How Microsoft Copilot can revolutionise your financial forecasting

Table of contents

Why financial forecasting needs an upgrade

How Microsoft Copilot supports financial forecasting

Real-world use cases: Who can benefit from Copilot for forecasting?

Data privacy and compliance you can trust

Ready to transform your financial forecasting?

Forecasting. It’s the backbone of any forward-thinking business—and the source of many a late night for finance teams trying to make sense of complex spreadsheets. The truth is, accurate financial forecasting is essential for making informed decisions, managing risk, and steering your company in the right direction. But traditional forecasting tools? They’re often reactive, labour-intensive, and riddled with blind spots.

Enter Microsoft Copilot: the AI-powered assistant that’s transforming the way businesses handle financial forecasting. Embedded in the tools finance teams already rely on—like Excel and Teams—Copilot brings intelligent automation and insight to a function that’s been long overdue for an upgrade.

Why financial forecasting needs an upgrade

Let’s face it—today’s financial environments are anything but simple. Multiple revenue streams, fast-changing markets, and mountains of data make it harder than ever to forecast with confidence. Yet many businesses still rely on outdated forecasting tools that are slow, rigid, and disconnected from real-time data. Some of the biggest challenges traditional forecasting tools face include:

• Manual data handling: Time-consuming and prone to error.
• Static models: Can’t adapt to sudden changes in market conditions.
• Missed insights: Without AI, it’s easy to overlook patterns or trends hidden in historical data.

That’s where AI in financial forecasting comes in. Copilot for finance helps professionals move from reactive number-crunching to proactive, AI-driven financial planning—all within familiar platforms.

How Microsoft Copilot supports financial forecasting

Microsoft Copilot is more than just a fancy add-on. It’s a powerful, integrated forecasting software tool that turns traditional spreadsheets into dynamic, intelligent forecasting machines. Why use Microsoft Copilot​, we hear you ask? Here are a few ways it can help with forecasting:

Analysing Historical Sales and Financial Data

Finance teams handle complex tasks—collections, audits, risk management, compliance—and Copilot helps lighten the load. With real-time insights and strategic recommendations, it enables faster, smarter decisions.

• Automate data collection and simplify analysis
• Identify cash flow issues
• Streamline collections, audits, and period closes
• Speed up contract reviews and procurement decisions

By automating routine tasks, teams can focus on value-added analysis and high-impact decision-making.

Forecasting with Accuracy and Scale

Copilot assists with intelligent forecasting and scenario planning. Whether it’s understanding the impact of market shifts or running investment simulations, Copilot brings deeper insights to your fingertips.

• Use natural language prompts to query data
• Forecast sales trends using Python
• Collaborate on investment decisions and build business cases
• Enable dynamic cash flow forecasting and modelling
• Copilot also reduces the cost per analysis request, giving teams greater forecasting power without increasing spend

Managing Risk and Compliance

With today’s volatile markets, timely insights into financial risk are crucial. Copilot supports better risk mitigation and compliance by improving visibility across your operations.

• Detect potential risks due to regulatory changes
• Automate financial query management via AI-powered chatbots
• Rapidly update accounting guidance to reflect new rules
• Enhance scenario planning to respond faster to market changes

Reducing Costs and System Complexity

Copilot helps finance teams do more with less—without the need to overhaul core systems.

• Improve productivity and lower outsourcing spend by handling more tasks in-house
• Avoid costly financial software upgrades—Copilot integrates with your existing stack
• Accelerate collections processes to reduce Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)
• Speed up insights across procurement and spend data

Whether it’s reconciling reports, coordinating collections, or answering internal finance questions, Microsoft Copilot drives efficiency across every step of the finance workflow.

Real-world use cases: Who can benefit from Copilot for forecasting?

Microsoft Copilot isn’t just for enterprise giants—it’s a game-changer across industries. Here’s how different sectors can use this AI tool for finance professionals:

Retail & E-Commerce

• Forecast sales by SKU, region, or campaignAnalyse seasonal trends and promotional impact
• Real-time updates to stock and demand forecasts

SaaS and Subscription-Based Businesses

• Predict churn rates and customer lifetime value
• Model Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) and Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR)
• Refine growth strategies based on usage patterns

Manufacturing

• Align production and inventory forecasts with financial goals
• Model cost impact scenarios (e.g. raw material price increases)
• Improve supply chain planning with integrated forecasting tools

Financial Services

• Forecast repayment behaviour, yield performance, or insurance claims
• Spot early signs of financial risk or market exposure
• Enhance client reporting and compliance with AI-driven financial planning

Data privacy and compliance you can trust

Concerned about data security? So are we—and so is Microsoft. Microsoft Copilot is built on enterprise-grade security, with compliance baked in from the start.

• Data used stays within your Microsoft 365 environment
• Fully compliant with GDPR, ISO, and other major standards
• Your data isn’t used to train Copilot models—privacy is always protected
• Operates with multiple protections, including blocking harmful content, detecting protected material, and blocking prompt injections

It’s smart AI, with serious security credentials.

Ready to transform your financial forecasting?

From reducing manual effort to unlocking smarter insights, Microsoft Copilot is redefining what modern forecasting can look like. It’s intuitive, fast, and already embedded in the Microsoft apps your team uses every day—meaning no complex rollout or steep learning curve.

So if you’ve been wondering why use Microsoft Copilot, the answer’s simple: it’s the smartest way to bring the future of finance into today’s business workflows.

Looking for the best financial software for your team? The search is over.​ Speak to our expert team today to explore how it could revolutionise forecasting for your business.