Introduction

Financial models are mathematical formulas used to forecast or calculate future financial outcomes based on data sets. The models can assist investors and businesses in understanding the financial implications of different decision-making scenarios. For these models to produce accurate results and inform good decisions, they need to be high quality models, meaning that the data used is reliable and the output reflects the existing market environment.

The purpose of this blog post is to provide financial professionals with useful tips for validating the output of financial models in order to produce high-quality results. We will discuss topics such as financial model sanity checks, quantitative validation approaches, and common pitfalls to watch out for. By following these tips, financial professionals can ensure they are getting the most out of their financial model and producing accurate results.


2. Proper Documentation

Documenting assumptions, logic, and reference material, as well as creating an audit trail and implementing version control are all important aspects of properly documenting financial model outputs. This is necessary in order to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the model and its outputs. Here are some tips to help ensure these outputs are properly documented.

a. Documenting Assumptions and Logic

Financial model outputs rely on the assumptions and logic that are used to create them. Therefore, it is important that these assumptions and logics are documented in detail. This documentation should include a description of the assumptions, the sources of the data used, and any specific logic used to create them. Accurately documenting assumptions and logic will help to maximize the accuracy of the model outputs, reducing the chances of errors.

b. Creating an Audit Trail

Creating an audit trail for model outputs is essential for knowing how to recreate the outputs and for keeping track of changes to the outputs over time. An audit trail will help in verifying the accuracy of the model and ensure that all changes are tracked. When creating an audit trail, it is important to document the date, time and person responsible for each change.

c. Reference Material

In order to properly verify the accuracy of financial model outputs, it is important to have detailed reference material available. This includes any reports, documents and other sources of data that are used to create the model outputs. Reference material should include detailed notes about which sources were used and how they were used, as well as any assumptions or logic used to create the outputs.

d. Version Control

Version control is another important aspect of properly documenting financial model outputs. Implementingversion control will help to ensure that all changes to the outputs are tracked and that only the most recent version is used. This will help to prevent errors and ensure the accuracy of the outputs.


Sensitivity Analysis

Sensitivity analyses are important when it comes to validating financial models. This type of analysis tests the resilience of an output from changes in the input values. Through it, assumptions are challenged and potentially dangerous flaws can be detected in a model. There are several key steps involved when carrying out a sensitivity analysis.

Performing scenario analysis

The first step is to determine the scenarios to test and analyze the impact on the financial model. This can be done by selecting or creating variables with particular values and then altering those values and seeing how they affect the model. Creating multiple scenarios is important and will help to identify which parts of the model are most sensitive and identify potential errors.

Working with Data Tables

Data tables can be used in order to quickly explore a model's sensitivity. Setting up a data table entails creating an array of possible input values, inseting the formula and then observing how the output is affected by the changes in the variables. This allows the user to systematically compare various scenarios and gain a better understanding of the model's behavior.

Choosing key variable values

In order to create a meaningful sensitivity analysis, it becomes necessary to identify the key variables and determining their values. These should be chosen carefully, based on the assumptions you have made in the model, in order to ensure that the most relevant scenarios are reflected in the results.

Constructing an output worksheet

The last step is to construct an output worksheet showing the results of the scenarios you have tested. This can be done by setting up a table where you can compare the outputs from each scenario. This will enable you to quickly and easily identify which scenarios result in the most extreme outcomes, and identify any potential problems with the model.


Risk and Uncertainty Scenarios

Financial modeling involves making assumptions about how past performance might inform future behavior, making best guesses about how certain factors will influence outcomes. There are many different ways to test the accuracy of output results and assessing risk and uncertainty is an important step in validating financial models.

Making assumptions explicit

Financial modeling is an exercise in estimating future outcomes. While much of the information used is based on past performance, the results of a financial model are forward-looking view of the company’s financial performance. For this reason, it is important to make all assumptions used in the model explicit. This includes accounting for known factors that could influence the model’s outcome, making assumptions about how certain factors might change over time, and speculating about how a model may react in different scenarios.

Identifying significant risks

Risks should be identified and addressed in the model. This includes risks associated with the terms of a contract, potential customer losses, changes in market conditions, and any other risk that could potentially affect the company’s financial performance. By identifying these risks early on in the model building process, the analyst can make sure that the model is tuned to account for the inherent volatility in these factors.

