Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (2024)

  • Certification Overview
  • How It Works
  • Career Paths
  • Testimonials
  • FAQ

FMVA® at a Glance

CFI's Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification imparts vital financial analysis skills, emphasizing constructing effective financial models for confident business decisions. This comprehensive program ensures mastery in modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and overall competency in accounting and finance.

FMVA® equips you with essential skills and tools for success as a financial professional. The hands-on curriculum and real-world applications prepare individuals for roles in investment banking, private equity, M&A, business valuation, and corporate finance. The flexible online format, designed for busy professionals, facilitates self-paced learning for skill enhancement and career advancement.

What's in the Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst Program?

49 courses

Consisting of 2710+ lessons

200+ interactive exercises

Learn by doing with guided simulations

Blockchain certificate

To verify your skills

500,000+ 5-star ratings

Best-in-class training, as rated by you

The FMVA® program has upskilled teams at:

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (1)

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (2)

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (3)

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (4)

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (5)

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (6)

Earning Your Certificate in Financial Analysis

Step 1: Prep CoursesOptional

Choose from 9 optional courses to learn or review the fundamentals.

Accounting Fundamentals

4.9(7,669 Ratings)

Level 2

5 hours

Preview

Reading Financial Statements

4.8(4,641 Ratings)

Level 2

1.5 hours

Preview

Excel Fundamentals - Formulas for Finance

4.9(5,285 Ratings)

Level 2

3.5 hours

Preview

Corporate Finance Fundamentals

4.8(3,097 Ratings)

Level 2

2.5 hours

Preview

Math for Finance Professionals

5(1,524 Ratings)

Level 2

3 hours

Preview

Analyzing Growth Drivers & Business Risks

4.8(316 Ratings)

Level 1

2 hours

Preview

The Role of The FP&A Professional

4.8(63 Ratings)

Level 1

1.5 hours

Preview

Capital IQ Fundamentals

5(1,284 Ratings)

Level 2

2 hours

Preview

Excel Fundamentals - Quick Start Guide

5(24 Ratings)

Level 1

3.5 hours

Preview

See All Prep Courses

Step 2: Core Courses

Complete 14 required core courses to build your skill set in.

Financial Analysis Fundamentals

4.9(1,764 Ratings)

Level 3

5 hours

Preview

Introduction to 3-Statement Modeling

5(65 Ratings)

Level 3

6 hours

Preview

Introduction to Business Valuation

4.8(75 Ratings)

Level 2

6 hours

Preview

Accounting Principles and Standards

4.9(1,147 Ratings)

Level 2

2 hours

Preview

DCF Valuation Modeling

5(93 Ratings)

Level 3

10 hours

Preview

Comparable Valuation Analysis

4.8(51 Ratings)

Level 5

4.5 hours

Preview

3-Statement Modeling

4.9(917 Ratings)

Level 4

6.5 hours

Preview

Budgeting and Forecasting

5(940 Ratings)

Level 3

7 hours

Preview

FP&A Monthly Cash Flow Forecast Model

4.9(871 Ratings)

Level 3

3 hours

Preview

Scenario & Sensitivity Analysis in Excel

5(794 Ratings)

Level 3

2.5 hours

Preview

Dashboards & Data Visualization

4.9(894 Ratings)

Level 2

6 hours

Preview

PowerPoint & Pitchbooks

5(861 Ratings)

Level 2

7.5 hours

Preview

Professional Ethics

4.9(4,996 Ratings)

Level 1

3 hours

Preview

Hide All Core Courses

Step 3: Elective Courses

Choose a minimum of 3 electives (out of 26 available) to master more advanced topics and specialized areas.

