5-Day Instructor-Led Programme
The XFIN Certification Programme is the practitioner standard for financial analysts, finance business partners, and commercial finance professionals who build financial models, conduct investment appraisals, support strategic decisions with financial intelligence, and communicate financial insight to non-finance stakeholders. Assessed on Day 5 through a supervised financial modelling and investment analysis exercise — no MCQs, no self-study exam, completely uncontested in the UK instructor-led market.
Duration
5 Days
Price
$4,495
Financial analysis and financial modelling are skills that drive business decisions — from capital allocation and M&A to budgeting and pricing strategy. Most finance professionals develop these skills on the job, learning by doing without a structured framework or professional assessment of their capability. The CFA, CIMA, and ACCA qualifications are prestigious but require years of study and multiple examinations across their full scope. For professionals who specifically need practitioner-level financial analysis and modelling capability — not a full accounting qualification — there is almost no instructor-led programme with a meaningful assessment. XFIN fills this gap completely.
Across five instructor-led days, XFIN builds financial analysis practitioner capability across the complete analytical cycle: financial statement analysis, Excel-based three-statement financial modelling (P&L/balance sheet/cash flow), discounted cash flow valuation, comparable company and precedent transaction analysis, budgeting and forecasting, scenario planning and sensitivity analysis, investment appraisal, capital structure analysis, and financial storytelling for board and C-suite audiences. Every session is hands-on — participants build real models in Excel from first principles across multiple case study companies.
On Day 5, participants complete a supervised financial analysis and modelling exercise — building a three-statement model, conducting a DCF valuation, and presenting investment recommendations with appropriate risk analysis for a simulated corporate scenario. A senior financial analyst or investment professional assesses the quality of the model, analytical rigour, and communication. XFIN certificate and Practitioner Assessment Report issued. Aligned with ICAEW Financial Modelling Code, CFA Institute investment analysis principles, CIMA management accounting standards, UK GAAP/IFRS financial statement analysis, and FCA financial analysis standards.
Hands-on Excel financial modelling exercises every day: P&L build, balance sheet linkage, cash flow statement, DCF valuation model, comparables analysis, sensitivity tables, scenario manager, and full integrated model construction on Day 5.
Mentor-led sessions reviewing real company financial statements, dissecting deal models from public M&A transactions, and examining how financial models are built and used in investment banking, private equity, corporate finance, and FP&A contexts.
Build, review, and communicate Excel-based financial models for investment analysis, valuation, budgeting, and strategic decision support — with the clarity and rigour expected by boards, investors, and senior finance leadership.
Analyse financial statements across P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow using ratio analysis, DuPont decomposition, and red flag identification techniques
Build integrated three-statement Excel financial models from first principles applying ICAEW Financial Modelling Code best practice
Conduct DCF valuations including WACC calculation, free cash flow modelling, terminal value, and sensitivity analysis using football field bridge charts
Perform comparable company and precedent transaction analysis to support investment appraisal and acquisition pricing decisions
Design rolling forecasts, scenario plans, and board-level financial reporting using driver-based budgeting and variance analysis methodology
Communicate financial analysis and model-derived insights to board and C-suite audiences using financial storytelling and data visualisation techniques
Minimum 12 months in a finance, accounting, commercial, or analytical role with regular use of Excel and exposure to financial statements
Working knowledge of financial statement basics (P&L and balance sheet at awareness level)
Competent in Excel (VLOOKUP/SUMIF/basic formulae) — no VBA or programming experience required
Organized by professional domains with comprehensive coverage
Master these in-demand skills through hands-on practice
A clear view of the roles this programme supports, what typically comes next, and where learners progress over time
Choose the learning format that works best for you and your team
Instructor-Led Training
Join live instructor-led sessions from anywhere. Interactive, engaging, and flexible.
Price per person
Group enrolments and early planning options available.
All prices are exclusive of VAT where applicable. Group enrolments and custom packages available on request.
Not everyone learns best in a group. If you want focused guidance, faster clarity, and confidence you can use on the job, our 1-to-1 Fast-Track Training gives you private, mentor-led support tailored to your experience and goals.
"Many learners choose 1-to-1 when they want understanding, not memorisation."
Credential
On successful completion of XFIN — Xcademia Financial Analysis Practitioner, learners receive an Xcademia Certificate of Completion. This standalone certificate is issued directly by Xcademia and recognised by employers across the UK defence and security sector.
Everything you need to know about the certification exams
You will receive an Xcademia certificate of completion based on participation and successful completion of labs and scenario simulations.
Everything you need to know about this course
XFIN is designed for finance professionals who need applied financial analysis and modelling capability — not a full accountancy qualification. Financial analysts, finance business partners, FP&A managers, corporate finance professionals, commercial analysts, and operational managers who work closely with finance teams all benefit. It is also relevant for non-finance professionals (marketing directors, operations managers, strategy consultants) who need to develop financial literacy at analyst level.
Take the next step in your professional development