“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• The impact of outdated methods in accounting practices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:

• Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/
• Email us with questions or if you’d like to be a guest on the show: youngcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.com
• We’re hiring! Check out our open positions: https://www.summitcpa.net/career-opportunities
• Connect with Jeff here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefflenning/
• Check out Excel University here: https://www.excel-university.com/

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Discussion on the inefficiencies of using outdated Excel workbooks and the need for improvement.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.