Course Outline
Welcome and Objectives
A live poll assessing current AI usage and verification of each participant's Copilot license type to customize the pace and examples accordingly.
Copilot for Finance – Transitioning from Occasional Use to Consistent Daily Practice
Topics Covered
• Comparison between Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot: benefits of each edition
• Copilot integration across the Microsoft 365 applications most utilized by finance teams
• Additional capabilities offered by the Premium edition and when an upgrade is justified
• Establishing a personal routine for daily usage
Practical Exercise (Identical for Basic and Premium)
• Participants will review their everyday financial tasks to identify immediate opportunities for Copilot application
Advanced Prompting Techniques for Financial Tasks
Topics Covered
• Structuring prompts for financial precision
• Providing Copilot with appropriate context and constraints
• Iterating and refining outputs
• Avoiding common errors in numerical data
Practical Exercise (Identical for Basic and Premium, conducted in Copilot Chat)
• Participants will transform weak prompts into effective ones using their own financial scenarios and compare the resulting outputs
Excel – Data Reconciliation and Cleaning
Topics Covered
• Utilizing Copilot to detect mismatches and anomalies
• Cleaning and standardizing disorganized datasets
• Automating repetitive checks (full functionality available only in Premium)
Practical Exercise (Dual Workflow)
• Premium: Reconciling a two-source dataset directly within Excel using the in-app Copilot
• Basic: Uploading an xlsx file to Copilot Chat, generating a mismatch report, and applying corrections in Excel based on the provided guidance
• Shared deliverable: A documented, reusable process to implement back at the workplace
Excel – Forecasting and Budgeting
Topics Covered
• Developing forecast scenarios with Copilot assistance
• Testing budget assumptions
• Explaining variance drivers in plain language
Practical Exercise (Dual Workflow)
• Premium: Building and adjusting a simple forecast model directly in Excel, testing two scenarios with Copilot
• Basic: Uploading the model to Copilot Chat, generating and comparing two scenarios within the chat, then transferring the results into the Excel model
Financial Reporting and Executive Communication
Topics Covered
• Transforming raw analysis into clear management reports
• Summarizing financial results for non-finance stakeholders
• Drafting executive-ready commentary with Copilot assistance
Practical Exercise (Dual Workflow)
• Premium: Drafting the executive summary directly in Word, using the in-app Copilot
• Basic: Generating the commentary in Copilot Chat and finalizing the document in Word
• Shared deliverable: A one-page executive summary based on a dataset reviewed earlier in the day
Recap, knowledge check, and personal action plan
Outcomes
By the end of the day, participants will be able to:
• Craft consistently effective prompts for financial tasks
• Perform data reconciliation and cleaning more efficiently with Copilot, irrespective of license type
• Develop and test forecast and budget scenarios with AI support
• Produce clear, executive-ready reports and summaries
• Understand the full capabilities of their current license and when upgrading to Premium is justified
• Immediately implement a personal action plan and reusable prompt examples at their workplace
Requirements
- Active Microsoft 365 business/enterprise account with access to the Copilot Chat app (mandatory for all attendees, applicable to both Basic and Premium licenses)
- Optional: Microsoft 365 Copilot (Premium) license enabled in Excel, Word, and Outlook, for the in-app workflow
- Intermediate Excel proficiency: including formulas, tables, and pivot tables
- Familiarity with AI chat tools at a basic level
- Stable internet connection (the session is conducted online)
Audience
Finance professionals who already incorporate AI into their roles, such as financial analysts, FP&A specialists, controllers, and accountants. The course accommodates mixed experience levels, ranging from confident occasional users to daily users seeking to deepen their expertise.
Testimonials (1)
Trainer was very knowledgeable and easy to speak to