Financial Modeling for Analysts to Build Clear, Structured Models for Better Decisions with Shreya Bhatt

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Shreya Bhatt about her journey in financial modeling and her experience working across infrastructure and project finance. Shreya shares real challenges she has faced, including rebuilding poorly structured models, and explains what makes a model reliable and easy to use. The conversation also covers modeling standards, practical use cases, and how financial models support real-world decisions.

Shreya Bhatt is a Manager at CrossBoundary Group with over eight years of experience in financial modeling and infrastructure finance. She works on project finance, portfolio modeling, and investment analysis, supporting decision-making across sectors like renewable energy and infrastructure.

Expect to Learn

• What makes a financial model reliable and easy to use
• Common mistakes that make models difficult to work with
• How project finance models connect to real-world decisions
• When to use different modeling standards like FAST and SMART
• How AI fits into financial modeling today

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• A model can either be the most powerful tool or the most frustrating one.” – Shreya Bhatt
• “AI can help us, but judgment and interpretation will always remain important.” – Shreya Bhatt

Shreya explains that strong financial models are built with clarity, structure, and consistency. She highlights that while tools and technologies like AI can speed up parts of the process, the real value comes from understanding the business, making sound assumptions, and delivering insights that support decision-making.

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Gmail: [email protected]

Linkedin: https://in.linkedin.com/in/-shreyabhatt-

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In today’s episode:

[00:00] – Introduction

[02:48] – Worst Modeling Experience

[05:44] – Role at CrossBoundary

[07:35] – Favourite Model Types

[11:14] – Portfolio & Solar Models

[14:06] – FAST Certification Journey

[16:15] – FAST vs SMART Standards

[19:56] – Modeling Best Practices

[23:36] – AI in Financial Modeling

[28:52] – Career Lessons

[33:04] – Rapid Fire Insights

[36:56] – Final Advice