Financial Modeler's Corner

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Rafael Le Saux to talk about valuation, modeling, and how the field is changing. They dig into real challenges from working on complex models and what happens when things go wrong. The conversation also covers how private markets are evolving and why valuation is getting harder. It’s a practical look at how modeling connects to real decisions in today’s finance world.
Rafael Le Saux is a valuation and modeling expert with over 16 years of experience in financial advisory and alternative investments. He leads Valuation and Modeling Services at PwC Luxembourg, working across multiple asset classes. He has also worked at Partners Group and across global markets, including France, Australia, and Chile. Alongside his professional work, he teaches, speaks at industry events, and supports the valuation community.

Expect to Learn
Why a strong model structure is critical in real-world projects
The impact of evergreen and semi-liquid funds on valuation risk
Why regulators are increasing scrutiny on valuation practices
How AI is helping improve workflows but not replacing human judgment
How to bridge the gap between auditors and investment teams

Here are a few quotes from the episode:
“Some students are actually afraid of Excel, and you can see that change in just a couple of days.” - Rafael Le Saux
“Financial modeling is not just about numbers. It’s about understanding where you are today and where you’re going tomorrow.” - Rafael Le Saux

Valuation and modeling are becoming more demanding as markets continue to change. Better tools make the work faster, but they don’t replace the need for clear thinking and solid structure. The people who focus on understanding the “why” behind the numbers, not just the output, will be the ones who stand out.

Follow Rafael:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-le-saux/
Website: https://www.pwc.lu/

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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:
[04:25] – Modeling Horror Story
[06:36] – Teaching Modeling
[09:11] – AI in Education
[11:21] – AI in Daily Work
[16:45] – Luxembourg as a Financial Hub
[19:48] – Regulation & Valuation
[22:55] – Retail Investors & Private Markets
[26:59] – Valuation Frequency
[30:10] – Auditors vs Investment Teams
[33:30] – Excel Tips
[35:20] – World Cup Model
[37:30] – Rapid Fire
[44:00] – Final Advice

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Riley Edwards to discuss what it’s like starting out in financial modeling and how those skills carry into real-world financial planning. The conversation covers early mistakes, learning experiences, and the importance of presenting financial information clearly. Riley shares his journey from studying finance to working in wealth management, along with how financial modeling helped him build confidence, improve communication, and handle client conversations more effectively.

Riley Edwards is a Financial Planning professional at IG Private Wealth Management, working with Fox-Revett Heslegrave & Associates. He is an Adrian College alumnus and is currently building his career in the financial planning industry. Based in Schomberg, Ontario, Canada, he focuses on helping clients understand their finances and make better decisions through clear analysis.

Expect to Learn
What early mistakes in financial modeling look like and how to fix them
Why understanding the basics is more important than just building models
How financial modeling improves confidence in professional settings
Why presentation skills matter just as much as technical skills
How modeling helps handle difficult client conversations

Here are a few quotes from the episode:
“Learning modeling is easier when you have people around you to share ideas and solve problems together.” - Riley Edwards
“Financial modeling is not just about numbers. It’s about understanding where you are today and where you’re going tomorrow.” - Riley Edwards

Financial modeling is not just about spreadsheets. It’s about turning numbers into something people can understand and use. As Riley explains, the real value comes from how you present and communicate that information, especially when the conversation is not easy.

Follow Riley:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rileyedwards0405/
Company’s Website: https://www.foxrevettassociates.com

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LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/
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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:
[02:57] – First Modeling Mistake
[05:07] – Getting Started in Financial Modeling
[07:29] – Learning Experience & Education
[10:04] – Most Rewarding Part of Modeling
[12:23] – Importance of Presentation Skills
[13:37] – Challenges in Learning Modeling
[15:29] – Current Role in Wealth Management
[17:38] – Personal Motivation & Background
[19:00] – Using Modeling in Client Work
[21:18] – AI in Learning & Modeling
[25:18] – Excel Tips & Shortcuts
[27:28] – Rapid Fire Round

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Brian Jones to explore how Excel is evolving in the era of AI and large language models. They discuss how Copilot, agent mode, and AI-driven capabilities are transforming the way users build, analyse, and improve spreadsheets. Brian shares insights into how Excel is becoming more like a developer tool and how AI can automate repetitive tasks while enhancing productivity for both beginners and advanced users.
Brian Jones is the Vice President of Microsoft Excel, Forms, and Office Platforms. He has been with Microsoft since 1999, working across multiple productivity products, including Word, Office Forms, and developer extensibility tools. In his current role, Brian leads a global team responsible for Excel and related platforms, driving innovation and integrating AI capabilities like Copilot and agent mode into the product ecosystem.

