Module 1: Overview and Introduction

This chapter gives students a general overview of the features and benefits of using Microsoft FRx for financial statement design. It also introduces the demo company that will be used in the course exercises.

Lessons

• About FRx Software Corporation products
• Terminology
• Demo company account structure
• Sample report demonstration

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 2: Concept Overview

This chapter contains a detailed list of all fields within the Row Format, Column Layout, Reporting Tree and Catalog. Basic report design concepts are reviewed, while advanced functionality is introduced.

Lessons

• Basic Row Format review
• Working with TOTs and CALs in the Row Format
• How C's affect TOT and CAL rows and why to use them
• Defining a sort in the Row Format
• Relating rows to other rows
• Basic Column Layout review
• Defining a favorable/(unfavorable) variance Column Layout
• Working with BASE periods and years in the Column Layout
• Using "Add Reporting Units from Chart of Accounts" to build a Reporting Tree
• Using the split function to isolate a single account mask character
• Creating a new Reporting Catalog
• Defining report headers and footers
• Working with sub-totals in FRx DrillDown Viewer

Lab: Row Repair

Lab: Column Repair

Lab: Build a Tree

Lab: Build a Catalog

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 3: Linking to External Worksheets

This chapter allows students to complete reports that link to external worksheet data. Within Microsoft FRx there are two methods for "linking" to worksheets. The combined method allows for a single link to both the general ledger and the worksheet within the Row Format. The separate method works with one or more external links in the Row Format and requires the use of a Reporting Tree. Both methods are practiced in this chapter.

Lessons

• Referencing external worksheet data
• Optional row modifiers
• Determining the period of data to be reported on
• Using the combined GL+Worksheet link in the Row Format
• Calculation priority with working with intersecting row and column calculations
• Adding an external worksheet link to the Row Format
• Proper syntax in combined vs. separate linking
• Using the optional row modifiers /CPO and /RPO when referencing worksheet data
• Designing Column Layouts that report on either/or data (i.e. either Actual or Budget) depending on the report date

Lab: Combined Worksheet Method

Lab: Separate Worksheet Method

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 4: Practice

This chapter contains practice tutorials to reinforce the students knowledge of linking methods covered in the previous exercises. Students modify an existing reports based on changes to the worksheet and additional data required on the reports.

Lessons

• Defining the GL+Worksheet link
• Working with the /CPO and /RPO row modifiers
• Using account and book code modifiers
• Advanced calculations and non-printing rows
• Modifying a Column Layout to link to worksheet data

Lab: Gross Profit per Unit

Lab: Modified Favorable/(Unfavorable) Budget Variances

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 5: Full Account Code & Multiple Segments

This chapter introduces the concept of defining the Row Format on the full account code, a technique useful when designing reports based on specific grouping of responsibility centers such as department or location. It also introduces the concept of reporting on multiple segments within the row and how to define the related Reporting Tree.

Lessons

• Defining a fully qualified account in the Row Format
• How a full account in the Row Format affects units in a Reporting Tree
• Defining a range of periods in the Column Layout
• Using conditional dates in the Column Layout
• Using a range in a calculated column in the Column Layout

Lab: Using Full Account Codes

Lab: Using Multiple Segments

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 6: Rotate the Building Blocks

This chapter introduces an alternate report design concept. Students build a summary Income Statement where departmental data is presented in the Row Format, the Column Layout defines the key financial reporting data and the Reporting Tree is based on specific locations.

Lessons

• Defining the Department segment in the Row Format
• Defining a Reporting Tree that recognizes the Department in the Row Format
• Using Account Filters in the Column Layout

Lab: Defining Departments in the Row Format

Lab: Unit Restrictions in the Row Format

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 7: Statements of Cash Flow

This chapter looks at how simple it is to design a Statement of Cash Flow using Microsoft FRx. In these exercises you work with partially created building blocks, and add the key cash flow reporting details.

Lessons

• Using "C" in the normal balance to properly state sources and uses of cash
• Using the beginning balance and year to date account modifiers
• Defining a non-printing check row
• Using specific placement calculations in the Row Format
• Designing Column Layout's that display the changes in activity for the time frame being reported on
• Defining calculation priority for intersecting row and column calculations

Lab: Monthly Statement of Cash Flow

Lab: Current and Year to Date Statement of Cash Flow

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 8: Practice

This chapter contains a practice tutorial to reinforce the students knowledge of cash flow and worksheet linking design concepts covered in the previous exercises. Students modify the existing current and year to date Statement of Cash Flow to accommodate details for specific line items drawn from an external worksheet.

Lessons

• Modifying an existing report design
• Using a combined GL+Worksheet link
• Using the /RPO row modifier
• Using non-printing check rows to validate report accuracy

Lab: FASB Style Statement of Cash Flow

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 9: Allocations

This chapter covers two distinct types of allocation reports. The first pulls data from the general ledger that will be used for an allocation journal entry, the second allocates financial results for reporting purposes only.

Lessons

• Using specific column placement in Row Format calculation
• Column G restrictions in the Row Format
• Using Book Code modifiers in the Row Format
• How to work with full accounts in the Row Format when using a Reporting Tree
• Suppressing data from rolling up in the Reporting Tree
• Using multiple GL Links in the Row Format and Reporting Tree
• Presentation of external worksheet data in calculated columns
• Advanced calculations in the Column Layout
• Advanced formatting

Lab: Allocation Journal Entry

Lab: Allocation Reporting

Lab: Two-pass Allocation Reports

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 10: Practice

This chapter contains a practice tutorial to reinforce the student's knowledge of advanced calculation concepts covered in the previous exercises.

