The Finance@UW cohort program is a free, four-course professional development opportunity designed specifically for UW–Madison employees who work in finance or whose roles have financial responsibilities or impact. As financial operations become increasingly complex and operational responsibilities continue to expand, understanding UW–Madison’s financial environment is more important than ever.
Focused on the “what” and “why” of institutional financial operations and strategy, rather than the technology, the program provides participants with the knowledge and context needed to confidently navigate financial processes and support informed decision-making across the university. The cohort is ideal for finance professionals, department and project administrators, research administrators, human resources professionals, and others interested in financial operations at UW. New employees are especially encouraged to participate.
Participants in the upcoming Finance@UW cohorts will receive waived registration fees for the 2027 Finance@UW Conference. This added benefit is designed to alleviate budget constraints of attending campus-sponsored professional development and community-building opportunities, while making completion of the certificate program more accessible.
Audience
UW–Madison Faculty and Staff
Cost
Free
Contact
Jeffrey Thomas, Learning Program Manager – Finance@UW
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Upcoming Cohorts
Fall 2026 Cohort
This cohort is in-person and sessions are held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Pyle Center. Attendance at each session is expected within the month-long cohort. No virtual option is available.
- Session 1: October 13, 2026
- Session 2: October 20, 2026
- Session 3: October 27, 2026
- Session 4: November 3, 2026
Registration Closed
Spring 2027 Cohort
This cohort is in-person and sessions are held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Pyle Center. Attendance at each session is expected within the month-long cohort. No virtual option is available.
- Session 1: April 7, 2027
- Session 2: April 14, 2027
- Session 3: April 21, 2027
- Session 4: April 28, 2027
Registration Closed
Geared toward your finance career needs at UW
This program is carefully crafted to cover critical topics geared toward your finance career needs at UW. Here’s a glimpse of just some of what you can expect to explore in the core learning modules:
Principles of Institutional Finances
Explore the intricate world of finance through a holistic perspective of institutional finance, that will align your role with the Wisconsin Idea, and introduce revenue sources and budget models.
Accounting@UW
Strengthen your accounting skills with this interactive module. Dive into fundamentals and prepare yourself to handle accrual methodologies in the Workday environment. Connect work to sound practices and interpret financial data collaboratively in engaging discussions and exercises.
Revenue@UW
Gain insights into the strategies and techniques employed in managing revenue effectively. Obtain exposure to the deeper complexities of institutional revenue sources, explore expansion options, and analyze live financial data across campus.
Budgets@UW
Strategize using different budget models, gain a comprehensive view of the budget proposal process from multiple angles, and engage in practical exercises with a live budget proposal.
Certificate Requirements
Completion of all four core finance learning modules during the assigned cohort (attendance at all four sessions is expected).
- Completion of four Learning and Talent Development-sponsored courses:
- Thriving In a Time of Change (Thrive@UW)
- Active Listening to Support Effective Communication (Thrive@UW)
- Understanding Mission, Vision, and Strategy (online, self-paced)
- If you enroll in fall 2026 or later, a new course will be shared prior to your cohort start date.
- Presentation Skills (Fully Prepared to Lead)
- If these have already been completed, consult the program manager for alternatives.
- Attend one Learning and Talent Development conferences listed below:
- Participate in a Personal Reflection Capstone Conversation with Program Managers and/or fellow participants.
Continued Learning
Complete the Technology Skill Development Pathways on LinkedIn Learning that most align with your current skill level – Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced (login using your @wisc.edu email address):
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Microsoft PowerPoint
Campus Resources
- Fully Prepared to Lead: Presentation Skills (offers presentation practice but not technical training)
- Center for User Experience: Make It Accessible Guides – Documents and Slides
Getting Started with PowerPoint
- PowerPoint Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning Course, 3 hours)
- PowerPoint Quick Tips (LinkedIn Learning Course, 37 minutes)
Data-driven Presentation Strategies
- Excel and PowerPoint: Creating High-impact Financial Presentations (LinkedIn Learning Course, 2 hours). Selected videos from this course are below:
- Choosing between Excel and PowerPoint for financial presentations (4 minutes)
- Choosing a chart or a table (4 minutes)
- Creating an actuals versus budget variance presentation (4 minutes)
- Presenting Data Effectively to Inform and Inspire (LinkedIn Learning Course, 2 hours)
Microsoft Excel
Excel Essential Training
- Excel Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning Course, 3 hours)
Pivot Tables
Pivot Tables are tools in Microsoft Excel that offer opportunity to organize and analyze large data sets.
Campus Workshops
- RED: Excel – Pivot Table Fundamentals (search for future offerings)
Video-based resources
- Excel: Pivot Tables in Depth (LinkedIn Learning Course, 4 hours)
- Excel PivotTables: Mastering PivotTables and PivotCharts (Linkedin Learning Course, 4 hours)
- Segmenting Your Data with Pivot Tables (Linkedin Learning Video, 4 minutes)
- Discovering Pivot Tables (Linkedin Learning Video, 3 minutes)
Text-based Resources
- Getting Started with Pivot Tables (Microsoft 365 Training)
Formulas
Formulas in Excel are tools that automate or streamline data entry and analysis.
Video-based resources
- Excel: Familiarize yourself with formulas and functions (Linkedin Learning Video, 2 minutes)
- Excel: Using simple formulas in Excel (LinkedIn Learning Video, 10 minutes)
- Excel: Introduction to Formulas and Functions (Linkedin Learning Course, 3 hours)
- Excel: Advanced Formulas and Functions (Linkedin Learning Course, 5 hours)
Text-based resources
- Formula Tutorial Workbook (Microsoft 365 Training)
- Overview of formulas in Excel (Microsoft 365 Training)
Organize data
Tables and formatting allow you to organize and share your data clearly and meaningfully.
Video-based resources
- Excel: Keep your data organized with Excel tables (Linkedin Learning Video, 3 minutes)
- Excel: Table data storage and organization (Linkedin Learning Video, 5 minutes)
- Excel: Tracking data easily and efficiently (Linkedin Learning Course, 4 hours)
- Excel: Managing and Analyzing Data (Linkedin Learning Course, 5 hours)
Text-based resources
- Enter and format data (Microsoft 365 Training)