Innovation Lab Innovation Toolbox Financial Modeler Learning Lab
Financial Modeler Learning Lab

Business Financial Modeler

Build it. Explore it. Understand it. Use it to make better decisions.

The Business Financial Modeler helps advisors and business owners turn financial assumptions into a working model they can explore together. Use this Learning Lab to learn the tool, practice with guided business scenarios, and strengthen the financial reasoning behind important business decisions.

No installation required. Practice scenarios use fictional business data.

Learn the Financial Modeler

Three short walkthroughs take you from the fundamentals through advanced modeling and AI-supported analysis. Watch them in sequence or jump directly to the area you need.

VIDEO 01
Video Coming Soon

Getting Started & Building Your Model

Start with the core workflow and learn how to create, save, load and review a basic financial model.

Overview Home Save / Load Revenue Payroll Review
VIDEO 02
Video Coming Soon

Expenses, Financing & Financial Insights

Add operating expenses and basic financing, then use Insights and Review to better understand the resulting financial picture.

Operating Expenses Basic Financing Insights Review
VIDEO 03
Video Coming Soon

Advanced Modeling & AI Support

Go beyond the basic model with advanced financing, modeling capabilities, AI-supported assistance and future optimization tools.

Advanced Financing Modeler Eric Optimize

Practice with Guided Business Scenarios

Learning the mechanics is only the beginning. These four exercises help you use the Modeler to explore the kinds of questions that arise in real advising conversations.

EXERCISE 01
BUILD

Create the Financial Picture

Start with a business situation and construct the model from the information provided. The goal is to translate the story of the business into financial assumptions.

You'll Practice
  • Translating business information into assumptions
  • Entering revenue, payroll and operating expenses
  • Establishing financing
  • Reviewing the resulting financial picture
EXERCISE 02
EXPLORE

See What Changes the Outcome

Load an existing business model and experiment with key assumptions. Observe how changes in one area affect profitability, cash flow and the overall financial picture.

You'll Practice
  • Changing revenue assumptions
  • Exploring COGS and gross margin
  • Testing staffing and expense changes
  • Comparing financing alternatives
EXERCISE 03
UNDERSTAND

What Are the Numbers Telling You?

Begin with a completed model. Instead of simply changing the numbers, diagnose what is happening in the business and identify the questions the financial picture raises.

You'll Practice
  • Identifying important financial signals
  • Connecting assumptions with outcomes
  • Recognizing financial and cash-flow pressure
  • Developing better diagnostic questions
EXERCISE 04
ADVISE

Turn the Model into a Conversation

Use a business situation and working model to explore alternatives, identify tradeoffs and determine how the financial analysis can support a productive advising conversation.

You'll Practice
  • Exploring options rather than prescribing answers
  • Comparing alternative scenarios
  • Identifying financial tradeoffs
  • Turning analysis into an advising conversation

From Financial Information to Better Decisions

BUILD Create the picture
EXPLORE Test the levers
UNDERSTAND Interpret the results
ADVISE Support the decision

The goal isn't simply to produce a financial projection. It's to build the ability to move from business information, to financial understanding, to a better business conversation.

🤖

Need a Hand? Ask Eric.

Eric is the Financial Modeler's AI support companion. He can help you navigate the application, understand basic financial concepts, and think through how different parts of the model work together.

Eric supports the person using the Modeler. He does not replace the advisor or conduct the client conversation.

Resources & Downloads

Quick references, practice files and workshop materials will continue to be added as the Financial Modeler Learning Lab grows.

📘

Quick Start Guide

A concise reference for navigating the Modeler and understanding its basic workflow.

Coming Soon
📂

Practice Model Files

Download the JSON model files used in the guided practice exercises.

View Exercises
🧪

Additional Scenarios

Additional practice cases covering margins, hiring, financing, acquisition and other business decisions are coming soon.

Coming Soon

The Model Is the Beginning of the Conversation

Financial modeling is most valuable when it helps people ask better questions. The Financial Modeler makes assumptions visible, lets users test alternatives, and helps advisors and business owners explore the financial implications of a decision together.

See the Assumptions

Make the thinking behind the numbers visible and easier to discuss.

Explore the Alternatives

Change assumptions and immediately see how the financial picture responds.

Support the Decision

Use the model as a foundation for a more informed business conversation.

Put the Financial Modeler to Work

Whether you're learning the Modeler for the first time or working through a new business scenario, the best way to understand it is to use it.