In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst sits down with John Yeldham, a leading expert in financial modeling and founder of Lodeum, a global online financial modeling training platform. John shares his experience leading and training teams of financial modelers across corporate and project finance, and discusses the importance of standardizing language, modular model design, and building trust in complex Excel models.

John Yeldham has 20 years of experience leading and training financial modeling teams in project and corporate finance, supporting deals and valuations for global funds, energy, and infrastructure, as well as smaller businesses. He created and refined modeling methodologies at BDO UK, Forvis Mazars, and for Lodeum, a global financial modeling training platform launching in 2026.

Expect to Learn:

• Models build trust, not just numbers
• Connect finance with operations for better decisions
• AI is a helpful junior analyst, but human judgment matters
• Scenario analysis and storytelling are essential in models

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• "Standardizing language allows AI and people to understand and use models effectively." – John Yeldham
• "A good modeler breaks down a complex model into functional blocks; this is key to building trust and usability." – 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/

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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

[02:28] – Worst Model Horror Story

[05:20] – Transition to Own Business & Lodeum

[08:51] – Communication & Language Challenges in Modeling

[16:03] – Standardizing Language & AI Integration

[24:25] – Lambda Functions & Dynamic Arrays in Excel

[30:19] – Online Modeling Training Advantages

[36:43] – Favorite Excel Shortcuts

[38:22] – Most Challenging or Fun Spreadsheet Created

[39:42] – Rapid Fire: Modeling Opinions

[47:16] – Advice for Becoming a Better Modeler

[49:31] – How to Connect & Learn More

Paul Barnhurst speaks with Ilyas Anis, CFO and Chartered Financial Modeler, about using financial models to build stakeholder confidence, drive operational decisions, and tell a clear business story. Ilyas shares insights on integrating AI, avoiding common modeling pitfalls, and the importance of scenario analysis and three-statement models.

Ilyas Anis is Finance Lead at Turning Point Brands Canada and Founder of IMnS Associates. He has 15+ years of experience in financial modeling, valuation, and governance across multiple industries. An FCA, CPA, AFM, and FMVA®, he is also a board advisor and AI enthusiast.

Expect to Learn

• Models build trust, not just numbers
• Connect finance with operations for better decisions
• AI is a helpful junior analyst, but human judgment matters
• Scenario analysis and storytelling are essential in models

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• “Stakeholders don’t pay you for getting the right thing. They pay for the confidence.” – Ilyas Anis
• “Financial models should open every Monday morning, they shouldn’t die after fundraising.” – Ilyas Anis

Ilyas Anis highlights how financial models go beyond numbers to build trust, enable strategic decisions, and communicate a clear business story. He emphasizes the role of AI as a supportive tool, the importance of connecting finance with operations, and practical strategies for building models that deliver actionable insights for stakeholders.

Follow Ilyas:

Website: https://imnsassociates.com/

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

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:

LinkedIn Page: 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 receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast”

Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.

In today’s episode:

[00:00] – Trailer

[02:35] – Early Career Horror Stories

[04:28] – Storytelling in Models

[09:52] – Fundraising vs Operational Models

[12:39] – Connecting Finance & Operations

[18:36] – Revenue Models as Foundation

[25:29] – AI in Modeling

[27:38] – Automating Dashboards

[34:30] – Rapid-Fire Modeling Best Practices

[42:03] – Final Advice

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy) is joined by guest Mark Proctor. Together, they discuss the intricacies of financial modeling and data analysis, with a focus on building efficient models and leveraging automation in Excel. Mark shares his deep expertise on why structure is key, how to automate tedious tasks, and how Excel continues to evolve to meet the demands of modern financial professionals.

Mark Proctor is a seasoned financial professional with a background in accounting and finance, an Excel MVP, and the founder of Excel Off The Grid, a platform dedicated to improving efficiency and effectiveness in Excel. With decades of experience, Mark's insights are invaluable for anyone looking to optimize their use of Excel for financial modeling and beyond. He has helped countless professionals streamline their work through better data structure and automation techniques.

Expect to Learn

• Financial modeling vs. data analysis
• Automation in Excel with Power Query & Pivot
• Why VLOOKUP is outdated and modern alternatives
• Building flexible, stakeholder-friendly models
• Reducing manual and repetitive Excel tasks

Here are a few quotes from Mark Proctor:

• "Hard-coding is the enemy of a flexible financial model. Once you start hard-coding, you lose the ability to see what's really driving the model." - Mark Proctor
• "One of the key takeaways from bad models is that manual adjustments should always be documented and trackable." - Mark Proctor

As Excel continues to evolve with powerful features like dynamic arrays and advanced automation, the tools discussed in this episode are essential for anyone looking to keep pace with the future of financial modeling. Mark’s emphasis on mastering the basics and thinking structurally will help you work faster and more effectively.

Follow Mark:

• Website - https://exceloffthegrid.com/
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markstephenproctor/

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:

LinkedIn Page: 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 receive 15% off by using the special show code “Podcast”

Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.

In today’s episode:

[00:00] - Trailer

[01:54] - Financial Modeling Horror Stories

[04:55] - Lessons from Bad Models

[06:28] - Mark's Career Journey and Background

[12:59] - Data Analysis vs. Financial Modeling

[19:17] - Excel as a Data Analysis Tool: Key Innovations

[22:55] - Automation in Excel and Practical Tips

[33:59] - The Importance of Mastering Excel Basics

[44:19] - Wrap-Up and Closing Remarks