What data formats does the analyzer support?

The analyzer can process data from Excel files (.xlsx), CSV files, or data tables pasted directly into the chat interface.

Does it provide explanations for the differences?

Yes, it generates automated commentary for flagged items, identifying potential business drivers like sales volume shifts, pricing pressure, or operational efficiencies.

Can I customize the materiality thresholds?

Yes, you can specify your own percentage thresholds (e.g., 5%) or absolute dollar amounts (e.g., $10k) when invoking the skill to control which items get flagged.

Can it analyze multiple periods at once?

If data for multiple months or quarters is provided, the skill automatically generates a Trend Analysis sheet to visualize performance shifts over time.

How does it handle revenue versus expense variances?

The skill uses correct financial sign conventions: positive variances for revenue/profit are flagged as favorable (Green), while positive variances for expenses are flagged as unfavorable (Red).

Excel Variance Analyzer

Name: Excel Variance Analyzer
Author: jeremylongshore

byjeremylongshore

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883

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Data Science & ML

Automates financial budget vs. actual variance analysis with intelligent flagging and executive commentary for professional FP&A reporting.

The Excel Variance Analyzer is a specialized financial intelligence tool for Claude Code that streamlines the monthly and quarterly reporting process. It automatically calculates variances between budget and actual figures, applies professional materiality thresholds to flag critical discrepancies, and generates insightful commentary on performance drivers. By producing structured multi-sheet reports complete with executive summaries and trend analysis, this skill enables financial analysts and business owners to identify root causes of over-budget expenses or revenue shortfalls in seconds rather than hours.

Key Features

01883 GitHub stars

02Structured 3-sheet Excel output featuring summary tables, trend analysis, and professional conditional formatting.

03Multi-tier materiality flagging (Critical, Warning, On Track) based on percentage and absolute dollar thresholds.

04Comprehensive executive summary creation highlighting the top 5 favorable and unfavorable items for leadership.

05Automated budget vs. actual calculations with sign-correct favorability logic for revenue and expenses.

06Intelligent commentary generation that identifies potential drivers behind specific line-item variances.

Use Cases

01Conducting quarterly trend analysis to see if budget performance is improving or worsening over time.

02Generating monthly financial reporting packages for department heads and executive leadership reviews.

03Investigating specific departmental overages to determine if variances are driven by timing or structural issues.

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add jeremylongshore/claude-code-plugins-plus-skills excel-variance-analyzer

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT

Download Skill

Key Features

01883 GitHub stars

02Structured 3-sheet Excel output featuring summary tables, trend analysis, and professional conditional formatting.

03Multi-tier materiality flagging (Critical, Warning, On Track) based on percentage and absolute dollar thresholds.

04Comprehensive executive summary creation highlighting the top 5 favorable and unfavorable items for leadership.

05Automated budget vs. actual calculations with sign-correct favorability logic for revenue and expenses.

06Intelligent commentary generation that identifies potential drivers behind specific line-item variances.

Use Cases

01Conducting quarterly trend analysis to see if budget performance is improving or worsening over time.

02Generating monthly financial reporting packages for department heads and executive leadership reviews.

03Investigating specific departmental overages to determine if variances are driven by timing or structural issues.