Financial Modeler's Corner

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Danielle Stein Fairhurst to discuss how AI is reshaping financial modeling, what modelers need to do to stay relevant, and why strategic thinking matters more than ever. Danielle also shares practical lessons from training financial modelers, working with real-world client models, and preparing for the Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) exam.

Danielle Stein Fairhurst is the Principal Financial Modeling Specialist at Plum Solutions, a Microsoft Excel MVP, Master Financial Modeler with the Financial Modeling Institute, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and internationally recognized financial modeling trainer and speaker. She is also the author of Financial Modeling in Excel For Dummies and Using Excel for Business and Financial Modeling.

Expect to Learn:
How AI is changing financial modeling.
Why modelers need to keep learning and experimenting.
How to use AI without outsourcing your thinking.
Why real-world models differ from training examples.
How to prepare effectively for the AFM exam.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
“AI is already building financial models, and that is quite terrifying to me.” - Danielle Stein Fairhurst
“I think it's important that we just sit down and think strategically about what we want rather than outsourcing all of your creativity and all of your thinking to AI.” - Danielle Stein Fairhurst

Danielle explains that AI can save time and help modelers go deeper with analysis, but it shouldn't replace independent thinking. She also shares why simplicity matters in real-world models and why practice and speed are essential when preparing for the AFM exam.

Follow Danielle:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellesteinfairhurst

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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:
[00:48] - Danielle's Background
[01:41] - Modeling Journey
[02:59] - Careers & AI
[05:58] - AI & Financial Modeling
[11:34] - AI in Everyday Work
[13:31] - Real-World Models
[17:20] - AFM Preparation
[19:09] - Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Danielle Stein Fairhurst to discuss how AI is changing financial modeling, why modelers need to keep learning, and how dynamic arrays are shaping the future of Excel. Danielle also shares her thoughts on model design, AFM exam preparation, and why strategic thinking still matters in an AI-driven world.

Danielle Stein Fairhurst is the Principal Financial Modeling Specialist at Plum Solutions, a Microsoft Excel MVP, Master Financial Modeler with the Financial Modeling Institute, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and internationally recognized financial modeling trainer and speaker. She is also the author of Financial Modeling in Excel For Dummies and Using Excel for Business and Financial Modelling.

Expect to Learn:
How AI is changing financial modeling.
Why modelers should not outsource all their thinking to AI.
How dynamic arrays are changing Excel modeling.
What it takes to prepare for the AFM exam.
Why simplicity and strong model design still matter.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
“AI is already building financial models, and that is quite terrifying to me.” - Danielle Stein Fairhurst
“I think it’s important that we just sit down and think strategically about what we want, rather than outsourcing all of your creativity and all of your thinking to AI.” - Danielle Stein Fairhurst

Danielle explains that AI can now handle many technical tasks that once required significant modeling expertise. She believes modelers should embrace these tools while still relying on their own judgment, creativity, and strategic thinking.

Follow Danielle:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellesteinfairhurst
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

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

In Today's Episode:
[00:00] - Trailer
[05:19] - AI and the Future of Financial Modeling
[08:30] - Financial Modeling Pet Peeves
[10:21] - Updating Courses with AI
[15:34] - Lessons From Danielle’s Pilgrimage
[18:26] - AI Building Financial Models
[27:30] - Training vs. Real-World Modeling
[31:01] - Preparing for the AFM Exam
[35:35] - Dynamic Arrays in Financial Modeling
[40:24] - Lessons From Past Models
[44:47] - Rapid Fire: Excel & Modeling
[48:41] - Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Dan Mayoh to discuss his career in financial modeling, lessons from model auditing, and why he sees Excel as one of the world’s most accessible programming languages. Dan also shares how mathematical modeling, poker, and probability have shaped his approach to risk and decision-making under uncertainty.

Dan Mayoh is the Founder and CEO of Fintega Pty Ltd and a financial modeling and spreadsheet specialist with more than 15 years of experience. With a background in actuarial studies, Dan began his career in model auditing before moving into financial modeling and consulting. He also placed second in the inaugural ModelOff competition and was an early CFM holder with the Financial Modeling Institute.

