CFO Intelligence & Analytics (CIA)
Enterprise Analytics
Welcome to Enterprise Analytics! The University of Florida utilizes Enterprise Analytics, powered by Cognos 11, a web‐based reporting solution for creating and running reports that includes financials, human resources, sponsored projects and student information data. The data in Enterprise Analytics is comprised of daily financial transactions and employee and student information data processed in myUFL. Within Enterprise Analytics, there are a variety of tools available for users. The graphic below provides a guide to the best tool for you based on how you use the data. 
Introductory Enterprise Analytics User Guide
A guide for users on how to run and think about reports in Enterprise Analytics. Introductory Enterprise Analytics User Guide
Analysis Studio (Dynamic Cubes)
Users of financial, payroll or student cubes will now use Analysis Studio (Dynamic Cubes) located inside Enterprise Analytics in their appropriate folders (Financial, Human Resources, etc.). Analysis Studio Quick Start Guide (FIT Cubes only)
Additional Resources
Enterprise Analytics Microsoft Team:
Open labs and trainings are now available in Microsoft Teams to help you maximize the impact that Enterprise Analytics can have on your work! By joining the Team, you join a community of practice and access the latest trainings/communications surrounding Enterprise Analytics.
Sessions Include:
- New User Session/Navigation Overview – If you are new to EA, join the February 9th session. We will record and post into the Team.
- Analysis Studio Workshops – This workshop is intended for experienced FIT Cube users. The workshop will provide learners with a fast-paced overview of the new Analysis Studio interface and how to complete basic tasks such as searching for data, adding data to the report layout, creating new views, and running drill-through reports. A portion of the workshop will provide learners time to recreate their personal FIT Cube views with the new Analysis Studio interface in Enterprise Analytics.
Workshops will be held once a semester, beginning in April 2022. Day/Time information will be posted later in the Microsoft Team.
- Open Labs – Once a semester, Reporting Services and a partnering core office will host a featured topic training alongside our traditional open lab. Participants will experience a more formal guided conversation for the first half of this training. In the second half, they will have an opportunity to ask specific questions surrounding any delivered or prompted reports.
The first session will be in March 2022. Day/Time information will be posted later in the Microsoft Team.
Other Guides
Enterprise Analytics – MFR Quick Guide provides helpful tips on how to access the reports. Reports prior to April 2021 will not contain links to source documents. Note: To access financial OnBase source documents, please verify that you have myUFL Security Role: UF_FI_UNIVERSAL_INQUIRY. Fund 143 Monthly Financial Reporting Guide explains the change in formatting to support project numbers as of October 2021.
Additional Resources and Toolkits
Enterprise Analytics Toolkits What Tool Should I Use?
Contacts
Questions about Enterprise Analytics & Reporting: Reporting-Services@ufl.edu Questions about this website: Finance Hub
Overview
To help financial users analyze data in effective ways, the CFO’s Office Financial Data Solution Center is actively working with UFIT, UF HR Training & Organizational Development and UF Research to increase resources.
As new quick tips or resources are created, they will be added to this site. Please contact us with any suggestions for additional resources!
Stop!
What is the first step in analyzing any financial data? Stop and answer the following questions:
- What am I looking for?
- What is my objective or goal?
- What decisions will be made using this data?
- What is our overall strategic objective?
- Do I need more information?
If you are unsure about any of these questions, it is probably a sign that additional questions should be asked to clarify.
Common Language
Language is an essential part of this process – it is essential when we talk about information, reports, or data we have a common understanding of what they mean. This not only applies when thinking about the data (what “date” do you need?) but also when talking across functions, such as with IT staff.
The UFIT Data Terms for Finance provides definitions for key terms to use when talking with UFIT to ask questions about reports.
Key Categories
There are four main categories to think about when analyzing or thinking about your data questions.
- Consistency & Variances
- Accuracy & Errors
- Allowability
- Available Balance
The question you are trying to answer will probably fall into one of those categories, which can help determine how to analyze the data and some resources to find the information.
Tools for Analysis
Excel is a powerful tool for analyzing data. Running reports in the Excel version, and then organizing the data in a Pivot Table, helps to organize very large amounts of data.
The How to Create a Pivot Table job aid provides a step-by-step guide to get you started.
Another way to analyze data is by applying the Index-Match formula, which searches the data for terms in a table. With the Sample Risk Term Table you can use the How to Use Index Match Formula to get started with flagging transactions that have any of the “risk terms” in the table. You can modify this table to create your own based on the needs of the department, the Fund Code, etc.
HR Data
In addition to the resources above, the Reviewing Preliminary and Final Paylists guide provides helpful tips to get you started critically analyzing payroll data.
The HR Data Reports page provides information and direct links to other reports that can be useful when reviewing or validating your HR or payroll data.
Validate the Data
A final step is to always stop again and validate the data and limit potential pitfalls. At this point, you should ask the questions:
- Does the data seem logical?
- Is this what I expect to see? If not, do I understand why?
- How can I verify this data?
- Where could I have gone wrong?
Microsoft Excel Training
A variety of short Excel classes are available throughout the year hosted by the UFHealth Educational Technologies team. There is no cost, classes are open to all UF, UFHealth, and affiliated employees.
- General use: printing problems, formulas, charts, conditional formatting, and macros
- Data: pivot tables, dashboards, sorting/filtering, and data tools
- Math: vLookup, functions, naming, and logic statements
Contacts
Finance Hub contact form
UFIT Reporting Services: (352) 273-1415
General Accounting & Financial Reporting: (352) 392-1326
