3 signs you’ve outgrown Excel for planning & budgeting
Spreadsheets are powerful tools — until they’re not. Many finance teams start with Excel for planning and budgeting, but as the business grows, cracks begin to show: version chaos, error risk, and hours lost reconciling data.
Here are three clear signs you’ve hit the limits of Excel — and why CFOs across ANZ are making the switch to NetSuite Planning and Budgeting (NSPB).
1. Reporting takes longer than decision-making
When it takes weeks to prepare board packs, your numbers are already out of date. This was a common challenge for finance teams we’ve worked with — spending more time wrestling spreadsheets than analysing results. Modern Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) tools automate consolidations and reporting, giving leaders insights they can act on in real time.
2. Errors creep in where it matters most
A single formula error or a file sent to the wrong person can throw off an entire forecast and compromise the integrity of all the hard work you've done. Several Pivot2 customers admitted they had “data-rich but analysis-poor” processes in Excel — numbers existed, but no one trusted them. With NSPB, there’s one source of truth, removing the risk of broken formulas and version confusion. We all have those embarrassing stories of dreaded moments when a CEO or Board member spots an error in the numbers you've spent way too many hours compiling.
3. You can’t model what’s next
Excel makes “what if” analysis painfully slow. Businesses relying on manual spreadsheets often avoid scenario planning altogether because the effort outweighs the benefit. In contrast, NSPB lets CFOs run scenarios in minutes — from supply chain disruptions to new market opportunities — empowering finance to lead with foresight.
The switch to modern planning
Our client stories all point to the same outcome: moving from Excel to NSPB isn’t just a tech upgrade, it’s a mindset shift. Finance teams go from number-crunching to strategy-shaping.
If these three signs ring true, it’s time to rethink your planning stack.
Ready to see what life beyond spreadsheets looks like? Pivot2 helps finance leaders across ANZ move from Excel to NetSuite Planning and Budgeting in as little as 12 weeks. Explore our client stories or get in touch with us to start your journey.