Many spreadsheet users do not fully exploit the power of their software.  Financial planning including how to prepare forecasts, develop business plans and create a budgetary control system are areas in which spreadsheets can be used to great effect in both large and small firms. Carefully designed and developed spreadsheet models, can enable users to produce user-specific reports and to analyse data using a range of the powerful what-if tools in the software. This course will show accountants, financial managers and executives how to develop and enhance their skills with Excel so that they may improve their own efficiency and effectiveness.
By attending this course delegates will learn:

• How to create well designed, robust business plans that will work for you in terms for reporting, what-if analysis etc
• Using spreadsheet functions effectively
• How to create forecasts using a range of smoothing techniques and the data regression command
• How to enhance what-if analysis and sensitivity analysis through the use of the Data table command
• A look at some more advanced techniques including goal seeking and risk analysis
• How to create manageable budgetary control systems with file linking tools, including Data Consolidate commands

• Spreadsheet users wishing to improve their techniques
• Accountants, financial managers, directors, managers, company advisors and other members of staff from all functional areas who have to develop departmental forecasts, plans or budgets
• Business advisors & analysts who need to advise or comment on business forecasts, plans & budgets

• Spreadsheet design
• Templates and data input forms
• Using Excel functions effectively
• Forecasting tools in Excel
• What-if analysis

• Optimising results using Goalseek and Solver
• Stochastic Planning with Excel
• Budgeting techniques

The presentation uses large-screen demonstrations to illustrate the spreadsheet techniques discussed and participants receive a CD containing the examples shown.  Although the demonstrations are performed using Excel, this course will be useful to anyone working with other Windows-based spreadsheet systems.