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Modeling

4.9(93 Ratings)

Level 4

8 hours

Preview

M&A Accounting & Purchase Price Allocation

4.6(7 Ratings)

Level 5

3 hours

Preview

Startup / e-Commerce Financial Model & Valuation

4.9(76 Ratings)

Level 4

6.5 hours

Preview

Mining Financial Model & Valuation

4.9(40 Ratings)

Level 4

5 hours

Preview

Real Estate Financial Modeling

4.9(69 Ratings)

Level 5

6.5 hours

Preview

Leveraged Buyout (LBO) Modeling

5(44 Ratings)

Level 5

15 hours

Preview

Corporate & Business Strategy

5(811 Ratings)

Level 3

7.5 hours

Preview

Presentation of Financial Information

5(844 Ratings)

Level 2

2 hours

Preview

Advanced Excel Formulas & Functions

5(942 Ratings)

Level 3

4.5 hours

Preview

Excel VBA for Finance

4.8(42 Ratings)

Level 3

7.5 hours

Fundamentals of Data Analysis in Excel

4.8(240 Ratings)

Level 2

8 hours

Preview

Power BI Fundamentals

4.9(175 Ratings)

Level 3

6 hours

Preview

Power Pivot Fundamentals

5(124 Ratings)

Level 3

4 hours

Preview

Power Query Fundamentals

5(271 Ratings)

Level 3

6 hours

Preview

Power BI Financial Statements

4.9(87 Ratings)

Level 4

7 hours

Preview

Modeling Risk with Monte Carlo Simulation

5(74 Ratings)

Level 4

4 hours

Preview

Regression Analysis - Fundamentals & Practical Applications

4.9(79 Ratings)

Level 4

6.5 hours

Preview

ESG Integration & Financial Analysis

4.9(43 Ratings)

Level 3

6.5 hours

Preview

FP&A Professional Excel Forecast Model Design

5(2 Ratings)

Level 3

1 hours

Preview

FP&A Professional Formatting & Revenue Forecasting

5(3 Ratings)

Level 3

2.5 hours

Preview

FP&A Professional Headcount Forecasting & Analysis

Level 3

2.5 hours

Preview

AI-Enhanced Financial Analysis

5(4 Ratings)

Level 2

2.5 hours

Preview

FP&A Professional Contractor Forecasting & Analysis

Level 3

1 hours

Preview

FP&A Professional Debt and Capex Forecasting & Analysis

Level 3

1.5 hours

Preview

Reading & Analyzing a Bank's Financial Statements

5(1 Ratings)

Level 3

3.5 hours

Preview

FP&A Professional Financial Statement Aggregation & Analysis

5(1 Ratings)

Level 3

2 hours

Preview

See All Elective Courses

Step 4: Case Study ChallengesOptional

These case study challenges allow you to apply your knowledge and skills by solving real-world problems.

The Amazon Case Study (New Edition)

4

12.5 hours

Preview

Renewable Energy - Solar Financial Modeling

5

6.5 hours

Preview

See All Case Study Challenges

Step 5: Final Exam

After completing the required courses, take the final exam (with a minimum passing grade of 70%) to earn your program certification.

Step 6: Get FMVA® Certified

Congratulations! Upon completion of the program, you will receive a blockchain digital certificate with your new credentials.

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (7)

* Steps are for individual learners. For customized learning solutions for your team, please visit our CFI for Business page to contact us.

Skills & Learning Objectives in Financial Modeling & Valuation

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (8)

Accounting

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  • Identify key items on the financial statements and describe the interrelationship between all the components

  • Explain the fundamental accounting principles that underly detailed accounting standards

  • Identify the key accounting standards commonly encountered by financial analysts and explain the impact on financial statements and financial models

Excel

See Details

  • Utilize the keyboard shortcuts to save time and be more efficient in Excel

  • Conduct data analysis using data tables, pivot tables, and other common functions

  • Use advanced formulas and functions to enhance the functionality of financial models

Finance

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  • Explain key concepts around capital investments, the capital-raising process, different forms of financing, and the optimal capital structure

  • Assess the profitability, efficiency, returns, and value of a business using common financial ratios and analytical tools

  • Use key statistical measures to assess trends and relationships within sets of data

