Spreadsheet Skills

Sue Nugus	The Seminar at a Glance
	Many spreadsheet users do not fully exploit the power of their software. Business forecasting, planning and budgeting are areas in which personal computers may be used to great effect in both large and small firms. By developing spreadsheet models, the work required to produce forecasts can be dramatically reduced. Furthermore, these forecasts can be easily transferred to business plans that provide a guide to the overall performance of the firm. These plans may then in turn be readily developed into operating budgets.
	By using the personal computer all of these forecasts, plans and budgets may be reviewed through extensive what-if analysis to find the key factors for management to monitor. In addition, today’s spreadsheets may be conveniently used to perform advanced techniques such as goal seeking, sensitivity analysis and risk models. The course’s usefulness will be enhanced by the fact that it is designed to apply to any Windows Spreadsheet - and to enable you to use it more effectively.
	This is a business course that allows accountants, financial managers and executives to develop and enhance their skills with spreadsheets so that they may improve their own efficiency and effectiveness.

What you will learn

	Knowledge of a variety of approaches to forecasting, planning and budgeting
	The ability to develop these techniques on a spreadsheet
	Tips on how to combine these techniques to obtain the most effective management information
	An introduction to the use of advanced spreadsheet techniques

Who should attend?

	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 and analysts who need to advise or comment on business forecasts, plans and budgets

Course documentation

A course workbook is provided together with a diskette containing a collection of useful models.

Course Outline

	Introduction to forecasting, planning and budgeting using spreadsheets
	How these issues relate and how spreadsheet systems may be integrated
	Business forecasting A review of some of the modern quantitative and qualitative methods available, including, Smoothing techniques, Regression analysis, Time series analysis, Expected value calculations. Different approaches to business planning including deterministic, stochastic and optimising models.
	Spreadsheet design - Tips and tricks for good model development
	What-if analysis Different approaches to what-if analysis, including the use of data tables, sensitivity analysis and goal seeking
	Functions for improved model efficiency A selection of functions to improve the effectiveness of financial plans Advanced techniques Stochastic planning or risk analysis
	Budgeting Techniques Deciding how to modularise complex systems to manage budget, actual and variance reports. When and how to link data.
	Other consolidation options available

This course uses large-screen demonstrations to illustrate the spreadsheet techniques discussed and participants receive a diskette containing all the examples shown. Although the demonstrations are performed using Excel, this course is relevant to users of any Windows-based spreadsheet system.

Course 106: Spreadsheet Skills for Financial Planning

Course 106:
Spreadsheet Skills for Financial Planning