Financial Modeler's Corner

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Dr. Eric Kelley, finance professor, Microsoft Excel MVP, and financial modeling educator, to discuss how financial modeling education is evolving through Excel Esports and hands-on learning. Eric shares how he uses competitions, real-world cases, and structured modeling techniques to help students build stronger financial modeling skills, think in systems, and create models that support better decision-making.

Dr. Eric Kelley is a finance professor at the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business, where he teaches finance at the undergraduate, MBA, and PhD levels. He is a Microsoft Excel MVP and faculty fellow with the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge. Eric focuses on developing integrated financial modeling education, helping students build scalable models through innovative techniques and competitive Excel-based learning.

Expect to Learn:
Why communication skills are critical for financial modelers
How to build models as flexible systems instead of one-time solutions
How Excel Esports helps students develop real-world modeling skills
How competitions can improve financial modeling education

Here are a few quotes from the episode:
"At the end of the day, we've got to be able to communicate. We've got to be able to tell stories." - Eric Kelley
"You're not trying to find a loan payment. You're trying to build a system that is going to take in a flexible set of inputs and generate a loan payment as an output." - Eric Kelley

Eric Kelley shares how financial modeling education can move beyond traditional instruction by combining technical skills, communication, and competitive problem-solving. Through Excel Esports and structured case-based learning, he helps students understand that strong models are not just about getting the right answer, but about building systems that can adapt, scale, and support decisions.

Follow Eric:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekkell/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erickelley5900

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/
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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
[04:33] – The Importance of Communication Skills
[09:12] – Discovering Excel Esports
[11:35] – Competing Under Pressure
[13:01] – Coaching Future Financial Modelers
[16:36] – Bringing Financial Modeling Into the Classroom
[23:51] – Building Excel Esports Cases
[32:00] – Students’ Biggest Modeling Breakthroughs
[36:23] – Advice for Aspiring Modelers
[38:10] – Excel Rapid Fire Questions
[43:33] – Final Advice on Learning Financial Modeling

In this episode of The Mod Squad, Paul Barnhurst, Ian Schnoor, and Giles Male put today's leading AI tools to the test in a live financial modeling "bake-off." Using the same modeling case and prompts, they compare ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot to see how well each tool builds a financial model. The discussion highlights the progress AI has made, where it still falls short, and why financial modeling expertise remains essential.
Expect to Learn:
How ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot perform on the same financial modeling task
The strengths and weaknesses of AI-generated financial models
Why AI-generated models still require careful review and testing
How custom instructions and skills can improve AI outputs
Why financial modeling knowledge is still critical in an AI-driven world

Here are a few quotes from the episode:
"People are trying to do their jobs and keep up with AI at the same time. It's exhausting." – Ian Schnoor
"AI is a magnifier, not a replacement for financial modeling skills." – Paul Barnhurst

AI is powerful, but it is not a shortcut to quality work. It still needs guidance, structure, and strong fundamentals. The people who benefit most are those who understand both the tools and the work behind them. For now, the best approach is simple: test it, guide it, and never trust it blindly.

Follow Ian:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianschnoor/

Follow Giles:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giles-male-30643b15/

In today’s episode:
[00:00] – Trailer
[03:30] – AI Fatigue & Keeping Up
[05:48] – The Modeling Challenge
[08:41] – ChatGPT Results
[17:57] – Claude Results
[27:33] – Copilot Results
[30:36] – Human Review Still Matters
[33:18] – How AI Has Improved
[36:10] – Better Results with Custom Skills
[37:08] – Final Verdict & Key Takeaways

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Jorge Rojas, finance professor, consultant, and Advanced Financial Modeler, to explore how emerging technologies are reshaping financial modeling. Jorge shares insights from his latest research on spatial finance and Earth observation data, explaining how satellite imagery, AI, and alternative data sources are transforming forecasting, investment analysis, ESG reporting, and risk management.
Jorge Rojas is a finance professor, consultant, CFA Charterholder, and Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) with a PhD in Finance from Tulane University, where he also serves as an Adjunct Professor. He has taught finance across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and is the author of several books on corporate finance, risk management, and financial modeling