Financial Modeling

See Details

  • Build a dynamic, logically designed, well structured 3-statement financial model

  • Create multi-year forecasts for the income statement, cash flow, and balance sheet

  • Perform scenario and sensitivity analyses to enhance the robustness of the financial model

Valuation

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  • Identify the different valuation methodologies and discuss the pros and cons of each

  • Perform a valuation analysis using comparable company and precedent transactions analysis

  • Calculate the weighted-average cost of capital and construct a DCF model in Excel

Budgeting & Forecasting

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  • Apply various forecasting techniques to develop a robust financial forecast

  • Track actual performance against budgeted amounts using variance analysis and other techniques

  • Analyze the impact of a variance analysis on the financial statements and use the results to improve the budgeting process

Presentation & Visuals

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  • Create insightful dashboards and advance data visualization techniques to communicate the results of financial analysis

  • Create aesthetically pleasing and insightful charts, graphs, and tables in Excel

  • Design impactful presentations to communicate key messages to a wide variety of audiences

Strategy

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  • Differentiate between the different levels of a company’s strategy

  • Perform an analysis of external forces and internal competencies and assess the impact on a company’s competitive advantage

  • Generate, evaluate and select optimal strategic alternatives and tie these to a company's mission, vision, and goals

Meet Your Instructors

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (9)

Tim Vipond

Tim is the Chair of the Board of CFI Education with an extensive background in entrepreneurship, financial analysis, and investment banking.

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (10)

Scott Powell

Scott is the Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer of CFI. Over the past 30 years, he has focused on designing and delivering learning solutions for clients in the financial services sector, particularly in the areas of commercial banking, investment banking, capital markets, and asset management.

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (11)

Duncan McKeen

Duncan is the Executive Vice President, Financial Modeling at CFI. Since 2014, Duncan has been focused on designing courses and teaching financial modeling to employees working in accounting, valuation, investment banking, equity research, and private equity.

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (12)

Jeff Schmidt

Jeff is the Vice President, Financial Modeling at CFI. Prior to joining CFI, Jeff Schmidt taught financial modeling and valuation to thousands of learners all over the world for over a decade.

Careers in Financial Modeling & Valuation

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (13)

  • Equity Research

    Provide investors with financial analysis and recommendations on whether to buy, hold, or sell a particular investment.

  • Corporate Development

    Pursue and execute organic and inorganic growth opportunities for a corporation.

  • Private Equity

    Invest in businesses with the goal of increasing their value over time before divesting of the investment.

  • Financial Planning & Analysis

    Develop budgets and forecasts that support a corporation’s strategic planning process.

  • Investment Banking

    Provide capital market financing and financial advisory services (e.g. M&A, restructurings).

What Our Students Say


FMVA certification is challenging, robust and interesting that equips an accounting/finance professional with world-class skills set to advance their careers excel in their endeavors!

Adrian Young


This course was very detailed and structured. I would definitely recommend this Certification for any budding Financial Analyst.

Anirudh Ganeshan


I believe the program fully performs what it promises, bridging the gap between work and higher education. For me it means an added value that I cannot describe in words. The program focuses on technical knowledge, which is highly valued since, on average, a student only learns theory before starting work.

Benjamin Briner


Strongly recommend to everyone who wants to receive new careers opportunities and enhance their knowledge in finance. CFI FMVA is perfect opportunity for everyone to obtain neccessary and strong background in financial modeling and valuation of companies. CFI helped me a lot with providing a financial aid and now my profile as a finance specialist is much more attractive and I receive additional confidence in my valuation skills. Thanks to everybody in the CFI team for creating such brilliant courses.

Alexandr Palienko

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are CFI courses accredited?

CFI is accredited by the Better Business Bureau® (BBB) to maintain training standards, and by the CPA Institutions in Canada, and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) in the US for CPE credits. You can find more information here.

Will these courses help me advance my career?

