In this episode of What's New at CFI on FinPod, we dive into the latest addition to our course lineup, Comparable Valuation Fundamentals. Our expert instructors discuss designing the course specifically to make valuation concepts more accessible for learners without extensive finance backgrounds. You’ll hear about the decision to use fictional companies for easier digestion of the fundamentals and the exciting new feature—Grade Your Progress—an innovative tool that guides learners through...

In this episode of CFI Member Spotlight on FinPod, we feature Charaf Bourhalla, a seasoned finance professional who has built a career with major firms like KPMG and Kimberly Clark, eventually becoming Head of Consolidation at Nestle Skin Health.  He holds several key certifications, including the FMVA from CFI, ACCA with a focus on IFRS, and the PMP from PMI. Charaf offers insights into his journey through consulting and corporate finance, sharing his experiences with financial...

In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss the newly released course, FP&A Professional: Model Roll Forward and Analysis. This course is the second in a three-part series designed to enhance Excel skills while focusing on essential monthly workflows for FP&A professionals. Listeners will learn best practices for managing files, rolling models forward, and incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data to drive decision-making.  We also cover key strategies for...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we talk to Alex Yuditski, a growth investor at Bessemer Venture Partners. Starting with a pivot in college from history to economics, Alex’s path led her from investment banking at Regions Bank and William Blair to working on pre-IPO growth equity deals at Blue Owl Capital. Now at one of the top venture firms globally, Alex focuses on Series B and beyond, with a special interest in the role of AI in finance. Alex emphasizes the importance of...

In this episode of What's New at CFI on FinPod, we’re excited to introduce our latest course, "Intro to Bank Valuations." We’ve designed this course to simplify the world of bank valuation models by focusing on practical methodologies like the asset value approach, comparables, and the dividend discount model.  We dive into why mastering bank financial statements and Basel III regulations is a prerequisite of valuation performance, why traditional valuation metrics like enterprise value...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we welcome Kristen Kelly and Jennifer Saarbach, founders of The Wall Street Skinny. Through their podcast, social media platforms, and other channels, they've built a highly regarded brand dedicated to demystifying the complex world of finance and helping others break into the industry. Kristen and Jennifer share their journeys of transitioning into high finance, offering real-world advice for those considering similar career moves. From...

In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we dive into the complexities of calculating diluted shares, including how various factors—such as stock options, convertible debt, and restricted stock—affect a company’s share count. We explain how failing to account for potential shares that could be issued (like employee stock options or convertible debt) can lead to overvaluing a company’s equity. By breaking down the differences between basic shares outstanding and fully diluted shares, we...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Iain Main, who has built a career working across global markets. Iain began his journey at BDO, where he trained as a Chartered Accountant and gained valuable experience in London and Vancouver. His career later took him to Omnicom, where he worked in FP&A, partnering with CFOs and CEOs across 25 countries, gaining deep insights into financial planning and business operations. Now a consultant at Bedford Consulting, Iain...

In this episode of What's New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss accounting for leases, focusing on the key differences between operating and finance leases under US GAAP and IFRS. We explain the recent changes in accounting standards and how they impact financial analysts when comparing companies using different reporting frameworks. We cover essential topics like how to treat lease liabilities and assets on the balance sheet and the implications for financial analysis and valuation.  Whether...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Zane Tarence, Partner and Managing Director at the investment banking firm, Founders Advisors. Zane has over 20 years of experience guiding businesses through high-stakes deals and has built a high-performing firm known for its sector specialization and strategic expertise. Starting his career as a software engineer at IBM, Zane took an unconventional path to finance, eventually becoming a trusted advisor to founders and...

In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss the power of AI for finance, focusing on AI-powered scenario analysis and its impact on financial modeling. We explain how AI is not just enhancing traditional scenario analysis but also making it more efficient, detailed, and accessible for finance professionals at all levels. The conversation breaks down key components of scenario analysis, the differences between traditional and generative AI, and why these advancements are crucial...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we talk with Ashok Manthena about his experiences at companies like Google, Gap, and Ingersoll Rand, highlighting the unique opportunities and challenges in finance functions.  The conversation explores the impact of AI on finance processes, automation, predictive analytics, and generative AI. Ashok provides insights into how AI transforms finance tasks and the timeline for widespread adoption. We also discuss the potential of AI in...

