Welcome to Financial Modeler's Corner (FMC) where we discuss the art and science of financial modeling with your host Paul Barnhurst. Financial Modeler's Corner is sponsored by Financial Modeling Institute (FMI)  the most respected accreditations in Financial Modeling globally. In this episode, Paul Barnhurst is joined by Diarmuid Early, one of the best modelers in the world and, the Founder of Early Days Consulting. He is a regular competitor in the Financial Modeling World Cup (FMWC) and is often referred to as the Michael Jordan of financial modeling for his impressive results. He is the winner of the 2021 FMWC and a runner-up in the 2020 and 2022 editions. Listen to this episode as Diarmuid shares: His journey and background into ModelingHow Financial Modeling competitions help you grow and learnThe key differences between modeling for competition and modeling for workHis practical advice on how to build a 3-statement modelHow assumption ambiguity and structural ambiguity impact your model.His position on controversial modeling issues including circular references, dynamic arrays, modeling standards and more Financial Modeler’s Corner is sponsored by the Financial Modeling Institute Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation or FMI Fundamentals Today and receive 15% of by using the special show code FMC15. Visit  www.fminstitute.com/podcast  and use code FMC15 to save 15% when you register. Go to  https://earmarkcpe.com , download the app, take the quiz and you can receive CPE credit for listening to the episode. Follow Diarmuid:    YouTube -  https://www.youtube.com/@DimEarly/    LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/diarmuidearly Stream the events of FMWC live on YouTube by visiting -  Financial Modeling World Cup  Link to the next streaming session on July 27th at 9 AM MST of which Paul Barnhurst will be a part -  Battle VII - Road to Las Vegas 2023 (Excel Esports)  Follow Paul: Website -  https://www.thefpandaguy.com/ LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy/ Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/thefpandaguy/ TikTok -  https://www.tiktok.com/@thefpandaguy Twitter -  https://twitter.com/TheFPandAGuy YouTube -  https://www.youtube.com/@thefpaguy8376 Quotes: “You need to have certain discipline around what you want your model to do.” “Getting better at excel has been more valuable than getting better known by winning the FMWC.”    “ Do terribly struggle for an hour and a half with what should have been a 30-minute question, but eventually get it out. You'll learn a ton from that. ” “ The big value in the competition is a learning opportunity and you don't need to train to start learning. ” “ The person who is most valuable as a financial modeler is the one who can tell you what are good assumptions to make. ”   In today’s episode: (00:22) Intro; (00:45) Welcoming Diarmuid; (01:16)  The worst financial model Diarmuid has ever seen ; (04:13)  Diarmuid’s take away from the worst financial model ; (07:45)  Diarmuid ’s background; (09:45) How  Diarmuid became interested in Financial Modeling Competitions ; (11:48) How Diarmuid felt after winning the competition; (12:51) What Diarmuid enjoys about competing; (18:05) Financial Modeling for competitions vs. Building it for clients; (22:37 - 23:23) Validate your Financial Modeling Skills with FMI’s  Accreditation Program (ad); (23:30) Diarmuid’s top advice for competitions; (25:10) Rapid Fire; (29:45) Nugget on how to become a better modeler; (34:40) Connect with Diarmuid; (35:40) About FMWC; (37:55) CPE Credit with this episode; (38:30) Outro;