In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Oren Klaff about how financial modeling can become a powerful tool for deal-making, investment decisions, and career growth. Oren explains why modelers should focus on identifying key sensitivities, communicating insights effectively, and helping buyers and sellers find ways to make deals work rather than simply pointing out flaws.

Oren Klaff is a Private Equity Fund Manager and the bestselling author of Pitch Anything. Based in Beverly Hills, California, he focuses on recruiting smart people to join his portfolio companies. Oren began his career as a financial analyst in private equity before moving into deal-making and capital raising. His experience in financial modeling has played a key role in his approach to deal-making and raising capital.

Expect to Learn:

• How financial modeling can help you transition into deal-making and capital raising.
• Why identifying sensitive assumptions is more valuable than simply finding errors.
• How analysts can avoid antagonizing other parties and instead help move deals forward.
• What makes a financial model professional, usable, and trustworthy.
• Why simplicity and structure matter when building models for business users.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "Excel will never die. Rock and roll will never die, and Excel will never die." - Oren Klaff
• "The shortest path to high status is finding something wrong." - Oren Klaff

Oren explains that the real value of a modeler goes beyond building technically complex spreadsheets. The best modelers help decision-makers understand what matters, communicate uncertainty, and find practical ways to move a deal forward. A strong model should also be simple enough for business users to operate and robust enough to withstand scrutiny.

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Follow Oren:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orenklaff/

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Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

In Today's Episode:

[00:00] - Trailer

[05:20] - Finding Insight in the Numbers

[07:28] - Moving From Analyst to Deal Maker

[10:58] - Using Modeling Without Antagonizing the Other Side

[15:26] - Price, Terms, and Making Deals Work

[20:11] - Real-World Applications of Modeling in Deals

[23:24] - Modeling Horror Stories & What Good Models Look Like

[31:25] - Building Models That Help Raise Money

[35:20] - Storytelling With Numbers

[40:13] - Pitch Anything and the Role of Status

[43:24] - Rapid Fire: Excel, AI, Sensitivity Analysis & More

[44:53] - Final Advice for Advancing Your Modeling Career

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Marli van Staden-Basson about best-practice financial modeling, AI, model design, and the skills needed to build reliable models. Marli explains why transparency, usability, and risk management matter, and how AI makes strong modeling practices even more important.

Marli van Staden-Basson is the founder and financial modeling specialist at Near Future Limited, with over 20 years of experience in corporate and infrastructure finance. She specializes in renewable energy and digital infrastructure modeling, including complex model development and independent model audits.

Expect to Learn:

• What best-practice financial modeling really means.
• Why model design and transparency are so important.
• How AI is changing financial modeling.
• Common modeling mistakes and practices to avoid.
• How to design models around the people who use them.
• Why human review remains essential when using AI.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "You are still the last line of defence as the human modeler." - Marli van Staden-Basson
• "A good financial model should really be doing a single thing." - Marli van Staden-Basson

AI can make modeling faster, but Marli explains why it does not replace good modeling practices. Clear design, purposeful structure, checks, and human judgement remain essential for creating models that are reliable and easy to review.

Follow Marli:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marli-van-staden-basson-7119ba28/

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984

Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation today and get 15% off using the code “Podcast” at https://bit.ly/497oAqW

In Today's Episode:

[00:00] - Trailer

[03:29] - Building a Career in Financial Modeling

[07:18] - Breaking the Modeler Stereotype

[10:54] - Financial Modeling Horror Stories

[18:49] - Starting a Financial Modeling Consultancy

[24:28] - AI and Best-Practice Modeling

[30:26] - Why Model Design Matters

[37:07] - Tips for Building Better Models

[41:23] - Worst Modeling Practices to Avoid

[47:43] - Excel Rapid Fire

[51:05] - AI and the Future of Modeling

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Diarmuid Early about what separates great financial modelers from technically capable ones, the rise of AI in financial modeling, and why judgment remains essential. Diarmuid shares lessons from his career, his experience as a three-time World Financial Modeling Champion, and why understanding what a model actually means matters more than simply building it correctly.

Diarmuid Early is the founder of Early Days Consulting, a data analytics and financial modeling consultancy. He previously worked at Boston Consulting Group and spent nearly a decade in Deutsche Bank’s Origination and Advisory division. He holds a PhD in computer science and is a three-time World Financial Modeling Champion, Excel MVP, and Master Financial Modeler

Expect to Learn:

• Why great modelers think beyond simply building the model
• How assumptions and business understanding drive valuable financial models
• Where AI currently fits into financial modeling
• Why AI-generated models still require careful human review
• Why continuous learning remains essential for financial modelers

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• “The hard part is getting everybody aligned. What are the assumptions?” - Diarmuid Early
• “There is a smart way to do it. And so if you're banging your head against it, go find the smart way.” - Diarmuid Early

AI will continue to take on more of the technical work involved in financial modeling, but speed alone does not make a model useful or reliable. Strong modelers will continue to stand out through their ability to develop credible assumptions, interpret results, exercise judgment, and understand the decisions a model is meant to support.

Follow Diarmuid:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diarmuidearly/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dimearly

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984

Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation today and get 15% off using the code “Podcast” at https://bit.ly/497oAqW

In Today's Episode:

[00:00] - Trailer

[03:31] - Diarmuid’s Journey Into Financial Modeling

[06:00] - Financial Modeler Stereotypes

[08:20] - Career Advice for Aspiring Modelers

[12:46] - Financial Modeling Competitions

[14:59] - Consulting, Coaching, and Career Evolution

[18:25] - Meeting Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella

[21:08] - AI and the Future of Financial Modeling

[25:41] - Why AI-Generated Models Still Need Review

[31:09] - Financial Modeling Standards and Best Practices

[35:19] - Diarmuid’s Most Challenging Modeling Case

[39:28] - Excel Shortcuts and Modeling Tools

[41:38] - Rapid-Fire Modeling Questions

[46:01] - Continuous Learning and Final Advice