Training Courses
Financial Model Review
Error classes, testing technique and where AI-assisted review earns its place. A structured approach to reviewing a complex financial model, using the same inspection, analytical and replication techniques our award-winning Model Audit team uses on live transactions.
See dates & pricesSend enquiry- 1 dayPractitioner-led
- Hands-onYou review a real model,
not watch one being reviewed - In person or digitalDelivered in person
and worldwide online - Take awayA structured review
approach you can reuse
Who this is for
For anyone who relies on a model being right
Financial models are central to business decision-making, and our experience shows that 95% contain errors. This course is for anyone who builds, reviews or relies on financial models and needs a structured, repeatable way to find what is wrong before it costs something.
No prior financial modelling course is required. The techniques apply to any model you are handed, not only ones built using our own methodology.
You will get the most from this course if
- You are handed models built by other people and need to assess whether you can trust them
- You want a structured method, not an ad hoc read-through, for catching errors under time pressure
- You want to understand where AI genuinely helps in review, and where it cannot replace judgement
- You want practical grounding in Excel’s built-in auditing tools, not just theory
What you will learn
A structured method, applied to a real model
Four modules take you from the principles of model review through to applying inspection and analytical technique on a real-life case-study model.
Where to start when reviewing a complex model
Learning objective: obtain an understanding of the principles of model review.
Activities and exercises:
- Discuss how model risks manifest and how that can lead to problems
- Understand how model risk can be mitigated through quality control processes
- Learn about the different types of model review or model audit, and why they are mandatory in certain sectors
The different approaches to model review
Learning objectives:
- Learn about the three model review techniques: inspection, analytical review and replication
- Understand the limitations of using AI alone to review a model
Activities and exercises:
- Understand how to use Microsoft’s in-built add-ins, such as Inquire, to review by inspection
- Use sparklines to see how patterns can identify errors as part of an analytical review
- Develop delta sheets to review sensitivities and scenarios in a model
Where the most common mistakes happen
Learning objective: learn the most common types of error in models.
Activities and exercises:
- Review the most common errors found in models and how these can be identified
- Understand how to avoid these common errors when building a financial model
- Discuss the importance of automated checks and how to incorporate them
Reviewing a real case-study model
Learning objective: apply the model review techniques from the day to a real-life case study.
Activities and exercises:
- Use the review techniques discussed and explained throughout the day on a real-life case study
- Discuss where to focus your efforts when there are time constraints
- Identify key errors using the inspection and analytical review techniques
Next available dates
Upcoming courses
How the course runs
You learn modelling by modelling
Interactive, instructor-led and built on a single modelling standard that has been taught to more than 20,000 people. You build the model yourself with individual coaching through every exercise, and you keep the completed files.
This course also runs privately: see in-house training for delivery built around your team and sector, or browse the full course portfolio.
Our trainers
Learn from a practitioner
Our courses are led by experienced members of our financial modelling and model audit teams. The trainers below run this course frequently, but your session could be led by any member of our team.
Joshua Grimm
Director, Singapore
Joshua leads the development and delivery of financial modelling training courses for Forvis Mazars in Asia. His expertise covers areas such as project finance modelling for large-scale renewable energy, utilities and infrastructure projects, as well as corporate finance modelling for M&A transactions and internal FP&A. He has supported clients with their projects from feasibility through financial close, all the way to operations.
Ben Kwan
Partner, Sydney
Ben is an experienced financial modeller with a background in transaction teams and as a lead financial modeller in industry. He has experience building a wide range of models across multiple sectors. Ben leads APAC Model Audit at Forvis Mazars, where he reviews models to support clients on bid submissions, financing processes and internal governance requirements.
Leigh Tomlinson
Director, London
Leigh is an ACA chartered accountant with over 16 years of financial modelling experience. He has a wide range of sector and international deal experience, and is responsible for leading the development of financial models across the energy, infrastructure and environment sectors.
Book this course
Dates, prices and online booking are on the course schedule. Not sure it is the right course? Ask us.
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