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Note: This episode was recorded and scheduled for release before the recent announcement that Rosie AI is shutting down.
In this episode of the ModSquad series on Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by modeling experts Ian Schnoor and Giles Male to evaluate Rosie AI, a new tool that integrates with both Excel and Google Sheets. Together, they test its capabilities in building financial models, solving complex FP&A tasks, and performing real-world use cases. They push Rosie through a series of tests, from basic formula creation to building full three-statement models, and discuss where it excels, where it needs improvement, and its potential future in the world of financial modeling.
Expect to Learn
Here are a few quotes from the episode:
Follow Ian Schnoor:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianschnoor/
Follow Giles Male:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giles-male-30643b15/
Rosie AI: https://www.askrosie.ai/
In today’s episode:
[02:23] - Excel Turns 40
[07:29] - Microsoft’s AI Agent vs. Modeling Tools
[16:18] - Exploring Rosie’s Website and Features
[25:35] - Real-World FP&A Test: Trial Balance Summary
[35:53] - Deferred Revenue Schedule Test
[50:54] - Detecting Inconsistent Formulas in Financial Models
[01:00:53] - Testing Rosie AI on a Five-Year Forecast Model Build
[01:08:31] - Final Thoughts: Where AI Helps and Where It Doesn’t
Disclaimer: This episode is best experienced in video format. Since we’re testing new tools like Tracelight, the visuals add valuable context and make everything much clearer. We highly recommend watching the video for the full experience.
In this episode of the ModSquad series on Financial Modelers’ Corner, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by modeling experts Ian Schnoor and Giles Male to evaluate Tracelight, a new Excel-based modeling tool. Together, they explore how well it performs across real-world use cases in FP&A, Excel eSports, and corporate finance. From auditing balance sheets to solving Excel battle cases and building five-year forecast models, the ModSquad puts Tracelight through a comprehensive test to assess what it gets right, what it gets wrong, and where it still needs improvement.
Expect to Learn
Here are a few quotes from the episode:
Follow Ian Schnoor:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianschnoor/
Follow Giles Male:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giles-male-30643b15/
Tracelight: https://tracelight.ai/
In today’s episode:
[02:22] - Tracelight Overview & Positioning
[09:46] - Giles vs. Excel eSports Battle Case
[18:00] - Reviewing Tracelight’s Logic and Output
[28:04] - Advanced Test: Championship-Level Modeling
[33:59] - AI Tools and the Learning Curve
[41:49] - Deferred Revenue Schedule Test
[56:26] - Why Doesn’t the Balance Sheet Balance?
[1:02:21] - Fixing Balance Sheet Errors Using Cloud Opus
[1:316:00] - Episode Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts
In this special launch episode of The Mod Squad, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by co-hosts Giles Male and Ian Schnoor to explore the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and financial modeling. Together, they introduce a new podcast series, The ModSquad, designed to test AI tools built for financial modelers, FP&A professionals, and analysts. The trio shares their excitement, cautious optimism, and the pressing questions they hope to answer through hands-on experimentation with cutting-edge tools that promise to transform the modeling landscape.
Paul, Giles, and Ian bring decades of combined experience across FP&A, corporate finance, Excel training, and financial modeling accreditation. This introductory episode sets the tone for a candid, unscripted, and deeply analytical journey into the practical realities of AI in finance.
Expect to Learn
Here are a few quotes from the episode:
Follow Ian Schnoor:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianschnoor/
Follow Giles Male:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giles-male-30643b15/
In today’s episode:
[01:21] - Introduction of the Episode
[04:57] - Why This Series? Helping Modelers Cut Through the AI Noise
[09:14] - Fear & Job Security: Will AI Replace Financial Modelers?
[14:14]- The Human Element in Modeling: Judgment, Communication, Scoping
[21:03] - Series Format: Tools We’ll Test & Why
[26:03] - Testing Assignments: Who’s Doing What?
[29:03] - FP&A Use Cases Paul Will Explore
[35:21] - What to Expect: Raw Prompts, Real Results
[36:52] - Closing: Why This Series Matters & How You Can Engage
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst speaks with financial modeling expert Scott Strachan about the role of financial models in business planning and decision-making. Scott shares lessons from over 30 years of experience in accounting, consulting, private equity, and corporate finance. The discussion covers the importance of modeling for startups, the problems with annual models, the risks of overrelying on EBITDA, and how the FMI certification has helped him stay sharp in a changing industry.
Scott Strachan is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Financial Modeler who has worked across the UK, the Arabian Gulf, and now serves clients in Qatar and London. He has built and reviewed complex financial models for deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and now contributes to the Financial Modeling Institute as a content developer and exam writer. Scott is known for applying practical thinking to modeling and helping bridge the gap between theory and real-world execution.
