Duration 2 days – 14 hrs

 

Overview

 

The High-Performance Finance Training Course is designed for finance professionals who want to dramatically improve reporting efficiency, eliminate manual errors, and communicate financial insights more strategically.

 

This program combines advanced Excel automation techniques (Power Query, XLOOKUP, Dynamic Arrays, Pivot Tables, and Macros) with professional presentation and visual storytelling skills using PowerPoint.

 

Participants will learn how to reduce manual processing time, ensure reporting accuracy, create automated “living” dashboards, and transform complex financial data into persuasive executive-ready presentations that drive faster management decisions.

 

By the end of the program, participants will be able to automate workflows, build intelligent dashboards, and communicate financial insights with clarity and impact.

 

Objectives

 

• Automate workflows and reduce manual data processing time by 30–40% using Power Query and advanced Excel functions
• Ensure accuracy by eliminating reporting errors through automated validation and dynamic dashboards
• Accelerate presentation design using PowerPoint Slide Masters, templates, and layout shortcuts
• Visualize complex financial insights clearly to support faster and better management decisions

 

Target Audience

 

• Finance Managers and Supervisors
• Financial Analysts
• Accounting Professionals
• FP&A Teams
• Controllers and Reporting Officers
• Professionals responsible for financial reporting and management presentations

 

Prerequisites 

• Have intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Excel

• Be familiar with financial reporting concepts

• Have basic experience using PowerPoint

• Bring a laptop with Excel and PowerPoint (Microsoft 365 or 2019+ recommended)

Course Outline 

 

Day 1 – The Technical Edge (Data & Automation)

 

Module 1: Pre-Test and Program Introduction

 

• Pre-training assessment
• Identifying inefficiencies in current reporting workflows

 

Module 2: Advanced Lookup & Dynamic Functions

 

• Moving beyond VLOOKUP
• XLOOKUP fundamentals
• INDEX/MATCH for flexible lookups
• Introduction to Dynamic Array formulas

 

Module 3: Data Cleaning and Preparation

 

• Fixing dirty ERP exports instantly
• Text to Columns
• Flash Fill
• Removing duplicates
• Structuring raw data for analysis

Module 4: Conditional Formatting for Automated Error Checking

 

• Variance highlighting
• Threshold alerts
• Automated exception reporting

 

Module 5: Pivot Table Mastery for Rapid Reporting

 

• Creating advanced Pivot Tables
• Calculated fields
• Grouping dates (monthly/quarterly analysis)
• Using slicers for interactive reports

 

Module 6: Introduction to Macros

 

• Recording simple macros
• Automating repetitive formatting tasks
• Standardizing monthly financial reports

 

Module 7: Introduction to Power Query (Get & Transform)

 

• Importing multiple data sources
• Cleaning and transforming data automatically
• Automating consolidation of multiple files

 

Module 8: Creating “Living” Dashboards

 

• Designing dashboards that update automatically
• Linking reports to source data
• Best practices for financial dashboard structure

 

Module 9: Choosing the Right Chart for Financial Analysis

 

• Variance analysis charts
• Trend analysis visuals
• Avoiding misleading graphs

 

Module 10: Workshop – Live Troubleshooting & Optimization

 

• Real-world reporting improvement exercise
• Optimizing existing reports
• Peer review and facilitator feedback

 

Day 2 – Strategic Visual Communication

 

Module 11: Structuring Financial Narratives

 

• The 10/20/30 Rule and beyond
• Structuring before opening PowerPoint
• Executive summary logic

 

Module 12: Cognitive Load Theory for Finance Presentations

 

• Why dense slides fail
• Designing slides for clarity
• Highlighting key financial insights

 

Module 13: Storyboarding for Faster Slide Creation

 

• Sketch-first approach
• Reducing rework
• Structuring financial flow

 

Module 14: Mastering Slide Master View

 

• Creating unbreakable corporate templates
• Locking branding elements
• Standardizing finance decks

 

Module 15: Custom Layouts and Brand Compliance

 

• Designing reusable layouts
• Theme fonts and color management
• Ensuring every slide looks official automatically

 

Module 16: Professional Design Hacks

 

• Alignment shortcuts
• Visual hierarchy techniques
• Smart manipulation and custom diagram creation

 

Module 17: Image and Media Optimization

 

• Removing backgrounds
• Cropping to shapes
• Compressing media for email distribution

 

Module 18: Advanced Financial Charts

 

• Waterfall charts
• Sunburst charts
• Combo charts
• Moving beyond the pie chart

 

Module 19: Linking Excel Data to PowerPoint

 

• Embedding live Excel charts
• Auto-updating visuals
• Maintaining data integrity between files

 

Module 20: Final Workshop – Executive Finance Presentation Simulation

 

• Transforming raw financial data into a board-ready presentation
• Peer review and feedback
• Improvement coaching