Com-Exultant : Finance and Research

  Power BI in Accounting Introduction In today’s fast-paced financial environment, accounting professionals need more than spreadsheets and static reports to make informed decisions. Power BI , Microsoft’s powerful business intelligence and data visualization tool, offers a modern solution to transform complex financial data into meaningful, interactive insights. Power BI enables accountants, finance teams, and business leaders to analyze, visualize, and share financial information in real time . By connecting to various data sources such as Excel, accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero), ERP systems (like SAP, Dynamics 365), and SQL databases , Power BI consolidates financial data into a single, dynamic platform. With Power BI, users can create automated dashboards, financial reports, and KPIs that help monitor business performance, detect trends, and make data-driven decisions. From tracking cash flow, budgeting, and forecasting , to analyzing expenses, revenue, and profita...

  Environmental, Social, and Governance ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance — three key factors used to assess how a company or organization operates in a sustainable, ethical, and responsible way beyond just financial performance. Evolution of ESG in Business and Finance 1. Origins (1960s–1990s): Roots in Ethical Investing 1960s–70s : Investors began avoiding companies involved in tobacco, weapons, or apartheid-era South Africa (known as socially responsible investing or SRI). 1980s–90s : The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) grew. Companies started reporting on social and environmental impacts, but mostly voluntarily and without standardized frameworks. 2. Early 2000s: ESG Takes Shape The term ESG was formally introduced in the 2004 UN Global Compact report “Who Cares Wins” , which emphasized the integration of ESG into capital markets. The UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) launched in 2006, gaining major institutio...

                                            Indian Knowledge System for Commerce The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) has a rich tradition in various fields, including commerce. The historical evolution of commerce in India is deeply intertwined with ancient texts, practices, and philosophies that guided trade, business ethics, and economic principles. Here are some key aspects of the Indian Knowledge System in relation to commerce: 1. Arthashastra (Kautilya's Arthashastra) One of the most influential ancient texts on economics and statecraft, attributed to Kautilya (Chanakya). It focuses on the administration of the economy, trade policies, taxation, and governance. The Arthashastra gives detailed guidance on the management of resources, including commerce, trade, finance, and economics. It also deals with laws governing businesses, marke...

  Balloon Payment The Balloon payment is the final amount paid against the loan and is much higher than the regular monthly installments. Simply, the lump sum amount attached to a loan which has to be paid (generally at the end of the loan period) to extinguish the loan is called as a balloon payment. The need for a balloon payment may arise due to the inadequacy of the previous installments in setting off the loan amount or due to some error or late payments. If any loan comes with a balloon payment, it is termed as a “Balloon Loan”. Such payment is more prevalent in the mortgage cases, where the full amount is not amortized over a period of time, and the final payment is due at maturity. Thus, the final payment is called the balloon payment because of its larger size (value). The Balloon loans may be useful for those investors whose monthly cash flows are uncertain and believes that will be able to pay off the lump sum amount at the time of maturity. But, t...

    Repo Rate for Banking The repo rate is a cornerstone of monetary policy, deeply influencing a country's financial landscape. Understanding the nuances of this rate is essential to understanding how the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) steers the economy. This article discusses the repo rate, detailing its meaning, functioning, and significant impact on the economy and personal finances. What is the Repo Rate? The repo rate (repurchase rate) is the interest rate at which the central bank lends money to commercial banks when there is a shortage of funds. In simpler terms, it is the rate at which banks borrow money from the central bank for short-term needs, usually against government securities. This mechanism allows central banks to regulate liquidity and maintain monetary stability. ·    Lending Mechanism:  When commercial banks face a liquidity crunch, they can approach the central bank to borrow money. The central bank, in turn, provides these funds...