Financial Modelling

Gandalph

Trying desperately to get that Investment Analyst role that are pretty limited and competitive here in Dublin especially for a graduate. I get the same feedback from all companies; motivated, ambitious, good interview...but lack the experience.

I'm looking to expand on my investment modelling by building my own portfolio of models from real estate to blue chip, so I can show that sort of initiative to potential employers.

What sort of guidance/advice have the good folk of I&M got to offer to me on this one? It is not really an abnormal situation to be in so I'm guessing some people here have been in the same shoes. I want to keep it simple and use excel as I don't really have the time (at the moment) to be expanding on the little knowledge I have of any of the heavy data set statistical programs.

Tiny bit of modelling background on myself;
Sitting CFA level 1 in June (valuation models in this are extremely basic).
MSc in Finance were I worked on models such as Gordon's Growth, Discounted CF, Abnormal Earnings etc.
Have covered some basic REIT modelling for an interview just past.
Live on excel in my current job (could still do with some advanced learning) where I have a little experience with modelling derivatives such as interest rate swaps.

For ever odd

Where there's a will there's a way,and I'm sure you'll find your way!I did a Google of "financial modeling in excel", online course's, free spreadsheets and lots more if you know what to look for.
https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=Wm0YVdadLay67gaD-YFY&url=http://www.modeloff.com/questions/&ved=0CCcQFjAFOAo&usg=AFQjCNEBkCgRpemiHJ_iSzV9AW6-mOKI-w
Best of luck.

SBWife

Damodaran's Investment Valuation is a good place to start get the book choose some companies and build some valuation models based on his techniques.

Make sure also that you can build earnings models projecting the financial statements of companies 2-3 years into the future and tieing the SFP, SCI, and Cash Flow together.

Once you're comfortable with these look at building some portfolio risk models incorporating historical and Monte Carlo simulations.

Gandalph

Thanks guys.

The Damodaran book looks good, seems to be the favourite of a lot of academics, will have to order it.