Course outline
A 30-minute beginner seminar
This beginner financial modelling seminar uses a simple café forecast as the running worked example. The goal is to teach learners how to design, structure, build, and control a simple financial model before relying on its outputs.
- 0–3 minA model as a decision-support tool
What is a financial model?
Café thread: Should the café owner open on Sundays?
- 3–8 minPurpose, audience, outputs, drivers
Design before build
Café thread: Define the café model before opening Excel
- 8–15 minInputs, calculations, outputs, checks
Model structure: inputs, calculations, outputs, controls
Café thread: Build the café model map
- 15–22 minSimple, consistent, transparent formulas
Formula discipline
Café thread: Calculate café revenue and costs clearly
- 22–27 minChecks, assumptions, review, version control
Model risk controls
Café thread: Add basic checks to the café model
- 27–30 minModel quality checklist
Recap and final takeaways
Café thread: Can we rely on the café forecast?