> excel-variance-analyzer

Analyze budget vs actual variances in Excel with drill-down and root cause analysis. Use when performing variance analysis or explaining budget differences. Trigger with phrases like 'excel variance', 'analyze budget variance', 'actual vs budget'.

fetch
$curl "https://skillshub.wtf/jeremylongshore/claude-code-plugins-plus-skills/excel-variance-analyzer?format=md"
SKILL.mdexcel-variance-analyzer

Excel Variance Analyzer

Overview

Performs comprehensive budget vs actual variance analysis with automated drill-down, root cause identification, and executive reporting.

Prerequisites

  • Excel or compatible spreadsheet software
  • Budget data by period and category
  • Actual results for comparison
  • Cost center or department structure

Instructions

  1. Import budget and actual data into comparison template
  2. Calculate absolute and percentage variances
  3. Apply materiality thresholds for flagging
  4. Create drill-down by category, period, or cost center
  5. Generate variance waterfall chart for executive reporting

Output

  • Variance summary with favorable/unfavorable indicators
  • Materiality-filtered exception report
  • Waterfall chart showing budget-to-actual bridge
  • Drill-down by category or cost center

Error Handling

ErrorCauseSolution
Missing periodsData gapsFill with zeros or interpolate
Percentage calc errorZero budgetUse IF to handle div/0
Misaligned categoriesChanged chart of accountsCreate mapping table

Examples

Example: Monthly P&L Variance Request: "Analyze why we missed budget by $500K this month" Result: Variance waterfall showing revenue shortfall offset by OPEX savings

Example: Department Budget Review Request: "Which departments are over budget YTD?" Result: Ranked list by variance magnitude with drill-down to line items

Resources

  • FP&A Best Practices
  • ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/references/variance-formulas.md for calculation templates

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first seenMar 17, 2026
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┌ repo

jeremylongshore/claude-code-plugins-plus-skills
by jeremylongshore
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