Introduction to the Analytics Mindset and Skillset

Description

Data Analytics for Professional Accountants (ACCTG 522) is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to analyze raw data, gain insights, and make informed decisions using a variety of analytic software tools. Students will focus on developing an analytical mindset, exploring multiple data types, and using professional data analytics solutions. The course integrates teamwork and emphasizes the importance of communicating insights, particularly through data visualization. It serves as a foundational course in the Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) program, preparing students for advanced case-based learning in future courses.

Motivation

With the growing significance of data and analytics in accounting, analytical skills are central to providing professional accounting services in a rapidly evolving landscape. As emerging technologies drive significant changes in the industry, an analytic mindset provides the ability to perform and communicate data-driven insights which is becoming essential. With self-service analytics becoming the norm, building an analytical skillset is also essential. This course helps students develop an analytical, adaptive, and resilient mindsets and skillsets, preparing them to navigate the intersection of accounting and technology. These skills are vital not only for current professional demands but also for future innovation opportunities explored in advanced coursework.

Preparation

• There is no required preparation for this class.

Class plan

• We will discuss the syllabus to familiarize everyone with the course content and requirements.
• We will discuss the Extract, Transform, and Load process for data analytics.
• We will examine messy data and the problems messy data may cause for analysis.
• Finally, time permitting, we will work in the labs to configure some of the ETL process for this case.