Finance 4.0: AI‑Led Financial Transformation & Analytics Masterclass

Finance is evolving fast – driven by digital technologies, real-time data, and the growing capabilities of artificial intelligence. As organisations demand more from their finance teams, traditional reporting and planning processes are no longer enough.

This four-day masterclass equips finance professionals with the skills and mindset to lead in this new era. Participants will build practical expertise in Power BI, unlock the value of advanced analytics, and integrate AI and machine learning into reporting, forecasting, and decision-making processes.

Designed specifically for finance teams, this program blends technical know-how with strategic insight. Over four intensive days, you’ll learn how to turn raw data into compelling dashboards, automate reporting workflows, enhance your forecasting models with AI, and communicate insights that drive better business outcomes. Whether you’re an analyst building your first dashboard or a CFO reimagining your FP&A process, this course provides the tools, frameworks, and confidence to modernise your finance function.

Who Should Attend?

Finance Leaders – CFOs, Finance Managers, & Controllers looking to modernise reporting and build awareness of AI’s role in finance.
BI & Data Professionals – Power BI users, Analysts, and Reporting Leads aiming to elevate dashboards with AI and ESG capabilities.
Strategic Finance Teams – FP&A, Risk, and Compliance professionals seeking to drive smarter, data-driven decision-making.
Public Sector & Government Finance – teams responsible for reporting, planning, or ESG metrics in line with Vision 2030/2031.
Accountants and Finance Analysts – practitioners ready to automate manual reporting and focus on value-adding insights.

Why Attend?

Finance leaders are under pressure to deliver faster, smarter, and more strategic insights. This masterclass equips you with modern tools, AI-enabled techniques, and real-world applications to meet that demand.

You will learn to build automated, insight-driven dashboards, use DAX, Power Query, and AI copilots to improve speed and accuracy, and apply machine learning to enhance forecasting. You’ll also design adaptive, driver-based forecasting models and leave with ready-to-use dashboards, templates, and AI prompt packs supported by regional case studies focused on Middle East finance transformation. Ideal for finance professionals looking to modernize reporting, strengthen FP&A, and lead AI-driven change.

Foundations of Digital Finance

Morning: Strategy Meets Practice

The changing role of finance in a digital-first world
Key drivers of finance transformation across the Middle East
The finance function of the future: people, process, and platforms
Introduction to Power BI: Desktop, Service, and Mobile
Guided walkthrough: build your first Power BI dashboard

Afternoon: Transform Data into Insights

Power Query essentials: cleaning, merging, and shaping data
Building robust data models: relationships, hierarchies, and calendar tables
Data visualisation principles for clear and effective financial reporting
Guided hands-on labs and exercises

Activities

Power Query essentials: cleaning, merging, and shaping data
Building robust data models: relationships, hierarchies, and calendar tables
Data visualisation principles for clear and effective financial reporting
Guided hands-on labs and exercises

Stretch Challenge

Combine multiple data sources and create a structured, reusable data model ready for executive reporting.

From Calculations to Business Intelligence

Morning: Analytical Insight with DAX

Understanding measures, calculated columns, and filter context
Essential DAX for finance: variance, time intelligence, and KPIs
Practical exercises to analyse performance across time, regions, and business units

Afternoon: Scaling and Securing Reports

Power BI Service: publishing, sharing, and scheduled refresh
Implementing Row-Level Security (RLS) and access management
Enhancing dashboards with drill-throughs, bookmarks, and storytelling visuals
Creating dashboards that drive executive decision-making

Activities

Write and test DAX measures for core financial metrics
Apply row-level security for multi-region reporting
Build a CFO-ready executive dashboard

Stretch Challenge

Design a dynamic performance dashboard that clearly communicates key drivers and trends to senior leadership.

Future-Ready Finance: Strategy, AI & Integration

Morning: Finance in the Age of AI

Quick Demo: Copilot in Power BI
The evolving role of AI in analytics and decision-making
How AI enhances reporting, forecasting, and business insight
Exploring Power BI’s AI features and their potential in finance
Regional and global examples of AI adoption in the finance function
Skills and leadership mindset for the digital finance era

Afternoon: Individual Capstone Challenge – Bringing It All Together

Individual Project: Each participant designs and builds a complete Power BI finance dashboard
Presentation & Feedback: Each participant presents their dashboard for personalised feedback on analysis quality, clarity, and visual impact
This final session enables each participant to apply the full range of skills developed throughout the program – from data modelling to storytelling – and leave with a portfolio-ready Power BI dashboard

Budgeting and Forecasting in the AI Era

Morning – Modernising the Forecasting Process

The Future of FP&A
Building a Rolling Forecast in Excel
Mini Lab: build a basic forecast model block with monthly time logic and scenario switching

Afternoon: AI and Machine Learning for Forecasting

How AI tools like Copilot or ChatGPT can help?
Intro to Machine Learning in Forecasting
Bringing It All Together – Forecasting for Decision-Making
Beyond Excel – When to Consider Budgeting Platforms
Wrap-up & Reflection