Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization

CFI's Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization is your pathway to mastering advanced financial analysis and modeling techniques from top investment banks and private equity firms. This program focuses on building expertise in financial modeling (3-statement, DCF, LBO, and M&A), valuation, forecasting, and transactional decision-making — core skills for thriving in high-stakes finance roles.

This self-paced online program is designed flexibly and combines hands-on learning with real-world applications. You’ll gain practical experience applying best-in-class financial modeling standards, ensuring you’re ready to excel in investment banking, private equity, or related fields. Earn your specialization and showcase your proficiency in the most important financial modeling and valuation skills.

Enrolling in the Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization Program requires an active Self-Study or Full-Immersion Subscription. Click here to review and select the subscription that best suits your needs!

No additional fees are required to earn your certificate of completion once you've enrolled.

Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization Requirements

Please click here and select "How it Works" to learn more about earning your Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization requirements.

• Step 1: Complete all required coursework.
• Step 2: Sign the CFI Honor Pledge. Program candidates must sign and abide by the CFI Honor Pledge to receive and maintain program certification. Failure to abide by the CFI Honor Pledge will result in the revocation of one's certificates.
• Step 3 (optional): View and download your online certificate & student transcript.

Duration & 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 to complete the Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization Program is 26 hours.

Skills You'll Gain

Accounting

• Understand key components of financial statements and how they interconnect.
• Learn fundamental accounting principles that underpin detailed accounting standards.
• Identify common accounting standards and how they impact financial statements, analysis, and models.

Excel

• Apply keyboard shortcuts to streamline workflows and boost productivity.
• Conduct sensitivity analysis using data tables and other advanced Excel tools.
• Use advanced formulas and functions to build more robust financial models.

Finance

• Understand capital investment strategies, the capital-raising process, various financing methods, and optimal capital structure.
• Evaluate business profitability, efficiency, returns, and value using financial ratios and analytical tools.
• Apply statistical measures to identify trends and relationships within data sets.

Financial Modeling

• Build dynamic, well-structured financial models with recognized best practices.
• Create 3-statement, DCF, LBO, and M&A models with precision to the highest industry standards.
• Perform scenario and sensitivity analyses to improve the robustness and reliability of your models.

Evaluation

• Identify the different valuation methodologies and discuss the pros and cons of each
• Perform valuation analysis using comparable company and precedent transactions analysis
• Calculate the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) and build detailed DCF models in Excel.

Improve Your Skills & Advance Your Career

• Investment Banking: Provide capital market financing and financial advisory services (e.g. M&A, restructurings).
• Private Equity: Invest in businesses to increase their value over time before divesting of the investment.
• Equity Research: Analyze publicly traded companies to guide investment decisions through financial and market insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will these courses help me advance my career?

• Reviews from learners who have taken CFI courses 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. This is based largely on the resources we make available to our learners upon enrolment. Our training is designed to be fully practical and simulate 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 sets us apart from other eLearning platforms because we give you all the tools you need to create a successful career in finance.

What are the admission requirements for the IB & PE Specialization?

• To take the courses and complete the exercises, learners only need access to a PC and/or Mac, Microsoft Suite (2016 or newer), and a stable internet connection.

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 often as you like and complete the courses at the most convenient pace. All required courses, resources, and assessments to obtain the certifications will be provided as long as your subscription is active.

How are the exams conducted?

• Learners must complete an online assessment (MCQs, Fill-in-the-Blanks, and Excel Questions) at the end of each course. You can take the exams on your own schedule and will need to earn at least 80% to pass the course and earn your certificate of course completion.

When was the AI for Finance Specialization released?

• The IB & PE was launched on January 14, 2025.