Unlock the power of Excel VBA to automate routine tasks and create specific project finance macros. This intensive 1-day course provides a practical foundation in VBA essentials, enabling you to enhance model efficiency and sophistication.
Key Learning Outcomes
Automate repetitive Excel tasks using VBA macros.
Create custom functions (UDFs) to extend Excel's capabilities.
Understand VBA syntax, control structures, and object model basics.
Improve the efficiency and sophistication of your project finance models.
Course Contents
VBA Essentials & Developer Environment Setup
Get started with the VBA editor and understand fundamental concepts.
Core Programming Concepts: Variables & Control Structures
Learn about variables, data types, loops, and conditional logic in VBA.
Interacting with Excel: Objects, Properties & Methods
Understand how to manipulate Excel objects like ranges, worksheets, and workbooks using VBA.
Building Custom Functions (UDFs) for Model Efficiency
Create your own user-defined functions to simplify complex calculations.
Automating Tasks with Macros & Basic Error Handling
Record and write macros to automate repetitive tasks and learn basic error handling.
Build fundamental Project Finance macros
Scenario population, Full optimisation, Create/remove delta sheets, Auto Group/Ungroup,...
By working through a solar project case study, you will get hands-on experience learning and implementing best practice methodologies for financing a solar plant project.
Learn efficient navigation and structuring techniques for complex models.
Debt sizing and sculpting
Re-profile debt service constrained by ratios or gearing.
...and more
Key Learning Outcomes:
Build a fully-scoped project finance model for renewables energy projects using a solar case-study.
Understand and implement advanced debt structuring and sculpting.
...and more
Duration:
4 Days
Cost:
£2,400
(plus VAT if applicable)
Operis Financial Modelling Training Schedule
Course Details and Upcoming Dates
Generated on: 01/04/2026
Financial Modelling for Renewables Energy Projects
By working through a solar project case study, you will get hands-on experience learning and implementing best practice methodologies for financing a solar plant project.
Duration: 4 Days
Cost: £2,400(plus VAT if applicable)
Learning Outcomes:
Build a fully-scoped project finance model for renewables energy projects using a solar case-study.
Understand and implement advanced debt structuring and sculpting.
Perform comprehensive scenario and sensitivity analysis.
Apply best practices for model auditing and review.
Module Outline:
Core structure & fast nav
Learn efficient navigation and structuring techniques for complex models.
Debt sizing and sculpting
Re-profile debt service constrained by ratios or gearing.
Scenario & sensitivity logic
Build robust scenario and sensitivity analysis capabilities into your models.
Audit & optimisation techniques
Discover methods for auditing models for errors and optimizing their performance.
Upcoming Dates & Locations:
Location / Part
Schedule
Delivery
London (Classroom)
13-16 Apr (Full Day)
Classroom
London (Classroom)
1-4 Jun (Full Day)
Classroom
Toronto (Classroom)
22-25 Jun (Full Day)
Classroom
London (Classroom)
20-23 Jul (Full Day)
Classroom
Johannesburg (Classroom)
30 Jul - 04 Aug (Full Day)
Classroom
London (Classroom)
14-17 Sep (Full Day)
Classroom
London (Classroom)
26-29 Oct (Full Day)
Classroom
London (Classroom)
16-19 Nov (Full Day)
Classroom
London (Classroom)
07-10 Dec (Full Day)
Classroom
Remote - Part 1: Modelling Techniques
26-29 May (Half Day Sessions)
RemoteNote: Remote courses are structured as half-day sessions. Our experience shows this format enhances learner focus and overall training efficiency.
Remote - Part 2: Advanced Techniques
8-11 Jun (Half Day Sessions)
RemoteNote: Remote courses are structured as half-day sessions. Our experience shows this format enhances learner focus and overall training efficiency.
Remote - Part 1: Modelling Techniques
10-13 Aug (Half Day Sessions)
RemoteNote: Remote courses are structured as half-day sessions. Our experience shows this format enhances learner focus and overall training efficiency.
Remote - Part 2: Advanced Techniques
01-04 Sep (Half Day Sessions)
RemoteNote: Remote courses are structured as half-day sessions. Our experience shows this format enhances learner focus and overall training efficiency.