In this episode of FinPod’s What’s New at CFI, we explore the critical role of workflow efficiencies for analysts working in Business Intelligence (BI) and data analysis. Join us as we unpack practical strategies, tools, and best practices that can streamline your day-to-day tasks, from data gathering and cleaning to analysis and reporting. Whether you're a seasoned analyst or just starting in the field, you’ll benefit from these insights on how to optimize processes, reduce bottlenecks, and...

In this episode of CFI Member Spotlight on FinPod, we sit down with Genaro Arredondo who shares his colorful journey navigating a career in finance – starting from his roots in Chile to becoming a Director of Corporate Development at global credit bureau, Equifax.  Genaro discusses his experience majoring in accounting at university, navigating early-career roles at top firms like EY and Deloitte, and eventually transitioning into FP&A and corporate development. He also shares his...

In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss our newly launched course on reading and analyzing insurance company financials. We break down the complexities and unique characteristics of insurance financial statements, comparing them to those of banks and industrial companies. We also discuss concepts like deferred acquisition costs, unearned premiums, and the specific accounting challenges in the insurance industry.  We share insights on critical metrics such as the combined...

In this episode of FinPod, we discuss our new course on purchase price allocations in M&A accounting. This course addresses common challenges and confusion around acquisition accounting, particularly with deferred taxes and transaction fees. The course breaks down these complex topics into manageable chunks using hands-on Excel exercises. We emphasize the importance of learning by doing, guiding learners through real-world scenarios and ensuring they can apply their knowledge to actual...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Carolina Lago, who has extensive experience in financial planning and analysis (FP&A) and corporate finance. Carolina shares her career journey from studying business to becoming a leader in FP&A, emphasizing how the role has evolved from mere financial planning to a strategic focus on guiding companies' futures. She discusses her participation in an IPO, highlighting the invaluable learning opportunity it...

In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss the newly refreshed course, "Math for Finance Professionals," which covers essential concepts like simple and compound interest, discounted cash flows, and statistical measures using Excel. This course equips finance professionals with the foundational skills necessary for a variety of roles in finance  & banking. Tune in to learn more about the new course and its benefits for finance professionals seeking careers in investment...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Brian Egger, Global Head of Financial Modeling at Bloomberg LP. Brian brings a wealth of experience from his time at Goldman Sachs and Bloomberg, where he has developed and led the Bloomberg Interactive Calculator financial modeling platform.  Brian talks about the complexities of equity research, such as his analysis on Las Vegas airline service capacity in the late 1990s, which challenged conventional thinking and...

This episode of FinPod covers understanding bank financial statements and analysis. We highlight the unique aspects of bank financial statements compared to typical company statements, plus the significance of the balance sheet and the importance of understanding interest income and expenses.  You'll learn about specific ratio calculations used in banking and how regulatory capital requirements, like Basel III guidelines, impact banks. The episode also discusses the practical applications of...

In this episode of CFI Member Spotlight on FinPod, we sit down with David Hyland, a finance leader with a background in establishing processes, systems, and controls for management teams of tech startups. David shares his career journey from traditional accounting to leading finance functions in startups like Air Garage, a company revolutionizing the parking industry with a full-stack software management service.  David highlights his experiences in building finance functions from scratch,...

In this episode of FinPod, we discuss how to get started with building a financial model. We address common issues beginners face – like too quickly relying on Excel –  and provide tips to streamline the model-building process. Emphasizing the importance of design, we cover the tangible benefits of reverse-engineering financial modeling problems and working backwards from the outputs. Get advice on how to create efficient, effective models. Tune in to get inspired when starting a financial...

In this episode of FinPod, we speak with Chris Ortega, the CEO of Fresh FP&A. Chris shares his journey from a marketing major in college to a seasoned finance executive, eventually founding Fresh FP&A. Chris emphasizes the evolving role of technology in finance, highlighting how tools like RPA, predictive analytics, and machine learning can enhance the efficiency value of finance teams. Listen in to gain valuable insights into CFO responsibilities and the essential skills needed to...

In this episode of FinPod, we discuss our course for financial planners, advisors, and wealth managers on developing high-impact financial plans. We cover how integrating financial plans into a wealth management practice adds value for clients and advisors. We emphasize best practices for effective goal-setting and how structured financial plans can realize your clients’ objectives. Tune in to gain insights and a deeper understanding of how the core components of a financial plan add value...