Learn about 10 Dos and Don'ts in Excel Modeling

The course is presented in four parts.
First, brief introduction to what is Excel modeling and how to make an Excel model great: o Accuracy o Simplicity o Robustness
Second part brings a not-so-great Excel model as a business case, and introduces a financial report that is supposed to calculated the DSO (Days Sales Outstanding) measure. By examination, this course demonstrates to the audience 10 DONTS in Excel modeling, including: o Do NOT copy/paste data multiple files and stack them up o Do NOT leave comparable data in different columns o Do NOT process data “one at a time”
Third, we demonstrate how to correct the problems and bring up the list of the 10 DOS, including: o Connect or link to source data rather than copy and paste. o Keep comparable data in the same column o Keep related data processing in “one” table!
Last, the course culminates in summarizing the 10 Dos and Don’ts into 4 categories: o Data source o Data transformation o Formulas o Validation
Prerequisites and Advanced Preparation ● Basic Excel and Power Query knowledge ● Example: be able to open one Excel file and connect to external data files, etc. ● Recommended prerequisite: Power Query (Part 1): Ultimate Data Transformation

Financial Reporting Expert
Lenny is Senior Financial Analyst at Ausenco. Lenny has over 15 years combined experience in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), financial reporting and modeling, and compliance auditing. Lenny supervises Adaptive Insights system budgeting, and is a CPA, CGA, and a Certified Adaptive Insights Professional and Certified Xero Partner. Lenny is a proponent for "One-click Reporting" for analysts and "Self-service Reporting" for executives. He has strong belief that reporting and closing should be hours rather than days or even weeks. Lenny also acted as local CPA chapter board officer and volunteered for Canada Revenue Agency as a Community Volunteer Income Tax Program consultant. Education MBA, Finance : George Washington University - SBPM (School of Business and Public Management) - [1998 to 2000]