Financial Modeler Spotlight: Ian Schnoor, CFA, CFM – Executive Director of the Financial Modeling Institute

Every great model has a great mind behind it, and that is exactly what our new financial modeler spotlight series is about.

In this series, we will take you behind the spreadsheets to meet the people shaping the way finance is practiced around the world. Think of it as us pulling up a chair together, having a chat, and learning the stories, struggles, and successes of professionals who are raising the bar for financial modeling.

To kick off this new series,  we will be spotlighting the incredible Ian Schnoor, CFA, CFM, Executive Director Financial Modeling Institute, Canada 

 Ian Schnoor: Turning Frustration into a Global Standard for Financial Modeling

Sometimes the best ideas are born not in moments of inspiration, but in moments of frustration. For Ian Schnoor, CFA, CFM, those moments came late at night in the demanding world of investment banking. As a young banker at Citi and BMO, he often found himself staring at sprawling spreadsheets, asking: Why is financial modeling not taught in a clearer, more practical way?

That simple but radical question became the spark for a movement that would transform how professionals worldwide think about financial modeling.

In 2002, Ian left investment banking to pursue a bold idea: financial modeling should not be an opaque technical ritual but a transparent, decision-making tool. He founded The Marquee Group with a singular mission—to teach modeling differently. His approach emphasized clarity, usability, and storytelling through numbers. Over the next two decades, The Marquee Group trained thousands of professionals and students across the globe. From Wall Street analysts to MBA students, Ian’s courses became synonymous with practical, real-world financial training. In 2023, the impact of his work was recognized when Training The Street, a global leader in financial education, acquired The Marquee Group—a landmark that validated its influence on modern finance.

Today, Ian serves as Executive Director of the Financial Modeling Institute (FMI), the world’s only global accreditation body for financial modelers. The FMI’s rigorous certification pathway—from the Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) to the Master Financial Modeler (MFM)—is designed to give the discipline the professional recognition traditionally reserved for fields like accounting or law. “Financial modeling has always been critical,” Ian notes, “but until recently, it was never treated as a profession in its own right. Our mission at FMI is to change that.”

Ian’s influence extends well beyond professional institutions. At Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business, he has twice been voted Professor of the Year in the Master of Finance Program, a recognition of both his expertise and teaching style. He also designed the Practical Skills Module for the CFA Institute, embedding hands-on modeling into the CFA curriculum and equipping future charter holders with practical skills to match their theoretical grounding.

He has contributed as a Forbes Councils Member, regularly sharing insights on valuation, Excel, corporate finance, and the future of professional education. His speaking engagements across North America, Europe, and Asia have cemented his reputation as one of the most trusted voices in financial modeling.

 What began as one banker’s irritation with clumsy spreadsheets has grown into a global movement to professionalize financial modeling. Ian’s philosophy—that models must be clear, adaptable, and decision-ready—has resonated with both students and executives alike. His career is a testament to the power of challenging the status quo. By turning frustration into purpose, Ian has not only built two enduring institutions but has also elevated financial modeling from a niche skill to a recognized global standard.

Ian’s journey offers lessons for anyone seeking to create impact in their field. Even highly technical skills deserve clear standards and recognition. A model that confuses its audience is not serving its purpose, no matter how sophisticated. And what annoys you today could be the problem you are uniquely positioned to solve.

You can connect with Ian Schnoor on LinkedIn  and Instagram .

Ian Schnoor’s story reminds us that meaningful change often starts with one person asking a deceptively simple question: Why not better? Two decades later, that question has evolved into a global mission—to raise the standards of financial modeling for generations to come.

We have more incredible financial modelers to introduce you to in the coming weeks, people whose paths will inspire, challenge, and maybe even mirror your own. Stick around, the next spotlight might just surprise you.