Accounting in the digital age is no longer confined to ledgers and calculators. Modern accountants are expected to act as analysts, consultants, and strategic partners who provide insights that drive business performance. Two of the most important tools in this transformation are Microsoft Excel and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP and Oracle.
Excel remains one of the most versatile platforms for accountants. From basic bookkeeping to advanced financial modeling, Excel is a familiar and powerful tool. Yet, many professionals only use its simplest features, missing opportunities to improve efficiency and decision-making through advanced functions, pivot tables, macros, and VBA programming.
On the other hand, ERP systems like SAP and Oracle represent enterprise-level solutions that integrate accounting with other business processes such as supply chain, human resources, and operations. They provide accuracy, automation, and scalability for large organizations—but often require Excel as a complementary tool for customized reporting and ad-hoc analysis.
This dual-focused program, delivered by Oxford Training (OTC), equips accountants with mastery in Advanced Excel techniques and the ability to work effectively with ERP systems. By combining these skill sets, participants gain the tools to bridge everyday accounting tasks with enterprise-wide financial management, ensuring they can thrive in today’s data-driven environment.
Course Objectives
The joint training program is designed to:
- Provide accountants with deep expertise in advanced Excel functions relevant to accounting and finance.
- Enable participants to automate repetitive tasks using macros and VBA.
- Strengthen reconciliation and reporting skills for audits, compliance, and management purposes.
- Introduce the structure and workflows of ERP systems, focusing on SAP and Oracle.
- Demonstrate how to integrate Excel with ERP platforms for seamless data management.
- Improve efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making in accounting operations.
- Build capacity for analyzing big data in financial contexts.
Target Audience
The program is designed for:
- Accountants and Auditors who want to upgrade their technical skillset.
- Finance Managers and Controllers responsible for reporting and compliance.
- ERP Users working with SAP or Oracle who need Excel integration for analysis.
- Financial Analysts engaged in reconciliation, forecasting, and decision-support modeling.
- SME Accountants who rely on Excel but need exposure to ERP workflows.
- Students and Early-Career Finance Professionals aspiring to advanced roles.
Course Content
Module 1: Advanced Excel Functions for Accounting
- Logical formulas (IF, SUMIFS, COUNTIFS) for financial calculations.
- Lookup and reference functions (VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH) for reconciling vendor and customer accounts.
- Financial functions (NPV, IRR, PMT) for investment appraisal and valuation.
- Error-checking tools (IFERROR, ISNUMBER) to create reliable reports.
- Case study: Automating an accounts receivable aging report.
Module 2: Pivot Tables, Macros, and VBA
- Building pivot tables to summarize general ledger data.
- Creating pivot charts and dashboards for performance tracking.
- Recording simple macros for reconciliations.
- Introduction to VBA programming for automation.
- Case example: Reducing a three-day consolidation to two hours.
Module 3: Reconciliation and Efficiency
- Bank and intercompany reconciliations.
- Error detection with conditional formatting.
- Streamlined workflows for faster close.
- Practical tool-building in Excel.
Module 4: Introduction to ERP Systems (SAP and Oracle)
- ERP basics: integration of accounting with enterprise processes.
- GL, AP, AR, and Fixed Assets modules.
- Workflows in SAP and Oracle.
- Case study: Implementing SAP FI for centralized management.
Module 5: ERP Integration with Excel
- Exporting ERP data to Excel.
- Using Power Query for ERP datasets.
- Building dashboards with SAP/Oracle data.
- Automating variance reports.
Module 6: Reporting, Analytics, and Big Data in Accounting
- Designing dynamic financial statements.
- ERP reporting tools with Excel.
- Handling large datasets.
- Real-time decision-making examples.
Module 7: Automation and Workflow Optimization
- ERP scripts and Excel VBA for automation.
- Designing templates for recurring tasks.
- Efficiency strategies for accountants.
Benefits of the Training
- Improved Accuracy – Advanced formulas and ERP automation reduce human error.
- Greater Efficiency – Automation with macros, VBA, and ERP saves time.
- Enhanced Decision-Making – Data analytics provide actionable insights.
- ERP Integration Skills – Excel as a flexible extension of SAP and Oracle.
- Audit Readiness – Strong reconciliation supports compliance.
- Professional Growth – In-demand Excel and ERP mastery.
Training Methodology – Oxford Training (OTC)
Participants engage in case studies, hands-on reconciliation exercises, SAP/Oracle dataset projects, and interactive workshops.
Real-World Applications
- Audit Preparation – Excel pivot tables with ERP exports.
- Corporate Finance – Consolidating subsidiaries with ERP and Excel.
- Banking – Loan portfolios tracked via ERP dashboards and Excel analytics.
- Healthcare – Automating ERP reconciliation for insurance claims.
- Manufacturing – SAP production data integrated with Excel for cost analysis.