FREE Trial with Benzinga Pro happening right now!
Whether you want to master financial modeling to complete coursework with ease or make more informed business decisions, an online course is worth considering. You can learn the basics or level up your knowledge at your own pace for a fee that won’t break the bank.
Benzinga is here to help you find the most suitable option for your busy lifestyle.
Quick Look: Best Financial Modeling Certification Courses
Take a sneak peek at the best financial modeling certification courses:
- Introduction to Financial Modeling for Beginners by Udemy
- Fundamentals of Quantitative Modeling by the University of Pennsylvania
- Financial Modeling Foundations by LinkedIn Learning
- Quick Excel for Financial Modeling by Udemy
- Financial Modeling and Forecasting Financial Statements by LinkedIn Learning
- Financial Modeling for Business Analysts and Consultants by Udemy
- Financial Modeling for Software Startups by Skillshare
- Financial Modeling for Startups and Small Businesses by Udemy
- Corporate Finance: Robust Financial Modeling by LinkedIn Learning
- Financial Modeling Certification by Wall Street Prep
What Makes a Financial Modeling Certification Course Great?
With so many financial modeling certification courses to choose from, how do you know which are best? Keep these considerations in mind as you evaluate and narrow down your options to find the best fit.
Led by Subject-Matter Expert
Does the instructor have extensive financial modeling experience? Can this person effectively convey critical concepts in a way that’s easy to understand? Do they adopt an interactive teaching style? These are a few questions to ponder as you explore courses. Refer to the instructor’s biography to learn more about their professional background. Also, read reviews from past and current students to get a feel for their teaching style.
Features Real-Life Scenarios
The best way to fully grasp financially modeling techniques is by putting your skills to use. However, you want to view live demonstrations and take note of best practices when you’re just getting started and honing your skills.
Self-Paced
The best financial modeling certification courses are free of deadlines so you can work at your own pace. This means you’re free to spend as much time as you need on lessons that are more challenging until you’re ready to move forward.
Our Top Picks
We spent several hours researching financial modeling certification courses to compile a list of top options. Below, you will find our top selections from leading online learning providers, including Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare and Udemy.
The courses are categorized by skill level — beginners, intermediate students and advanced students. You will also find a description and price point for each option to facilitate the decision-making process.
Financial Modeling Certification Courses for Beginners
Start with these courses for beginners if you’re new to financial modeling.
1. Introduction to Financial Modeling for Beginners by Udemy
Who it's for: Beginners
Price: On sale
This introductory course teaches you how to build financial models in Excel from the ground up. It is ideal for students who have minimal Excel and financial modeling knowledge.
Introduction to Financial Modeling for Beginners includes the following core modules:
- Jumpstart
- Important Finance and Accounting Principles
- Important Excel Features and Techniques
- Building a Financial Forecast Model
- Building a Financial Reporting Model
- Building a Financial Decision-Making Model
- Back of the Envelope
Take advantage of the discounted enrollment fee by registering today. You will get full lifetime access to 6 hours on-demand video, 3 articles and 18 downloadable resources.
Instruction is provided by Symon He, real estate and business consultant and Brandon Young, a real estate and analytics professional.
2. Fundamentals of Quantitative Modeling by the University of Pennsylvania
Who it's for: Beginners
Price: Free
Offered by the University of Pennsylvania, Fundamentals of Quantitative Modeling explores the many ways quantitative modeling can be used to forecast the future performance of a business or enterprise based on past and current figures. It’s part of the Business and Financial Modeling Specialization and Finance and Quantitative Modeling for Analysts Specialization.
It is led by Richard Waterman, professor of statistics in the Statistics-Wharton School, and includes 4 segments:
- Introduction to Models
- Linear Models and Optimization
- Probabilistic Models
- Regression Models
Each segment features video lectures and supplementary readings. You will also be tasked with taking quizzes to assess your comprehension of the material.
