Mastering Excel for Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting Event, 21.Apr.2025

Course Description

This intensive 5-day course equips participants with advanced Excel skills for financial planning, forecasting, and budgeting. Learn to create powerful spreadsheet models, perform complex data analysis, and develop accurate forecasts to drive strategic decision-making. Gain hands-on experience with real-world business scenarios and best practices in financial modeling.

Learning Objectives

• Master advanced Excel functions and tools for financial analysis
• Develop robust spreadsheet models for planning and forecasting
• Learn techniques for creating accurate and flexible budgets
• Enhance data visualization and presentation skills for financial reporting
• Apply sensitivity analysis and scenario planning to improve decision-making

Course Modules

Day 1: Excel Fundamentals for Financial Modeling

• Advanced Excel functions for financial analysis
• Data organization and management techniques
• Creating dynamic named ranges and tables
• Building flexible and scalable spreadsheet models

Day 2: Planning and Forecasting Techniques

• Time series analysis and trend forecasting
• Regression analysis for sales and cost projections
• Using Excel's statistical tools for accurate predictions
• Scenario planning and sensitivity analysis

Day 3: Budgeting and Financial Modeling

• Creating dynamic budget models
• Variance analysis and flexible budgeting techniques
• Cash flow forecasting and working capital management
• Building integrated financial statements

Day 4: Advanced Forecasting and What-If Analysis

• Monte Carlo simulation for risk assessment
• Goal Seek and Solver for optimization problems
• Data Tables for sensitivity analysis
• Scenario Manager for comparing multiple outcomes

Day 5: Data Visualization and Reporting

• Creating dynamic charts and dashboards
• PivotTables and PivotCharts for data analysis
• Power Query for data manipulation and cleansing
• Best practices for financial reporting and presentation

Practical Wins for Participants

• Develop a comprehensive financial model for your organization
• Create an accurate sales forecast using advanced Excel techniques
• Build a flexible budget model with variance analysis capabilities
• Design an interactive dashboard for financial reporting and decision-making