Role-Based Programme
RB0457

Copilot for Microsoft 365 for Finance & Accounting

Build AI-Assisted Analysis, Reporting & Finance Workflows

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Duration
8 Hours
Level
Basic
Delivery
Instructor-Led
Format
Workshop

Programme Objectives

  • Build foundational capability in using Copilot across financial analysis, accounting operations, reporting, communication, and documentation.
  • Apply Copilot in Excel to analyse financial data, identify trends, variances, exceptions, and areas requiring investigation.
  • Create AI-assisted workflows for reconciliations, budget reviews, management reporting, finance meetings, and action tracking.
  • Use Copilot across Word, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint to improve finance communication and collaboration.
  • Apply confidentiality, data validation, segregation of duties, human review, and responsible AI practices throughout finance workflows.

Tools covered

Microsoft CopilotCopilot ChatMicrosoft ExcelWordOutlookTeamsPowerPointOneDrive & SharePoint Content

Who should attend

  • Finance Managers
  • Accounting Managers
  • Accountants
  • Finance Analysts
  • Financial Planning & Analysis Professionals
  • Accounts Payable Professionals
  • Accounts Receivable Professionals
  • General Ledger Professionals
  • Record-to-Report Professionals
  • Finance Operations Professionals
  • Shared Services Finance Professionals
  • Finance Team Leads

Prerequisites & Participant Readiness

  • Basic understanding of finance or accounting processes
  • Familiarity with budgets, financial statements, invoices, reconciliations, or management reporting
  • Basic working knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications
  • Basic spreadsheet knowledge is recommended
  • General awareness of generative AI is helpful
  • No programming expertise required
  • No previous Copilot course completion required

TOC Modules

Concepts
  • Understanding Copilot across Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, and organisational information
  • Identifying finance applications across analysis, accounting operations, documentation, reporting, and communication
  • Understanding organisational context, permissions, and AI-assisted information retrieval
  • Differentiating AI assistance from authorised financial and accounting decisions
Practical activities
  • Exploring representative finance prompts across Microsoft 365
  • Mapping Finance Activity → Copilot Capability → Human Validation → Business Outcome

Scenarios

Monthly Financial Close to Management Review

Financial Data → Copilot in Excel → Reconciliation & Variance Analysis → Significant Exceptions → Finance Validation → Word Management Summary → Teams Review → Action Owners

Participants use Copilot to organise and analyse monthly financial information, identify exceptions, and prepare management reporting while keeping reconciliations, adjustments, interpretations, and financial sign-off under qualified finance ownership.

Budget Performance to Corrective Business Action

Budget & Actual Data → Variance Analysis → Material Deviation → Supporting Business Context → Copilot-Assisted Commentary → Finance Review → Management Presentation → Corrective Action

Participants convert validated financial-performance data into a structured management discussion and action plan while ensuring that AI-generated explanations and recommendations are verified before business use.

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