Financial Modelers Simplify Spreadsheets to Reduce Errors and Succeed in 2025 with Myles Arnott

In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Myles Arnott, co-founder of Full Stack Modeller and founder of Clarity Consultancy Services. Myles shares his 25+ year journey in Excel, his philosophy of keeping things simple, and how structured design and tools like Power Query have transformed his approach to modeling. He also opens up about taking the FMI Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) exam and co-building a global modeling community.

Myles Arnott is a CMA-qualified accountant, Excel trainer, and fractional finance director. He leads Clarity Consultancy Services and co-founded Full Stack Modeller, a platform built to provide finance professionals with a full toolkit of modern Excel and modeling skills. Myles blends operational finance experience with teaching, making complex modeling concepts accessible through real-world insights and practice.

Expect to Learn:

• The power of simplicity in model design
• How to effectively prepare for the AFM exam
• Best practices for managing data flow in Excel
• Why Power Query is one of Excel’s most powerful tools
• How Full Stack Modeler is helping professionals level up in finance
• The value of designing with clarity and reviewing with confidence
• Myles’s journey from complex automation to clean, intuitive spreadsheets

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• Spreadsheet risk skyrockets when models are messy and undocumented.”- Myles Arnott
• “If your data flows are poor, your insights will be too.”- Myles Arnott
• “Power Query changed everything for how we manage data in Excel.”- Myles Arnott

In this episode, Myles Arnott shares how clarity, consistency, and structure create better financial models. He emphasizes the importance of design thinking, simplifying complexity, and continuously developing your skills. Whether you're preparing for the AFM or just want to clean up your modeling, Myles’s advice will guide you toward modeling excellence.

Follow Myles:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mylesarnott/

Website - https://www.fullstackmodeller.com/

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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpaguy8376  

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In today’s episode:

[01:39] - Episode Introduction

[02:49] - Worst Financial Model Mistakes 

[07:55] - Leadership and AFM

[13:26] - Balancing Under Exam Pressure

[19:17] - Full Stack Origins

[23:01] - MVP Antics and Office Fun

[27:04] - Simplifying Systems and Processes

[31:13] - Power Query Tips

[36:37] - Career Lessons Learned

[46:09] - Advice to Aspiring Modelers