AI in Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting
Overview
Budgets and forecasts are only as good as the assumptions and data behind them. This course shows finance teams how AI and machine learning can improve forecast accuracy, speed up budget cycles, test scenarios and highlight variances early, while keeping finance professionals firmly in control of the numbers.
Who should attend
FP&A professionals, budget officers, financial controllers, and finance managers.
Training methodology
Interactive presentations, live demonstrations of AI tools, hands-on exercises using participants' own work examples, case studies, group discussion, and a personal action plan.
Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Apply AI techniques to financial forecasting
- Combine driver-based planning with machine learning
- Run faster scenario and sensitivity analysis
- Detect and explain variances with AI support
- Govern the use of AI in financial planning
Course outline
Day 1AI in the Finance Function
- Where AI helps planning and analysis
- Data needed for AI forecasting
- Tools available to finance teams
- Readiness check
- Finance team skills for AI
- Quick wins in FP&A
Day 2AI-Enhanced Forecasting
- Statistical and machine learning forecasts
- Driver-based models
- Measuring forecast accuracy
- Forecasting lab
- External drivers and market data
- Forecast bias
Day 3Smarter Budgeting
- Rolling forecasts
- Automating budget consolidation
- Generative AI for budget narratives
- Case study
- Zero-based budgeting support
- Budget review meetings
Day 4Scenarios and Variance Analysis
- Rapid scenario modelling
- Sensitivity analysis
- Automated variance commentary
- Exercise
- Cash flow forecasting
- Board-ready reporting
Day 5Controls and Implementation
- Model risk and review
- Audit trails
- Building finance team skills
- Implementation plan
- Data governance in finance
- Roadmap for the finance team
