---
title: Using Operating Expense Analysis to Streamline the Monthly Reporting and Analysis Process
description: This blog explains the Operating Expense Analysis template and how it supports managers’ decisions related to better expense control and improved profitability. 100s of additional templates are available from Solver.
---

[Glossary ](https://www.solverglobal.com/blog/glossary)

# [Using Operating Expense Analysis to Streamline the Monthly Reporting and Analysis Process](https://www.solverglobal.com/blog/glossary/using-operating-expense-analysis-to-streamline-the-monthly-reporting-and-analysis-process)

 Written by [Nils R.](https://www.solverglobal.com/blog/glossary/author/nils-r-) | Jun 3, 2022 7:00:00 AM

**How can ** **Operating Expense Analysis Report****s Drive Faster and Better Decisions?** As Controllers increasingly become key innovators in the Monthly Reporting and Analysis Process, they must rely on modern self-service xFP&A and business intelligence (BI) tools. Using interactive Operating Expense Analysis Reports like the Operating Expense Analysis template shown below enables them and users from the FP&A teams to experience near real time operating expense (OPEX) analysis that help drive faster and better decisions.

**Who uses ** **Operating Expense Analysis** **Reports and What are Some Key Analytical Features?** In today's fast-paced business environment, Controllers are under high pressure to supply end users like CFOs, controllers and department heads with timely and concise Operating Expense Analysis Reports. Companies use key features like the ones below to support their users with effective analysis that helps drive better expense control and improved profitability:

- Monthly and YTD expense totals with variances to budget and last year actuals with drill-down to account level detail in report at the bottom
- Automatically calculated full year expense estimate as well as Top Ten Expense Variances
- Monthly trend chart comparing actual current year with budget and last year figures

 The Operating Expense Analysis template can be used as a key element of the Monthly Reporting and Analysis process: 

*<https://www.solverglobal.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Solver_GL_QuickStart_30-1-1.jpg> The Operating Expense Analysis is a ready-to-use Operating Expense Analysis Report from the [Solver](https://www.solverglobal.com/marketplaces-templates) Marketplace.   
*  
**A Brief Description of the ** **Operating Expense Analysis** ** Template** Operating Expense Analysis Reports like the one seen in the image above are interactive and parameter driven and typically contain sections with charts, expense summary and detail, and top variances. One of the important features that aid the user in the analysis process is the ability to view a powerful combination of summary metrics, traffic lights to highlight variances and charts to display trends. Operating Expense Analysis reports are often used in conjunction with revenue analysis reports, profit & loss reports, expense dashboards, and AP reports.

**Data Integration to Transaction Systems** Most organizations these days want automated and streamlined [planning](https://www.solverglobal.com/products/budgeting-and-forecasting), [reporting](https://info.solverglobal.com/monthly-reporting-best-practices) and [analysis](https://www.solverglobal.com/products/dashboards-and-analysis). However, many of the benefits described earlier rely on best of breed extended financial planning and analysis (xFP&A) tools and/or Business Intelligence (BI) capabilities as well as data marts or data warehouses that use pre-built integrations to the organization's ERP system. Oftentimes, they also need integrations to other key data sources like CRM, subscription systems, payroll tools, etc. Modern, cloud-based ERPs like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance (D365 Finance), Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (D365 BC), Sage Intacct, Acumatica, Netsuite and SAP have robust APIs which allow for dynamic integrations to xFP&A and BI tools that are fully automated and flexible to run on a schedule or on-demand.

**Additional Resources to Aid with Research of Templates, xFP&A and BI Tools**

- Templates from Solver that are pre-built and that work out-of-the-box using Solver xFP&A. Click [here](https://www.solverglobal.com/marketplaces-templates).
- Interactive Dashboard examples: Try Power BI dashboard templates from Solver [here](https://www.solverglobal.com/power-bi-interactive-financial-and-budgeting-dashboards).
- Software evaluation and selection: 
    - [Evaluating planning, budgeting and forecasting functionality](https://info.solverglobal.com/budgeting-best-practices)
    - [Evaluating Financial Reporting functionality](https://info.solverglobal.com/monthly-reporting-best-practices)
    - [Evaluating Dashboard functionality](https://www.solverglobal.com/blog/top-dashboard-features-in-the-best-cpm-software-apps/)
    - [Evaluating Data Warehouse functionality](https://www.solverglobal.com/blog/top-data-warehouse-features-in-the-best-cpm-software-apps/) to achieve "one version of the truth"
    - Demonstrations and other specific assets: [Solver Tour Central](https://www.solverglobal.com/solver-suite-tour)
    - Using [third party analysts and consultants](https://www.solverglobal.com/blog/using-analyst-rankings-to-help-select-the-best-cpm-software-apps/) to aid in vendor selection
- Creating efficient processes: 
    - [Budgeting, Forecasting and Strategy Planning](https://info.solverglobal.com/budgeting-best-practices)
    - [Reporting and Analysis](https://info.solverglobal.com/monthly-reporting-best-practices)

[View full post](https://www.solverglobal.com/blog/glossary/using-operating-expense-analysis-to-streamline-the-monthly-reporting-and-analysis-process)

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