I’m looking for an expert financial modeler with grand wizard like skills to help me understand some of the formulas in this very complex lbo-merger model I have to duplicate.
My modeling skills are basic to say the least. I’ve never seen some of these formulas implemented in this model. Some cells contain so much code, that if copied, you could fill a page in word. The model is super complex, hence why Im looking for someone with grand wizard modeling skills. Since the model is super complex I would want to focus on two tabs to begin - the dashboard (inputs) and debt sweep. If you have prior investment banking or private equity experience and pride yourself in how beast your modeling skills are…well…be prepared for a rude awakening. GS took a look and said…“wholly F1 key! We’ve never seen anyone model like this before” Ps. No major macros, mainly hairy excel formulas. We can chat off line about this in more detail if you are interested!
I paid $500 for Breaking Into Wall St… and its not worth it… Too much emphasis on keyboard shortcuts… Practice making your own models utilizing different functions. YouTube videos will cover every “advanced” topic in some form…
Dude! this is way more advance than breaking into wall street, training the streets, wall street training.
I’m asking for help in trying to understand these insane formulas. Not take a class in financial modeling because i’ve already taken some…an unless you are doing this 24/7 it’s a waste of money.
Ah, I’ve seen that before, one place hired me largely based on the belief that I could figure this crap out for them (the prior analysts who were hired to do it gave up). There are models, and then there’s stuff like this, which stumps people who think they are advanced modelers. Crazy logic imbedded in logic imbedded in logic, with references to everything at once. You break one reference and the whole model goes dead. My approach was to map the logic out on paper, with lots of coffee, and lots of Googling of obscure functions. Once I understood what it was doing, I could visualize the mega-formula as more managable chunks. Not really that fun, unless you’re a real sicko.
Sounds like a bunch of nested IF, AND, OR, statements with some intermediate formulas. I bet the model isn’t that bad. Macros are a completely different level because you have to understand VBA. Extensive formulas like this one indicate to me that the person modeling isn’t good at all. It shouldn’t take a page to write out a command. Use a macro or learn formula shortcuts. There’s no reason to have nested formulas that extend forever. You also lose “computing power” in excel by making superflous formulas.
While I’m not a fan of this page-long formula method, in my single encounter with it the person WAS very good. The formulas were not superfluous, the person had simply boiled the whole workbook down to a minimum number of cells which did all the calcs (as opposed to each cell doing one calc). It was brilliant work, except for the minor problem that nobody else could follow it!
Yup, we had processor melt-down issues. But then again, we had them no matter how the math was phrased…hit recalc, go to lunch.
Its filled with crazy nested if, and or, plus a crap load of other functions.
The guy that wrote it tried to add extreme flexibility to a model that uses different forecasts from other departments…so unfortunately is a necessary evil.
Sounds like a bunch of nested IF, AND, OR, statements with some intermediate formulas. I bet the model isn’t that bad. Macros are a completely different level because you have to understand VBA. Extensive formulas like this one indicate to me that the person modeling isn’t good at all. It shouldn’t take a page to write out a command. Use a macro or learn formula shortcuts. There’s no reason to have nested formulas that extend forever. You also lose “computing power” in excel by making superflous formulas.
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Our modeler has tried to add a lot of flexibilty which unfortunately creates super crazy formula strings which are impossible to follow. At least for someone with intermediate skills.
I meant to post this yesterday, but never hit the “add comment” button before I left work. You’ve since edited your reply… why the need for two accounts?
The issue is that in order to maintain accuracy and combine multiple inputs from different teams you have to model dynamically to the point that normal people can’t easily audit!
