Mastering Spreadsheet Skills
for Planning, Forecasting
and Budgeting

Mastering spreadsheet skills for planning, forecasting and budgeting gives finance and planning professionals the technical Excel capability to build models that are accurate, defensible, and fit for purpose across the full planning cycle.

The course covers Excel best practice and financial modelling principles alongside applied forecasting techniques including moving averages, linear regression, exponential smoothing, and the use of Excel Solver to minimise forecasting error.

Budgeting content addresses both traditional and advanced cost analysis approaches, rolling forecast model construction, and the limitations of conventional budgeting methods.

Cash flow forecasting, capital investment appraisal, and DCF analysis are all covered with direct Excel model-building exercises — giving delegates hands-on experience rather than theoretical understanding alone.

The course closes with risk management integration, covering probability-based decision-making, sensitivity analysis, decision tree construction in Excel, and what-if forecasting — ensuring delegates can build models that account for uncertainty as well as base-case assumptions.

This mastering spreadsheet skills for planning, forecasting and budgeting course is designed to give delegates applied Excel modelling capability across the full planning cycle — from strategic financial modelling and business forecasting through to budgeting, cash flow management, and risk-integrated scenario analysis.

By the end of this course, delegates will be able to:

• Apply Excel best practice to financial modelling: Structure and build financial models using established Excel best practice and modelling principles.
• Use statistical tools for forecasting: Apply moving averages, linear regression, exponential smoothing, and Excel Solver to analyse data and minimise forecasting error.
• Build rolling forecast models: Construct rolling forecast models that incorporate regression and correlation techniques for cost and revenue projection.
• Analyse and present data effectively: Visualise financial data clearly for non-financial managers using appropriate data presentation techniques in Excel.
• Build cash flow forecast models: Construct cash flow forecast models in Excel and apply capital investment appraisal tools including DCF analysis.
• Build capital investment appraisal models: Develop structured Excel models for evaluating and comparing capital investment decisions.
• Integrate risk into planning models: Apply probability-based decision-making, build decision trees in Excel, and construct what-if sensitivity analysis models to incorporate risk into planning and forecasting outputs.

This course is ideal for professionals involved in financial planning, forecasting, and budgeting. It's tailored for:

• Financial accounting team members
• Cost and management accounting staff
• Finance managers
• Budget managers
• Commercial managers
• Capital investment and project team members

The Mastering Spreadsheet Skills for Planning, Forecasting, and Budgeting Training Course uses a participative workshop format, incorporating a range of adult learning techniques to ensure full comprehension and retention of course material. Each day’s sessions will begin with a solid theoretical foundation, followed by practical, hands-on exercises using Excel's powerful functions and tools. Delegates will apply these techniques to real-life case studies, ensuring the skills they learn are directly applicable to their roles.

Key aspects of course delivery include:

• Engaging, hands-on workshops focused on Excel skills.
• Case studies and practical applications to reinforce learning.
• Use of advanced Excel features like Solver, regression, and sensitivity analysis.

• AZTech Certificate of Completion for delegates who attend and complete the training course