Prepare for the Level 1 “Advanced Financial Modeler” (AFM) certification exam with this practical online exam prep course

This intensive course is very hands-on and each participant will be expected to create their own financial models. During the course, participants will use the Excel tools and techniques learned as well as financial modelling best practice to build interactive and dynamic financial models that adhere to the highest industry standards.

This course builds on students’ knowledge of Excel formulas and incorporates these into fully integrated financial models.  At each step during the course, participants build and practice each formula, tool and technique.

 

What’s included

Sign up to start straight away and gain 12 months access to:

  • FMI exam registration (worth US$725)
  • 12+ hours of on-demand instructional video on the FMI Community Portal dedicated to AFM exam prep
  • Excel exercise template and solutions downloads
  • Quiz questions to test your understanding
  • Mock exam case study and solution models
  • Live mock exam virtual sitting prior to final exam with individualised feedback
  • Exemplum alumni support
  • Weekly live coaching sessions with your instructor in the weeks leading up the exam

 

Who this qualification is for

This course is suitable for those who wish to earn the AFM Certification from the Financial Modeling Institute (FMI).  For more information on the certification, see www.fminstitute.com/afm. The AFM program is open to anyone who has an interest in or currently works in the financial markets. From finance students to seasoned industry professionals, the AFM designation is ideal for those who:

  • Understand the fundamentals and methodologies of financial modelling
  • Want to hone and validate their skills
  • Work as part of a larger team to provide support for improvement or new projects
  • Work extensively with Excel in their day-to-day work to make material financial decisions

The FMI exams are held a couple of times a year online. Your purchase includes one sitting of the exam. This course will prepare you for the FMI exam, but your attendance will in no way guarantee your exam results. 

 

Prerequisites

According to FMI, candidates are expected to devote between 25 and 100 hours to preparation in total and attendees should already be familiar with the FMI Body of Knowledge and the skills checklist prior to attending this course.

 

Software used

To undertake this course, you need Microsoft Excel. Excel 365 is preferred, but participants can use any version of Excel if they prefer, including a Mac.

 

About your instructor

Your AFM exam preparation will be led by Sebastian Szameitat, a certified Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) with 20 years of experience in financial modelling and corporate finance. As the founder of Exemplum Financial Modelling and co-founder of the Financial Modelling Cooperative – a network of independent financial modelling consultants operating across Europe and build on collaboration and trust –, Sebastian has worked extensively realising financial models for infrastructure projects all over the world.

Sebastian is passionate about teaching financial modelling best practices and equipping professionals with the tools to build robust, flexible, and transparent models. His training approach is hands-on, ensuring participants gain real-world skills they can immediately apply in their careers.

 

Pricing

Course price (including exam): EUR 1,250 + VAT (VAT is not applicable outside Luxembourg).

Modules in this Course

About the Level 1 (AFM) Exam

  • Learning Materials
  • What to expect on Exam day
  • The Grading Process

Basic Excel skills

  • What’s New in Excel 365
  • Linking for Best Practice
  • Absolute & Relative Cell Referencing
  • Calculating Project Costs
  • Logical Nested Functions
  • Mixed Referencing and Named Ranges

Essential Tools & Formulas

  • Aggregation Functions
  • Formula Selection
  • Data Validations & Drop-Downs
  • Form Controls
  • Macros in Financial Modelling

Financial Modelling Techniques

  • Skills Needed for FM
  • What Makes a Good FM?
  • Building Error Checks
  • Escalation Methods

Financial Modelling Best Practice

  • Model Design
  • Anatomy of a Financial Model
  • Best Practice
  • Shortcuts

Three Way Modelling

  • What is a 3 way financial model?
  • Dummies Case Study: Financial Statements Part 1
  • Dummies Case Study: Financial Statements Part 2
  • Dummies Case Study: Financial Statements Part 3
  • Preparatory Case Study: Building a simple vertical model

Model Planning, Setup and Assumptions

  • Model setup and layout
  • Inputs and assumptions
  • Assumptions Documentation Methods

Designing for scenario analysis

  • Scenarios, Sensitivities and What-if Analysis
  • Building Scenarios Exam Prep

The Revenue Schedule and COGS

  • Setting up the Revenue Schedule
  • Completing the Revenue Schedule
  • Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

Building the Depreciation Schedule

  • Depreciation in Financial Modelling
  • Modelling for a Capital Purchase
  • Modelling Depreciation (End of Useful Life)
  • Depreciation Schedule Waterfall

Income Tax Expense and Working Capital

  • Building the Tax Schedule
  • Setting up Working Capital Assumptions
  • Calculating Working Capital

Building the Debt Schedule

  • Debt Definitions
  • Dealing with Circularity in Debt Calculations
  • Modelling a Revolver Line of Credit
  • Components of the Debt Schedule
  • Adding the Revolver
  • Completing the Debt Schedule

Equity & Completing the Financial Statements

  • Equity Schedule Case Study
  • Building the Equity Schedule
  • Piecing together the final components of the financial statements
  • What to do when the balance sheet doesn’t balance
  • Adding Error Checks to your model

Summary Page, Formatting, Presentation and Scenarios

  • Summary page Setup
  • Which Ratios to Include
  • Adding Scenarios
  • Formatting and presentation