FP&A Today

An Excel MVP walks into a podcast

Oct 8, 2024

George Mount, an Excel MVP and the founder of Stringfest Analytics, shares insights on leveling up from Excel to advanced analytics. He discusses the career benefits of his books on data analytics and how Excel is foundational for finance professionals. The conversation touches on using Python to enhance data science skills, the rise of citizen data scientists, and the synergy between Excel, AI, and low code tools. George also highlights the importance of data organization before diving into AI, making this a must-listen for anyone in finance.

46:04

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Episode guests

George Mount

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Quick takeaways

Finance professionals can leverage their Excel expertise as a foundation to transition smoothly into advanced analytics tools like Python and R.

Understanding the interplay between AI and data quality is crucial for finance professionals to effectively harness AI's capabilities while ensuring data integrity.

Deep dives

Bridging the Gap Between Excel and Data Science

The transition from Excel to advanced analytics tools like Python and R is essential for finance professionals aiming to enhance their data skills. George Mount emphasizes the importance of using existing Excel knowledge as a foundation to quickly learn new techniques and methods in data science. His book, 'Advancing into Analytics,' was motivated by his own experiences in navigating the complexities of these advanced tools, which often lacked comprehensive learning resources. As users become more comfortable with these new tools, they will be able to replicate efficient processes that were previously challenging in Excel.

Intro

2min

From Excel to Data Science: Bridging the Gap

21min

Navigating Data Tools: From Excel to Power BI and Beyond

4min

The Evolving Role of FP&A in the Age of AI

13min

Exploring Personal Passions: Music and Creativity

2min

Unlocking Data Potential: From Books to Analytics

4min

George Mount is an Excel MVP and author of Modern Data Analytics in Excel (he describes it as a guide to becoming a data analyst in Excel). His latest book, Advancing into Analytics: From Excel to Python and R could be subtitled “becoming a data scientist in Excel. As founder and CEO of Stringfest Analytics, he provides analytics education and upskilling including works with finance departments at the top ten banks. In this episode he answers how someone in FP&A – killing it in Excel – can go further in their career while using Excel as home base.

In this episode:

Two books and the ROI you get as a finance professional from reading it
Using Excel as your home base for FP&A
When to use Excel vs Python
citizen data scientists (or citizen data analysts) in Python
Using low code/no code tools
Excel, copilot and Python as a new “trinity” for FP&A
Getting your data house in order before getting to AI
A surprising Excel favorite befitting an MVP
Connect with George Mount on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gjmount/
Further Reading

George Mount: Modern Data Analytics in Excel: Using Power Query, Power Pivot, and More for Enhanced Data Analytics
George Mount: Advancing into Analytics: From Excel to Python and R

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FP&A Today

An Excel MVP walks into a podcast

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Bridging the Gap Between Excel and Data Science

The Evolving Role of Excel in Data Analytics

Learning Pathways for Aspiring Data Analysts

Integrating Generative AI in Data Analysis

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts