Knowledge Base

A growing collection of practitioner insights, organized by topic. Updated weekly.

Use precisely structured prompts with labeled inputs (context, instructions, data) to reliably generate financial analysis outputs while building verification checkpoints into your workflow.

You can build production-ready financial models in Excel using Claude's AI capabilities without switching between applications, saving time on formula writing and assumption management.

Use Claude to generate production-ready financial models as Python-in-Excel code with full linkages and built-in source verification for faster modeling cycles.

Claude is production-ready for multi-tab financial models and can handle Monte Carlo simulations and risk modeling; evaluate it as a junior analyst replacement for specific modeling tasks.

You can now leverage AI-native Excel tools with live data feeds to compress financial modeling timelines from hours to minutes, freeing FP&A time for analysis and storytelling.

Prompt ChatGPT with specific FP&A tasks ("draft variance analysis for 15% revenue shortfall") to generate first drafts for refinement, reducing manual report writing by 50%+ on routine summaries.

Power Query eliminates manual data entry by automating imports from multiple sources and transformations, enabling one-click refresh cycles for routine reporting.

You can replace hours of monthly data prep by using Power Query to automate imports, transformations, and cross-system merges in a single repeatable workflow.

Use Power Query's Get Data → Transform → Load workflow to build self-refreshing KPI dashboards that update automatically, removing the largest time drain from FP&A month-end closes.

Use =PY() in Excel to embed Python for data prep and variance analysis without leaving the spreadsheet, eliminating manual month-end steps.

You can build automated 12-month forecasts in Python with uncertainty quantification and seasonality handling, then export results to Excel for stakeholder review.

Rolling forecasts replace static annual budgets by continuously dropping the oldest period and adding a new future quarter, keeping your predictions current with market shifts and business performance.

Begin your 2026 budget process with a documented post-mortem of 2025 actuals and variance, then use a defined Q4 checklist to cascade goals and build cross-functional buy-in.

Structure your budget timeline working backward from board approval, use locked templates to prevent custom Excels, and hold weekly check-ins to catch issues early—this repeatable process scales across teams.

Establish a driver-based planning framework upfront and use scenario models to make unrealistic assumptions objectively visible—shift the conversation from 'your number is wrong' to 'here's what your assumptions mean operationally.'

Rolling forecasts require explicit stakeholder alignment and a defined time horizon (e.g., 12 months rolling); implement monthly/quarterly updates with variance tracking to improve forecast accuracy over time.

Reframe headcount conversations from "we need to cut" to "what roles drive the most revenue per dollar?"—this data-driven approach builds executive alignment and reduces pushback on difficult staffing decisions.

Structure variance presentations with high-level summary first, visual highlights of material gaps, documented root causes, and explicit links to business implications to keep board focus on what matters.

Structure your forecast presentation around 3–4 scenarios with explicit assumptions and trade-offs, and frame board skepticism as a resource rather than an obstacle.

Build board-ready forecasts on rolling 12-month models with three scenarios, evidence-based assumptions, and specific contingency plans rather than static annual budgets.

Prepare forecast presentations with multiple scenarios, pre-share slides, and lead with business context and storytelling—not raw numbers.

Strip your forecast deck to summary-level numbers, reserve granular detail for backup tabs, and anchor every assumption to historical data—this prevents the 'wishful thinking' objection that derails board approval.