Finance scenario: Analyze cashflow variances
Download scenario guideAvailable with: Microsoft 365 Copilot for Finance Scenario level:
KPIs impacted
Operating cash flow ratio
Days sales outstanding
Decision-making speed
Value benefit
Increase revenue
Using Copilot to analyze cashflow variances
1. Generate formulas to clean data
Aggregate customer and supplier invoice and payment data into an Excel spreadsheet, then use Copilot for guidance on how to standardize the data formatting.
Copilot in Excel
Example prompt: Suggest formulas to standardize the data formatting, including removing trailing spaces and correcting capitalization.
2. Analyze cashflow patterns
Use Copilot for Finance in Excel to analyze variances across a 12-month rolling average to better understand seasonality shifts.
Copilot in Excel
Copilot for Finance (Preview)
Action: Open Copilot for Finance in Excel and select Analyze variances. Define the threshold, e.g. 10%.
3. Review cashflow analysis
Review the variance analysis report for any major discrepancies.
Copilot in Excel
Copilot for Finance (Preview)
Action: Review variances across a 12-month period, highlighting major variances to explore further.
4. Review Teams conversations
Review Teams conversations for specific questions related to cashflow.
Copilot in Teams
Example prompt: Summarize the key conversation points and questions from the last 3 months regarding cashflow.
5. Generate premeeting report
Use Copilot in Word to draft a premeeting report.
Copilot in Word
Example prompt: Generate a premeeting report with a meeting agenda, key highlights from the cashflow analysis, and key questions for discussion. [Paste cashflow analysis summary and summary from Teams conversations.]
6. Distribute summary
After your meeting, use Copilot in Teams to share a summary of your meeting and next steps.
Copilot in Teams
Example prompt: Recap the meeting and list any action items.
1Access Copilot at copilot.microsoft.com or the Microsoft Copilot mobile app and set toggle to “Web”.
2Access Business Chat at copilot.microsoft.com or the Microsoft Copilot mobile app and set toggle to “Web”.
3Copilot agents allow Microsoft 365 Copilot to access your company-specific apps. In the past, this would have required an API call to get data from a system of record. 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.
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.
