Financial Modeling, Valuation and Wall Stret Prep

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John09

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Hi
I have some experience in equity research and derivatives. I have recently completed the CFA. I am aiming to obtain expertise in financial modeling and valuation (with a focus on stocks) in the next 6 to 8 months. This should hopefully enable me to move into a more front end role in Finance.
What would be the best way to go about it.
(1) Wall Street Prep- Would this give me the required info. Also-it seems a bit expensive. There is also a Financial Modeling course from breaking into wall street.
(2) Books- There are books by Simon Benninga, Damodaran and Copeland. Damodaran, seems good, but there arent many practical examples. Any thoughts on this.
Could somebody kindly guide me on the best approach, and the best books, websites, certificate course if any.
 
Best bet is MBA. Hard to imagine any prep course will give you an actual real shot. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to take one if you want to learn the material. You wont become an expert in 6months.
I have heard good things about Hamilton Lin @ wall st training
http://www.wallst-training.com/instructors.html
 
do a search… i believe there are couple of threads on this topic.
but your best bet is either WSP or Benninga (in my opinion).
 
Reading books or taking Wall Street Prep will NOT get you a new job. You need to badger your front office acquaintances to give you a shot. Otherwise, you need to get some real educational credentials, like an MBA or MS in something.
 
Wall Street Prep will give you the most practical experience in seeing how the models actually work; the books you mentioned are great too but they’re really more academic in nature.
To Hello Mister Walrus’ point, I agree that doing WSP or reading books alone won’t get you the job – that’s where networking comes into play – but once you’re in the interview room, that’s where you have to impress the interviewer with your skills and initiative, and I think that getting some modeling experience will really help demonstrate your drive as well as your ability to hit the ground running (both of which are things that your employer will care a lot about).
Good luck!
 
Thanks guys. A couple of points. I agree with Hello Mister Walrus’ that its networking which would be the key in getting interview call. However expertise in valuation, should help me during the interview.
Moreover, has anyone in this forum, tried out wall street prep and if so how useful was it.
 
Hi John 09
I am in a pretty similar position, with the exception that I have an MBA, but have only now started with my CFA. Networking is of course key, not only in your firm but also using speciality agencies. At the moment I am working through Benninga (just started) and in March I plan to do Quartic Training’s (in London) modelling course. The course is a bit pricy, but since it is an evening class situation you have direct access to the tutor and even better than that, you get another great networking opportunity.
 
Ive just started looking over Benninga. I don’t have much time to put into it but I figure I might as well browse the material just in case I can get an interview. I at least want to have something to talk about going in.
 
I have the WSP if you want it in exchange for a fair sum.
email me at tangask @ gmail dot come if you need it.
 
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