Remote - Part 1: Modelling Techniques
21-24 Sep (Half Day Sessions)
RemoteNote: Remote courses are structured as half-day sessions. Our experience shows this format enhances learner focus and overall training efficiency.
Remote - Part 2: Advanced Techniques
05-08 Oct (Half Day Sessions)
RemoteNote: Remote courses are structured as half-day sessions. Our experience shows this format enhances learner focus and overall training efficiency.
Remote - Part 1: Modelling Techniques
23-26 Nov (Half Day Sessions)
RemoteNote: Remote courses are structured as half-day sessions. Our experience shows this format enhances learner focus and overall training efficiency.
Remote - Part 2: Advanced Techniques
14-17 Dec (Half Day Sessions)
RemoteNote: Remote courses are structured as half-day sessions. Our experience shows this format enhances learner focus and overall training efficiency.
Financial Modelling for Real Estate Acquisitions
Learn how to structure, build, and analyse Excel models for real estate acquisition projects. This course equips you with the practical skills to evaluate investment returns, debt sizing, and key performance metrics for property transactions.
Duration: 4 Days
Cost: £2,400(plus VAT if applicable)
Learning Outcomes:
Build a flexible timeline incorporating project start, operation, and exit dates
Model unit counts, square footage, and revenue by property type
Account for vacancy, downtime, concessions, and miscellaneous income
Structure operating expenses and net operating income (NOI)
Forecast capital expenditures, renovations, and depreciation
Model financing, including senior and subordinated debt structures
Implement cash flow waterfalls, reserve accounts, and distributions
Analyse valuation through cap rates, equity returns, IRR, and DSCR metrics
Module Outline:
Core structure & fast nav
Learn efficient navigation and structuring techniques for complex models.
Debt sculpting & covenants
Master the intricacies of debt sculpting and implementing key financial covenants.
Scenario & sensitivity logic
Build robust scenario and sensitivity analysis capabilities into your models.
Audit & optimisation techniques
Discover methods for auditing models for errors and optimizing their performance.
Upcoming Dates & Locations:
Location / Part
Schedule
Delivery
London (Classroom)
24-27 Aug (Full Day)
Classroom
Financial Model Assessment and Review
Learn the unique and award-winning Operis' method to review financial models with maximum efficiency.
Duration: 2 Days
Cost: £1,200(plus VAT if applicable)
Learning Outcomes:
Master Operis's unique model review methodology.
Efficiently identify and resolve common modelling errors.
Conduct thorough cash flow reconstructions and validation.
Perform advanced sensitivity and scenario analysis for review purposes.
Module Outline:
Delta Sheets
Utilize delta sheets for effective model comparison and change tracking.
Cash flow reconstructions
Understand how to reconstruct and validate cash flow statements.
Single-cell reconstruction techniques
Apply techniques for focused validation of individual model cells.
Inclusion analysis for ratios checking (from NPV to IRRs and DSCRs)
Perform thorough checks on key financial ratios and metrics.
Run sensitivities tracking the impact across the entire model
Analyze the impact of sensitivities on all relevant model outputs.
Upcoming Dates & Locations:
Location / Part
Schedule
Delivery
London (Classroom)
17–18 Aug (Full Day)
Classroom
London (Classroom)
15–16 Oct (Full Day)
Classroom
Aligning Contracts and Financial Models for Lawyers
This is an unique opportunity to take advantage of David Colver’s (founder and CEO of Operis) more than 30 years of experience in Project Finance!. In this course, David will show how contracts and financial models are directly related and what are the good practices when writing contracts or building/reviewing financial models.
Duration: 1 Day
Cost: £3,200(plus VAT if applicable)
Learning Outcomes:
Understand the critical links between legal contracts and financial models.
Effectively interpret and analyze financial models from a lawyer's perspective.
Identify key risks and considerations in project finance documentation.
Improve drafting and negotiation of finance-related clauses in contracts.
Module Outline:
What a financial model is, and how it relates to the different project agreements
Gain a foundational understanding of financial models in the context of project agreements.
How to define Debt Service Cover Ratios
Learn the precise definitions and calculations of DSCRs.
How to assess debt cover over different periods of time
Understand methodologies for assessing debt coverage across various timeframes.
