In the world of business and technology, the term “expert” is often subject to varying interpretations, and the Excel community is no exception. This ambiguity is highlighted in a thought-provoking article by Janek Ratta, CEO of Certified Management Accountants of Australia, who poses the question: “Should the term ‘accountant’ be regulated and protected?” Ratta’s article raises a point that resonates deeply within the Excel sphere—who truly qualifies as an Excel expert, and how can we differentiate between those who genuinely add value and those who are simply riding the wave of social media popularity?
Social Media Influencers vs. Industry Experts
At the heart of this debate are two distinct types of Excel practitioners. On one side, we have the social media influencers—individuals who have mastered the art of algorithm-driven content creation. These influencers excel at gaining likes, shares, and subscribers through well-crafted posts and videos. They are skilled at navigating the digital world, leveraging Excel as a tool to enhance their online presence and personal brand. For many, these figures are the “Excel experts” that come to mind when thinking of influential figures in the community. However, their expertise is often limited to the realm of social media, with little to no experience working on high-level management problems or building enterprise solutions.
On the other side, there are those who have dedicated their careers to solving complex problems using Excel in real-world business contexts. These professionals may never have sought or attained social media fame, but they have spent years refining their expertise and creating substantial value for organizations. These individuals design solutions that drive productivity and profitability at the highest levels of management, often working in the background to streamline operations, optimize business processes, and contribute to decision-making. Their work is crucial but often goes unnoticed by the broader public.
The Good, the Bad, and the Lovely
The distinction between these two types of Excel experts is often captured in what I call “The Good, The Bad, and The Lovely.”
- The Good: These are the unsung heroes of the Excel world—professionals who work on large-scale, enterprise-level solutions, such as budgeting, forecasting, and reporting models. They are highly skilled Excel consultants who, like myself, have built multi-million-dollar solutions for clients, often without the fanfare of social media recognition. These professionals are in the trenches, solving real-world business problems and creating tangible value. They rarely promote their work in the public eye, not because it lacks merit, but because their focus is on delivering results for their clients rather than gaining social media fame.
- The Bad: Unfortunately, there is a large industry built around the myth that Excel is insufficient for enterprise-level work. For over two decades, companies selling FP&A tools, ERP systems, and cloud-based solutions have perpetuated the notion that Excel is inadequate for serious business use. These companies often position Excel as a “toy” or a “single-user” tool, arguing that it cannot handle the complexity of modern business processes. This rhetoric has created a perception that Excel is outdated or unsuitable for enterprise-level solutions, which could not be further from the truth. As a professional who has created high-level solutions using Excel, I can confidently say that Excel, when used with the right techniques, can outperform many of these so-called “enterprise” tools.
- The Lovely: Then, there are the “lovelies”—social media influencers who often prioritize style over substance. These individuals are not necessarily experts in the true sense of the word, but rather have become popular by using Excel as a vehicle to gain fame. While they may present themselves as Excel gurus, their expertise often lacks the depth required to solve real-world business challenges. Their content is typically more about garnering views and clicks than about delivering meaningful insights or providing value to businesses. Their approach to Excel is often superficial, focused on flashy features and trends that may not be relevant to the needs of organizations.
The Challenge of Defining Expertise
The question then becomes: who should truly be considered an Excel expert? The answer is not as straightforward as it may seem. Is it the person who excels at manipulating social media algorithms and gaining followers, or the individual who has spent years crafting Excel solutions for complex business problems?
In many ways, this question mirrors the debate surrounding the regulation of professional titles like “accountant.” Just as there are concerns about who should be allowed to call themselves an accountant, there should be similar considerations for those claiming to be Excel experts. The key difference is that Excel is not a profession in itself but a tool used across many industries. Nonetheless, the impact of Excel on business outcomes is undeniable, and those who master its use at the highest levels of management should be recognized as true experts.
The Role of Transparency
To navigate this complex landscape, transparency is crucial. Just as the accounting profession has systems in place to ensure ethical standards and competence, perhaps the Excel community needs more transparency when it comes to defining expertise. This could include certifications, peer reviews, or more in-depth evaluations of one’s work in the field. After all, the real value of Excel lies in its ability to solve business problems, not in how many followers someone has on social media.
Additionally, companies and individuals who promote Excel expertise should be held accountable for the content they share. Are they providing value, or are they simply chasing clicks? Are they using Excel to its full potential, or are they merely scratching the surface? These are important questions that need to be addressed to ensure that the public is not misled by superficial content that may not be applicable in real-world business settings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the term “Excel expert” should be used carefully and with consideration for the context in which it is being applied. Just as the accounting profession has undergone scrutiny regarding who can claim the title of “accountant,” the same level of scrutiny should be applied to those claiming to be Excel experts. There is a vast difference between social media influence and genuine expertise in Excel, and this distinction should be recognized and respected.
The real challenge lies in ensuring that the right people—the ones who are truly adding value through their expertise—are given the recognition they deserve. At the same time, the community must work to expose those who are misleading others with shallow or inaccurate content. Only through transparency and careful evaluation can we ensure that the term “Excel expert” retains its true meaning and continues to be associated with those who truly excel in their craft.
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