Proficiency in Microsoft Office, and particularly Excel, is vital for everybody looking to enter the world of business. As CareerAddict points out, “78 per cent of middle-skill jobs require digital literacy and 67 per cent of future jobs demand expertise in these programs, specifically in Word and Excel.”
Excel is a ubiquitous program in the world of business, and it can aid analysts with tracking data, solving problems and communicating effectively. “If you want to get the best out of your career and improve your performance in any job that requires using this software, you will need to work on your Excel skills,” according to CareerAddict. An online BSBA program is a great way to gain a workable understanding of the software knowledge required for your career.
Managing Finances
Excel is the go-to software for tracking and managing the flow of money within a business. Eric Rosenberg for Investopedia.com writes, “If you walk through the finance or accounting department at any major corporate office, you will see computer screens filled with Excel spreadsheets outlining financial results, budgets, forecasts, and plans used to make big business decisions.”
Excel is capable of integrating complex formulas that can streamline the accounting process. While basic Excel functions are relatively user-friendly, these more complex formulas require more training, and a BSBA program is a great start to unlocking the full capabilities of Excel.
Informed Decision-Making
In order to make informed business decisions, it is integral to have all the relevant data and information neatly organized for review. Sue Smith, writing for the Houston Chronicle, notes, “Spreadsheets allow you to carry out performance measurement. For example, within a retail or service organization, you could use spreadsheet data transformed into a bar chart to see how well your business performs at different times of the year.”
A well-run accounting department is the starting point for informed business decisions. The spreadsheets and charts made possible in Excel can distill complicated data into an easily digestible graphic that can lead to a smoother decision-making process within a company. “Any effective future planning activity naturally needs to be informed by a clear picture of the present and past,” writes Smith, “a task spreadsheets are ideally placed to assist.”
The Popularity of Excel
Excel was first released in 1985 and has since become one of the most widely utilized software programs in the world. Without possessing the skills to effectively navigate Excel, an employee can be greatly handicapped in their ability to organize data, draw conclusions and communicate with their colleagues. As Rosenberg points out, “A working knowledge of Excel is vital for most office based professionals today, and stronger Excel skills can open the door to promotion and leadership opportunities.”
The curriculum in an online BSBA program will prepare students to use Excel in a business setting, and it is an excellent starting point to better understand and navigate the popular software. Proficiency in Excel can pave the way to providing your company with better results, and that is good for both the company and your future career prospects.
Learn more about NKU’s online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration General Business program.
Sources:
Career Addict: How to Improve Your Excel Skills Online
Investopedia: The Importance of Excel in Business
Houston Chronicle: How Do Companies Use Spreadsheets?
