Category: Excel
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PivotTables Like a Pro: Transforming Raw Data into Financial Insights
PivotTables are the Swiss Army knife of Excel for finance professionals. Yet most CPAs only use a fraction of their potential. Mastering just a few intermediate tricks can turn a basic trial balance dump into management insights in minutes. 1. Start with a Clean TableAlways begin with structured data (headers in row 1, no blanks).…
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Supercharge Your Reconciliations with Advanced Lookup Functions
Every accountant knows the pain of reconciling two lists that don’t quite match. Whether it’s AP vs. GL or bank vs. book, Excel’s lookup functions can turn that nightmare into a streamlined, repeatable process. 1. The Problem with VLOOKUPWhile reliable, VLOOKUP is rigid—it breaks when columns move. CPAs who rely on legacy spreadsheets are particularly…
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Audit-Ready Excel: Tracking Changes and Formula Transparency for CPAs
Auditing a spreadsheet is like auditing a financial statement: traceability is everything. Excel offers several built-in tools that make formula review, version control, and data verification far easier than most realize. 1. Trace Precedents and DependentsUse Formulas → Trace Precedents/Dependents to visualize your model’s flow. When reviewing a client’s model, it helps pinpoint errors or…
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The Power of Dynamic Ranges: Turning Static Reports into Living Models”
CPAs often inherit static spreadsheets that require manual range updates—especially when clients add new accounts, new months, or new entities. Enter dynamic named ranges: a tool that makes your reports self-updating and audit-friendly. 1. The Problem with Static RangesStatic formulas like =SUM(B2:B12) break the moment someone adds a new data row. In accounting, where data…
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Excel Shortcuts Every CPA Should Know (But Probably Doesn’t)
For CPAs, time really is money—especially during close cycles or tax season. While everyone knows Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V, there’s an entire world of Excel shortcuts that separate efficient accountants from the truly elite. Let’s dive into the hidden gems that can save you hours each week. 1. Jumping Through Data with Ctrl + Arrow KeysInstead…
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