Reviews from learners who have taken CFI courses and the FMVA® certification program include numerous stories about how people have been able to advance their careers. There is a proven track record of CFI graduates marking successful transitions into the careers of their dreams and this is based largely on the resources that we make available to our learners upon enrolment. Our training is designed to be fully practical and simulates the experience of being trained as a professional financial analyst. Additionally, we offer a wealth of information through our free career resources. The unique blend of all these elements is what sets us apart from other e-learning platforms when it comes to giving you all the tools you need to create a successful career in finance.

Admission Requirements

All of our certification programs are open to learners and professionals in various industries and levels of experience. Our curriculum is designed to teach what you need to know from basic fundamentals to the advanced practical case studies. To take the courses and complete the exercises, learners will only need access to a PC and/or Mac, Microsoft Suite (2016 or newer), and a stable internet connection.

What is the duration of the program?

It takes an average of 4-6 months to complete the entire program. However, you are given the freedom to complete all of the training at your own pace! Please see the “How the FMVA Program Works” section for recommended study hours for each course to give you a better idea for your time management.

How much time do I have to complete the courses?

Take as much time as you need. You will have access to all courses and all future upgrades in your subscription. You can review the video lessons as many times as you like and complete the courses at a pace that is most convenient for you.

How are the exams conducted?

Learners are required to complete an online assessment (MCQ’s, Fill-in-the-Blanks, and Excel Questions) at the end of each course. You can take the exams at your own schedule and will need to earn at least 80% to pass the course and earn your certificate of course completion. Please note that course exams can be repeated as many times as you need.

Learners are also required to complete the FMVA® final exam to earn their certification. See here for more details on the FMVA® final exam

Can I email the instructor if I have questions regarding the learning materials?Can I email the instructor if I have questions regarding the learning materials?

While the courses are designed mainly for self-study, we are happy to provide email assistance for general or technical support inquiries. The Full Immersion bundles include a premium email support function which allows you to communicate directly with in-house experts in the area of study you are focusing on. This is one of the key features that sets the Full Immersion bundle apart and makes it a worthwhile upgrade over the more affordable self-study bundle.

Can I download and edit the course material and templates?

Yes! You can download and edit the Excel models and templates included in your courses. All of the files needed in a course are available for download. Please note that while our study materials can be downloaded, the lecture videos are only available online due to copyright infringement issues.

How do I earn my certificates?

You need to complete all the video lessons, quizzes, and final assessments in each course to earn your course certificates. The certificate will then be available on your learner dashboard and also emailed to you as soon as you have completed all of the requirements.

How long does it take to receive my digital FMVA certification?

As soon as you complete the program! After completing the FMVA® program course requirements and passing the final exam, you can immediately request your digital FMVA® certificate to be emailed to you by submitting your completed program through your learner dashboard.

Can I take more than 3 electives?

Take as many electives as you would like — all our content is available to you in your CFI subscription.

What currency are your courses priced in?

All of our online courses and programs are priced in USD.

What payment methods do you accept?

As this is a recurring payment, we accept all major credit and debit cards including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Additionally, We also offer ACH and Wire transfer options exclusively for corporate transactions, though not available for self-service payment. Contact our team for more details.

Are there any additional fees or costs?

None! The program tuition includes everything and there are no additional fees required to earn your digital certification.

More Questions?

You can view more detailed information through our Help Center or simply Email Us and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions!

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification (2024)

FAQs

Is financial modeling & valuation Analyst Fmva certification worth it? ›

An FMVA professional on your team will help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the industry. Individuals who take an FMVA certification program will gain access to the best practices and insights of experts in the industry through instructors who most likely possess decades of experience in the field.

Can I finish Fmva in 1 month? ›

It takes an average of 4-6 months to complete the entire program. However, you are given the freedom to complete all of the training at your own pace! Please see the “How the FMVA Program Works” section for recommended study hours for each course to give you a better idea for your time management.

What is the pass rate for the FMVA? ›

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)® Certification

The pass rate is approximately 70% for the FMVA™ test. The most practical analyst skills gained from this certification include: Financial analysis, ratios, and company performance in Excel.

