Financial Valuation / Modeling Course

[thegoofysmiley]

Hi there,

I am thinking about taking a financial valuation / modeling course in hopes to switch to an equity or debt capital markets career in the banking industry.

Would anyone have any recommendations of good courses (online, self-study or classroom study) here?

Many thanks!

[cookie09]

training the street is the best provider. but seldom in town...

[fth]

On the credit side
Fitch Training - All Courses
On other departments
Euromoney Financial Training Courses

My only caveat with these is do not look at these courses as a magic bullet. Financial institutions also look at other qualities in their candidates.

[Dmmos]

I don't know anything about the others, but if you want to get into that field I also strongly suggest you go into the CFA program. You'll need to lay out some Benjamin's (around USD1,000, then about USD500 for each of the two following exams) but it shows you are committed, and it's definitely the most recognised qualification you can get (outside a relevant finance degree).

[fth]

I don't know anything about the others, but if you want to get into that field I also strongly suggest you go into the CFA program. You'll need to lay out some Benjamin's (around USD1,000, then about USD500 for each of the two following exams) but it shows you are committed, and it's definitely the most recognised qualification you can get (outside a relevant finance degree).

Agreed with the above statement. It takes most people I know at least three years, I think that the OP might want a job a little sooner.

I forgot to mention this company as well. Financial Modeling, Valuation, M&A Training for Banking - AMT Financial Training. When they were much smaller, many years ago they trained me as part of my graduate programme. They have an office in Hong Kong.

[Dmmos]

I agree with the above posters - don't forget, also, that is possibly significant enough to mention in your CV (i.e. under Education; 'intending/enrolled in CFA Level I Exam June 2011') and definitely discuss in an interview. You don't want to be dishonest, but it would highlight commitment, etc. I should have done it throughout my master's, I'm actually planning on sitting the Level I Exam soon...

Also, for those trying to get in to any particular finance/investment banking role or learn a little more about the field, the following resource is incredibly useful;

Understanding Investment Banking | Mergers & Inquisitions

Good luck!

[vdavis]

There are two industry standards for financial modeling:

Wall Street Prep and Damodaran

Best course i ever took in financial modeling was from Wall Street Prep. They came to my school and they train directly at the investment banks but i am not sure if they do anything open to the public in hong kong. Their home study programs can be found at Self Study Programs - Wall Street Prep

Damodaran is a prof at new york university that is considered the "banker's professor" he does a lot of training at investment banks and had an expansive website with lots of useful spreadsheet and model templates - his books are also available for pdf download and ive found them very helpful.
His site can be found at Damodaran Online: Home Page for Aswath Damodaran

[freeier]

questions:

1. are you already in banking. which area ?
2. did you guys sort of like figured out how many CFA chartered holders are out there hoping for a chance to jump into the financial sector.. 8-P

[fth]

questions:

1. are you already in banking. which area ?
2. did you guys sort of like figured out how many CFA chartered holders are out there hoping for a chance to jump into the financial sector.. 8-P

1. Yes, having been in DCM, M&A and PE
2. I don't have a CFA, many people I know did it on the job whilst in the financial service sector. It is highly prized and significantly cheaper than doing an MBA.

[thegoofysmiley]

Thank you all for the valuable advice.

My prior roles have been in Product Control and Corporate Banking. With a few years of working experience (aka between an analyst and associate level), I understand it may not be the easiest to break into Equity or Debt Capital Markets when their recruitment process is rather rigid. I thought taking a financial modeling course will give me a better idea of what the work will be and show my strong interest in the field.

I agree with the comments on CFA program. It took a lot of my time outside work to study those exams in the past. Thanks again everyone!