Course Schedules

Classroom 5 Sessions
Online / Live
Live

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Training Course Overview

The Mastering Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting using Spreadsheet Training Course empowers professionals to enhance organizational decision-making through practical spreadsheet skills. Effective planning, forecasting, and budgeting are essential for navigating today’s fast-paced business environment and supporting sustainable growth.

This training course provides hands-on experience in building spreadsheet models that simplify complex financial data, enabling participants to contribute actively to planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes. Participants will learn how to apply advanced Excel techniques for revenue and cost forecasting, cash flow analysis, capital investment appraisal, and risk management.

Through interactive exercises, real-world case studies, and spreadsheet-based simulations, professionals will gain the confidence to develop accurate financial models, perform sensitivity analyses, and support strategic business decisions. This course ensures participants can turn financial data into actionable insights that drive organizational success.

Training Course Objectives

By the end of this Mastering Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting using Spreadsheet Training Course, participants will be equipped to support and enhance planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes across their organization.

Participants will:

  • Apply advanced Excel modelling skills to create reliable financial models

  • Support and contribute to the planning, budgeting, and forecasting cycle

  • Utilize latest techniques in cost forecasting and financial management

  • Build spreadsheet models to inform investment decisions

  • Apply sensitivity analysis to assess risks and improve decision-making

This course enables professionals to convert complex financial data into actionable insights while supporting organizational performance and strategic objectives.

Designed for

This Mastering Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting using Spreadsheet Training Course is ideal for professionals who require practical Excel-based skills to improve financial planning and forecasting outcomes.

It benefits planning team members and extends value to professionals in related fields, including:

  • Financial accounting team members

  • Cost and management accounting staff

  • Finance and budget managers

  • Commercial managers

  • Capital investment and project teams

  • Investment analysts and acquisition professionals

  • Risk managers

The course provides practical tools and insights that allow professionals across finance and planning roles to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and strategic impact in their financial models.

Learning Methods

This Mastering Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting using Spreadsheet Training Course combines hands-on spreadsheet exercises, interactive demonstrations, and real-world business scenarios to enhance learning outcomes.

Participants will engage in building Excel models for revenue, cost, and cash flow forecasting, as well as capital investment appraisal and risk analysis. Techniques such as linear regression, exponential smoothing, Solver optimization, “What-If” analysis, and decision tree modelling are applied through practical exercises.

Data visualization methods are integrated to improve communication of financial insights to non-financial managers. By blending theory with applied spreadsheet techniques, participants gain practical skills to support planning, budgeting, forecasting, and risk-informed decision-making in their organization.

Course Content

Day 1

Fundamentals of Business Planning

  • The aims and principles of strategic planning
  • A framework for effective strategic execution
  • The structure and format of financial statements
  • Measuring and managing financial performance
  • Principles of financial modelling
  • Spreadsheet skills: Excel best practice and modelling tips
Day 2

Principles and Techniques of Business Forecasting

  • Spreadsheet skills: using Excel’s statistical analysis tools
  • Using moving averages to analyse time series data
  • Using linear regression for sales trend analysis
  • Applying exponential smoothing to forecasting
  • Spreadsheet skills: using Excel Solver to minimise forecasting error
  • Avoiding common forecasting problems
  • Data visualisation – presenting data to non-financial managers
Day 3

Budgeting for Revenue and Operating Costs

  • The role of budgeting in the planning cycle
  • Traditional and advanced approaches to cost analysis
  • Spreadsheet skills: using regression and correlation for cost forecasts
  • Criticisms and limitations of conventional budgeting methods
  • Beyond Budgeting
  • Spreadsheet skills: building rolling forecast models
Day 4

Cash Flow Forecasting and Cash Budgeting

  • Understanding the drivers of business cash flow
  • Spreadsheet skills: building a cash flow forecast model
  • Principles of capital budgeting
  • Capital investment appraisal tools
  • Understanding discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis
  • Spreadsheet skills: building a capital investment appraisal model
Day 5

Incorporating Risk Management in to Planning and Forecasting

  • Identifying and analysing business risk
  • Probability based approach to decision-making
  • Spreadsheet skills: building decision trees in Excel
  • Sensitivity analysis and “What-If” forecasting
  • Identifying the key drivers of financial performance
  • Spreadsheet skills: building a “What-If” forecast for sensitivity analysis

The Certificate

Recognition
  • Anderson Certificate of Completion for delegates who attend and complete the training course
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Learn more about this course

Yes. The Mastering Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting using Spreadsheet training course can be customised and delivered exclusively for organisations seeking a tailored learning solution. Course content can be adapted to address specific business objectives, operational challenges, industry requirements, and organisational priorities. Customised training allows teams to focus on the topics most relevant to their roles while supporting wider organisational development goals.

No. The Mastering Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting using Spreadsheet training course is open to professionals from a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels. The course content is structured to provide value to both those who are new to the subject and experienced practitioners seeking to deepen their expertise. While some prior knowledge may enhance understanding of certain concepts, it is not a requirement for participation

The Mastering Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting using Spreadsheet training course uses a variety of learning approaches to maximise participant engagement and knowledge retention. These may include expert-led presentations, practical exercises, case studies, group discussions, scenario-based activities, and collaborative learning opportunities. This approach encourages active participation and helps participants translate learning into practical workplace results.

The Mastering Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting using Spreadsheet training course is suitable for professionals who want to expand their knowledge, strengthen their practical skills, and improve their effectiveness within their current or future roles. It is valuable for managers, team leaders, supervisors, specialists, consultants, and professionals seeking to stay current with industry developments and best practices. Whether your goal is career advancement, improved decision-making, or enhanced workplace performance, this course provides relevant knowledge and practical insights to support your professional ambitions.

If you would like additional information about the Mastering Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting using Spreadsheet training course, our professional support team is available to assist with course enquiries, registration guidance, group bookings, and customised training requirements. We are committed to helping you identify the most suitable learning solution for your professional development goals.

 

Participants attending the Mastering Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting using Spreadsheet training course gain access to valuable industry insights, practical techniques, and internationally recognised best practices. The course helps professionals improve performance, strengthen confidence, broaden their perspective, and develop skills that contribute to both personal and organisational success. It also provides an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with professionals from diverse sectors and backgrounds.

The Mastering Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting using Spreadsheet training course combines practical knowledge, current industry practices, and expert guidance to create a highly relevant learning experience. Rather than focusing solely on theory, the course emphasises practical application, enabling participants to develop skills and approaches that can be implemented directly within their organisations. This balance of knowledge and practical relevance helps participants achieve meaningful and lasting professional impact.

Yes. Participants who successfully complete the Mastering Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting using Spreadsheet training course will receive a Anderson Certificate of Completion, demonstrating their commitment to professional development and continuous learning. This certificate provides formal recognition of the knowledge and skills gained during the course and can support professional growth and career progression.

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