How to Excel at Excel

All of the accounting and finance positions we recruit for require a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel. Are your skills up to par to remain competitive in the job market?

A study of job postings by Burning Glass Technologies found that 8 in 10 jobs require digital skills such as spreadsheet and word processing proficiencies. Additionally, digitally intensive jobs pay 18% more than jobs that do not require a digital component.

Many companies want to know candidates’ proficiency level in Excel and even require their candidates to take an Excel assessment as part of the recruiting process. The assessments are interactive tests or multiple choice questions used to measure your ability to complete tasks.  

Where do you fall on the proficiency scale?

Proficiency Levels:

Basic proficiency -  Required for most clerical and administrative level positions. The skills include simple Excel functions, general commands such as printing options and formatting cells and layout. Basic proficiency in Excel is expected from employees in today’s business world.

Intermediate level - Skills include using sort & filter, conditional formatting, creating formulas, pivot tables, text to columns, and IF functions. Intermediate skills are required for most accounting and finance positions.

Advanced proficiency - Required for more technical roles and the skills include macro creation, Vlookup embedded IF statements, payment and concatenate functions. Advanced Excel skills will set you apart from other candidates.

Take this quiz to determine your Excel proficiency level to see where you stand. If you’re looking to sharpen your Excel skills Microsoft offers training tools for all proficiency levels to teach you how to excel at Excel.