Enrollment is free. Expect to spend 7 hours working through the course material.
3. Financial Modeling Foundations by LinkedIn Learning
Who it's for: Beginners
Price: Included with the monthly membership
In just 3 hours, you can acquire foundational skills and knowledge to build financial models that can be implemented in corporate finance, commercial banking, investment banking and portfolio management.
Financial Modeling Foundations also includes lessons on the 3 financial statements needed to build financial models, the valuation process, complex modeling features and how they can be applied in Excel and so much more.
Instructor Michael McDonald, professor of finance at Fairfield University, dives into the mechanics of financial modeling by addressing 8 core concepts:
- Financial Modeling Basics
- Corporate Financial Modeling: Three-Statement Financial Model
- Evaluating Corporate Financial Models: Three-Statement Model
- Investment Models: DCF Model
- Banking Models
- Buyout Models
- Financial Modeling Across Industries
- Building and Maintaining Models
There’s also a final exam at the end of the course. Upon completion, you can analyze your results to identify areas where you are well-versed or need more attention to fully understand the lessons' contents.
Enrollment is included with a monthly LinkedIn membership. Not yet a member? You can register for a free 1-month trial to grab a seat in the course.
Intermediate Financial Modeling Certification Courses
Do you have financial modeling experience under your belt? These intermediate courses can help expand your knowledge.
4. Quick Excel for Financial Modeling by Udemy
Who it's for: Intermediate students
Price: On sale
Presented by Illumeo Learning, Quick Excel for Financial Modeling provides step-by-step instruction on developing financial models in Excel, particularly balance sheet, statement of cash flows and income statement projections.
Here’s what you can expect to learn in the course:
- Planning your Financial Model
- Building a Model Template
- Projecting the Income Statement
- Projecting the Balance Sheet
- Protecting Cash Flows
- Advanced Financial Modeling
- Top 5 Excel Features for Financial Modelers
In the final module, you will complete an 8-question exam to confirm you fully grasp the material.
Facilitator Blair Cook is a corporate director and financial executive with experience in the corporate, higher education and public accounting sectors. He’s taught over 10,000 students in 23 Udemy courses.
5. Financial Modeling and Forecasting Financial Statements by LinkedIn Learning
Who it's for: Intermediate students
Price: Included with the monthly membership
Financial Modeling and Forecasting Financial Statements spans a little under 2 hours and delves into techniques to develop forecasted financial statements for business entities.
Instructors Kay and Jim Stice, professors of accounting at Brigham Young University, take an interactive approach to convey vital concepts by incorporating real-life case studies from businesses that leverage financial modeling to make forecasts.
Here’s a quick look at the course syllabus:
- Who Uses Forecasted Financial Statements?
- It All Starts with an Accurate Sales Forecast
- What Causes Financial Statement Numbers to Change?
- Constructing a Forecasted Income Statement
- Constructing a Forecasted Balance Sheet
- Constructing a Forecasted Statement of Cash Flows
There’s no cost to enroll if you have a monthly LinkedIn membership. Or you can grab a free seat by signing up for a free 1-month trial.
6. Financial Modeling for Business Analysts and Consultants by Udemy
Who it's for: Intermediate students
Price: On sale
Performance improvement guru Asen Gyczew brings you this highly rated course that demonstrates how to develop financial models for businesses in a jiffy. It’s designed to help you master financial modeling in Excel in as little as 1 day.
Financial Modeling for Business Analysts and Consultants features 3.5 of hours on-demand video, 1 article and 79 downloadable resources. The 72 video lectures are divided into 12 sections:
- Modeling of Profit and Loss Account
- Capex and Depreciation
- Working Capital
- Debt
- Equity
- Balance Sheet Modeling
- Cash Flow Modeling
- Analysis of the Financial Model
- Valuation
- Business Modeling Examples
Have basic Excel, economics and financial knowledge before you enroll.
