Budget and Forecast Modelling in Excel
When embarking upon the budget process for your organisation this year, practical Excel tools and strong modelling skills will be critical. It’s never been more important to build robust, flexible and dynamic budget models to accurately predict business outcomes and handle the volatile economic inputs. Historically, the budget process involves pulling out the financials and rolling them forward, but last year’s actuals should not always be an automatic target.
What you'll learn?
By the end of the Masterclass, each learner will be able to:
- Calculate and apply phasing and seasonality to model drivers
- Apply the latest Excel tools such as dynamic arrays and date picker to your budget models
- Try true budgeting and forecasting techniques such as top-down, bottom-up, zero-based and flex budgeting
- Build sensitivities and break-even analysis into planning projections
This Masterclass will be delivered by Microsoft MVP Danielle Stein Fairhurst on 16 & 17 September 2025 as an online-only course.
Who is it for?
This Masterclass is designed for users who use Excel on a regular basis and are comfortable with using its tools and functions. This course covers the practical usage of Excel Modelling in a budgeting and forecasting context. Whilst a brief overview of tools used in this course is provided, it is assumed that delegates are confident Excel users. This course builds on students' existing knowledge of Excel tools and functions and incorporates these into complex and dynamic budget and forecast models.
- Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Professionals
- Management Accountants
- Financial modellers and analysts
- Business professionals who are eager to improve their Excel Modeling skills
- Finance & Accounting students
Download Course Brochure
What's included?
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✔︎ What is “extract, transform, load,”?
✔︎ How data profiling works in Power Query and why it matters
✔︎ First steps for profiling and cleaning the data
✔︎ Avoid memory-draining “Frankentables” and build relational data models and reports right from Excel
✔︎ Power Pivot and DAX for data analysis in Excel
✔︎ What are dynamic array functions?
✔︎ Learn how to build quick, responsive formulas for easy analysis.
✔︎ Boost Excel with generative Ai and Copilot
✔︎ Use natural language propmpts to simplify Python scripting, uncover insights and streamline workflows for even faster and easier analytics
✔︎ What is Python and why has it become the glue that binds today’s data analytics stack.
✔︎ Learn basic Python scripting to build compelling analyses and visualizations that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to do in Excel
Exclusive Masterclass sessions from leading figures stretch beyond the regular ones and dive deeper into Excel’s advanced functionality, covering a range of industry-relevant topics.
Master Excel Power Query essentials
Create your first Power BI report the right way
Building a business case finance model
Transforming your boring Power BI reports to AWESOME
data stories
Data analytics in modern Excel
Impactful data visualisation in Excel for powerful\
communication
Training requirements
To gain the full functionality of new Excel features such as dynamic arrays utilised in this Masterclass, participants must be using Excel for Microsoft 365 or Excel 2021.
Each delegate must bring their own laptop with their preferred version of Excel installed.
About the trainer
Danielle Stein Fairhurst
Danielle Stein Fairhurst is the Principal of Plum Solutions, a Sydney-based consultancy specialising in financial modelling and analysis. She is a Microsoft MVP, Master Financial Modeler (FMI), LinkedIn Learning instructor and the author of “Using Excel for Business and Financial Modelling”, Third Edition published by Wiley Finance 2019 and “Financial Modeling in Excel for Dummies” second edition published by Wiley in 2022.
She founded the Financial Modellers’ Meetup groups, and in 2022 she was awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the Financial Modelling Summit.
What people think of
Danielle Stein Fairhurst
★★★★★
A perfect addition to my existing Excel skills!
I like that the course went through essential Excel functions and shortcuts, which provided an excellent refresh to both new and experienced excel users. There were new formulas such as XLOOKUP, Sparklines and Developer tools and many more that were taught which was a perfect addition to my existing Excel skills. The course was straightforward, provided a good foundation and provided ways to think about completing the solutions critically.
★★★★★
Great mix of theories & case studies!
