“I was stressed out, cranky, grouchy, and missing family events. That was the catalyst for me to figure out how to get Excel to do all the things I was doing manually.” – Jeff Lenning
The finer details of this episode:
- Importance of Excel skills for young accounting professionals
- Gaps in Excel training within college education for accounting students
- Personal experiences of speakers regarding Excel proficiency and training
- Implementation of Excel training programs in organizations
- The versatility of Excel in both professional and personal projects
- Structure and content of comprehensive Excel training courses
- The impact of outdated methods in accounting practices
- The evolving role of technology and AI tools in accounting, including Excel
Episode resources:
Timestamps:
Introduction to the Podcast (00:00:00)
The hosts welcome listeners to "The Young CPA Success Show" and introduce the topic of Excel skills.
Excel in Early Careers (00:00:22)
Discussion on how college education often leaves graduates unprepared for Excel demands in accounting.
Feedback from Employers (00:00:54)
Employers express concerns about the Excel skills of recent graduates and the need for better training.
Excel Training at Summit Virtual CFO (00:01:59)
Insights into how Summit Virtual CFO addresses Excel skill gaps through dedicated training resources.
Course Structure for Excel Training (00:03:19)
An overview of the comprehensive six-course Excel training designed to prepare accounting professionals.
Genesis of Excel Skills in Auditing (00:04:43)
The importance of organizing data in audits and its relation to Excel skills developed during careers.
Challenges of Legacy Workbooks (00:05:36)
Discussion on the inefficiencies of using outdated Excel workbooks and the need for improvement.
Importance of Continuous Improvement (00:06:48)
The necessity of enhancing workbooks to reduce time spent on monthly closes and improve efficiency.
Excel's Longevity in Business (00:09:57)
Exploration of why Excel remains a dominant tool in business despite advancements in technology.
Excel's Versatility Beyond Accounting (00:12:48)
Personal anecdotes on using Excel for non-business projects, showcasing its broad applicability.
Half-Marathon Training in Excel (00:14:00)
Discussion on planning personal projects like training schedules and vacations using Excel.
First Half-Marathon Experience (00:15:24)
Speaker shares their experience of completing their first half-marathon and the challenges faced.
Maintaining Training Structure (00:16:13)
Importance of having structured training plans to stay motivated and consistent in exercise routines.
Here are the extracted timestamps and their titles in chronological order:
Running Routine and Energy Boost (00:17:48)
Discussion on morning runs and their impact on daily energy levels.
Exercise and Career Structure (00:19:10)
Connecting running routines to creating structure in professional engagements.
Discipline and Goal Setting (00:20:16)
The importance of discipline, planning, and setting goals in both running and career.
Value of Preparation Over the Race (00:20:21)
Emphasizing that the real value lies in preparation, not just completing the race.
Community Support in Races (00:22:50)
Highlighting the joy and community support experienced during marathons.
Excel University Overview (00:23:59)
Introduction to Excel University and its development over the past 12 years.
CPE Credits and Practical Skills (00:26:10)
Importance of practical skills in CPE courses for CPAs.
Evolution of CPE Training (00:27:37)
Discussion on the shift from traditional CPE classes to modern, interactive formats.
Course Structure and Support (00:28:35)
Overview of the blended learning approach in Excel courses, combining videos and live support.
Future of Excel with AI Integration (00:32:47)
Predictions on how Excel will evolve with AI technologies and user support features.
Microsoft Copilot Introduction (00:34:23)
Exploration of Microsoft Copilot as a native AI tool enhancing user experience in Excel.
Running and Music Preferences (00:35:59)
Discussion about music and nature during running, highlighting personal preferences.
Engaging the Mind While Running (00:37:05)
Speakers talk about using running time to think and develop ideas.
Favorite Podcasts (00:39:13)
Introduction of the "All In" podcast as a new favorite for engaging discussions.
Excel University Resources (00:40:26)
Information about Excel University courses and a free CPE course for CPAs.
The Young CPA Success Show