5 Reasons why you should learn financial modelling after CA

Here is something every successful professional will tell you: There is no such thing as too much learning.

Anyone who has enjoyed a flourishing career has often had to brush up on training, develop new skills and update their knowledge bank. It’s a competitive world out there, and if you want to stay ahead, you should be a lifelong learner.

A chartered accountant is no stranger to a rigorous educational program. The road to becoming certified is quite long-winding, tiring and challenging.

Once you clear your exams, you are ready to join an elite force of accountants who enjoy a stellar reputation among all financial companies. However, if you want to switch tracks and expand into other fields like investment banking, you need an ace up your sleeve. One of your options is to learn the financial modelling course after CA.

This program teaches you the essential skills to work in industries such as equity research, project finance, credit research and financial analysis. It is used extensively by all the leading companies, banks and financial firms. It could also be your ticket to upgrading your career.

What is financial modelling?

It is a spreadsheet-based software system such as MS Excel that helps to store and analyze critical financial information. The model helps businesses keep track of their income and expenses. It evaluates data and helps you predict future profitability.

You learn how to create balance sheets, cash flow statements and income statements.

It is an ideal course for CA students, as you can make calculations, records and carry out a host of functions that will benefit the business, such as:

• Give a structure to the company’s financial information and organize their data
• Observe how the business is tracking
• Manage risks and threats
• Create valuations for mergers and acquisitions
• Consolidate all the facts and figures to present the larger picture to company heads and shareholders
• Make decisions based on existing data and trends

All about the financial modelling course

Almost every company in the world uses financial modelling systems. If you are interested in the finance and accounting industry, the FM program is one of the best courses after CA.

FM course details

• The program lasts for three months
• Students learn core skills
• It is open to undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates and professional accountants (CA)

The syllabus contains 5 modules:

• Problem-Solving in Excel
• Financial statement analysis
• Corporate finance
• Project finance
• Equity modelling

The curriculum also offers:

• Enhanced accounting training
• Help with presentation skills
• Developed analytical thinking

Also Read – Scope of Financial modeling

5 Reasons CAs should learn financial modelling

1. Improves your analytical and research skills

What sets your accountancy capabilities apart from an AI-enhanced system? It’s your sharp mind. A computer may learn all the standards and practices of accountancy, but they will never understand how to analyse or enquire.

Financial modelling is the best course after CA as it teaches you to go beyond ordinary financial statements. The syllabus encourages students to open their minds while analysing the facts with a critical eye. You learn how to understand historical records or current economic trends and make predictions for the future. It is an invaluable tool if you’re planning to join investment banking, financial analysis or equity research in an accountant capacity.

2. Gives you a clear advantage

Every year, a group of newly-minted accountants join the rat race. You may be proficient at accounting standards, but what sets you apart from your peers? If you want your supervisor to sit up and take notice, you need to showcase more facilities than the average accountant, who is also your competition.

Many candidates from other professional courses and certifications are eyeing the same job as you. Your knowledge of the FM method gives you an edge and makes you a forerunner in the recruitment process. Remember, specialised skills are always preferred over standardised ones.

3. Enhances the value of your CA qualification

As a CA, you are fluent in the accounting language. But, as a financial modelling expert, you pick up a second dialect and expand your vocabulary. You learn how to use advanced MS Excel like a pro. You are educated in VBA and the basics of coding. Add quantitative and valuation methods to the list as well. Besides improving your digital skills, you also pick up some impressive techniques.

• Simplifying large amounts of complex information
• Presenting your ideas and insights coherently and efficiently
• Solving problems by using a logical framework
• Helping with planning strategies and arriving at concrete solutions

When you master these skills and abilities, you are ready to enter the financial world as a future-compliant professional.

4. You can go beyond traditional expectations

Most chartered accountants often find themselves stuck in their careers. Their careers revolve around auditing, accounting and taxation. There isn’t any room to think out of the box or explore other opportunities. A financial modelling course after CA helps you to widen your horizons. You can pursue other avenues such as project finance, research, investment banking, etc. These changes can also bring monetary compensations and salary hikes. You can leave the accounting stereotypes behind while moving on to more exciting and challenging prospects.

5. Up-skill in a shorter time

It takes time, effort and a lot of hard work to achieve your well-earned CA status. And once you start working, you don’t have the time and energy to learn new skills or do another course. However, you might want to change streams and enter a new field within the financial industry. In those cases, a modelling program is the right investment for your career. It is a quick program that helps you master key concepts and acquire analytical skills. If you are unable to take on another professional certification (such as the CFA) due to a lack of time, financial modelling is the next best thing.

Being the pioneers of the Financial Modelling Course In India, Proschool has trained 15,000+ students and placed students in top finance organizations

How financial modelling can help your financial career

• Project finance

If you are a practising CA looking to shift to project finance, this course can help you. You learn how to create specific models for various purposes such as cash flow analysis and determining financial viabilities.

• Equity research

A finance model is a perfect tool for handling critical research. You can put up listed stocks or other investment avenues to gauge how the market is doing and what steps you need to take. It especially helps when you want to offer advice to your clients.

• Investment banking

Your superior Excel skills are an excellent fit for this industry. You can create models to help you make informed decisions that impact future profits and performance.

• Corporate finance

Financial models are widely used to create management information system reports in this field. You need a spreadsheet system that follows a standard format yet allows room for adaptability. It helps you to observe and assess the performance of a project.

• Mergers and acquisitions

A financial model makes your life easier when working on the M&A process. It creates authentic valuations, analyses the market and predicts future profits based on current research.

Also Read – Top 7 Skills That Make You An Expert In Finance

Why IMS Proschool is the best destination for financial modelling for CAs

IMS Proschool was one of the first institutions to offer the unique Financial Modelling Plus program. The course is well-known for its innovative active learning methodology, praised by alumni and industry experts. Proschool has a staff of experts skilled in teaching the core fundamentals of financial modelling. They ensure students have a firm understanding of the subjects by clearing doubts and simplifying concepts. The coaching institute offers the right environment for learning for all students, whether they are undergraduates or professional chartered accountants.

Here are some of the reasons why Proschool’s Financial Modelling program is the best course after CA:

• You are done with the course within three months
• You are taught to use models to tackle real-world challenges
• The syllabus teaches students to find real-world solutions
• The professors are expert professionals from the field
• After the course, you will get NSDC and the Proschool certificates
• You learn topics such as financial statement analysis, equity modelling and corporate finance
• The faculty consists of industry-trained professionals
• You can attend a coaching centre in your city or learn online through their virtual classes
• Proschool students who have done the FM course now work in:
  • PWC
  • Deloitte
  • Accenture
  • Citi Group
  • Deutsche Bank
  • Oracle
  • Hindustan times
  • PepsiCo

In conclusion

The demand for financial modelling knowledge is at an all-time high. Companies are actively looking for professionals who are certified and proficient. Financial modelling is the best course for CA students or working professionals, as it lends added weight to your resume. Your ability to grow and learn new things is crucial to your development. It is what will help you rise to the top of your career. So, if you are ready to take the next step, this is the time to do it.