Lessons

• Modifying existing building blocks
• Use non-printing columns for period specific information
• Using print controls to determine active columns
• Using non-printing rows and specific column placement calculations in the Row Format

Lab: Modified Allocation of Corporate Expenses

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 11: Row Linking

This chapter discusses reports built with the Row Linking functionality, wherein a Row Format pulls data from one or more Row Formats instead of, or in addition to, the general ledger.

Lessons

• Adding a Row Format link to a Row Format
• Using text labels for row codes
• Defining a Reporting Tree that relates to multiple Row Formats
• Advanced formatting concepts
• How rounding options work with Row Linking

Lab: Row Linking

Lab: Row and General Ledger Linking

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 12: Practice

This chapter contains a practice tutorial to reinforce the student's knowledge of row linking design concepts covered in the previous exercises. Using row linking, summary and detailed Income Statements are built in a single catalog.

Lessons

• Linking to another Row Format
• Defining a Reporting Tree that can access multiple Row Formats
• Using the BASE+ concept in the Column Layout
• Rounding options when using Row Linking

Lab: Row Linking Income Statement

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 13: Review

This chapter includes a fun way to review the report design concepts covered so far in class.

Lessons

• Concept Review

Lab: Crossword Puzzle

Module 14: Relational Reporting

This chapter reviews the concept of relational reporting, where one or more base rows and related column calculations are defined. Common uses of relational reporting include percentage of sales and percentage of total expenses. The exercises in this chapter focus on relationships to statistical data.

Lessons

• Defining the CBR or Base Row(s)
• Defining Column Layout calculations that work with CBR in the Row Format
• Using Reporting Unit restrictions in the Row Format vs. full account codes to restrict the data being reported on
• Using Reporting Unit restrictions in the Column Layout vs. Account Filters to restrict the data being reported on

Lab: Multiple Base Row Definitions

Lab: Using Statistical Information as a Base Row

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 15: Effective Dates

This chapter introduces the concept of using effective dates in the Catalog to dynamically control building blocks in relation to the report date.

Lessons

• Using save as to create multiple Column Layouts with simple updates to each
• Defining effective dates in the catalog

Lab: Variable Income Statement

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 16: What's Wrong?

This chapter introduces advanced calculations using IF/THEN and IF/THEN/ELSE calculations in report design.

Lessons

• IF/THEN/ELSE calculations in the Row Format
• IF/THEN/ELSE calculations related to Reporting Tree Units
• IF ABS (absolute value) calculations in the Column Layout

Lab: Using Conditional Statement

Lab: If-Then-Else and Reporting Tree units

Lab: Variance Reporting

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 17: Additional Formatting Concepts

This chapter introduces a variety of advanced report design topics.

Lessons

• Using column Z (Additional Text) in the Reporting Tree
• Working with Excel or Microsoft( Office Word( and Microsoft FRx
• Defining International Formats

Lab: Additional Descriptive Text

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 18: Consolidations

This chapter introduces the concept of reporting on multiple companies and their eliminating entries, in a single report. Two methods for reporting on elimination entries are included. In the first method, activity is stored in the general ledger in specific GL accounts. In the second method, total elimination amounts are pulled from an external worksheet.

Lessons

• Overview of multiple company consolidations in Microsoft FRx
• How to format amounts
• Assigning an international format to a report
• When is a Reporting Tree required
• Side-by-side (consolidating) Column Layout design
• Linking to external worksheet data

Lab: GL Eliminations

Lab: External Eliminations

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 19: OLAP Output

This chapter introduces students to OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) output options within Microsoft FRx. A brief hands-on with an OLAP cube is also included.

Lessons

• Microsoft FRx and OLAP
• Microsoft Local Cubes
• Microsoft Server Cubes
• Excel Pivot Chart and Excel Pivot Table output options
• Terminology in OLAP and Microsoft FRx

Lab: Working with OLAP Cubes in Excel

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 20: XBRL

This chapter introduces XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) in Microsoft FRx. XBRL is a standardized financial reporting format that is clear and easy for anyone to interpret and analyze.

Lessons

• XBRL Overview
• Adding an XBRL link and related taxonomy file
• Assigning XBRL tags
• The XBRL Instance Document output option

Lab: Create an XBRL Document in Microsoft FRx

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 21: Currency Translation

This chapter allows students to practice two methods of currency translation in reporting; using rates stored in an external worksheet and using DAX, the optional currency translation module available from Microsoft FRx.

Lessons

• Using an external worksheet link to pull in translation rates
• Adding CTA (cumulative translation adjustment) to the Row Format
• Using column restrictions in the Column Layout to define formatting
• Defining the DAX rates path
• Activating DAX in the Catalog and Column Layout
• Assigning currency conversion format codes and related rate IDs

Lab: Translated Balance Sheet

Lab: Translated Balance Sheet using DAX

Lab: Translated Income Statement using DAX

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Module 22: Appendix A: Solutions

This appendix contains solutions to quizzes and tutorials completed during class.

Module 23: Appendix B: Sample Reports

This appendix covers three additional cash flow reports covering a variety of advanced design concepts, as well as a Full Year Forecast using effective dates in the Catalog.

Module 24: Appendix C: More on OLAP

This appendix is intended for students who are interested in a more detailed understanding of OLAP and available browsers.