How to expense the Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) Program

Many companies pay for their employees to become AFM accredited. 

Your manager may have budget for you - just ask.

Here are 3 simple steps to follow: 

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STEP 1: Message your manager

Hi [MANAGER NAME],  I wanted to let you know about the Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) Program offered by Financial Modeling Institute (FMI). It's a program that strengthens financial modeling skills and validates through an accreditation exam. I think the AFM will make me a better modeler. Let me know what you think.

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STEP 2: Email your manager

Hi [MANAGER NAME],

Further to my previous message, I wanted to give you some information about the Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) Program. The program focuses on strengthening and validating financial modeling skills for strategic decision-making.

The AFM exam is online and proctored and I'll be required to build a 3-statement model of a company from scratch in under 4-hours. The accreditation is recognized by CFA Institute, Deloitte, PwC, AICPA & CIMA, ACCA, CBV, ICAEW, and more. The AFM validates financial modeling skills and offers access to self-study resources to prepare for the exam. 

They have exams in February, May, July, and October. The cost is $725 USD and FMI offers discounted pricing for teams. 

I know the AFM will make me a stronger financial modeler and that will make our make our team even stronger. May I proceed with registering for this accreditation?

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STEP 3: Follow-up after 1 week

Hi [MANAGER NAME],

I wanted to follow up on my previous email regarding the Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) Program. As the next exam date is coming up. I would like to proceed with registering for the accreditation. The AFM will significantly enhance my financial modeling capabilities and align well with our strategic goals. Did I mention that the exam is on a Saturday so I won't be missing any work time?

For more detailed information, you can visit the Financial Modeling Institute's AFM accreditation page.

Looking forward to your feedback.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Why the AFM?

Financial modeling plays an integral part in business decision making with modelers informing key transactions and critical business decisions. The AFM program is the only accreditation that validates mastery of this skill.

Becoming an Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) will strengthen your ability to create well-structured and efficiently built models.

The AFM accreditation validates your ability to design and create a 3-statement financial model of a company, and demonstrate your acumen in finance, accounting, and Excel.

The virtual proctored AFM exam is offered quarterly.

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Recognized by Leaders

Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) Curriculum

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1. Model Planning & Design

This module introduces financial modeling essentials and the AFM Exam, focusing on the development, planning and design of effective financial models. 

2. The Front End

This module focuses on the different sections in the "Front End" of financial models, showing how to create a cover page, executive summary, apply key formatting concepts, and build scenarios.

3. Revenue

This module teaches how to forecast revenues and build a company’s revenue schedule, covering various methodologies, incorporating capacity constraints, and schedule construction.

Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) Curriculum

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Validate your advanced financial modeling knowledge and technical skills with the AFM accreditation.

The Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) accreditation is FMI's flagship program. As an AFM candidate, you will use FMI's learning resources to prepare for a rigorous, proctored, online 4-hour exam in which you will be provided with a case study and required to build a 3-statement model of a company from scratch.

1. Model Planning & Design

This module introduces financial modeling essentials and the AFM Exam, focusing on the development, planning and design of effective financial models. 

2. The Front End

This module focuses on the different sections in the "Front End" of financial models, showing how to create a cover page, executive summary, apply key formatting concepts, and build scenarios.

3. Revenue

This module teaches how to forecast revenues and build a company’s revenue schedule, covering various methodologies, incorporating capacity constraints, and schedule construction.

Learn more about AFM and sign up for financial modeling news, tips and tricks.

FMI AFM Accreditation Handbook

Download the Advanced Financial Modeler Handbook

What experts say about us

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The FMI is addressing a large unmet need by ensuring that new hires and existing employees have exceptional financial modeling skills. Employers globally are realizing that the FMI is establishing the new standard.

Paul Smith, FCA, CFA, MA

Former President and CEO of the CFA Institute

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The FMI are the industry experts at validating skills in financial modeling. Our members regularly enroll in their accreditation exam, to complement their CFA, and their careers are richer for it.

Anne O'Brien

CEO @ CFA Society San Francisco

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The FMI exams are truly a new standard. A candidate who successfully passes the Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) exam will be a valuable asset to any position that requires financial modeling.

David Brown, AFM

Consultant @ The World Bank

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Achievement of an FMI certification is a strong differential among our students. Recruiters can trust that students who have passed the FMI exam have a high competency in financial modeling.

Marie José Beaudin

Executive Director, Soutar Career Centre, Desautels Faculty of Management, @ McGill University

Here's what people think of the accreditations

Join 1000's of AFMs at these organizations

Ask your company to pay for accreditation

Learn how you can get your company to pay for this financial modeling accreditation even if there isn't a formal training budget in place.

Advanced Financial Modeler

$725 USD

Prerequisite: None

Upcoming Exam Dates:

May 10, 2025 | July 26, 2025 | October 25, 2025 | February 21, 2026

You will receive access to the following for 12 months:
  • A 12 hour AFM video tutorial series
  • Exclusive access to the FMI Community
  • Enrollment in the AFM exam

 

AFM Official Badge

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the AFM exam involve?

You will be provided with a case study to explore before getting to work inside Excel, building an integrated 3-statement model of a company from scratch. You will need to complete this model during a 4-hour virtual exam.

To promote practical skills, you’ve got to demonstrate them. Get accredited as an Advanced Financial Modeler and demonstrate to employers, stakeholders and clients that you can build effective financial models that can be relied upon to drive decision making.