What is the most relevnt/respectabe financial modeling certification?

Hi everyone,

I just recently finished my master's in finance degree and started working at a PE/VC boutique. I was given a little budget to take any course of my choosing as a part of my training program.

As a result, I am considering taking a financial modeling certification course, which will hopefully also add something to my CV.

Thus, to my main question: Which course in your opinion would be the most beneficial (in terms of hard skills as well as recognition)?

Here are some options I am looking into (I am open to any other suggestions):

  • WallStreetMojo Financial Modeling Course
  • Corporate Finance Institute (FMVA)
  • Financial Modeling Institute (AFM/CFM/MFM)

Thank you all, looking forward to hearing your input.

P.s. I saw similar topics on several forums, but did not find any detailed answer.

 

Hey Ivan,

I am in the same situation as you and I found the same options as the ones you are looking at currently. I like the WallStreetMojo course but sometimes the topics seem unrelevant to my situation and perhaps too specific on certain aspects.

For me the most important factor is international recognition, if anybody could shed some light on this topic it would be greatly appreciated.

kindly.

 

Hey - I took the first Financial Modeling Institute (FMI) exam (AFM). I thought the test was very worth it for the price and am taking the CFM this October, but to be frank not really sure how much current/future employers really care about any of these financial modeling certifications. Also, the FMI exams are really just the exams themselves you do not get a ton of study/learning materials.

If you want a solid credential, I'd look into the CFA, but if you are just looking to learn I'd see which of those courses provides the most training materials. Good luck!

 
IvSemenov:
I completely agree with you. However, as I said, this is company sponsored, so I feel like it would be more appropriate if the program is "recognized" in some way.

Having said that, still looking for suggestions :)

Can you get CFA sponsored? That would be the best I would say albeit massive time commitment but it is very well respected. Out of what you posted I would go for CFI but thats only as its the only one I have heard of.

So either I am completely out of the loop which is more than possible or their reputation isn't that well known.

 

Agree with TradeGreek. Don't think people really care about the qualification (in PE anyway) - more about the actual skills and the understanding you can glean. I looked into this extensively. Did the IBI modeling course in person and the Breaking Into Wall Street one online (neither give an official qualification). Found the latter to be much more useful. Materials are very comprehensive and you keep the login so if you ever forget something you can revisit.

 

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