A deep dive into Power BI for finance professionals

This course is designed for existing users of Excel needing to learn about the modern Power BI functionality in Excel and Power BI Desktop products to provide insight into forecasting and operational data.  It provides a deep dive into the Power Query tool, the Power Query Language (M), the use of PowerPivot, the Data Model and DAX language, together with the charting and mapping display functionality both in Excel and in the Power BI desktop to provide dashboards that can be deployed within the organisation to streamline the reporting function.

Modes of Study

• Classroom mode: 40 hours, usually on five days over two months
• Instructor-led Online via Zoom: 40 hours, 10 half-day lessons twice a week spread out over seven weeks (evening and morning offerings)
• In-house course: 40 hours, usually on five days over two months

Key Outcomes

• Learn how to use and deploy Power Query to groom and prepare data for presentation
• Learn how to utilise the Excel and Power BI Data Models to relate and analyse data
• Work on practical projects to create data sets and present compelling dashboards
• 40 hours of continuing professional education for accountants and other professionals;
• Learn proven methodologies and techniques to build effective and powerful analytical tools and dashboards;
• Build a useful and effective framework for assimilating technical knowledge;
• Importantly – develop measurable improvements in accuracy, productivity and transparency!

The Course Delivers

• A thorough grounding in the tools features available in Power BI in Excel and the Power BI Desktop;
• Techniques to assist in auditing understanding existing queries and tables;
• Coverage of essential Excel functions for data analysis;
• Introduction and practical use of DAX data analysis language;
• Building KPIs and working with the Data Model;
• Approaches to simplify calculations and increase the transparency of data and present insights;
• Practical guidance on the layout and structuring of workbooks, formulas, queries, tables, KPIs and dashboards.

Who Benefits

• Business Analysts responsible for forecasting and performance analysis;
• Those working with larger data sets acquired through the enterprises ERP and online data sources;
• Accountants, finance managers and financial controllers budgeting and analysing business performance;
• Fund accountants and managers in equity and property funds;
• Financial advisers, public accountants, management consultants;
• Procurement, project planning and logistical staff responsible for financial and logistical planning;
• Managers responsible for their own analysis and forecasting;
• Anyone who uses Excel to perform their role, looking to improve their productivity and accuracy.

Benefits for the Employer

• Direct and measurable improvement in staff productivity and a reduction in errors through good design;
• Bootstrapping users into this newer knowledge arena, allowing modern data sharing and analysis tools to be developed;
• Standardisation of technique within workgroups is an important outcome;