Financial reporting solution leveraging Power BI and Power Apps

Consolidate multiple data sources into a comprehensive reporting model

In the dynamic world of financial management, the ability to swiftly and accurately amalgamate reporting data is paramount. Our client faced the challenge of combining monthly reporting data from 7 distinct business units in Excel to deliver a comprehensive array of Power BI reports and dashboards.

The primary objectives were to:

• Integrate monthly financial data from various business units seamlessly
• Generate a series of insightful Power BI reports and dashboards
• Ensure segmented access to data while minimising disruption to existing systems and processes

Powerful new reporting without disrupting existing ways of working

Our solution was meticulously designed to address the client’s needs without compromising their established workflows:

• We developed the Power BI semantic model as a ‘golden dataset’ in order to serve as the foundation for multiple Power BI reports
• The model is fed by existing Excel workbooks maintained by each business unit, using monthly versions which are aggregated using Power Query to create a cumulative year-to-date dataset
• We utilised row-level security to provide granular controls over visibility of data, ensuring confidentiality and compliance
• Our deliverables included a Power BI App featuring P&L, balance sheet, and 5-year planning reports
• We incorporated an embedded Power App to enable users to input comments via the Power BI online experience

New capabilities, wider access to reporting and a scalable foundation

The deployment of our solution has led to improved functionality and insights for finance managers, and greater access to reporting data for non-financial users in operational roles.

• A comprehensive financial reporting toolkit was established, providing new capabilities to finance managers
• The solution’s adoption proliferated, transitioning from the finance team to encompass operational teams, signifying its adaptability and ease of use
• The new Power BI semantic model is now supporting additional reporting developed by report creators within the business