Excel skills for finance professionals
Build practical Excel skills with free, expert-led videos, articles and webinars from CFA Institute.
3 billion
Excel users worldwide
50 million
viewers of the MECC finals
2
Excel MVPs
8
Expert-led learning videos
Why are Excel skills important for finance professionals?
Excel is at the heart of modern finance. Gaining advanced Excel skills can help you improve your modeling, analysis, reporting and decision-making proficiency, and support your career development.
CFA Institute regularly launches new videos, blogs and webinars to expand your knowledge and strengthen your Excel skills. We are proud sponsors of the Microsoft Excel World Championship (MEWC) and the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge (MECC).
Excel on the Road, destination: Las Vegas
Travel along with Excel MVPs Fay Bordbar and Giles Male as they circle the globe to meet Excel learners and experts. Follow them as they talk with finance leaders, MVPs, esports players and students about the importance of skills, community, credentials, and experience. The pair will gather real-world stories and insights from the Excel and finance community.
Then join them as they catch the excitement of the 2026 Excel Championship Finals in Las Vegas on 30 November to 2 December.
Go along for the ride on social media and you’ll learn tricks, get daily tips, and access live Q&As.
What will you learn in the Excel for finance professionals video series?
Created by Excel MVPs, this eight-episode learning video series covers everything from core Excel techniques to the modern Dynamic Array engine and how AI is shaping the Excel experience:
Episode 1 | Core Excel Skills, Part 1: Functions
Build strong Excel foundations by using tables and logical functions to turn transaction data into a monthly profit and loss statement.
Want access to the next lesson and more Excel insights?
You can have fun learning the tips, tricks and secrets of Excel, while building skills that support professional decision-making and widen your impact in your role. Sign up and get free Excel resources, expert-led videos, blogs and webinar invitations to help you build your skills and grow.
Excel tips and lessons from World Champions
Get in-depth learning with articles from past and present MEWC and MECC champions.
10 Excel lessons every finance professional can learn from the World Champions
Learn 10 Excel lessons from world champions, including how finance professionals can solve problems, use AI, learn new functions, and work smarter.
Why Excel problem-solving skills matter more than memorizing formulas
Discover how to improve Excel problem-solving skills, apply them to financial analysis, and use AI for Excel formulas without losing human judgement.
Why Excel is a valuable skill for finance professionals in the age of AI
Discover why Excel skills remain valuable for finance professionals and how strong Excel knowledge supports effective, responsible use of AI.
What can finance professionals learn from Excel World Champions?
They know their way around Excel, and they have championship title belts to prove it.
Get the replay of our exclusive conversation with Dim Early and Pieter Pienaar, the 2025 MEWC and MECC champions. Discover their personal journey to win “the Super Bowl for Excel nerds” and learn tricks, shortcuts, and functions you can use right away.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Excel for Finance Professionals content free?
Yes. The Excel for Finance Professionals videos and articles are free to access, although you may be asked to sign up to receive new lessons and resources.
Is the video series suitable for Excel beginners?
The series is best suited to people with a basic working knowledge of Excel. It starts with core techniques before progressing to automation, financial modeling, dynamic arrays and AI.
Does the series cover financial modeling in Excel?
Yes. A dedicated lesson covers financial model structure, three-statement modeling, financial statement analysis, scenario testing and model checks.
Does the content cover Power Query, dynamic arrays and AI?
Yes. The series includes lessons on Power Query and automation, dynamic array functions, LET and LAMBDA, and the use of AI for Excel analysis, budgeting and forecasting.
Will I receive a certificate after completing the lessons?
No. This is a practical video learning series rather than an assessed course, so it does not include a certificate of completion.