate corporis. Tempore dignissimos distinctio quia vel accusantium.

Quibusdam ex natus cum iste. Vitae ipsa voluptatem expedita beatae dolor recusandae ut. Consequuntur ullam at quos sed voluptatem enim. Molestias sint odio reprehenderit id autem iusto et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”