How to choose copilot beginner level course/ module for finance and accounting professional

Question

Hi Team,

I am a Finance and accounting professional. I want to learn Miscrosoft copilot to be able to make the best use in my current tasks. This includes preparation of Dashboards, Reports, Presentations, Reconcilaition, Analysis of large data. When I saw the roles , I did not find the finance and accounting. Can you guide me the Modules at the beginner level which are best suitabke for my role. I want to start with the basics.

Thank you

Rasika

Answer 1

For a finance and accounting professional starting with Microsoft 365 Copilot at beginner level, the following learning paths and modules are most relevant.

1. Start with core Copilot basics
   These give foundational Copilot skills that apply to all your tasks (dashboards, reports, presentations, reconciliations, data analysis):
   • Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot (learning path)
     • Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot
     • Explore the possibilities with Microsoft 365 Copilot
     • Optimize and extend Microsoft 365 Copilot
   • Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot (1‑hour) – short course focused on using Copilot in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive, and Edge.
   • Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot (3‑hour) – extended version with more hands‑on scenarios.
   These modules and courses will help build skills in:
   • Drafting and summarizing reports and emails (Word, Outlook)
   • Creating and improving presentations (PowerPoint)
   • Analyzing and visualizing data (Excel)
   • Using Copilot across Microsoft 365 apps in daily work
2. Focus on Excel for dashboards, reconciliations, and large data analysis
   For your data‑heavy finance work:
   • Uncover new data insights with AI (Copilot in Excel module)
     This module covers practical application and advanced features of Copilot in Excel to analyze and visualize data, summarize datasets, and enhance reporting.
3. Finance‑specific Copilot scenarios
   To see Copilot used directly in finance workflows:
   • Empower your workforce with Microsoft 365 Copilot Use Cases (learning path)
     Within this learning path, use in particular:
     • Empower your workforce with Microsoft 365 Copilot: Finance Use Case – hands‑on exercises for finance scenarios such as analyzing financial spreadsheets, creating financial analysis reports, and summarizing financial results using Copilot in Outlook, Excel, and Word.
4. Broader business and operations context (optional but useful)
   If working with or planning to use Dynamics 365 finance and operations apps:
   • Explore the core capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics 365 finance and operations apps (learning path)
     This introduces finance and operations apps and how Copilot can be leveraged in those environments.
5. Recommended learning order for a beginner in finance/accounting
   1. Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot (learning path) – all three modules.
   2. Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot (1‑hour or 3‑hour) – for practical, end‑to‑end use across apps.
   3. Uncover new data insights with AI – to deepen Copilot in Excel skills for dashboards, reconciliations, and large data analysis.
   4. Empower your workforce with Microsoft 365 Copilot: Finance Use Case – to practice finance‑specific scenarios.
   5. Optionally, Explore the core capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics 365 finance and operations apps if using Dynamics 365.

---

References:

• Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot
• Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot (3-hour)
• Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot (1-hour)
• Uncover new data insights with AI
• Empower your workforce with Microsoft 365 Copilot Use Cases
• Empower your workforce with Microsoft 365 Copilot: Finance Use Case
• Explore the core capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics 365 finance and operations apps