AFP Quick Study Tools
DIY Automation Quick Study
VIDEO FOUR: Low-code/No-code Tools for Automation
A continuing challenge for FP&A is getting our data in in the right place and in the right format so that we can work on it! Erik DeMar shares an example of how low-code/no-code tools can help you to link data sources and uses, and more!
DIY Automation Quick Study
VIDEO THREE: MONTE CARLO SIMULATIONS IN EXCEL
Finance's response to uncertainty is to maintain multiple points of view simultaneously. Monte Carlo simulations can support this by providing probabilities for different outcomes and in this video, Danielle Stein Fairhurst shows how to build one in Excel. Her spreadsheet is also available to download so you can work through the example.
Download the Companion Spreadsheet Here.
DIY Automation Quick Study
VIDEO TWO: DATA IMPORTS
Extracting data from various systems and putting it into a usable form is a continuous challenge for FP&A professionals. Carl Seidman of Seidman Financial demonstrates simple tips to apply SUMIF and INDIRECT to these challenges with the click of a button, making you a more efficient finance pro.
Download the Companion Spreadsheet Here.
DIY Automation Quick Study
VIDEO ONE: BUILDING A ROLLING FORECAST IN EXCEL
Danielle Stein Fairhurst of Plum Solutions demonstrates how to build a rolling forecast, including dynamic formulas and dynamic seasonal linear trends (using FORECAST functions). Danielle also shares her excel file to download for your own use.
Easy helps and hacks for your FP&A life, from AFP.
Download the Companion Spreadsheet Here.
We know that the world does not stop at the end of calendar year, and that updating models is both a significant effort and risk factor.
- Building a rolling forecast can help you to reset your model to focus on time periods without using Lookup functions or adding infinite columns.
- Dynamic formulas make your models flexible and changeable and can save you time while decreasing model risk.
- Automated forecasting tied to rolling forecasts provides a view to any period. In addition, it creates a baseline, “naïve forecast” to compare actual results versus business projections.
- Graphically integrating actuals, budget and forecast can help to deliver your finance message.