Expect to Learn:
Why Excel can be viewed as a programming language.
What model auditing teaches you about model design.
How Modeloff helped Dan grow as a modeler and consultant.
How mathematical modeling helps quantify risk and uncertainty.
Why good decisions should not be judged only by outcomes.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
“Excel is really just the most accessible programming language in the world.” - Dan Mayoh
“Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose, even when you make the right decision.” - Dan Mayoh

Dan explains that strong financial modeling goes beyond formulas and functions. Structure, navigation, error checks, usability, and designing around the end user all play an important role in creating models that are easier to understand, update, and trust.

Follow Dan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-mayoh-255227/

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

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

In Today's Episode:
[00:00] - Trailer
[03:40] - Dan’s Financial Modeling Journey
[06:05] - Building a Career in Financial Modeling
[12:14] - Modeling as Software Development
[15:09] - Financial Modeling Horror Stories
[19:19] - Lessons From Model Auditing
[22:03] - Competing in ModelOff
[27:39] - Mathematical Modeling of Games
[32:04] - Modeling Risk in Real-World Projects
[35:13] - Decision-Making Under Uncertainty
[40:53] - Rapid Fire: Excel & Modeling
[44:22] - Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Oren Klaff, Private Equity Fund Manager and bestselling author of Pitch Anything, to discuss how financial modeling can support deal-making, investment decisions, and career growth. Oren shares how modeling helped him move from financial analyst to dealmaker.

Oren Klaff is a Private Equity Fund Manager and the author of Pitch Anything. He began his career as a financial analyst in private equity before moving into deal-making and capital raising. Financial modeling has remained central to how he evaluates businesses and structures deals.

Expect to Learn:
How modeling can lead to deal-making and capital raising.
Why identifying key sensitivities matters more than finding errors.
How modelers can become trusted business partners.
Why simple, structured models are more useful.
How financial insight can help move deals forward.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
“The shortest path to high status is finding something wrong.” - Oren Klaff
“Your job is to make the future feel more certain.” Oren Klaff

Oren explains that strong modelers do more than build spreadsheets. They identify the assumptions that drive outcomes, communicate insights clearly, and help decision-makers find practical ways to make deals work.

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

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:
[04:00] - From Modeling to Deal-Making
[06:08] - Creating Business Insight
[08:38] - Finding Sensitive Assumptions
[09:38] - How Analysts Build Trust
[10:58] - Reviewing Models Without Creating Conflict
[14:41] - Structuring Better Deals
[18:23] - Real-World Deal Applications
[20:13] - Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, the Mod Squad, Ian Schnoor, Giles Male, and Paul Barnhurst, speak with Peter Fuller about AI-powered financial modeling and the rapidly changing future of Excel. Peter shares how Tracelight evolved from an AI-for-Excel tool into a broader AI workspace for professionals in finance and consulting.

Peter Fuller is the Co-Founder and CEO of Tracelight, based in London, England. Before founding Tracelight in 2024, he was an early-stage venture capital investor at Entrepreneurs First and spent five years at McKinsey, including time with QuantumBlack, McKinsey’s AI practice. His background combines finance, consulting, venture capital, AI, and financial modeling.

Expect to Learn
How Tracelight evolved from an AI-for-Excel tool.
Why specialized AI tools can compete with larger platforms.
How AI orchestration is changing financial modeling.
Why enterprise AI adoption is accelerating.
How AI could transform the role of financial modelers.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:
"The needs of the top 1% of users are different from the needs of the other billion people using Excel." - Peter Fuller
"The amount of value that you'll be able to add in the world is now just increasing exponentially." - Peter Fuller

Peter explains why he sees AI as an opportunity for financial modelers rather than simply a threat. As AI becomes more capable, he expects modelers to move beyond manually building spreadsheets and toward creating models that become a persistent part of how businesses operate.

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

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

Follow Peter:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-fuller-/

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 & Introduction
[03:40] - Building AI for Excel
[07:14] - Competing With Big AI Labs
[11:27] - Tracelight's Strategy
[15:30] - Tracelight's Core Customers
[16:23] - AI Harnesses & Orchestration
[19:32] - The Future of AI Models
[22:10] - Multi-Model AI Workflows
[27:44] - Enterprise Growth & User Love
[33:32] - The Tracelight Platform
[43:03] - Excel, AI & The Future of Modeling
[47:13] - The Future of Financial Modelers