
Episode 8 - Charting a Start-up’s Journey: Financial Models for start-up’s with Zainab Nwachuku
Welcome to Financial Modeler's Corner (FMC) where we discuss the art and science of financial modeling with your host Paul Barnhurst. Financial Modeler's Corner is sponsored by Financial Modeling Institute (FMI) the most respected accreditations in Financial Modeling globally.
In this episode, Paul Barnhurst is joined by Zainab Nwachuku, who is the Managing Director and the lead Financial Modeler of The Intellectual Plug which is a consulting firm in Nigeria that helps founders get ready for funding with investors.
Zainab is extremely passionate about financial modeling and hopes more women who are fond of numbers choose to join the profession.
Listen to this episode as Zainab shares:
Her journey from accounting to financial modeling
Her experience and learnings from the worst models she has come across
Her experience working with founders to help turn their ideas into a financial model that can help make their dreams a reality
The horror story of linking workbooks in Excel
Her unwavering passion for Modeling
Her position on controversial modeling issues, including circular references, dynamic arrays, modeling standards, and more
In this episode, Paul shares some great modeling people and companies to follow to stay up to date on modeling.

Episode 7 - Are LAMBDAs & Dynamic Arrays the future of Financial Modeling? A lively discussion with 4 modeling experts.
Welcome to Financial Modeler's Corner (FMC) where we discuss the art and science of financial modeling with your host Paul Barnhurst. Financial Modeler's Corner is sponsored by Financial Modeling Institute (FMI), the most respected accreditations in Financial Modeling globally.
In this episode, your host, Paul Barnhurst is joined by 4 fabulous guests, namely, Jeff Robson, Danielle Stein Fairhurst, Craig Hatmaker & Ian Schnoor. They are all highly accomplished and respected modelers in the Financial Modeling profession. In this episode they share thoughts on Dynamic Arrays and LAMBDAs.
Jeff is a Financial Modeler, Business Analyst, International Trainer & Presenter. Danielle Stein is a Financial Modeler, Author, and Corporate Trainer based in Australia. Craig is a retired Financial Modeler and is a 5G (fifth generation) modeling enthusiast, and Ian Schnoor is the Executive Director at the Financial Modeling Institute (FMI), which is also the sponsor of this Podcast.
Listen to this episode as the guests talk about:
Why it is important to keep current on the latest developments in modeling
LAMBDAs what they are and how they could revolutionize financial modeling
Dynamic Arrays, what they are, how they work, and what it is like to build a model using Dynamic Arrays
How Dynamic Arrays will make auditing models easier
The guest's favorite Dynamic Array formulas

Episode 6 -Become a better Modeler by developing a decision-making mindset: Hedieh Kianyfard
Welcome to Financial Modeler's Corner (FMC) where we discuss the art and science of financial modeling with your host Paul Barnhurst. Financial Modeler's Corner is sponsored by Financial Modeling Institute (FMI) the most respected accreditations in Financial Modeling globally.
In this episode, Paul Barnhurst is joined by Hedieh Kianyfard, who is the founder of Finexmod. This is the website where Hedieh shares her views on financial modeling and shows that it’s possible to have fun with finance.
Hedieh is passionate about economic development and aims to make financial modeling easy and fun for everyone.
Listen to this episode as Hedieh shares:
Her journey and background in financial modeling
Her experience and learning from the worst models that she came across
How Hedieh considers Modeling as a great career and more than a stepping stone.
Responsibility as a modeler to reject bad projects and help ensure good projects are accepted.
Everything about her book- Financial Modeling Detective
10 Financial Modeling Commandments
Why people should avoid circular references – hint they are the devil 😊
The importance of having a decision-making mindset
Her position on controversial modeling issues, including circular references, dynamic arrays, modeling standards, and more

Episode 5 - Becoming A Better Financial Modeler With Chris Reilly
In this episode, Paul Barnhurst is joined by Chris Reilly, who is the founder of Financial Modeling Education. Chris spent many years working in private equity and today, he runs his own business focused on providing financial modeling education and financial modeling consulting services.
Chris Reilly is very passionate about Financial Modeling and helping others learn to build robust financial models focused on the 3-financial statements.
Listen to this episode as Chris shares:
The worst model he ever built; hint it involves using his phone :)
His journey and background into Modeling
The importance of simple, uncomplicated model design
How being a part of a financial modeling community like FMI can help modelers
The revolver approach for managing cash and why it is important in modeling
The benefits and challenges of using EBITDA to value a company
His position on controversial modeling issues, including circular references, dynamic arrays, modeling standards, and more

Episode 4: Financial Modeling education, Excel competitions, exciting academic research and more with Professor David C. Brown
In this episode, Paul Barnhurst is joined by David C. Brown, who is the Founder of Financial Modeling University Championships. He is an Associate Professor of Finance, and his teaching is focused on Financial Modeling, where he brings his real-world experience to the classroom with his students.
He is very passionate about research and the Wall Street Journal and MarketWatch have highlighted his work.
Listen to this episode as David shares:
His journey and background into Modeling
His experience starting and running the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge
How Financial Modeling competitions help you grow and learn
The key differences between modeling for competition and modeling for work
His learning from his research and years of experience
How he would structure the college finance program if he were in charge
His latest research on Target Date Funds and how they perform relative to other retirement portfolios
His position on controversial modeling issues, including circular references, dynamic arrays, modeling standards, and more

Episode 3 - Benefits of competing in the Financial Modeling World Cup- Insights from World Champion Diarmuid Early
In this episode, Paul Barnhurst is joined by Diarmuid Early, one of the best modelers in the world and, the Founder of Early Days Consulting. He is a regular competitor in the Financial Modeling World Cup (FMWC) and is often referred to as the Michael Jordan of financial modeling for his impressive results. He is the winner of the 2021 FMWC and a runner-up in the 2020 and 2022 editions.

Episode 2 - David Brown: The Future of Modeling
In this episode, Paul Barnhurst is joined by David Brown, the Managing Partner of D Brown Consulting and one of the most respected financial modelers, consultants, and educators in the field of finance with offices on multiple continents.
Listen to this episode as David shares:
His journey and background into ModelingHow to find your passion and be willing to put yourself out there
How he learned he had a passion for teaching at a young age
How intuition is a good place to start, but the model helps validate hunches and numbers
How he explains the balance sheet without using numbers to non-finance people
Ways to embrace AI and use it to be more efficient in the work you do.
His position on controversial modeling issues, including circular references, dynamic arrays, modeling standards, and more.

Episode 1 - Ian Schoor: Why Validate your Financial Modeling Skills?
Welcome to Financial Modeler's Corner (FMC) where we discuss the art and science of financial modeling with your host Paul Barnhurst. Financial Modeler's Corner is sponsored by Financial Modeling Institute (FMI) the most respected accreditations in Financial Modeling globally.
In this first episode, Paul Barnhurst is joined by Ian Schnoor, the Executive Director of the Financial Modeling Institute and one of the foremost educators on financial modeling globally.
Listen to this episode as Ian shares:
· What it was like in the early days of financial modeling
· Why FMI created a financial modeling accreditation in the first place
· The importance of Financial Modeling as a profession
· How FMI created a community to help all modelers find the best resources and elevate the profession in the process