Introduction
Excel and Google Sheets continue to be the go-to tools for business owners and professionals looking for a quick way to solve problems, get organized and streamline their business operations. But getting a spreadsheet that does all of that often involves hiring a spreadsheet expert who can design and develop the perfect spreadsheet for your business.
So, where is the best place to hire an Excel or Google Sheets expert for your next spreadsheet project? As it turns out, there are quite a few options. In this article, I’ll cut to the chase and show you exactly where you can find the best spreadsheet talent for your project.
#1 - CES
CES is a spreadsheet consulting, development and programming firm that works with businesses across all industries, covering a broad array of bespoke solutions. With no project minimums, CES is a great fit regardless of the project size or platform. The CES team has experience in VBA programming, Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Google App Scripts and more. This breadth and depth of knowledge and experience allows for optimal problem-solution mapping to ensure your project utilizes the best technology to fit your unique needs.
CES uses a transparent, pre-approved hourly billing approach which allows you as the customer to remain in control of the project costs, while also accommodating unlimited scope adjustments and review cycles as needed so that the end result is a spreadsheet that does exactly what you need.
At CES, hiring an Excel expert for your next project is really simple. Just click here to book a free call with a spreadsheet professional who can guide you through the process of figuring out what you need and if CES is the right fit. During your call you’ll also be able to get a rough scope and quote for the project.
Who is CES not a good fit for?
- You are looking for the cheapest solution possible,
- Your project requires advanced financial modeling knowledge,
- You are a student needing help on homework assignments
#2 - Joshua Wilson Consulting
Joshua Wilson Consulting (JWC) is a one-man Excel consulting firm run by Joshua Wilson. With more than 25 years of experience in roles such as financial analyst, business analyst, operations manager, and insurance rating expert, Joshua has the Excel skills and financial analyst experience to provide a unique intersection of value for certain Excel projects.
JWC offers expert Excel services and is uniquely qualified to handle projects involving financial modeling, analysis, forecasting, and insurance premium rating. His consulting and development services are top-notch and the professionalism of his business and approach sets him apart from the competition. If he’s not the best fit for your project needs, he’ll let you know up front.
Who is JWC not a good fit for?
- Your project budget is less than $2,500
- You are not located in the USA
- You need bids from multiple companies
- Your core needs require advanced vba programming skills
- You are a student needing help on assignments
#3 - TopTal
Toptal is an organized network of developers that focuses on trying to match clients with top-tier developers based on their project needs. It is similar to sites like Fiverr and Upwork, but specializes in higher quality developers with more security and controls in place.
If you are looking for an expert in Excel or a specific programming language, you can fill out a questionnaire on Toptal’s website and a Toptal placement specialist can help match you to a developer or you can browse Toptal freelancer profiles on your own.
The benefit of using a service like Toptal is that you get access to a broad variety of developers and can hand-pick the one that seems like a good fit for your project.
However, using Toptal will tend to require more effort on your part trying to sift through and evaluate the available freelancers. Freelancers may also only be working part-time and have limited availability and if they do not specialize exclusively on spreadsheets, they may not have the true expertise your project requires.
You may also find it more difficult to get back in touch with your freelancer if your project needs maintenance or further development a couple years from now and if they have quit the freelance scene and moved onto something else, you might be left up the creek without a paddle.
#4 - Upwork
Upwork is another organized network of developers. They focus on providing a massive network with a broad array of skill sets in multiple different industries.
To hire a developer on Upwork, you can either post jobs and receive proposals from potential freelancers or browse freelancer profiles to find one that seems to suite your project well.
Generally speaking, Upwork can be a good solution if you are looking for a small to medium-sized project and are working on a more limited budget.
However, as with Toptal, expect to spend more time upfront getting used to the Upwork platform, reviewing proposals or profiles and trying to decide on the right freelancer.
As always when working with freelancers, there’s no guarantee they’ll be around once the project is complete when you need further assistance. At CES, we’ve had quite a few clients come to us who had been working with a freelancer previously but could no longer get in touch with them when updates were needed.
Recap
Our top 4 choices for where to hire your next spreadsheet expert are Custom Excel Spreadsheets, Joshua Wilson Consulting, Toptal and Upwork. Of these options, the best fit for you will depend on your unique project needs and preferences. The table below offers a quick-reference guide for making the right decision.
| Metric | CES | JWC | Toptal | Upwork |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use / Customer Experience | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Quality Guarantee | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ |
| Long-term Support | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★ | ★★ |
| Developer Availability | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Access to a Team of Experts | Yes | No | No | No |
| Developers Based in the U.S. | Yes | Yes | Varies | Varies |
| Covered by E&O Insurance | Yes | Yes | Varies | Varies |
| Cost | $$$ | $$$$ | $$-$$$ | $-$$$ |
Hiring an Excel expert continues to be a solid option for business owners and professionals who want a professional-grade spreadsheet built from scratch, or who just need some help topping off an existing workbook. I hope this guide will provide you with a helpful resource to help you pick the best option for your spreadsheet needs in the future. Armed with the insights above, go get an awesome spreadsheet made that will make your life easier and your business better!
