Financial Modelling in PE/VC

Course overview

This intensive two-day course is designed specifically for professionals in the private equity and venture capital sectors seeking to deepen their financial modelling capabilities. With a strong emphasis on Excel proficiency, the programme equips participants to build models that are robust, flexible, and fit for purpose in today’s fast-paced investment environment.

Combining expert-led instruction with hands-on exercises, the course explores modelling techniques that enhance accuracy, adaptability, and analytical rigour. Participants will leave with practical tools and insights to construct models that support effective decision-making across a range of investment scenarios.

Key topics include

• Session 1: Concepts, Methodology and Requirements
  • Model functions
  • Naming cells
  • Dates and timing conventions
  • Logical functions 
  • Short cut keys
  • Graphs
• Session 2: Financial Functions
  • Time value of money
  • Using advanced formulae and the fx functions
  • Practical statistical tools
• Session 3: Financial Modelling: Process
  • Uses of financial modelling
  • Planning
  • Assumptions
  • Streamlining the workflow
  • Objectives
  • Model layout and design
  • Linking sub models to main models
  • Outputs
• Session 4: Income Statement: Revenue
  • Revenue analysis
  • Projecting data
  • ‘Detailed’ versus ‘top level’ analysis
  • How to build growth into the model
  • Compound annual growth rate (CAGR)
  • External factors and revenue drivers
  • Multi variable Scenario analysis
• Session 5: Balance Sheet: Assets
  • Capital structure
  • Non-current assets and deprecation tools and techniques
  • Capital expenditure models
  • Amortization of intangibles
  • Inventory, accounts receivable and cash
  • Debtor management
  • Current assets
• Session 6: Balance Sheet: Liabilities
  • Non-current liabilities
  • Debt and amortization tables
  • Accounts payable 
  • Taxation and deferred taxation
  • Tax planning
• Session 7: Cash Flow Statement
  • Link between balance sheet and income statement
  • Working capital projections
  • Cash flow forecasts
  • Analysis models and their uses in treasury management
  • Free cash flow and applying it in the model
• Session 8: Integration of Ratio Analysis
  • Profitability, liquidity, efficiency and gearing ratios
  • Du Pont analysis
  • The importance of ROI 
  • Market related ratios and benchmarking
  • Testing the model results
• Session 9: Advanced Techniques
  • Database techniques
  • Goal seek
  • Optimization
  • Scenario analysis
  • Audit requirements in financial modelling
  • Identifying and controlling key sensitivities through spreadsheet simulation
  • Building risk factors in models to enhance decision making
• Session 10: Sensitivity Analysis
  • Purpose of sensitivity analysis
  • Establishing a suite of sensitivities
  • Combined downside 'worst' case
  • Minimising run-time errors
  • Identifying sensitivity printout
  • Automating sensitivity runs using an input table
  • Cross checking against base case

What will delegates take away?

• Excel Modelling Skills 
  Practical techniques for building dynamic, error-resistant models tailored to private equity and venture capital transactions. 
• Scenario Analysis Expertise
  Ability to structure models that flex across investment cases, sensitivities, and exit strategies. 
• Best Practice Frameworks
  Exposure to industry-standard modelling conventions, improving clarity, auditability, and collaboration. 
• Confidence in Application
  Hands-on exercises that reinforce learning and prepare delegates to apply skills immediately in live deal contexts.

Benefits to employers

• Improved Deal Execution
  Delegates return equipped to build and interpret models that support faster, more informed investment decisions.
• Reduced Risk
  Stronger modelling discipline helps minimise errors and enhances the reliability of financial outputs
• Greater Efficiency
  Delegates learn shortcuts and techniques that improve productivity and reduce time spent on model building and revisions.

FAQs about this course

Course Director

Andre Lanser

Course Director

Andre has delivered courses for banks around the world in the areas of Credit, Corporate Finance, Private Equity, Valuation and Financial Modelling. Andre qualified as a Chartered Accountant, completing articles with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

He started his career with a subsidiary of Commercial Union, involved in the steel manufacturing industry. His experience ranged from systems implementation, credit assessment of the highly risky construction industry customers, heading up the finance functions to successfully turning the business around and then selling the company through a trade sale. He later joined Commercial Union in the investment back-office function, reengineering the investment back-office and later headed up a team that implemented a new investment management system for both the back office and the front office. His career then spanned over 12 years in the Venture Capital and Private Equity arena, where he has gained a vast amount of experience in the corporate analysis and valuation field.

Andre is a specialist in developing and training finance-related courses, including corporate credit-related topics, financial modelling including valuations, leveraged buyouts and M&A, and accounting (with a focus on IFRS ) courses. His training experience spans a period of more than twenty years.

CPD accreditation

This course is CPD accredited by the CPD Certification Service for 13 hours. By attending this course, you will receive a digital certificate from Diplomasafe. This certificate allows you to share and save your new CPD accredited qualification on LinkedIn, adding instantly verifiable credentials and strengthening your professional profile.