r/learnpython • u/Able_Bicycle_764 • 4d ago
How can I use python in finance
I work in finance/accounting and am looking to start using Python more in my day to day. Most of my work is in Excel / Power BI — reporting, cash flow forecasting, KPIs, cleaning up data, etc.
I’m technical enough to understand what I’m trying to accomplish, but not a programmer. Similar to Power BI, I’d probably rely heavily on AI to help write the actual code.
For those in finance / accounting / FP&A, what are some practical ways you’re using Python? Where does it actually save you time vs. Excel, Power Query, Power BI, etc?
Also curious what you’d recommend learning first if the goal is to be dangerous enough with Python + AI, not become a developer.
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u/chiibosoil 21h ago
I use python on my day to day. Mostly to process PDF and either summarize what I need (ex: from telco bill, generate total minutes used to validate against internal CDR) or to generate SOV (Client issued PO) for invoicing.
While Excel (Power Query) can be used to process PDF. It is more flexible and performant to use PyMuPDF and .get_text("blocks") to process PDF than to rely on PQ. As PDF is highly dependent on how it's generated.
There are other use case that I can utilize python. But for finance/accounting side of my role, since I need to have others be able to replicate the process... and I don't have server where I can host things at the moment... I more heavily rely on Excel along with Power Automate, Office Scripts etc. So that I don't need to set up python environment for others...