For those involved in project investment analysis and long range planning.

Master investment analysis

• Know how to convert an annual interest rate into a monthly one.
• Calculate the real interest rate.
• Know what interest rate you are being charged.
• Build a loan amortisation schedule.
• Learn how to use IRR and NPV functions correctly.
• Decide among lease, borrow or purchase.
• Know how to adjust for beginning-of-period cash flows.
• Discover XIRR and XNPV functions.

Use best-practice multi-workbook model structures

• Hear the pros and cons of multi-workbook models.
• Structure file-links into Source and Destination areas.
• Use a single name in a range of file-links.
• Check and flow the data through a multi-workbook model.
• Trace formulas.

Create long-term financial models

• Understand how to calculate legitimate circular references.
• Calculate long-term debt requirements.
• Use Data Tables to produce sensitivity reports from varying assumptions of growth, interest, etc.
• Perform circular calculations without circular reference formulas.

Create a cross-tabulation report of multiple model runs

• Use Data Tables for multi-variate analysis.

Run a Monte Carlo simulation

• Run a model multiple times with random values for various input assumptions.
• Chart the results and determine likelihood of project success.
• Learn the RAND function.

Seek the input to reach your goal

• Use Goal Seek to determine what the input needs to be to achieve the desired result.

Use Solver for optimal solutions

• Use Solver to calculate optimal solutions to problems that have constraints.
• Find the selection of deposits that maximises total interest.
• Decide what to ship from which plants to which warehouses.
• Calculate the most profitable product mix.
• Determine optimal staff scheduling for minimising wage cost.

Make use of forecasting techniques

• Forecast with regression analysis.
• Plot and extend chart trendline and choose an appropriate trend method.
• Tabulate frequencies with the Histogram tool.
• Use a t-test to decide whether a difference is significant.

Discover more great time-saving tips

• Copy only formulas.
• Reset scattered input cells.
• Discover range names for repetitive copying.
• Auto-hide the Excel 2007/2010 Ribbon.
• Learn a special method to locate and check for errors.

Prerequisites

Those involved in analysis, strategy and planning.

You should have a good working knowledge of Excel. This course has a more mathematical bent than the Essential and More essential spreadsheets for accountants courses. Though the course assumes no prior knowledge of the topics covered (for example, an understanding of Net Present Value), such knowledge would be an advantage.

• Be assured the advice you get is well-proven and utilised.
• Feel free to ask questions.
• Get time away from the office and constant interruptions.
• Enjoy a friendly environment where you don’t feel you’re holding others up.
• Instantly apply what you’ve learned on return to work.