Major University Unlocks Real-Time Operational Financial Clarity 3 min read Client Snapshot Profile A large public university in the United States. Situation Leadership and academic departments needed clearer visibility into program finances by replacing manual, spreadsheet-based reporting with a more efficient, streamlined, and automated reporting process. Work Performed Protiviti leveraged Microsoft Power BI and Power Apps to develop unified financial reports and forecasting tools, integrating systems, defining KPIs, and leveraging existing infrastructure to improve visibility. Outcome/Benefits Delivered centralized reports for improved financial visibility, reduced manual effort, and enabled faster, accurate program forecasting and decision-making. The challengeThe leadership and various academic departments of this major university struggled to gain clear visibility into its program financial health, relying on manual, spreadsheet-driven processes to compile and analyze data. They needed to automate and centralize reporting to gain more efficient analysis and real-time financial insights.The solutionProtiviti led collaborative design sessions to identify stakeholder personas, define functional requirements, and establish KPIs and visualizations aligned to business needs. Working closely with the client, the team refined KPI logic, mapped optimal reporting “happy paths,” and designed a scalable architecture that leveraged existing legacy infrastructure where feasible. Using an iterative approach, Protiviti developed a Microsoft Power BI reporting solution that delivered a comprehensive financial health view for university operations, complemented by a live, interactive forecasting tool built in Microsoft Power Apps. The solution integrated data from five distinct systems into a unified view and automated key report components to improve usability, accessibility, and long-term maintenance.The resultsProtiviti’s solution enabled automated data extraction from five systems into a unified Power BI platform, eliminating manual spreadsheet consolidation and delivering daily KPI updates across departments. Interactive reports now allow users to update forecasts directly, providing real-time visibility into financial performance and supporting more timely, informed decision-making. Centralized financial data gives leaders real-time visibility into program performance, enabling faster, more informed decisions. Topics IT Management, Applications and Transformation Business Performance Industries Public Sector We recommend these resources Pro Screen System Integration Microsoft Consulting Solutions Protiviti stands at the forefront of AI transformation and securing businesses for the future. Our global team of certified Microsoft experts and MVPs collaborates closely with Microsoft to provide comprehensive solutions that drive tangible business value, helping organizations achieve their strategic goals. Education Our team of higher education consulting professionals provide you with relevant insights and deliver a combination of strategic vision, proven expertise, and practical experience to help you improve performance, manage costs, and grow strategically for the future.
