Microsoft Scenario Library Finance Analyze business performance

Available with: Microsoft 365 Copilot for Finance

Finance scenario: Analyze business performance

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Scenario

Make better decisions using Copilot for Finance

1. Generate formulas to clean data

Aggregate budget and spend data into an Excel spreadsheet, then use Copilot for guidance on how to standardize the data formatting.

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Copilot in Excel

Example prompt: Suggest formulas to standardize the data formatting, including removing trailing spaces and correcting capitalization.

Use Copilot for Finance in Excel to streamline the variance analysis process, looking at actuals and budgeted figures.

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Copilot in Excel

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Copilot for Finance (Preview)

Action: Open Copilot for Finance in Excel and select Analyze variances. Define variance threshold.

Review the variance analysis summary report for any large or unexpected variances.

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Copilot in Excel

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Copilot for Finance (Preview)

Action: Review any budget variances using the threshold set in step 2.

Use Copilot in PowerPoint to accelerate the creation of a presentation summarizing key findings from the variance analysis summary.

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Copilot in PowerPoint

Example prompt: Create a presentation from the following variance analysis summary [Paste summary].

Use Copilot in Outlook to draft an email summarizing the variance analysis summary. Attach the PowerPoint and share with stakeholders.

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Copilot in Outlook

Example prompt: Draft an email to stakeholders based on the following variance analysis summary.

KPIs

Opportunity to impact key functional area KPIs

How Microsoft Copilot can help average request times

Microsoft Copilot can help with lowering resolution times which in turn ​leads to increased agent productivity and higher customer satisfaction rates.​
Boost productivity​
  • Rapidly find information​
  • Diagnose problems faster​
  • Check for similar issues and resolutions​
  • Quickly send follow-up communications​

How Copilot can improve risk management

Finance teams grapple with complex tasks—from credit and collections to risk management and compliance. Get real-time insights and strategic recommendations. By automating mundane tasks, Microsoft Copilot frees up time for critical decisions, streamlining audits, simplifying collections, and accelerating financial reporting.
Speed data analysis and reporting
  • Quickly analyze trends
  • Generate informative charts
  • Create strategy presentations

How Microsoft Copilot can reduce finance department spending

As a cost center, Finance teams face the challenge of constantly achieving more with fewer resources. By assisting with everyday tasks, Microsoft Copilot can help increase time for additional analysis, proactive audits, collections processes, and financial reporting.
Keep communication lines open
  • Draft communications such as approval requests, status emails, and supplier communications
  • Summarize stakeholder meetings around budget status and approvals
  • Create sourcing strategy decks

How Copilot can help reduce spend on financial systems and tooling

Microsoft Copilot can be extended into processes to bring data together and speed decision-making without performing expensive updates to financial systems.
Inform your decisions:
  • Draft budgets and spreadsheets
  • Search for cost variances across different options

How Microsoft Copilot can help reduce days sales outstanding

Collections play a crucial role in any business. Timely and efficient collections help ensure healthy cash flow, liquidity, and operational efficiency. 
Improve collections process
  • Use Copilot to organize information from past interactions
  • Draft communications with Copilot clearly outlining the collection process
  • Analyze different payment methods and its effectiveness

The content in this example scenario is for demonstration purposes only. You should evaluate how Copilot aligns with your organization’s business processes, regulatory requirements, and responsible AI principles.