Spreadsheet Safe

Course details

The programme equips developers, users and managers with the essential skills and knowledge to improve their spreadsheet design and set up, as well as developing self-checking routines and instincts to ensure that all spreadsheet inputs, calculations and outputs are valid and reliable. Spreadsheet Safe™ also develops some of the soft skills around spreadsheet usage, and encourages behavioural best practices; developing end-user awareness of their own responsibility with regard to spreadsheets, as well as providing insights about corporate regulatory responsibility and spreadsheets.

Programme Content

The programme will look at the following:

• DESIGN and SETUP: Participants will learn about the importance of defining clear organisation or business need and good spreadsheet specification and setup
• INPUT and OUTPUTS: They will learn how to check for input, output and calculation accuracy as well as appreciating the importance of validation.
• CALCULATION and FORMULA: They will learn how to create and validate formulas and also recognise common spreadsheet errors; how to create well designed spreadsheets, input procedures, audit and validation as well as appropriate outputs which are protected and checked for errors.
• REGULATION and AUDIT: Finally, participants will learn about the regulatory environment and how spreadsheets may be subject to regulatory review (e.g. Sarbanes Oxley).

Course Outcomes

The programme is designed to create, in individuals and organisations, a greater awareness of the high level of potential risk in the use of spreadsheets and to equip them with the skills and knowledge to bring their own personal practice, and their organisation, to a high standard.