Meet Sudiksha Arora, a commerce graduate from DPS RK Puram and BCom in Finance from the University of Delhi. After becoming an ACCA Affiliate, she realised that theoretical knowledge alone wasn’t enough to build a clear career in investment banking or other core finance roles. To bridge this gap, she upskilled in financial modelling and valuation.
Today, Sudiksha is working at USP House as an Investment Analyst, and she’s here to share her journey from early confusion to gaining clarity, confidence and practical skills for a successful finance career.
Below is a transcript of her interview with us:
1. Can you briefly tell us about your education background and how your journey in finance started?
I graduated from Dps RK Puram school in the year 2021 and scored 95% in class 10 boards which obviously made my parents think I should opt for science stream but my gut feeling always directed me towards commerce, having no clue what future holds for me I followed my intuition and took commerce with maths, sooner after 12th got over I was again clue less , CA seemed to be the only option but as I studied the curriculum, it felt suffocating and made me way too anxious that’s what led to discovery of ACCA .
2. You’re already an ACCA Affiliate, which is a strong qualification. What made you feel the need to also learn financial modeling and what were you hoping it would add to your profile?
While I was studying for the FM exam in ACCA, the project appraisal, valuation, and risk management were all really new topics and intrigued me a lot. That’s when I actually realised the real difference between finance and accounts. I always had the delusion that I loved accounts, but soon I realised it’s actually finance that I really love. Once I completed ACCA, I was really clueless. All I knew about finance was from the theoretical knowledge that came from the AFM subject and it was definitely not enough to crack a job in core finance roles.
I realised this very early when I started professional level exams, so I spent six months cold-mailing professionals on LinkedIn to see if they could guide me on the right way to secure a great job. That’s when I found a professional who told me about financial modelling and valuation and that without it, you can’t crack a job role in finance. Then he referred me to The WallStreet School.
3. During your career journey so far, whether while doing the course or during job hunting, what were some challenges you faced, and how did you deal with them?
The biggest challenge before I started this course was hopelessness, the fear of not finding a field where I would actually feel content working. Studying 13 exams in ACCA exposed me to so many fields, and each felt attractive enough to build a career in, but a clear direction was missing.
Another challenge was that I did not know what jobs to apply for, how to apply, whether my CV was good enough, or even if I had referrals. I didn’t know the right way to present myself to land a job, how to prepare for interviews, or, even if I got an interview, what the right strategy was to ace it. Most importantly, I didn’t know how to handle rejection when not selected, stay motivated, and continue applying.
4. When you started the financial modeling course was there any topic or part that felt difficult at first? How did you manage to get comfortable with it over time?
Yes, financial modelling in itself is so extensive. The application and use of advanced Excel scared me so much that I almost doubted joining the course and really wanted to leave it. But then I realised that each skill you learn seems difficult initially, and with time and practice, you get better at it. You can’t expect yourself to be an expert on the first day. Most importantly, what helped me get comfortable with it was the mentor’s approach and their ability to calm us down when it got too overwhelming.
5. While preparing for and giving interviews, how did financial modeling help you? Were there specific questions or discussions where this skill made a real difference?
Yes, this skill is a must in any organisation. Even the most basic work as an analyst involves handling data, which is immense, and without modelling, it can take so many hours just to sort it or make it look presentable. In one of my interviews, I was asked to create a one-pager for investors from a 30-page pitch deck. This was not taught to us in the exact way, but because we were taught how to navigate Excel and build basic models, I was able to create it and land that job.
6. Finally, what advice would you give to ACCA or commerce students who are thinking about doing a Financial Modeling course but are unsure whether it will actually help their career?
Financial modelling is a must-have skill that I feel every student should learn. Whether you are planning to work or start your own business, if you know how to manage your data efficiently, most work becomes much simpler. In finance, you can’t succeed without it. Instead of learning it the hard way through one-day training at work, it’s better to learn at your own pace and practice so much that, once you start working, you are already confident and don’t feel burdened by the workload or training pressure. I would say it’s as important as AI, because AI can’t do modelling for you. This is one skill that makes your job secure and won’t be taken over by AI.
Sudiksha’s journey shows that mastering financial modelling can transform your finance career. With the right skills and guidance, landing a role in investment banking is possible. Growth in finance comes from the skills you build, not just the degrees you hold.
If Sudiksha’s path inspires you, these FAQs can help you start learning financial modelling
Q1: What is financial modeling, and why is it essential for ACCA students?
A: Financial modeling builds Excel-based forecasts to predict performance and support decisions. For ACCA affiliates, it bridges theory to real-world roles like investment banking, making you interview-ready.
Q2: Which finance jobs require strong financial modeling skills?
A: Investment banking analysts, equity research, private equity, corporate finance, and FP&A roles all demand it for valuations, deals, and data analysis.
Q3: How do beginners start learning financial modeling step-by-step?
A: Master Excel basics and accounting first, then practice DCF models and sensitivity analysis. Free templates and structured courses accelerate progress.
Q4: Should ACCA or CA students learn financial modeling—and why?
A: Yes—it complements certifications by adding practical Excel and valuation skills, boosting employability in core finance over pure accounting.
Q5: Can you learn financial modeling while studying ACCA full-time?
A: Absolutely. Short 3–6 month courses fit alongside studies, enhancing FM/AFM papers and fast-tracking IB/analyst jobs.
Q6: Do finance interviews test financial modeling skills?
A: Yes—expect live Excel tests, case studies, and questions on DCF, LBOs, or pitch decks. Preparation pays off big.
Q7: How does financial modeling help land an investment banking job after ACCA?
A: It’s the core skill for M&A modeling, valuations, and analyst tasks—proving you can deliver under pressure.
Q8: What key skills do you need to excel in financial modeling?
A: Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, pivots), accounting principles, valuation methods (DCF, comps), and logical thinking.
Q9: Is financial modeling ideal for switching careers into finance?
A: Perfect for non-finance professionals—it quickly builds credentials for analyst roles, even without a full degree.
