Build Business Spreadsheets Using Excel

Begin financial modelling the right way in Excel. Learn to set up small models that solve problems in general business, present value, future value, and rate of return. Introduces financial projections. Introductory section teaches basic Excel using keyboard shortcuts. Appendices: answers to exercises, troubleshooting techniques, Excel shortcuts, and more.

This workbooks ships with a sheet of corrections. If you already have the workbook and need the corrections sheet, click to download (pdf).

Beginner to intermediate level.

Start financial modelling the right way! This book teaches you to create commonly used business spreadsheets using Excel. It’s based on Kathleen Adkins’ years of experience teaching some of the business world’s best spreadsheet users and designers: Wall Street financial analysts.

Financial analysts are like race car drivers who work hard to get the most out of their vehicles. They have to be accurate, fast and efficient. The author has concentrated the best financial modelling methods into this workbook so you can become a pro at modelling in Excel as quickly as possible.

This workbook shows you how to avoid the worst mistakes in spreadsheet construction. You’ll get checklists and tips to help you find errors and check for spreadsheet integrity. You’ll learn to set up your spreadsheet for easier revision, edits and troubleshooting. It explains the importance of “what-if” scenarios in modelling and how to build “what-if” flexibility into every spreadsheet.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Foundation Skills

• Orientation
• Enter, delete, and edit data
• Menu commands
• Formulas
• The COPY command
• Moving things around
• Presentation
• Final test, Part 1

Part 2: Problem sets

• General business problems
• Financial math problems
• Financial projections
• Secondary calculations and plug accounts
• Financial statement projection, single sheet
• Multiple sheets
• Financial statement projection, multiple sheets

Appendices

• Appendix A: Efficiency
• Appendix B: Common Business formulas and functions
• Appendix C: Excel troubleshooter
• Appendix D: Guide to formatting
• Appendix E: Other useful commands and features
• Appendix F: Printing
• Appendix G: The A-B-C-D of spreadsheet design
• Appendix H: Standards and checking
• Answers

by Kathleen Adkins
Paperback, 8-1/2 x 11 in., 232 pages. ISBN 1-891112-55-4