Practical Financial Forecasting with Excel & AI

Pre-requisites: Basic to intermediate Excel skills (e.g., SUM, IF formulas, relative/absolute references) and familiarity with financial statements. To optimise the learning experience during the AI segment, it is encouraged for all participants to be equipped with a laptop, pre-installed with Microsoft Excel 365 with Co-pilot.

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Build sales‑driven financial forecasts using units, prices, percent‑of‑sales, and other key drivers.

2. Apply scenario and sensitivity analysis (Goal Seek, Data Tables, Scenario Manager) to test business assumptions.

3. Construct a basic rolling forecast model that updates automatically as new actuals are entered.

4. Utilise Excel’s AI tools—such as Analyze Data, Forecast Sheet or Copilot—to uncover trends and refine assumptions.

5. Incorporate ethical considerations and understand the limitations of AI‑generated insights.

Programme Outline

• Overview of Financial Forecasting

  • The role of forecasts in business planning and best practices

• Hand-on exercises: Build Sales-Driven Forecasting Models

  • Create Revenue, Cost of Goods Sold, Expense Forecasts in Excel.

• Hand-on exercise: Build Rolling Forecasts & Scenario Design

  • Build a basic rolling P&L forecast model

  • Use dynamic ranges for adaptable forecasts

  • Design base and alternative scenarios

• AI-Powered Insights with Microsoft Excel 365 and Copilot

  • Generate insights and formulas with AI Tools like Analyse Data in Excel and Copilot

  • Crafting Effective AI Prompts and Interpreting AI Feedback

  • Limitation of AI generated insights

• Sensitivity Analysis & Risk Management

  • Identify risk drivers by analysing key assumptions affecting forecasts

    • Goal Seek

    • Data Tables

  • Scenario Manager

  • Limitation of Forecasting

• Case Study: Building an Adaptive Forecast Model

  • Build a mini‑case integrating rolling forecast, AI insights and scenario analysis while testing different assumptions.

Intended For

This course is designed for Professional Accountants and Finance Executives who already have a grasp of Excel basics and financial statements and now want to take their forecasting skills to the next level with AI-enhanced tools.

Competency Mapping (ISCA)

Category 5 = 7.00 Hours

60 Cecil Street

ISCA House

Singapore 049709

Date & Time

16 Dec 2025 (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

Closing Date for Registration

1 week before programme or until full enrolment

Fee (inclusive of GST)

For ISCA Members: $ 486.14

For Non-ISCA Members: $ 606.04

Jeffrey Ong

Jeffrey Ong is a certified curriculum and assessment designer, as well as a trainer for adult learning. He specialises in the design of data science content in both online and classroom training settings. After teaching in schools, Jeffrey transitioned into the education publication industry where he has crafted and conducted product training for clients and staff. His burgeoning interest in Data Science coincided with the opportunity to join Databuilder PL. Jeffrey’s passion lies in Big Data technology and the visualization of data.

Jeffrey holds a Diploma in Adult and Continuing Education (DACE) and Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA) from the Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) Singapore. He is also a certified Data Science Practitioner-Instructor by IBM. Jeffrey graduated with an Honours degree in Real Estate from the National University of Singapore, BSc in Mathematics and Economics (Honours) from University of London (Singapore) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from the National Institute of Education (Singapore).