FINPLN X001 - Financial Planning Foundations with AI
Turn your business numbers into better decisions with the power of AI. In this hands-on course, you'll learn how to use Google Sheets and Gemini to build a practical forecasting and planning model for your business. No accounting background or coding experience is required. By the end of the course, you'll create a 12-month financial forecast, track cash flow, build a simple owner dashboard, and use scenario planning to support confident business decisions. You'll finish with a completed planning workbook, a decision memo, and skills you can apply immediately in your business.
Delivery Options
Online, Self-Paced: A course that is available fully online with no scheduled class sessions or fixed due dates. You can start coursework at any time and work through it independently at your own pace, within the timeframe designated. Online modules may include readings, lecture videos, assignments, quizzes and more.
Time to Completion
This course is projected to take approximately 18-22 hours to complete.
Course Completion Requirements
Complete all coursework requirements and pass with a score of at least 80%.
To successfully complete the course, participants must:
- Finish all seven modules.
- Score at least 80% on each module quiz (5 questions, auto-graded, unlimited attempts).
- Submit the capstone project, including:
- A Google Sheets planning workbook.
- A one-page owner decision memo.
Technology Requirements
- Reliable internet
- The recommended browser for taking this course is Google Chrome or Firefox
- A Google account and a web browser.
- Google Sheets (included with a Google account).
- Google One AI Premium (about $19.99 per month), paid to Google. Required so Gemini works inside Sheets. Google's free trial often covers part of the course.
- Basic data entry skills and using a simple formula such as SUM.
- No coding, no accounting software, and no other paid tools.
What You'll Learn
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Use Google Sheets and Gemini to support financial planning while protecting sensitive business information.
- Build and maintain a centralized assumptions model for pricing, sales, and operating costs.
- Create a 12-month forecast to project revenue, expenses, and financial performance.
- Monitor projected cash flow to identify risks, opportunities, and cash runway.
- Design a simple owner dashboard that highlights the metrics most relevant to business decisions.
- Compare business scenarios and present data-informed recommendations in a decision memo.
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of completion from Ohio State University Professional and Continuing Education.
Contact Us
For questions about the enrollment process, payment options, technology, or course records, please submit an inquiry and our Enrollment Support team will assist you within 24 hours during business days.