What Our Analysts Say
We've been teaching corporate finance since 2019, and our approach centers on one thing: real instructors who've worked the deals, built the models, and navigated the pressure. Here's what participants have shared about their experience learning with us.
Darren Kosovich
Lead Instructor
Darren spent twelve years in M&A advisory before shifting to education in 2018. He's the type who remembers the messy deals more than the smooth ones—those teach better lessons. His sessions focus on what actually happens when Excel formulas meet real negotiations and tight deadlines. Most participants appreciate that he doesn't pretend finance is elegant.
Darren didn't just walk us through valuation models. He showed us where they break, which was honestly more valuable than learning the formulas themselves.
The feedback on my DCF assignment was brutal in the best way. He pointed out three assumptions I'd made that would've embarrassed me in front of a client. That kind of honesty is rare.
What surprised me was how much time Darren spent on communication skills. Turns out a perfect financial model doesn't mean much if you can't explain it to non-finance stakeholders.
How We Actually Teach This Stuff
Our method evolved from watching where new analysts typically struggle. Turns out it's not usually the math—it's knowing which assumptions matter and how to defend your work under questioning.
Case-First Learning
We start with messy, real scenarios before introducing clean theory. This feels backwards to some people at first, but it sticks better.
Model Critique Sessions
You'll build models, then we'll tear them apart together. Sounds harsh, but it's how you learn to spot errors before they reach a managing director's desk.
Live Q&A Pressure
Darren runs sessions where you present findings and field spontaneous questions. It simulates client meetings better than any textbook could.
- Sessions run Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 7-9pm Sydney time, starting September 2025
- Each cohort caps at 18 participants so Darren can review everyone's work personally
- You'll receive detailed written feedback on at least four major assignments throughout the program
- Office hours are Wednesday afternoons—most people use them more than they expect to
- The final project involves presenting a full company valuation to guest practitioners who actually ask tough questions
Voices from Recent Cohorts
These aren't cherry-picked success stories. We asked recent participants to share honest reflections about what helped them and what challenged them. The responses varied quite a bit, which tells you something about how different everyone's starting point is.
I came in thinking I'd learn shortcuts. Instead, I learned why those shortcuts fail. My modeling is slower now but way more defensible, which matters more in my current role.
Henrik Bachmeier
Corporate Finance Intensive, Nov 2024
The peer review component was uncomfortable but valuable. Explaining my approach to other analysts forced me to clarify thinking I'd kept vague. Also learned different modeling styles exist and that's okay.
Astrid Lehtonen
Advanced Valuation Track, Jan 2025
Darren's feedback on my first merger model was rough. But he was right about every point. By assignment three, I was catching those issues myself. That progression felt significant.
Callum Rafferty
M&A Analysis Program, Dec 2024
What the Learning Environment Actually Looks Like
We run sessions through a platform that lets Darren share his screen while walking through models, but also lets him see everyone's work simultaneously when needed. It's not fancy, but it works. Most sessions include breakout work where you tackle problems in small groups before reconvening.
- Live sessions are recorded in case you miss one, though participation obviously matters
- You get access to Darren's model library—about 40 Excel files from actual deals, scrubbed of confidential data
- The discussion board stays surprisingly active, mostly people helping each other debug formulas
- Office hours happen via video call; Darren typically spends 15-20 minutes per person
- Guest practitioners join for three sessions throughout the program to share current market perspectives