Advanced Financial Modeling Certification Courses
These advanced courses move beyond the basics of financial modeling.
7. Financial Modeling for Software Startups by Skillshare
Who it's for: Advanced students
Price: Free
Financial Modeling for Software Startups caters to software subscription founders seeking guidance on ways to leverage financial modeling to fundraise or more effectively analyze financial performance.
Led by finance expert Win Smith, this advanced course entails 8 core lessons:
- Setting Up Assumptions
- Fixed Costs
- Variable Costs
- Revenue and Unit Build
- Monthly Consolidation
- Dashboard Financials
- Dashboards KPIs
- Dashboard Cash Assessment
During the course, you will receive 1.5 hours of video instruction and build your own model with guidance from the instructor. This activity allows you to test out your new-found skills in a practice setting.
Registration is free with a Skillshare trial.
8. Financial Modeling for Startups and Small Businesses by Udemy
Who it's for: Advanced students
Price: On sale
Interested in learning how to create viable financial models for your business? Look no further than this highly-rated course from Udemy. You will learn how to model expenses, revenue, attrition and so much more. There are also lessons on best practices for financial modeling, effective ways to forecast cash needs and how financial modeling varies by business type.
Financial Modeling for Startups and Small Businesses includes these instructional modules:
- Jumpstart
- Before You Build Your Model
- Modeling Best Practices
- Modeling Growth
- Modeling Revenue
- Modeling Startup Costs and Expenses
Beyond the video lectures, 7 case studies provide additional insight into the financial modeling for startups and small businesses.
Register today for full lifetime access to 11.5 hours of on-demand video, 12 articles and 92 downloadable resources. You will also receive a certificate of completion when you reach the finish line.
This course is co-facilitated by Evan Kimbrell, founder of Sprintkick and Symon He, data analysis, finance and real estate guru.
9. Corporate Finance: Robust Modeling by LinkedIn Learning
Who it's for: Advanced students
Price: Included with the monthly membership
Another stellar offering from LinkedIn Learning, Corporate Finance: Robust Financial Modeling sheds light on how viable financial models help organizations and managers make informed quantitative decisions. You will also discover how these models empower thought leaders and benefit businesses as a whole.
Here’s a breakdown of the course:
- Understanding Financial Modeling
- How to Design a Financial Model
- How to Build a Robust Financial Model
- Quality Assurance
- Finalizing and Presenting Your Model
Each section features video lectures and quizzes to ensure you get the most from the course.
Sign up today for free if you have a monthly LinkedIn membership, or opt-in for a 1-month trial membership.
10. Financial Modeling Certification by Wall Street Prep
- Best For:Best for Financial Professional DevelopmentVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through Wall Street Prep's website
Who’s it for: Advanced financial professionals and traders
Pricing: $499 for the Premium Package
The Financial Modeling Certification designed by Wall Street Prep was created in 2003 and is available through the Premium Package. Using hands-on training, the certification requires you to demonstrate your financial modeling and valuation skills.
This course is similar to the new hire training offered at some of the best financial institutions in the world, and that means it is in practice today. You’re learning what employees of the biggest firms on Wall Street are learning. It works. There’s proof of that.
The course teaches you:
- A broad range of financial and valuation modeling techniques and methodologies
- How to build a core 3-statement model, DCF model and spreading transaction/trading comps
- Accretion/dilution analysis
- Leverage buyout modeling
Find the Best Financial Modeling Certification Course for You
Take the first step toward learning financial modeling or enhancing your expertise and skills today. Start with a course from our list of recommendations and commit to doing the work. They’re led by subject matter experts and include real-life scenarios to ensure you get the most from your online learning experience. Plus, you can work through the material around your busy schedule when convenient, as all the options are self-paced.
Southern New Hampshire University Online
SNHU Online Offers:
- Flexible schedules
- Affordable tuition
- Online tutoring
- Access to electronic research materials
- Specialized academic advising
- Supportive online community