Expect to Learn
Here are a few quotes from the episode:
Follow Scott:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-strachan-ca-a795851a4/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Follow Paul:
Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpandaguy
Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:
LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/?viewAsMember=true
Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984
Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’.
Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.
In today’s episode:
[01:20] - Scott’s Background & Career in Modeling
[06:26] - Why Annual Models Often Fall Short
[09:11] - Why Startups Need Monthly Models
[13:54] - Working Capital Mistakes in Startups
[17:59] - Disposable vs. Ongoing Models
[26:37] - Thoughts on EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
[33:31] - Why Models Don’t Replace Business Fundamentals
[40:25] - Excel Shortcuts and Modeling Habits
[42:43] - Rapid Fire: Modeling Preferences
[45:58] - Final Advice & How to Reach Scott
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Host Paul Barnhurst sits down with David Stangeland, a finance professor at the University of Manitoba, to talk about teaching financial modeling, how students learn best, and the tools that have changed over the years, from PV tables to Excel. David shares what he's learned from more than 30 years in the classroom, why planning is so important in modeling, and how he uses real money investing through a student-managed fund to teach hands-on skills. He also talks about the value of the FMI curriculum, the role of judgment in modeling, and why he still learns something new every time he teaches.
David has been teaching at the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business since 1991. He has a PhD from the University of Alberta and is both a CPA and a CMA. His research focuses on corporate governance and performance and has been published in top finance journals. He’s co-authored two corporate finance textbooks and currently advises the school’s $2.8 million student-managed investment fund.
Expect to Learn
Here are a few quotes from the episode:
Follow David:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-stangeland-phd-cpa-cma-b-comm-29773946/?originalSubdomain=ca
Follow Paul:
Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpandaguy
Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:
LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/?viewAsMember=true
Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984
Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’.
Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.
In today’s episode:
[02:03] - David’s Background
[06:36] - Love for Teaching
[10:05] - Starting with NPV Tables
[13:54] - From Calculators to Excel
[22:20] - Teaching with Three-Model Framework
[27:54] - Current Projects Outside Teaching
[33:19] - Modeling Standards Followed
[35:20] - Favorite Lookup Function
[37:18] - Advice for Aspiring Modelers
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Vaughan Grandin, Managing Director and Head of Financial Modeling at Teneo. They discuss his experiences building financial models in distressed situations, the importance of empathy in working with clients, and provide examples of complex models, including those from the airline, aircraft leasing, and classic car dealership industries.
Vaughan Grandin is the Managing Director and Head of Financial Modeling at Teneo in London. He is a Chartered Accountant with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants and has more than 20 years of experience in corporate advisory, finance, and restructuring. He leads Teneo’s financial modelling team, which supports clients and other advisory teams by creating reliable models for distressed companies, transactions, and stakeholder analysis.
Disclaimer: All examples and stories shared in this video are from Vaughan Grandin’s previous roles and do not reflect his current employer.
Expect to Learn
Here are a few quotes from the episode:
Follow Vaughan:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vgrandin/?originalSubdomain=uk
Company - https://www.teneo.com/person/vaughan-grandin/
Follow Paul:
Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpandaguy
Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:
LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/?viewAsMember=true
Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn-
https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984
Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’.
Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.
In today’s episode:
[03:22] - Model Horror Stories
[06:52] - Empathy in Modeling
[07:55] - Inside Teneo’s Team
[12:50] - Classic Car Dealership Model
[21:16] - Modeling in Distressed Situations
[27:56] - Managing Complexity
[32:07] - Aircraft Leasing During COVID
[40:31] - Six Elements of Robust Modeling
[46:51] - Rapid-Fire Excel Q&A
[53:45] - Closing Reflections
In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Matthew Lee, Co-Founder and CEO of Nummo, a software tool built to help analysts and bankers build financial models more efficiently. Matt explains why he started the company after years in investment banking and as a CFO, and what he sees as the real opportunities and limits of automation in financial modeling. The conversation covers the pressure of dealing with work, common modeling mistakes, and where tools like Nummo can help speed things up without replacing analysts. Matt also shares thoughts on what makes a good model and why hands-on understanding still matters most.
Matt is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nummo, an AI co-pilot for financial modeling that he wished he had during his time in finance. Before Nummo, Matt worked as an investment banker at Lazard, helping to execute sell-side and buy-side M&A deals totaling around $6 billion in enterprise value. He also served as CFO at a digital product studio, overseeing financial planning for emerging tech products launched by Fortune 500 firms and early-stage ventures. With over 40,000 hours in Excel, Matt built Nummo to deliver a banker-grade modeling platform that runs fully on-device, maintains cell-level accuracy, and automates workflows like DCFs, LBOs, comps, and fairness opinions.
