Why this cheat sheet exists
Most DCF models don't fail on theory — they fail on mechanics. A terminal growth rate above long-run GDP, a WACC applied to levered cash flows, a mid-year convention forgotten, stale net debt: these are the details reviewers catch in the first five minutes.
This sheet condenses what a senior analyst checks before any DCF leaves the desk: the seven mistakes that come up again and again, the order in which a model should actually be built, and a final checklist to run before you hit send.
It's designed to be printed and pinned next to your monitor. No email required.
Want the full model, not just the checklist?
The FinModelAI DCF + LBO + 3-Statement Bundle implements everything on this sheet — FAST colour-coded, no macros, no circular references, sensitivity tables included.
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