In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Karishma Ramnawaj, a financial modeler based in Mauritius, to talk about her journey in financial modelling, building and reviewing models, and the lessons she’s learned from both success and failure. Karishma shares her experience of learning on the job, why understanding the end user is critical, and how she balances practical standards with flexibility.

Karishma is a Certified Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) and FMVA® professional, currently working as a Financial Modeler Associate at Hawkins Eberdal Ltd in Mauritius. With a strong foundation in both project and corporate finance, Karishma specializes in building decision-ready financial models that support capital raising, risk evaluation, and business growth.

Expect to Learn

1. Why using someone else’s model as a template can be risky
2. The importance of understanding and communicating key assumptions
3. How to tailor models for investors and third-party users
4. What it’s like to fail, and then pass, the AFM exam
5. The value of applying both corporate and project finance in modelling

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

1. “If you're going to use someone else's model, make sure you understand everything inside it.” – Karishma
2. “It's not just about Excel. It's about who's using the model and what story you're telling with it.” – Karishma

Karishma's story is a great example of growth through practice, persistence, and passion for financial modeling. Her focus on clarity, flexibility, and end-user needs brings valuable perspective to the modelling process. From overcoming early challenges to passing the AFM exam, she shows the importance of continuous improvement.

Follow Karishma:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karishma-ramnawaj/

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In today’s episode:

[01:56] - Guest Intro

[04:51] - Journey into Modelling

[06:00] - Why She Loves Modelling

[08:37] - Storytelling with Numbers

[10:56] - Key...

In this episode of The ModSquad, hosts Paul Barnhurst, Ian Schnoor, and Giles Male welcome Tim Jacks, founder of Taglo, for an insightful discussion on the integration of AI in financial modeling. Tim’s expertise bridges the worlds of financial modeling and AI, and in this episode, he shares his journey and discusses how AI is reshaping the financial modeling landscape.

Tim Jacks is the founder of Taglo, a company dedicated to improving financial modeling with AI technology. His career journey spans financial consulting and software development, including building financial modeling tools. Over time, Tim's interest in artificial intelligence grew, and he delved into how AI, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), could be used to enhance financial modeling processes.

Expect to Learn

1. How AI is revolutionizing financial modeling and the specific ways it’s being used today.
2. The technical components behind AI agents and how they differ from simple chatbots.
3. The importance of context and system prompts when working with LLMs in financial tasks.
4. Insights into the memory limitations of LLMs and how agents work around this challenge.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

1. "If you're using AI for Excel modeling, you need to remind it to follow good financial modeling principles, like the FAST Standard." – Tim Jacks
2. "The beauty of LLMs is that you can go back and change the conversation, they're stateless, so it's like resetting the clock." – Tim Jacks

Tim Jacks provided valuable insights into the integration of AI in financial modeling, particularly how LLMs and agents are transforming workflows. While AI can significantly enhance efficiency, human expertise remains essential for applying financial modeling principles. Understanding the technical workings of these tools helps users leverage them effectively. The future of financial modeling will be human-led, AI-assisted.

Follow Tim:

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

Follow Ian:

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

Follow Giles Male:

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

In today’s episode:

[00:05] - Intro & Hosts

[01:33] - Guest Introduction: Tim Jacks

[02:42] - Tim's Background in Modelling & AI

[04:16] - What Are LLMs Really?

[09:55] - ChatGPT vs. LLMs Explained

[12:09] - LLMs Have No Memory

[15:02] - How Tools Add Context to AI

[19:35] - What Is an AI Agent?

[22:35] - How Excel Agents Work

[30:08] - Demo: Tools in Action

[35:03] - Defining an Agent: LLM + Tools + Prompts

[38:49] - Key Takeaway for Modellers

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Carolina Lago, a seasoned FP&A professional, to discuss how financial modelers can transform data into actionable insights while avoiding common modeling pitfalls. Together, they explore best practices in financial modeling, the dangers of hard-coded models, and why structure, flexibility, and clear purpose are essential for effective decision-making. Carolina also shares lessons from her international career, including her experience supporting a major IPO and leading global software implementations.

Carolina Lago is an FP&A professional with over 15 years of international experience across multiple industries. She has played key roles in high-impact projects, including IPO preparation and enterprise-wide financial system implementations. Carolina is also the creator of the TACTIC framework, which helps financial professionals build models that are structured, insightful, and decision-focused.

Expect to Learn

1. Why hard-coded models are a major risk to accuracy and flexibility
2. How to turn raw data into insights that drive real business decisions
3. The importance of starting every model with a clear question or goal
4. How the TACTIC framework improves structure and clarity in modeling
5. Why strong modeling skills matter at every career stage

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

1. “I inherited one, and I had to try to change it. I spent probably a couple of weeks trying to make it better, and I couldn't. It was just too full of hardcoded numbers and no design at all.” – Carolina Lago
2. “Data is only useful if it can be transformed into actionable insights.” – Carolina Lago

Follow Carolina:

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/s-carolinalago/

Website – https://www.tacticfinancial.com

In today’s episode:

[00:00] - Trailer

[00:50] - Guest Introduction

[01:00] - Horrifying Financial Models

[02:00] - Early Career Modeling Mistakes

[03:10] - Carolina’s Global Career Journey

[05:00] - Turning Data into Actionable Insights

[07:30] - Introduction to the TACTIC Framework

[09:50] - Learning Resources & Community Engagement

[20:00] - Certifications and Continuing Education

[22:40] - Rapid-Fire Round

[24:50] - Advice for Aspiring Financial Modelers

[26:00] - How to Connect and Learn More