Is FMVA certification recognized? ›

The certification is globally recognized and held in high regard in the finance industry. FMVA certification can lead to increased job prospects, career advancement, and higher earning potential.

How fast can you finish FMVa? ›

Duration and Delivery. Lectures, study materials, and exams are all online and accessible worldwide, allowing the program to be completed anytime on a self-paced timeline. The estimated time needed to complete the FMVA® Certification program is 120-200 hours.

Will FMVa help me get a job? ›

When professionals earn their FMVA certification, they may benefit from increased pay, a promotion or a higher likelihood of securing an available job. The industries in which these professionals work also benefit from new knowledge introduced to these fields.

Is FMVa harder than CFA? ›

FMVA is more specialized on financial modeling, building Excel models and, to a less extent, pitch decks. It is a very good resource to learn, and I don't think many things will overlap with CFA. In any case, the amount of learning is probably like 10x smaller than for the CFA program.

How many attempts are there for the FMVA? ›

If you don't pass the FMVA exam on your first attempt, you can retake it after 30 days.

How many hours does it take to learn financial modelling? ›

The time it takes to learn financial modelling varies based on individual factors. Prior knowledge, learning resources, practice, and the complexity of the models all matter. While some might grasp the basics in a matter of weeks, mastering financial modelling can take several months to a year or more.

How much does FMVA cost? ›

Course Details

The last thing you need to do is to pass the FMVA final exam and earn your certification. There are 2 purchase options to choose from when starting this program. The 1st is the basic self study program for $479. It gives you access to everything you need to earn your certification.

What are the prerequisites for FMVA? ›

A bachelor's degree is necessary to take the Certified financial modeling/valuation analyst exam and months of study of the material may also be required depending on how comfortable you are with the information. Suitable majors include finance, accounting, economics, statistics, or mathematics.

Is FPWM certification worth it? ›

The FPWM™ will add value to your career, whether you are an aspiring financial advisor or an experienced advisor looking to take your practice to the next level.

Can I put Fmva after my name? ›

The FINANCIAL MODELING & VALUATION ANALYST (FMVA) and FMVA Marks may never be used generically in the noun form, as a verb, or in the possessive form. The FINANCIAL MODELING & VALUATION ANALYST (FMVA) and FMVA Marks must appear as adjectives to modify the subject person or certification.

How valuable is FMVa? ›

FMVA – Financial Modeling And Valuation Analyst By CFI

For finance enthusiasts, it is a splendid course that helps to gain advanced skill sets. They provide you with all the information on the tools and applications that you require to become a top-notch financial analyst.

What is the most difficult financial certification? ›

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

A candidate may also be within 11 months of graduation for their college degree prior to enrollment. They must also submit two to three professional reference letters. The program requires candidates to master 10 investment topics and also pass three levels of extremely rigorous exams.

Is financial modeling certification worth it? ›

It is a valuable, reliable method that helps many businesses grow. It is also why financial modelling analysts are in high demand. Many established professionals such as investment advisors, tax specialists and accountants got a head start in their careers by learning this essential skill.

Which is better, CFA or FMVA? ›

Which is better, CFA or FMVA? CFA is a far more intensive course with a wider scope and recognition as compared to FMVA. While the FMVA course equips you with financial modelling skills, the CFA course gives financial planning, analysing, budgeting and strategizing skills.

Which certificate is best for financial modeling? ›

Financial modeling accreditation programs for finance and accounting professionals.
  • Level 1: Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM)
  • Level 2: Chartered Financial Modeler (CFM)
  • Level 3: Master Financial Modeler (MFM)

Which is better CFA or financial modelling? ›

While CFA offers prestige, Financial Modeling provides accessible practical skills. Proficiency in financial modeling enhances CFA pursuits. In simple terms, mastering both is pivotal for a successful finance career. CFA imparts theoretical knowledge, while Financial Modeling equips you with practical skills.

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