How to understand the life cycle of project finance transactions
Explore the complete lifecycle of project finance deals from a legal perspective.
Upcoming Dates & Locations:
Location / Part
Schedule
Delivery
London (Classroom)
To be Scheduled (Full Day)
Classroom
Spreadsheet Modelling for Public Sector
This course was developed in consultation with key government departments, expanding on the principles outlined in the HMT Aqua book (2015).
Duration: 2 Days
Cost: £1,200(plus VAT if applicable)
Learning Outcomes:
Apply HMT Aqua Book principles to public sector financial models.
Develop robust and transparent models for public projects and PFI/PPP schemes.
Master techniques for managing complex calculations and scenarios.
Enhance model auditing and validation skills for public sector applications.
Module Outline:
Develop and use consistent range names
Implement best practices for naming ranges to improve model clarity.
Use switches, masks and flags to simplify logic
Employ advanced techniques to manage complex logic within models.
Implement corkscrew structures
Build and understand corkscrew structures for debt and equity accounts.
Explore alternative solutions to circular references
Learn methods to resolve or avoid circular references in models.
Build different types of checks (financial, structural and risk factors)
Incorporate comprehensive checks to ensure model accuracy and integrity.
No upcoming dates currently scheduled for this course.
Excel VBA for Project Finance Models
Unlock the power of Excel VBA to automate routine tasks and create specific project finance macros. This intensive 1-day course provides a practical foundation in VBA essentials, enabling you to enhance model efficiency and sophistication.
Duration: 1 Day
Cost: £1,200(plus VAT if applicable)
Learning Outcomes:
Automate repetitive Excel tasks using VBA macros.
Create custom functions (UDFs) to extend Excel's capabilities.
Understand VBA syntax, control structures, and object model basics.
Improve the efficiency and sophistication of your project finance models.
Module Outline:
VBA Essentials & Developer Environment Setup
Get started with the VBA editor and understand fundamental concepts.
Core Programming Concepts: Variables & Control Structures
Learn about variables, data types, loops, and conditional logic in VBA.
Interacting with Excel: Objects, Properties & Methods
Understand how to manipulate Excel objects like ranges, worksheets, and workbooks using VBA.
Building Custom Functions (UDFs) for Model Efficiency
Create your own user-defined functions to simplify complex calculations.
Automating Tasks with Macros & Basic Error Handling
Record and write macros to automate repetitive tasks and learn basic error handling.
Build fundamental Project Finance macros
Scenario population, Full optimisation, Create/remove delta sheets, Auto Group/Ungroup,...
Upcoming Dates & Locations:
Location / Part
Schedule
Delivery
Remote
To be Scheduled (Half Day Sessions)
RemoteNote: Remote courses are structured as half-day sessions. Our experience shows this format enhances learner focus and overall training efficiency.
Tax and Accounting for Project Finance
Grasp the critical fiscal and accounting principles governing PFI/PPP transactions with this practitioner-led course. Drawing on Operis’s 30 years of industry leadership, this course is delivered by our Tax & Accounting Directors to ensure you move beyond theory into hands-on project finance modelling
Duration: 2 Days
Cost: £1,200(plus VAT if applicable)
Learning Outcomes:
Understand reclaim lags and build VAT control accounts for all project phases.
IFRIC 12: Understand the scope of service concessions and the three accounting models.
Compare tax bases to identify the most value-efficient path for your project.
Gain expertise in handling debt issue costs, transfer pricing, and revenue recognition through SICAs.
Module Outline:
VAT & Working Capital
Master the timing of VAT flows, reclaim cycles, and modelling working capital requirements.
Accounting Basis Assessment
Conduct risk assessments to choose between Fixed Asset and Finance Debtor accounting.
Tax Optimization
Navigate the UK schedular system and compare Capital Allowances vs. Composite Trader treatments.
Advanced Events
Model the tax and accounting implications of refinancing gains, capital contributions, and deferred tax.
IFRS
Service Concession accounting, Disclosure requirements and Interest treatment.
Upcoming Dates & Locations:
Location / Part
Schedule
Delivery
London
To be Scheduled (Half Day Sessions)
RemoteNote: Remote courses are structured as half-day sessions. Our experience shows this format enhances learner focus and overall training efficiency.
