5 Excel Advanced Analytics Courses to Automate Reporting for Financial Analysts

5 Excel Advanced Analytics Courses to Automate Reporting for Financial Analysts

4 mins readComment
Vikram
Vikram Singh
Assistant Manager - Content
Updated on Sep 24, 2024 16:02 IST

Today, financial analysts need to be proficient in Excel to streamline reporting and enhance decision-making. With the right training, professionals can use advanced analytics features in Excel to automate tasks and improve data accuracy. 

The following courses offer comprehensive insights into Excel's capabilities tailored specifically for financial analysts. These programs cover mastering complex formulas and creating dynamic dashboards, equipping learners with the skills needed to excel in their roles. Opting for online courses not only provides flexibility but also allows access to industry experts without geographical limitations. 

Explore these top five Excel advanced analytics courses designed to elevate your reporting skills and transform your analytical capabilities.

5 Excel Advanced Analytics Courses to Automate Reporting for Financial Analysts

Now, you might be asking yourself: Which online Excel advanced analytics course should I choose? How do I select the best course from the many options available on popular platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and the Corporate Finance Institute? If you're feeling overwhelmed by these choices, don't worry. In this article, we have carefully compared numerous online Excel courses based on various criteria and compiled a list of the top 5 Excel advanced analytics courses. These selections will empower financial analysts to effectively automate their reporting processes and enhance their analytical skills in 2024.

5 Excel Curses for Financial Analysts

Course Name

Course Duration

Vendor

Business Analytics with Excel: Elementary to Advanced

Approx. 5 months

Coursera (Johns Hopkins University)

Excel Skills for Business: Advanced

Approx. 6 weeks

Coursera (Macquarie University)

Excel Fundamentals: Formulas for Finance

Approx. 3 hours

Corporate Finance Institute (CFI)

Excel for Analysts

8.5 hours

Udemy (Ian Littlejohn)

A Comprehensive Excel Masterclass

Approx. 4 weeks

Coursera (Illinois Tech)

1. Business Analytics with Excel: Elementary to Advanced

This course, offered by Johns Hopkins University, is taught by Joseph W. Cutrone, Ph.D., who has extensive experience in business analytics and data-driven decision-making. The course covers fundamental to advanced Excel skills with applications in linear programming, data visualization, and financial modeling, making it ideal for financial analysts looking to enhance their reporting automation skills.

Course Highlights

Course Name

Business Analytics with Excel: Elementary to Advanced

Duration

Approx. 5 months, 3 hours/week

Provider

Coursera

Mode of Learning

Online

Course Fee

Free to enroll (Paid certificate option available)

Trainer

Joseph W. Cutrone, Ph.D.

Students Enrolled

60,000+

Skill Gained

Financial Modeling, Solver, Linear Programming

Total Review

4.8/5 (1,105 ratings)

Why Choose This Course (USPs)

  • Comprehensive coverage from beginner to advanced analytics skills.
  • Taught by faculty from a top-ranking university.
  • Practical examples and assignments focused on real-world business problems.
  • In-depth focus on automation using Excel Solver.

2. Excel Skills for Business: Advanced

This Coursera course is part of the University of Macquarie's Excel Skills for Business series. It focuses on advanced Excel features, such as pivot tables, macros, data validation, and complex formulas. Financial analysts will particularly benefit from mastering Excel’s automation capabilities to streamline reporting.

Course Highlights

Course Name

Excel Skills for Business: Advanced

Duration

Approx. 6 weeks, 5-6 hours/week

Provider

Coursera

Mode of Learning

Online

Course Fee

Free to enroll (Paid certificate option available)

Trainer

Macquarie University Faculty

Students Enrolled

1,000,000+

Skill Gained

Pivot Tables, Macros, VBA, Data Validation

Total Review

4.9/5

Why Choose This Course (USPs)

  • Advanced automation skills like Macros and VBA.
  • Designed specifically for business professionals.
  • Clear, concise instruction with hands-on exercises.
  • Well-structured learning path for mastering complex Excel functions.

3. Excel Fundamentals: Formulas for Finance

This course from Corporate Finance Institute is geared towards those in finance, focusing on key Excel formulas used in financial modeling, analysis, and decision-making. It covers everything from basic financial functions to more complex applications such as sensitivity analysis.

Course Highlights

Course Name

Excel Fundamentals: Formulas for Finance

Duration

Approx. 3 hours

Provider

Corporate Finance Institute (CFI)

Mode of Learning

Online

Course Fee

$97 (Included in CFI subscription)

Trainer

CFI Instructors

Students Enrolled

90,000+

Skill Gained

Financial Formulas, Sensitivity Analysis

Total Review

4.8/5

Why Choose This Course (USPs)

  • Focus on financial modeling and analysis specific to Excel.
  • Short but comprehensive, perfect for quick upskilling.
  • Tailored for finance professionals with relevant case studies.
  • Provides a certificate recognized in the finance industry.

4. Excel for Analysts

Available on Udemy, this course offers a well-rounded approach to Excel, emphasizing data visualization, automation, and decision analysis. It is targeted at analysts looking to improve their Excel reporting processes with automation techniques and advanced formulas.

Course Highlights

Course Name

Excel for Analysts

Duration

8.5 hours

Provider

Udemy

Mode of Learning

Online

Course Fee

$49.99 (Discounts often available)

Trainer

Ian Littlejohn

Students Enrolled

15,000+

Skill Gained

Data Visualization, Automation, Decision Analysis

Total Review

4.6/5

Why Choose This Course (USPs)

  • Excellent for learning Excel automation specifically for data reporting.
  • Comprehensive lessons with downloadable resources.
  • Practical assignments and examples for financial reporting.
  • Lifetime access and updates.

5. A Comprehensive Excel Masterclass

This Coursera course by Illinois Tech provides a thorough Excel training from basics to more advanced levels. The course emphasizes using Excel for business potential, including data analytics and automation, making it a valuable resource for financial analysts looking to optimize their reporting processes.

Course Highlights

Course Name

A Comprehensive Excel Masterclass

Duration

Approx. 4 weeks, 3-5 hours/week

Provider

Coursera (Illinois Tech)

Mode of Learning

Online

Course Fee

Free to enroll (Paid certificate option available)

Trainer

Illinois Tech Faculty

Students Enrolled

30,000+

Skill Gained

Data Analytics, Excel Automation, Business Modeling

Total Review

4.7/5

Why Choose This Course (USPs)

  • Designed for both beginners and advanced users.
  • Focus on real-world applications and automation.
  • Strong emphasis on unleashing business potential through Excel.
  • Hands-on projects with practical implications for financial analysts.
About the Author
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Vikram Singh
Assistant Manager - Content

Vikram has a Postgraduate degree in Applied Mathematics, with a keen interest in Data Science and Machine Learning. He has experience of 2+ years in content creation in Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, and Mac... Read Full Bio