Getting Started with Financial Valuation
Before you jump into complex models and theories, there are a few things worth considering.
I've worked with analysts who dove straight into DCF models without understanding the fundamentals. They could plug numbers into Excel, sure—but they couldn't explain why their terminal value assumptions made sense or what their WACC actually represented.
Valuation isn't just about formulas. It's about developing a mindset that questions assumptions, understands business drivers, and can tell when numbers are telling you something's off.
Our next program intake opens July 2026What You Actually Need to Know First
Most training programs assume you already have certain foundations in place. We've found that assumption creates problems down the track.
You don't need an economics PhD, but you do need comfort with financial statements. If reading a cash flow statement makes you nervous, that's something to address early. Same goes for basic statistical concepts and how interest rates work in practice.
The good news? These aren't mysterious skills. They just take some focused attention before you move into valuation-specific techniques.
Financial Statement Literacy
Can you read a balance sheet and spot inconsistencies? Do you understand how the three statements connect? This matters more than you'd think.
Excel Proficiency
Not just =SUM formulas. We're talking INDEX-MATCH, data tables, sensitivity analysis. You'll build models that need to actually work.
Industry Awareness
Different sectors have different valuation approaches. Understanding why matters before you start applying techniques.
Time Commitment Reality
Plan for 8-12 hours weekly. That's practice time, not just watching videos. Your schedule needs to accommodate actual learning.
Three Areas to Self-Assess
Be honest with yourself about where you stand. There's no judgment here—just clarity about what you'll need to develop as you progress through the material.
Quantitative Comfort
You'll work with percentages, ratios, and probability distributions regularly. If math makes you anxious, that's workable—but you should know it's coming.
Critical Thinking
Valuation requires questioning your own assumptions constantly. Can you challenge a conclusion even when the numbers seem to support it? That's the mindset we build.
Business Context
Numbers exist within industries, economies, and competitive landscapes. Understanding context prevents you from producing technically correct but practically useless valuations.
Research Discipline
Good valuation work involves digging through annual reports, investor presentations, and industry data. It's not glamorous, but it's necessary.
Attention to Detail
A misplaced decimal or wrong cell reference can throw off an entire model. You'll need to develop systematic checking habits that catch errors before they matter.
Patience with Complexity
Some concepts take multiple passes to understand. That's normal. What matters is sticking with material until it clicks rather than moving on prematurely.
Real Learning Takes Real Practice
There's a difference between understanding a concept and being able to apply it under pressure. We've designed our approach around that distinction.
Case-Based Learning
You'll work through actual company valuations, not sanitized textbook examples. Real data is messy. That's where the learning happens.
Iterative Feedback
Your first attempts won't be perfect. Neither will your third. We've built in multiple review cycles so you can refine your approach with guidance.
Peer Discussion
Other participants will spot things you miss and vice versa. That collaborative questioning strengthens everyone's analytical muscles.
Practical Application
By the end, you'll have completed several full valuations from scratch. That portfolio demonstrates capability in ways certificates alone cannot.
Ready to See What's Involved?
Our Learning Program page details the curriculum structure, typical timelines, and what participants actually work on. Or if you want to talk through whether this matches your current situation, reach out directly.