Virtual classroom - Excel for business
Excel at Excel

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?
Excel remains one of the most powerful tools for finance professionals, but many use only a fraction of its capability. In today’s fast-paced business environment, with tighter reporting cycles and new AI-driven features, knowing how to work smarter in Excel is a critical advantage.This course gives you the techniques, shortcuts, and best practices to transform how you use Excel. You’ll discover how to reduce repetitive work, apply modern functions with confidence, and create clear, reliable outputs that drive better decision-making.

Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, you’ll practise time-saving features, build automation without VBA, and explore Excel’s latest AI-enabled tools. You’ll leave with practical skills you can apply immediately to improve productivity and add value in your role.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Apply time-saving shortcuts to work smarter and faster.
• Use key functions, features, and charts with confidence – knowing when and why to use each.
• Automate repetitive tasks (without VBA) to free up time for analysis.
• Spot opportunities to improve existing spreadsheets using tools like Power Query, Copilot, Quick Analysis, and Recommended Charts.
• Apply design best practices that make spreadsheets easier to use and maintain.
• Champion better use of Excel across your organisation.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
Accounting and finance professionals at all levels – from graduates to C-suite – who use Excel in their day-to-day work and want to boost efficiency, accuracy, and insight with less effort.

WHY CHOOSE ICAEW?

• Trusted heritage: For over 145 years, ICAEW has trained and supported the world’s leading finance professionals, setting the global benchmark for quality.
• Expert-led learning: Our courses are designed and delivered by subject matter experts, combining professional insight with real-world experience.
• Connected and relevant: With close links to government, regulators, and industry, our training reflects the latest challenges and opportunities in business and finance.
• Practical and interactive: Live, small-group learning with peer exchange ensures every programme delivers immediate workplace impact – and counts as verifiable CPD.

CPD HOURS
ICAEW's revised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Regulations bring in new CPD requirements. This includes a minimum number of hours and an ethics requirement. Attending this course could contribute up to 6hrs of verifiable CPD, providing you can demonstrate that the content is relevant to your role.

A copy of the course booking confirmation email is accepted as evidence of verifiable CPD. You will need to save the email as a JPEG or PDF before uploading it to your record. Click here to use ICAEW’s self-assessment tool to help you work out how much CPD you will need to fulfil each year.

Course Enquiries
Contact: Events information team

More from ICAEW Academy

• CPD Catalogue
• To discuss in-house training for your business please email academy@icaew.com or contact us through our enquiry form

ICAEW's terms and conditions for events

• Event terms and conditions and privacy notice

Legal Disclaimer
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) does not endorse or recommend any third-party products, services, or companies mentioned during this event or in related materials. References to any such products, services, or companies are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by ICAEW.

The views and opinions expressed by third-party speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of ICAEW. ICAEW does not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or legality of the content presented by third-party speakers.

For further information or clarification, please contact ICAEW directly.

A 6-hour live online programme combining expert input, discussion, and practical examples.

Session 1 – Excel Tricks and Tips (3 hours)

• Best practice in spreadsheet design, including ICAEW’s CRaFT framework.
• Functions to master: SUMIFS, XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, OFFSET, EOMONTH.
• Common pitfalls in functions such as IF, SUM, and VLOOKUP.
• Dynamic array functions and volatile functions.
• Time-saving shortcuts and automation tips.
• Charting techniques, including Tables and error checks.

Session 2 – Data Preparation and Analysis (3 hours)

• Advanced use of Tables, filtering, and structured referencing.
• PivotTable and PivotChart tips and tricks, including slicers.
• Building an interactive dashboard step by step.
• Preparing data with Get & Transform (Power Query).
• Extracting, transforming, and loading data into Excel.
• Applied example: automating a bank reconciliation.

Early Bird Pricing
15% discount automatically applied on bookings made up until 6 weeks before the course date 

How are the courses delivered?

All Virtual Classrooms are run by live on Zoom. These are interactive and not recorded, interaction and delegate involvement is encouraged.

When will I receive joining instructions?

You will receive a email with joining instructions after enrolling. Materials and any other resources for the course will be sent to you shortly before the course start date.

Are there breaks?

Yes, no fixed timings - will depend on the length of the course.

How do I access the course slide deck?

Depending on the course you will either be sent in the lead up to the course or after.

What if I miss the live date?

The Virtual Classrooms are not recorded so we recommend you attend all sessions.

What if I am going to be 15 minutes late?

This is not a problem, the classroom starts at the start time, but you will be let in if you are delayed for any reason. Trainers do their best to accommodate catch-up, but this is not guaranteed. Where possible please let us know of any delays so we are aware when doing role call the beginning of the session.

Can I have my colleague with me in the live course?

Yes, if you purchase a second place. Each booking is valid for one person only.

Can I record the training?

No, virtual classrooms are not recorded.

Do the courses on this programme count as verifiable CPD?

Yes, these courses contribute verifiable CPD, so long as you can demonstrate that the content is relevant to your role. Additional information about CPD can be found here: Your guide to CPD.

How many people will be on the course?

Virtual Classrooms are designed to resemble a real classroom. Therefore, group sizes vary between 6 – 22 delegates per course.