Great mix of theories & case studies! Was able to apply the taught knowledge to the case studies that reflect real-life example (of) financial analysis.
Exclusive Masterclass sessions from leading figures stretch beyond the regular ones and dive deeper into Excel’s advanced functionality, covering a range of industry-relevant data visualisation, analytics and Power Query topics.
✔︎ Masterclass with George Mount: Excel Analytics 2.0
✔︎ Masterclass with Ann K. Emery: Designing and Building Interactive Dashboards in Excel
✔︎ Masterclass with Chandeep Chhabra: Advanced Data Cleaning Using M in Power Query
Check out the introductory keynotes from Microsoft and world-renowned MVP Leila Gharani. Software developers showcase add-ins that transcend Excel's limitations, plus robust panel discussions and expert insights complete the Tech & Innovation Track!
✔︎ Keynote by Microsoft: Transforming Excel through research and AI
✔︎ Keynote by Leila Gharani
✔︎ Actionable Data Storytelling in Excel with Zebra AI
✔︎ AI: Sorting fact from fiction
✔︎ Python in Excel: First Steps
✔︎ Teaching Excel with AI
✔︎ Is AI taking over the role of the data analyst?
✔︎ How to build re-usable Excel automations with AI
✔︎ Empowering learners to Excel with digital skills certifications
✔︎ Kids meet spreadsheets
✔︎ Corporate charts inspired by social media
✔︎ ChatGPT: Match Made in Heaven or Hell..?
✔ Turn Excel models into Web apps: features, sharing, monetization
✔ Panel discussion: The future of Excel in an AI world
✔ Panel discussion: Does being Excel-certified matter?
Harness the power of Excel and Power BI for budgeting, forecasting, and modelling. You'll master dashboards, P&L statements, and learn to build bullet-proof models that won't disintegrate!
✔ Client's perspectives on quality — lessons from a career in financial modelling and what that means for the future
✔ Dynamic Arrays - A financial modelling game changer
✔Upgrading financial modelling — how, who, and why?
✔ Fivecasting: One Better than Forecasting
✔ A bank’s perspective on Excel and AI
Showcase your data with insightful visuals and learn the secrets of presenting it for effective communication. You'll also create custom charts, intuitive analytic experiences, and write DAX expressions for true flexibility!
✔ Is this an Excel chart?!? - 5 ways to take your boring charts to the NEXT Level
✔ Interactive Data Visualisation for decision support using Excel
✔ How to create an intuitive analytic experience in Excel using Script Labs
✔ Dynamic dashboard creation for KPI reporting using Power BI
Expand your understanding of Power Query, Power Pivot, Power BI, and Power Automate. You'll arm yourself with the latest time-saving functionalities, powerful visualisations & expert techniques.
✔ Why use Power Query to solve practical data cleaning problems?
✔ 5 Things every Excel user should know about Power BI
✔ Using Git in Power BI for effective teamwork and version control
✔ Overcoming real-world problems with Power BI
✔ Power Query on Excel for Mac
Discover the Excel hacks and best practices that empower you to do more with less. Whether it's formulas, keyboard shortcuts, or named ranges, you'll turbocharge your workflow!
✔ Optimising the Monetisation of Spreadsheets
✔ LAMBDA - There is no stopping you
✔The *NEVER SEEN* Tips & Tricks by Bob Umlas
✔ Converting spreadsheets into web apps; 3 apps in fifteen minutes
✔ 5 ways for analysts to leverage 'Analyze Data’ in Excel
✔Combine Data in Excel Like A Pro
✔ Why VLOOKUP when there is Power Query?
Discover the Excel hacks and best practices that empower you to do more with less. Whether it's formulas, keyboard shortcuts, or named ranges, you'll turbocharge your workflow!
✔ Excel Analytics 2.0 with George Mount
✔ Designing and Building Interactive Dashboards in Excel with Ann K. Emery
✔ Advanced Data Cleaning Using M in Power Query with Chandeep Chhabra
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