Expect to Learn
Here are a few quotes from the episode:
Follow Matthew:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-m-lee/
Company - https://www.nummo.xyz/
Follow Paul:
Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpandaguy
Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:
LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/?viewAsMember=true
Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984
Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’.
Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.
In today’s episode:
[02:28] - Matt’s background
[03:54] - Worst modeling mistakes
[06:24] - What Nummo is and how it works
[11:10] - Biggest Challenge in M&A Transactions
[15:34] - Building models that tell a story
[28:23] - How workflows are changing
[31:53] - Favourite Excel Shortcut
[39:44] - Rapid fire: Excel habits and preferences
[45:35] - Final Question & Episode
In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Morten Lykke Pedersen, a seasoned financial expert and Partner at Deloitte, where he leads the financial modeling division within the Strategy, Risk, and Transaction Advisory group. Morten discusses his extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), strategic financial modeling, and how financial models can empower businesses to make informed, data-driven decisions. He also shares insights on the importance of collaboration during the modeling process, tips for ensuring client engagement, and the role of financial models in presenting a company’s equity story.
Morten Lykke Pedersen, CFA, CFM, is a financial expert with over a decade of experience. He specializes in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), providing strategic insights that empower businesses to optimize their strategies through forecasting and risk assessment. Morten's career spans notable roles, including his tenure at PwC, where he managed valuation and modeling services. At Deloitte, Morten is dedicated to guiding businesses through complex transactions and strategic initiatives, helping them navigate industry dynamics and execute transformative transactions successfully. He holds a CFA charter and certifications in financial modeling, and his educational journey includes advanced degrees from Aarhus University, Saint Mary’s University, and the CFA Institute.
Expect to Learn
Here are a few quotes from the episode:
Follow Morten:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mortenlykkepedersen/?originalSubdomain=dk
Company - https://www.linkedin.com/company/deloitte/
Follow Paul:
Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpandaguy
Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:
LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/?viewAsMember=true
Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984
Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’.
Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.
In today’s episode:
[02:16] - Guest Background
[03:43] - Worst Model Horror Story
[07:58] - Client Engagement
[11:52] - Conveying Company Value
[13:35] - Supporting Assumptions with Data
[21:11] - The CFM Journey with Morten's Team
[31:19] - Favorite Excel shortcut.
[32:14] - The Number One Career Lesson
[33:39] - Rapid-Fire Questions
[37:38] - Final Advice
In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst celebrates the 40th anniversary of Microsoft Excel, a tool that has revolutionized the financial modeling industry and many others. Paul explores Excel’s fascinating history, its evolution over four decades, and shares interesting facts, hidden Easter eggs, and fun surprises that Excel enthusiasts will appreciate. From the first graphical interface to modern-day features like dynamic arrays, this episode showcases how Excel has shaped the way we work and how it continues to be an essential tool for financial modelers.
Expect to Learn
Here are a few quotes from the episode:
Follow Paul:
Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpandaguy
Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:
LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/?viewAsMember=true
Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984
Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’.
Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.
In today’s episode:
[02:17] - 16 Fun Facts About Excel
[08:11] - Excel's Evolution
[14:58] - Excel Easter Eggs
[16:55] - Excel Jokes to Lighten the Mood
[19:13] - Epic Excel Creations: Stunning Art
[23:11] - Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts
In this republished episode of the Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst revisits the intricate world of financial modeling with returning guest Christopher Reilly. The conversation centers around what is necessary to build robust financial models, highlighting the importance of three-statement models and cash flow forecasting. The episode is filled with practical insights, advanced techniques, and professional experiences that underscore the significance of simplicity, accuracy, and best practices in financial modeling.
Christopher Reilly is a seasoned financial modeler with extensive experience in consulting, private equity, and financial modeling education. Starting his career during the financial crisis, Chris worked on high-profile bankruptcies such as Lehman Brothers and Rescap. His journey took him from a senior analyst role at Hilton Worldwide to a middle-market private equity firm, and eventually led to founding his own financial modeling education business. Today, he focuses on teaching and building financial models, with his work being featured by Wharton Online, Wall Street Prep, and LinkedIn Learning, among others.
Expect to Learn:
Here are a few quotes from the episode:
Follow Christopher:
Follow Paul:
Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:
Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’.
Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.
In today’s episode:
[02:13] - Horror Story
[03:46] - Why simple models are most effective
[04:52] - Christopher’s career journey
[08:07] - Passion for teaching financial modeling
[11:31] - Why finance pros need 3-statement modeling
[14:13] - Getting started with a 3-statement model
[26:18] - Setting Up the Financial Plumbing
[32:01] - Tips for error checks & model integrity
[38:26] - Must-know Excel formulas & functions
[46:16] - How AI may shape financial modeling
[49:13] - Chris Reilly’s Financial Modeling Courses
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