Workiva Reviews & Product Details

I like the linking functionality in Workiva because it's very easy to trace from the report to a linked metric and understand where that data came from. It's valuable to have all that context and support around it. The ability to track the origins of information and update it seamlessly throughout the report when data changes is really powerful. I've also been finding the embedded AI functionality helpful for tasks like disclosure drafting and narrative drafting, as it simplifies things by keeping everything in one platform, avoiding the need to copy and paste between different tools. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It's difficult to trace data from the source forward; if I have data in my database, it's hard to understand if or how it's being used in the report. The linking feature only allows tracing from the report back to the source, but it'd be nice if it worked both ways, letting you trace from the source into the report. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I enjoy that Workiva is very compatible and very easy to use. The linking file feature is super helpful, allowing for a seamless process when rolling files year over year. I like being able to set restrictions on whether someone can view, edit, or add comments, and it's great for sharing files back to our auditors with visible comments. Creating links between files is hugely valuable, as it cuts down the time for ensuring all dates and numbers are correct. Also, tracking changes helps with version control, ensuring that all comments are addressed both by us and our auditors. Once set up, the linking files have streamlined our processes across years. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Sometimes things in Workiva don't match up like they should, but this might be an issue on my end. Overall, I enjoy using Workiva for what I need and feel I've gotten good at it over time, so it's not a big deal for me. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like how familiar it feels. I can figure everything out as I go, and I don’t have to panic if I don’t know anything at first. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

There aren’t many downsides, but sometimes I feel it could offer automated dashboards instead of requiring manual ones. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like that the sign-offs in Workiva are pretty and the task assignment is very easy. The documented repository works well for us, and assigning work papers is also quite straightforward. Additionally, I value the collaboration tools and use the flowchart feature. It helps with task assignments and makes handing off work papers to our external auditors smoother. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I don't find Workiva incredibly useful for uploading tables for samples or documenting actual work papers. I prefer to do those tasks outside of Workiva. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like the Excel plugin with Workiva, because as someone working in FP&A, I can easily upload budget and forecast data to the web-based version for other users to see. It makes things a lot easier. I just create a standard Excel upload template, turn on the Workiva Excel plugin, and push the data into Workiva. Workiva being the source of truth for the latest actuals simplifies the quarter-end close process by saving me the step of linking data together and updating in Excel or PowerPoint to analyze budget vs. actual variances, effectively reducing version control issues. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Some challenges are that not all of the Excel formulas are readily available. Sometimes it's not so easy to see which Excel formulas are being run in certain cells. We've had issues in the past where another team was using a subtotal formula, and then we were using some formulas. So the subtotal and some formulas were interacting in a way where the totals on the page were not adding up. This is more of a challenge with Workiva. If we were able to audit or see more clearly which formulas are being run on which cells, it would be easier to catch these inter-team differences. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What I like best about Workiva is its ability to serve as a true single source of truth for ESG data. It streamlines the entire process, from data collection to reporting, by allowing internal stakeholders to input information directly into the platform, which improves accuracy and accountability. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

There is currently nothing I dislike about Workiva. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Workiva has been a strong solution for our SOX program. I especially like using it as a centralized controls and risk repository, which improves visibility and consistency across processes. The ability to track SOX control testing progress in real time helps keep testing on schedule and makes coordination between teams much more efficient. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

One area that could be improved is the quarterly certification process. The way certifications are distributed and completed feels cumbersome and less intuitive than it should be, which can slow down responses and increase follow‑ups. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The Efficiency Angle: The data linking is the biggest win. Being able to change a number in a single spreadsheet and knowing it’s going to update across my entire FS package - including the narratives and the MD&A - is a huge relief. It basically eliminates the 'did I miss a spot' anxiety during the year-end rush.

The Collaboration Angle: I love that it’s actually built for teams. Unlike working in a shared Excel drive where someone always locks the file, multiple of us can be in a document at once. The audit trail is also great because I can see exactly who changed a figure and when, which makes my review process much cleaner. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The Formatting Angle: The formatting can be a bit finicky compared to native Microsoft Word or Excel. Sometimes getting a table to look exactly right for a final PDF output takes more manual 'massaging' than I’d like. Also, if you’re coming from heavy Excel use, you’ll definitely miss certain complex formulas or pivot table functionalities.

The Learning Curve Angle: There’s a bit of a steep learning curve at the start. It’s not a tool you can just jump into and master in an afternoon; you really need to understand the 'Workiva way' of structuring data. Also, the platform can occasionally lag when you’re dealing with massive datasets or very long, link-heavy documents. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The ability to create workflows and connect files that speak to each other. This ability allows organizations to standardize reporting across the teams involved.

My favorite part of workiva is the ability to use track changes and create blacklines between different milestones. It just expands the ability to review in a clean and systematic way. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

There are two areas that can improve.

1) Track changes in slides - currently this is not an option (sad). Practically, it would be difficult to track changes when an object, image, text box or numeric table move placement within the slide. Setting aside object placement, enabling track changes in the slides could be done at the table level (similar to spreadsheets) or inside a text box (when the text descriptions change). Currently, blacklines between milestones for slides are helpful, but not perfect - it would be great to see blacklines that show changes within tables or text boxes.

2) Permissions - this can be very hard to maintain, specially when teams in the platform grow overtime. It would be helpful to have a designated workflow in workiva, that forces teams to confirm they need access before the beginning of the reporting period. This would enhance access controls and ensure all teams have the right access through the tool (rather than managing email communications outside the platform). Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like that the Carbon module, which is the one I use, is very well thought out from end to end. It takes into account how different people use the information, including the data manager, data owner, and auditor. I also appreciate the integrations available, such as bulk uploads directly from the files space and estimations created directly on the platform using raw data. Navigation is quite easy as well, since the interface is clean and accessible.

My favorite part is the ongoing support we receive from Workiva’s team. They’ve designated a CSM for us, and we have weekly check-ins. In terms of performance, we’ve had some issues, but since we understand the product is still being developed, we’ve been flexible about them.

Finally, because it’s integrated with our financial data, I believe the cost and ROI are pretty competitive compared with other solutions. AI is something we haven’t been able to use in Carbon yet, since it’s a capability that isn’t available at this time. Some other ESG modules have artificial intelligence capabilities, but we don’t currently have access to them.

Using AI in the carbon module would be interesting, in terms of having an agent navigate our data and provide precise answers, removing the need to navigate the entire platform to get to one data point. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Artificial intelligence capabilities are not available yet in the carbon module, or not profoundly, so this is something I'm looking forward to. This make retrieving specific information a hassle, from time to time. Also, there is still an opportunity for output specificity and data points analysis. As an ESG manager, I need some more granularity in some dimensions, like more Greenhouse gas emission types included in calculation, not just CO2 equivalencies. Also, calculating emissions from mobile combustion is a function that can be optimized, since you can't currently set up vehicles as hybrid. You currently calculate Scope 2 emissions from vehicles in the buildings site, which is not accurate since these are mobile, not stationary, emission sources. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.