Finance & Ops · Excel Systems · Microsoft 365 · Controls

Fix fragile Excel operations — without breaking the business.

I help teams reduce errors, tighten controls, and speed up reporting by turning spreadsheet “workarounds” into governed operational systems. Excel stays when it’s the right tool — and we scale into Power Platform / M365 only when scale demands it.

Book a Call See common use cases LinkedIn
Email:
Risk & controls Close & reporting speed Automation with governance Executive-ready outputs
Remote-first. Executive-friendly. Available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Typical outcomes
Fewer errors, faster cycles, clear ownership, and controls that survive team changes.
Best fit
CFO / FP&A, Finance Ops, RevOps, Shared Services, Business Systems.
First step
A 20-minute call → pick the right sprint (diagnostic, build, or advisory).
AI (when useful)
AI helps accelerate documentation, testing, anomaly checks, and automation — governance stays the core.

Common problems I fix

Pick the pain — I’ll map it to the fastest engagement model.

Discuss your case
Close & reporting is slow (and no one trusts the numbers)
Consolidations, manual checks, broken links, and last-minute fixes every month.
  • Re-architecture the model (inputs → model → outputs)
  • Add controls (reconciliations, tie-outs, audit trail)
  • Standardize refresh & handoffs (M365 / Power Automate as needed)
Critical spreadsheets depend on one person
Key-person risk: when they’re away, the business slows down.
  • Dependency map + quick stability fixes
  • Documentation that’s actually operational
  • Governed change process (so “small changes” don’t break everything)
Version chaos and hidden errors
Multiple files, inconsistent logic, and error hunting that wastes senior time.
  • Single source of truth design
  • Validation checks + exception reporting
  • Access + approvals + release notes (governance)
Manual processes around Excel (emails, copy/paste, approvals)
People act as “integrations” between systems. That’s expensive and risky.
  • Automate intake & approvals (Forms/SharePoint/Power Automate)
  • Reduce rework with structured data capture
  • Keep Excel as the calculation engine when it makes sense
Dashboards exist, but decisions still happen in spreadsheets
Data model is messy, metrics are inconsistent, and stakeholders don’t adopt.
  • Metric definition + governance
  • Power BI modeling (DAX, performance) when needed
  • Executive-ready reporting cadence
You want AI — but you don’t want new chaos
AI is powerful, but without structure and governance it amplifies risk.
  • AI-ready architecture (clean inputs, clear logic layers)
  • Controls for prompts, data access, and output validation
  • Use AI as an accelerator (not a replacement for controls)
Note: Not every problem requires migrating away from Excel. The default is: stabilize first, scale only if the math says it’s worth it.

Services (tangible + premium)

Fast entry points for urgent pain — plus a premium advisory layer when leadership wants a bigger redesign.

Book a scoping call
Diagnostic Sprint (Fast)
Rapid assessment of one critical spreadsheet/process: risk, controls, bottlenecks, and the fastest fix plan.
  • Risk map + “where errors come from”
  • Quick-win recommendations
  • Decision: stabilize vs. redesign vs. automate
Build Sprint (Implementation)
Build the improved system: restructure, harden controls, and automate surrounding workflows where it reduces risk.
  • Model architecture (inputs/model/outputs)
  • Controls + validations + exception handling
  • Optional Power Automate / SharePoint / BI
Operational Systems Architecture (Premium)
Executive-level redesign across multiple processes: ownership, governance, roadmap, and scalable architecture.
  • Architecture blueprint + operating model
  • Governance: change control, approvals, audit trail
  • Roadmap: Excel-first → Microsoft ecosystem (when required)
Governed Evolution Retainer
Keep systems stable while the business changes: controlled releases, continuous improvement, and KPIs.
  • Monthly backlog + priority triage
  • Governed releases + documentation
  • Leadership updates (reliability & efficiency)
Deliverables you can show leadership
Risk map, architecture blueprint, controls checklist, documentation, and a prioritized roadmap — not just “a better spreadsheet”.
Prefer a workshop first?
I can work inside your tenant when needed (M365 / Power Platform). For Excel-only engagements, the goal is still governance and reliability.

Workshops

A workshop is the fastest way to align multiple stakeholders, expose risk, and decide the right next step.

Excel Risk & Controls (2–3h)
Identify where errors happen, why controls fail, and what “good” looks like for critical spreadsheets.
Close Acceleration (Finance Ops)
Reduce manual steps and rework. Define a reliable close/reporting operating model.
Automation Without Fragility (Power Platform)
How to automate intake, approvals, and reporting without creating a new “automation mess”.
Custom Workshop (Your pain, your artifacts)
Tailored to your process: revenue adjustments, accruals, budgeting, forecasting, or operational reporting.
Designed for Finance/Ops leaders and the people who own the spreadsheets/processes day-to-day.
What you leave with
  • Risk map + priority list
  • Controls & governance recommendations
  • Architecture roadmap (quick wins → scalable systems)
  • Clear next step: Diagnostic Sprint or Build Sprint
Plan a workshop See services
Ariel Martínez

About

Ariel Martínez, MBA, PMP® — Founder, Magina Consulting LLC

17+ years leading automation, BI, and operational transformation. I specialize in turning “Excel operations” into governed systems: clearer models, stronger controls, lower key-person risk, and scalable workflows across Microsoft 365 / Power Platform when needed.

Book a Call LinkedIn
My focus is outcomes: reliability, speed, and control — not “more tools”.

FAQ

Short answers to common questions.

No. Excel is often where the system lives — but the work is architecture + controls + governance. Some systems stay in Excel by design; others scale into M365 / Power Platform when it reduces risk and improves control.

A Diagnostic Sprint on one critical spreadsheet/process. It gives leadership a clear risk map and the right next step (quick fix, build sprint, or premium advisory).

Yes, when it’s required. Power Automate / SharePoint / Power BI can be part of the solution — but only after the operational model is stable and governed.

When it helps: documentation, testing, anomaly detection, and accelerating automation. But governance, controls, and architecture remain the foundation — AI is an accelerator, not a substitute.

Yes. Workshops and sprints work well remote-first. On-site is possible by request (and usually only when multiple stakeholders are involved).
Book a Call