Excel courses offer substantial value to finance professionals, regardless of experience level.
Excel remains a cornerstone in the finance industry, used widely for everything from budgeting to data analysis. Honing these skills gives professionals a significant edge, enabling them to use Excel more effectively and gain insights efficiently.
Finance departments heavily rely on Excel for day-to-day tasks, and its extensive applications make it an essential tool even beyond finance, touching marketing and sales.
Selecting the Right Excel Course for Finance
When choosing an Excel course, evaluate your skill level and professional needs. Some courses cover basic formulas and functions, while others dive into specialized financial applications, SQL integration, and data links. Opt for a course that aligns with your goals, budget, and any Continuing Education (CE) requirements.
Most finance professionals seek proficiency in financial modeling, where complex formulas and data sets are crucial. Understanding how to build dynamic models and detailed dashboards provides invaluable skills that contribute lasting value to career growth.
10 Best Excel Courses for Finance
1. Introduction to Financial Modeling for Beginners – Udemy
Best for: Entry-level finance professionals
Length: 6 hours 14 minutes
Price: $54.99
For those new to finance, this course introduces the essentials of financial modeling, guiding users from basic Excel functions to creating a foundational model for financial forecasting. It covers core topics like financial statement structures, formula application, and charting techniques. The course is affordable and concise, making it perfect for newcomers.
2. Introduction to Data Analysis and Financial Modeling with Excel – Udacity
Best for: Aspiring data analysts
Length: 1 month
Price: $249 /month for All Access Monthly; $211.50 /month for All Access 4 Months Bundle
Udacity’s course focuses on data-driven financial modeling, equipping students with skills in statistical analysis and financial forecasting. Ideal for those looking to bridge finance with data analytics, it covers techniques to interpret and present financial insights effectively.
3. Excel Skills for Business Specialization – Macquarie University via Coursera
Best for: Professionals aiming for Excel mastery
Length: 3 months (10 hours per week)
Price: Free
This comprehensive specialization by Macquarie University on Coursera covers everything from basic spreadsheet management to advanced functions. It includes a unique focus on real-world business applications, teaching users how to leverage Excel for day-to-day financial analysis and reporting. By the end, students will have practical experience with pivot tables, advanced formulas, and data management skills.
4. Business and Financial Modeling Specialization – Wharton on Coursera
Best for: Cross-functional finance and business professionals
Length: 1 month (10 hours per week)
Price: Free
This course introduces quantitative modeling, financial statement analysis, and valuation methods, bridging the gap between finance and business functions. Learners gain hands-on practice with financial modeling and scenario analysis, making it ideal for professionals who collaborate across departments.
5. Financial Modeling for Startups and Small Businesses – Udemy
Best for: Entrepreneurs and small business owners
Length: 11 hours 31 minutes
Price: $94.99
This course provides practical financial modeling knowledge specifically for startups, including cash flow management, profitability analysis, and forecasting. It teaches participants how to create tailored models to analyze their business’s financial health, essential for small business planning.
6. Excel VBA for Finance – LinkedIn Learning
Best for: Finance professionals interested in automation
Length: 4 hours 50 minutes
Price: Free Trial Available/ Custom Prices for Teams
Excel VBA for Finance introduces users to automating Excel tasks using Visual Basic for Applications. It focuses on streamlining data processing and repetitive tasks, an invaluable skill for large data sets or advanced reporting needs.
7. Financial Modeling: Build a Complete DCF Valuation Model – Udemy
Best for: Analysts focused on valuation techniques
Length: 5 hours 35 minutes
Price: $94.99
Designed to demystify discounted cash flow (DCF) modeling, this Udemy course covers DCF essentials, like creating a valuation model from scratch and applying key Excel formulas. It’s perfect for finance analysts who want to specialize in valuation.
8. Certified Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA) – CFI
Best for: Experienced professionals seeking certification
Length: 100+ hours (multiple courses)
Price: $298.20/ Year for Self- Study Package; $508.20/ Year for Full- Immersion (Currently on 40% Discount)
The FMVA certification by CFI offers an in-depth curriculum, covering valuation, M&A, and Excel modeling. This program is ideal for those pursuing a structured path to expertise, with advanced Excel features like scenario analysis, data validation, and sophisticated presentation techniques.
9. Advanced Excel Formulas & Functions – MyExcelOnline
Best for: Advanced users seeking greater efficiency
Length: 8 hours
Price: $297 for Annual Access
Targeting advanced Excel users, this course dives into complex formulas and functions that significantly enhance data analysis capabilities. Topics include dynamic arrays, nested formulas, and real-time data visualization, helping users analyze data faster and more accurately.
10. Real Estate Financial Modeling Bootcamp – Udemy
Best for: Real estate finance professionals
Length: 9 hours 22 minutes
Price: $109.99
Specifically designed for real estate, this bootcamp teaches users how to analyze properties and build comprehensive real estate models, incorporating IRR, debt coverage, and NOI metrics. It’s a great choice for those in real estate finance, helping users gain critical evaluation skills for real estate investments.
