Excel at 40: The spreadsheet that changed everything

For four decades, Microsoft Excel has been a cornerstone of accounting and finance. From basic calculations to complex modelling, it has transformed how professionals analyse data, solve problems and make decisions.

To mark Excel’s 40th birthday, Neale Blackwood CPA reflects on Excel’s legacy and its impact on the profession. He shares his personal journey with Excel, explores its evolution from the early Mac days to the rise of AI and Python, and offers insights into why Excel remains essential in a tech-driven world.

Listen now to learn: 

• How Excel revolutionised accounting and finance workflows 

• Key milestones in Excel’s 40-year journey, including the rise of VBA, PivotTables and Power BI 

• What Excel’s future looks like in the age of AI, automation and cloud collaboration

• Why Excel is still a must-have skill for finance professionals 

Whether you're building financial models, exploring automation or simply aiming to sharpen your Excel skills, this episode offers insights into the past, present and future of the world's most important app for accounting and finance professionals. 

Host: Tahn Sharpe, editor, INTHEBLACK, CPA Australia

Guest: Neale Blackwood CPA, accountant, author and Excel traine

Listen to our Excel Tips podcast here https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/excel-tips  

You can read Neale Blackwood’s Excel Tips column on the INTHEBLACK website here https://intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au/technical-skills

You can find a CPA at our custom portal on the CPA Australia website.  

Would you like to listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes? Head to CPA Australia’s YouTube channel.  

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:

With Interest 

INTHEBLACK  

INTHEBLACK Out Loud 

Excel Tips 

Search for them in your podcast platform. 

Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au