Expect to Learn:
How satellite data can improve financial forecasting
Why Monte Carlo simulation is useful for decision-making
Practical applications of spatial finance
Tips for building reliable financial models
Advice for developing your financial modeling skills

Here are a few quotes from the episode:
"Most useful financial models should be forward-looking and based on current information." - Jorge Rojas
"Build your model as automated as possible. It takes more time upfront, but it will save you time later." - Jorge Rojas

Jorge Rojas shares practical insights on building stronger financial models by combining sound modeling principles with modern data sources and risk analysis techniques. Whether you're new to financial modeling or an experienced professional, this episode offers valuable lessons to help you make better-informed financial decisions.

Follow Jorge:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgerojasphdcfa/
Company: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4136-7995

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/
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
[03:08] – Financial Modeling Horror Story
[04:35] – Why Jorge Enjoys Teaching
[07:38] – CFA & AFM Certifications
[12:18] – Introduction to Spatial Finance
[17:01] – Satellite Data in Finance
[25:41] – Monte Carlo Simulation
[32:20] – Modeling Agricultural Risk
[37:57] – Rapid Fire Questions
[45:29] – Advice for Financial Modelers

In this episode of The Mod Squad, Paul Barnhurst, Ian Schnoor, and Giles Male share their real experiences using AI in financial modeling. They discuss what works, what doesn’t, and how finance professionals can best use AI today. From testing different AI tools to running a “bake-off” on a real financial model, the conversation highlights the practical challenges, hallucinations, and creative approaches to working with AI in FP&A.

Expect to Learn
Where AI actually adds value in modeling and finance workflows
Why AI outputs still need careful checking and guidance
How different AI tools compare when building real models
Why instructions, structure, and human oversight improve AI results

Here are a few quotes from the episode:
“Most companies don’t have AI governance yet, and that’s where real risk comes in.” - Ian Schnoor
“Automation is great, but you still need to audit and understand every step.” - Giles Male

AI is powerful, but it is not a shortcut to quality work. It still needs guidance, structure, and strong fundamentals. The people who benefit most are those who understand both the tools and the work behind them. For now, the best approach is simple: test it, guide it, and never trust it blindly.

Follow Ian:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianschnoor/

Follow Giles:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giles-male-30643b15/

In today’s episode:
[00:05] – Trailer
[03:06] – AI Progress Update
[05:00] – Mental Load & AI Pace
[08:03] – Busting AI Hype
[12:30] – Training & Business Demands
[17:57] – AI “Eye of the Storm”
[24:13] – Testing AI Models
[30:52] – Fixing vs Building AI Models
[35:15] – Challenging Misleading AI Claims
[38:41] – Improving AI with Instructions
[42:59] – Final Thoughts & Takeaways

In this episode of Financial Modelers Corner, Paul Barnhurst talks with John Yeldham, founder of Lodeum, about building trust in Excel models, standardizing modeling language, and creating modular, scalable models. John shares his experience leading financial modelers and using advanced Excel features like Lambda functions and dynamic arrays.

Expect to Learn:
Standardize language to improve clarity and collaboration
Use modular blocks to make models understandable and trusted
Leverage advanced Excel functions carefully for scalable, auditable models
Online training through Lodeum allows flexible global learning

Here are a few quotes from the episode:
"If standards could be introduced for language, it allows financial modeling knowledge to be shared and scaled beyond individual experts." - John Yeldham
"The role of a modeler is evolving from just churning out numbers to creating reusable, understandable modules." - John Yeldham

John provides actionable strategies for financial modelers to improve clarity, scalability, and trust in their work while leveraging advanced Excel techniques and modular design principles. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their modeling skills and build reusable frameworks for complex financial analyses.

Follow John:
Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lodeum/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnyeldham/

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/
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:
[02:14] – Worst Model Horror Story
[04:09] – Communication & Language Challenges
[11:55] – Standardizing Language & AI Integration
[14:43] – Online Training & Lodeum Platform
[24:25] – Lambda Functions & Dynamic Arrays
[39:42] – Rapid Fire Opinions
[16:32] – Advice for Becoming a Better Modeler
[18:07] – How to Connect