Last updated on December 5th, 2023 at 08:47 am
As we move further in the 21st century our dependence on the use of modern technology to complete our tasks is increasing. Businesses are increasingly relying on the applications of progressive technology that uses data analysis to solve real-world problems. Data science has been the key driver of growth for businesses in the digital age.
The finance and banking sector is also leveraging the power of data science to study the market and predict future trends. It helps them provide accurate insights into the future that would’ve been impossible without data.
What is Financial Modelling?
Financial modelling can be simply explained as the process of creating an abstract picture of the real-world financial scenario. A lot goes into creating and perfecting a financial model, it is a mathematical model that can help to predict the financial performance of an asset, portfolio, project, business, organization, etc.
It helps to assess the overall financial performance of the business and make future predictions regarding the same.
So how does it work? What goes into creating a financial model that can accurately predict the performances of financial assets and projects?
Well, a lot goes into creating a financial model but the key ingredients in any financial model remain the same. The main elements of a financial model include historical data regarding the asset, project etc. and assumptions about the future that might have an impact on the overall performance.
To assess a company’s financial performance, the preparation of important financial statements including cash flow statement, balance sheet, profit and loss statement, etc. is required. Based on these financial statements, complex financial models are built to predict and forecast future performance. Some of the commonly used financial models include a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model, Leveraged-Buyout (LBO) model, and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) model.
The Importance of Financial Models
In today’s data-driven world, financial models help businesses to obtain valuable insights regarding the market and performance of a project, financial asset, portfolio, etc. This helps them make prudent investment decisions related to their business. Financial models are generally used for conducting complex financial analysis and business decision making.
It is used by both inside executives and outside parties who want to analyze the business. Financial modelling is a highly demanded skill by employers in the banking and finance sector. A financial modelling course can help you obtain a comprehensive understanding of the subject and impart you with practical knowledge and skills regarding the field.
In the financial modelling process, all important variables that might affect the financial outcome of a project or business are inserted into the model to create different future scenarios, this helps the organization by keeping them prepared for all uncertainties and have a contingency in place to tackle the situation.
Another important role of financial modelling can be seen in the case of capital budgeting. It helps to a great extent when it comes to evaluating the cost of capital and guiding on the perfect choice of capital for a business.
The main applications of financial modelling can be highlighted in the below-mentioned contexts.
- Financial modelling plays a key role in raising capital through debt or equity securities
- It helps businesses with mergers and acquisition by predicting the value of assets and liabilities and evaluating the returns from assets and other investments to give a fair picture
- It helps businesses to grow organically by predicting the scope and suitability of operations in a particular market
- It aids businesses in selling assets and business divisions, in turn, helps them provide more liquidity
- Budgeting, forecasting and valuation are some of the most important uses of financial modelling for businesses in multiple industries
- Capita allocation can be tricky when not much is known about a project, financial modelling helps to forecast the return on investment for various projects to find out the most profitable ones
Also Read: What is Financial Modelling Course