Outlining foreseeable uncertainty

Uncertainty refers to any factors which could potentially affect the outcome of the financial model which are not explicitly accounted for. It is important to understand potential sources of uncertainty and account for them in the model. This could mean modeling potential customer losses, changes in market conditions, or any other uncertainties that could potentially affect the company’s financial performance.

Storing potential outcomes

In addition to the base model results, it is important to store potential outcomes of the model. This allows the analyst to compare different scenarios to the base case, allowing them to identify any areas which might be particularly vulnerable to shifts in customer demand, changes in the market, etc. This provides a more comprehensive view of the company’s financial performance and helps to provide better insights into the company’s future direction.


Cross-Referencing

Cross-referencing is an important tool for validating financial model outputs as it involves verifying results against independent sources. There are a few methods to consider for successful cross-referencing:

Verifying Outputs with a 'Third Party'

It is important to have an external, independent party compare the outputs of your financial model to the results of another party. This ensures the validity of your results and confirms that the data is accurate. This additional evaluation can help spot unexpected discrepancies and errors that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Comparing Your Output to Similar Models

In addition to verification with a 'third party', it is also important to compare the results of your financial model to the outputs of similar models. This can help identify any discrepancies or errors that may be present in your model's output. Additionally, it can act as a validation tool, confirming that the outputs of your model are in line with industry standards.

Ensuring Consistency Between Outputs

Cross-referencing also involves checking for consistency between output values. This includes making sure that the output values from different versions of the model), or from different scenarios, are consistent. Any discrepancies between the values may be an indication of an error or inconsistency in the model.

Conducting a Peer Review

Finally, it is important to have peers review your financial model and its outputs. Having an additional set of eyes review the results can help spot inconsistencies or errors that may have been missed during validation. Additionally, peer reviews can help confirm the accuracy of the results as well as identify any potential problems in the financial model.


Model Validation & Stress Testing

Optimal model validation is an essential part of financial analysis and requires an effective, systematic process. To ensure the model accuracy, a systematic approach, allowing for change management and the ability to stress test the model, must be established.

Establishing a System of Checks & Balances

Creating a framework to check and validate the input data, assumptions and formulas used in the model is vital. The aim should be to ensure that the data sources and the formulas used are valid and there is a maximum level of accuracy. The system should also suggest ways to improve the model and understand the effects of any model changes.

Creating an Environment to Stress Test Models

Stress testing model outputs can identify constraints that may be encountered in the future. This can allow for changes in assumptions and help to identify potential errors in the model. Depending on the complexity of the model, stress testing should include a variety of scenarios such as extreme market conditions and scenario analysis.

Allowing for Change Management

Models should have some level of flexibility for users to input values, making it easier to evaluate scenarios. A system of checks and balances and change management should be established to ensure that any changes to the model are reviewed and approved by the appropriate parties.

By following these tips and establishing effective policies, financial models can be developed with a greater degree of accuracy and credibility. With an optimal model validation system in place, organizations can ensure their models are fit for the task at hand.


Conclusion

Validation of financial models is an integral part of the analysis and forecasting process. Not only is it necessary to ensure the accuracy of the output, it is also essential for ensuring the quality of the output. This blog has provided readers with several tips for validating financial model outputs.

Summarizing the Steps

Validation is conducted on two levels: the top-level examination and the detailed examination of each individual element. The top-level review should first focus on the model logic and the assumptions used in the calculations. Then the user should review the individual components and ensure the calculations are error free. If any errors are found, they should be corrected before the results can be accepted.

Highlighting the Importance of Validating Financial Models

Validation of financial models is invaluable because it guarantees the accuracy and reliability of the output. If steps are not taken to validate and review the output, the results may be flawed and lead to inaccurate decisions being made. Proper validation also helps to identify errors and problems before they become a major problem.

Reiterating the Goal of Obtaining Maximum Output Quality

The main objective of validating financial models is to ensure the output reflects the most accurate and reliable results available. By taking the time to review and assess the output, users can be sure that any analysis and forecasting decisions are based on accurate information.

Validation of financial models is a vital part of the analysis process and can significantly reduce the risks associated with any decisions. With the help of the tips outlined in this blog, users can be certain of the accuracy and quality of the financial model output they are receiving.

Expert-built startup financial model templates

500+ Excel financial model templates for your business plan