Expect to Learn
What “agent mode” means and how it enables automation in spreadsheets
How AI can help analyse, fix errors, and improve financial models
Why Excel still requires strong logic and formula knowledge
How different AI models impact outputs and workflows in Excel Edge

Here are a few quotes from the episode:
“Excel really is like a developer tool. When you're writing formulas, you're essentially coding.” – Brian Jones
“It’s not just about building from scratch, it’s about improving what you already have.” – Brian Jones

Excel is evolving into a more intelligent and interactive platform where AI acts as a powerful assistant rather than a replacement. From fixing broken references to building dashboards and automating workflows, tools like Copilot and agent mode are helping users work faster and smarter

Follow Brian:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brijones/
Website: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/brian_jones/

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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:
[00:51] – Introducing Brian Jones
[02:50] – Returning to the Excel Team
[04:05] – AI & the Future of Excel
[06:38] – Customer Questions About Copilot
[10:22] – Agent Mode Explained
[11:41] – Modeling the community about the Excel agent
[13:14] – AI Models & Output Differences
[17:16] – Final Thoughts

In this episode of The ModSquad, Ian Bennett, Partner at PwC, joins Paul Barnhurst, Giles Male, and Ian Schnoor to discuss the rapid changes happening in financial modeling with the rise of AI. The team explores how AI tools like Claude are revolutionizing the industry, the critical role of strong modeling skills, and the ongoing importance of trust in financial modeling. They also touch on the future of Excel in the age of AI and how professionals can adapt to stay ahead in this rapidly changing landscape.
Ian Bennett is a Partner at PwC, leading Deals Modeling in Australia and globally. With over 25 years of experience, Ian has built and reviewed complex models for transactions, infrastructure, finance transformations, and BAU forecasting across Australia and the UK. Ian is a founding member of the Financial Modeling Institute's (FMI) Advisory Council and a member of FMI's Financial Modeling Global Leaders Council. He is also the lead author of PwC’s Global Financial Modeling Guidelines.

Expect to Learn
How AI tools like Claude are reshaping the financial modeling process.
The crucial role of human oversight and strong modeling skills, even with advanced AI.
Why AI in financial modeling is seen as an augmentation tool rather than a replacement.
How the role of financial modelers is evolving in the age of AI and automation.
What the future holds for Excel, and how AI integration is transforming it.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:
“We all trade in trust. Whether you use AI or not, it’s your name behind it. That’s the most valuable thing in our profession.” - Ian Bennett
“Financial modeling is so much more than just building a calculator in a spreadsheet. It’s a profession, it’s a discipline, it’s a career.” - Ian Bennett

Claude and other AI tools are significantly enhancing the way financial modeling is done, but as Ian Bennett highlights, trust and deep foundational knowledge remain critical. The future of financial modeling isn’t about AI replacing human modelers; it’s about how professionals can use AI to work smarter, faster, and more accurately.

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

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

Follow Ian Bennett:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianrbennett/
Website - https://www.pwc.com.au/deals/modelling.html

In today’s episode:
[02:10] – Introducing Ian Bennett
[07:00] – Testing Claude in Excel
[10:10] – Focusing Beyond the Build Phase
[14:00] – How AI is Enhancing Modeling Phases
[17:30] – The Importance of Reviewing AI-Generated Models
[19:45] – Trusting AI: Augmentation vs. Replacement
[25:00] – Rethinking the Role of Financial Modelers
[30:00] – The Future of Excel and AI Agent Mode
[33:00] – Reinventing the Financial Modeling Profession
[36:00] – The Future of Excel in the AI Era
[39:30] – Final Thoughts

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Brian Jones, Vice-President: Microsoft Excel, Forms, Office Platforms, to discuss how Excel is evolving in the era of AI and large language models. They explore how Copilot, agent mode, and AI-driven features are reshaping how professionals build, analyse, and improve spreadsheets. Brian also shares insights into how AI can assist financial modelers, automate tedious spreadsheet tasks, and help users understand complex workbooks faster.
Brian Jones is the Vice-President: Microsoft Excel, Forms. He has worked at Microsoft since 1999 across several productivity platforms, including Word, Office Forms, and developer extensibility tools. In his current role, Brian leads the Excel product team as they integrate AI capabilities like Copilot and agent mode to expand what users can accomplish inside spreadsheets.

Expect to Learn
How AI and Copilot are changing the Excel user experience
What “agent mode” means for automating spreadsheet tasks
How AI can help analyse and improve financial models
Why Excel still requires strong modeling and formula knowledge
How skill sheets and templates can guide AI inside workbooks

Here are a few quotes from the episode:
“Excel really is like a developer tool. When you're writing formulas, you're essentially coding.” – Brian Jones
“One of the strengths of Excel is that the work is visible. You can see the formulas, the logic, and how the result was produced.” – Brian Jones

Brian explains how AI is transforming Excel from a traditional spreadsheet tool into a more collaborative environment where users can interact with their data through conversation. Copilot can analyse spreadsheets, suggest formulas, correct errors, and even rebuild broken references automatically.

Follow Brian:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brijones/
Website: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/brian_jones/

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:
[02:53] – Brian’s Background at Microsoft
[03:09] – Returning to the Excel Team
[04:24] – The Rise of AI and LLMs in Excel
[07:08] – Customer Questions About Copilot
[10:39] – AI Rollouts and Product Updates
[12:03] – How modelers Are Using Excel AI
[17:52] – What Skill Sheets Are and Why They Matter
[23:07] – Power Query and Excel Programming Languages
[30:51] – Do We Still Need to Learn Formulas
[36:07] – Getting the Most Out of Copilot
[38:40] – Favorite Excel Shortcut and Functions
[41:31] – Where to Follow Brian