In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Duncan McKeen, a seasoned equity research analyst turned financial modeler and educator at CFI. Duncan's career journey is an inspiring example of adaptation and perseverance, starting in mechanical engineering before transitioning into finance.

Duncan shares how he leveraged his sector expertise in mining to break into equity research, despite having no formal financial background. He candidly discusses the challenges he faced, from learning on the job to mastering financial modeling, and offers insights into what it takes to succeed in high-pressure finance roles. Whether you're curious about equity research, financial modeling, or considering a career change, Duncan’s story is full of actionable advice and inspiration.

In this episode of What's New at CFI on FinPod, we dive into the latest addition to our course lineup, Comparable Valuation Fundamentals. Our expert instructors discuss designing the course specifically to make valuation concepts more accessible for learners without extensive finance backgrounds. You’ll hear about the decision to use fictional companies for easier digestion of the fundamentals and the exciting new feature—Grade Your Progress—an innovative tool that guides learners through Excel models with real-time feedback. Tune in to learn about the challenges of valuation, the fundamentals of comparable valuation, and why it's a critical skill for financial professionals at any level! 

In this episode of CFI Member Spotlight on FinPod, we feature Charaf Bourhalla, a seasoned finance professional who has built a career with major firms like KPMG and Kimberly Clark, eventually becoming Head of Consolidation at Nestle Skin Health.  He holds several key certifications, including the FMVA from CFI, ACCA with a focus on IFRS, and the PMP from PMI.

Charaf offers insights into his journey through consulting and corporate finance, sharing his experiences with financial consolidation, IFRS conversions, and the challenges of working with large multinational companies. He emphasizes the importance of accepting challenges, continuous learning, and staying adaptable in the fast-changing finance landscape.

In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss the newly released course, FP&A Professional: Model Roll Forward and Analysis. This course is the second in a three-part series designed to enhance Excel skills while focusing on essential monthly workflows for FP&A professionals. Listeners will learn best practices for managing files, rolling models forward, and incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data to drive decision-making. 

We also cover key strategies for improving forecasting accuracy and rolling models forward at the end of the fiscal year. If you work in FP&A or are looking to make a shift into an FP&A role, you’ll want to tune in for real-world tips & advice to help refine month-end workflows, enhance forecasting precision, and effectively incorporate qualitative insights alongside the data for more informed decision-making.

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we talk to Alex Yuditski, a growth investor at Bessemer Venture Partners. Starting with a pivot in college from history to economics, Alex’s path led her from investment banking at Regions Bank and William Blair to working on pre-IPO growth equity deals at Blue Owl Capital. Now at one of the top venture firms globally, Alex focuses on Series B and beyond, with a special interest in the role of AI in finance.

Alex emphasizes the importance of embracing curiosity, taking risks, and navigating unexpected career shifts. She offers insights on her transition from finance to tech-focused investment roles, highlighting how each stage of her journey provided valuable experience and growth. Tune in for practical advice and reflections from Alex’s career in finance. 

In this episode of What's New at CFI on FinPod, we’re excited to introduce our latest course, "Intro to Bank Valuations." We’ve designed this course to simplify the world of bank valuation models by focusing on practical methodologies like the asset value approach, comparables, and the dividend discount model. 

We dive into why mastering bank financial statements and Basel III regulations is a prerequisite of valuation performance, why traditional valuation metrics like enterprise value don’t apply to banks, global banking comps, insurance companies, and non-bank financial institutions.

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we welcome Kristen Kelly and Jennifer Saarbach, founders of The Wall Street Skinny. Through their podcast, social media platforms, and other channels, they've built a highly regarded brand dedicated to demystifying the complex world of finance and helping others break into the industry.

Kristen and Jennifer share their journeys of transitioning into high finance, offering real-world advice for those considering similar career moves. From navigating the challenges of non-finance degrees to leveraging mentorships and the power of perseverance, their stories are full of practical tips for listeners looking to unlock opportunities in finance. Tune in to hear how they started, the myths of working on Wall Street, and their thoughts on why keeping career options open is key to long-term success.

In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we dive into the complexities of calculating diluted shares, including how various factors—such as stock options, convertible debt, and restricted stock—affect a company’s share count. We explain how failing to account for potential shares that could be issued (like employee stock options or convertible debt) can lead to overvaluing a company’s equity. By breaking down the differences between basic shares outstanding and fully diluted shares, we can begin to see how these complexities can impact financial valuations.

We also discuss how convertible debt and preferred stock can convert into shares and cause dilution. Through practical examples, including a case study on a well-known supermarket chain, we walk listeners through the step-by-step process of calculating the impact of these conversions on the total share count. This approach makes a complex topic more approachable and easier to understand.

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Iain Main, who has built a career working across global markets. Iain began his journey at BDO, where he trained as a Chartered Accountant and gained valuable experience in London and Vancouver. His career later took him to Omnicom, where he worked in FP&A, partnering with CFOs and CEOs across 25 countries, gaining deep insights into financial planning and business operations. Now a consultant at Bedford Consulting, Iain specializes in implementing and optimizing Anaplan, helping businesses scale their financial planning strategies. 

In the episode, Iain shares key lessons from his diverse roles, the trends shaping FP&A today, and the importance of scenario planning and collaboration across organizations. This episode is packed with actionable insights for finance professionals looking to navigate the evolving financial planning landscape.

In this episode of What's New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss accounting for leases, focusing on the key differences between operating and finance leases under US GAAP and IFRS. We explain the recent changes in accounting standards and how they impact financial analysts when comparing companies using different reporting frameworks. We cover essential topics like how to treat lease liabilities and assets on the balance sheet and the implications for financial analysis and valuation. 

Whether you're dealing with finance leases, operating leases, or comparing companies across accounting standards, this discussion provides practical tips and real-world examples to help you navigate the complexities of correctly classifying leases, adjusting for different accounting treatments, and ensuring accurate financial reporting. If you're a financial analyst or just interested in understanding the latest insights in lease accounting, this episode is packed with insights to expand your knowledge and improve your ability to interpret financial statements