IDEAS & PERSPECTIVES

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Thoughts on financial modelling, Excel, AI and the changing role of the financial modeller.
Practical experience, professional judgement and the occasional uncomfortable question.

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Latest articles

Is AI Designed to Keep You Busy?

AI can produce another draft in seconds. But does that actually save us time? A look at cheap iteration, diminishing returns and why knowing when to stop is part of professional judgement.

Where Should I Look Harder?

A financial model review cannot examine every cell with equal intensity. How OAK and AI can help identify suspicious patterns, develop hypotheses and focus professional review effort where it matters.

The 10-Minute Financial Model Exists. It Just Isn’t Finished.

AI can generate financial models in minutes. But how much human work remains before a model is reviewed, validated and ready to support a decision? A closer look at the evidence behind AI productivity claims.

Dynamic Arrays Are Powerful. That Does Not Mean Every Model Should Use Them.

Dynamic Arrays offer powerful new possibilities in Excel. But are they suitable for every financial model? A look at the benefits, limitations and trade-offs in model design.

I Accidentally Became a Linux Person

I never intended to become a Linux person. One experiment led to another, and suddenly I found myself questioning familiar tools, habits and assumptions about how we work.

What Microsoft May Prefer You Not to Notice: Europe Is Building the Exit

Europe is developing alternatives to Microsoft’s office ecosystem. What Euro-Office, digital sovereignty and software optionality mean for financial modellers — even if Excel remains the engine.