Risk Analytics, with guests from PwC

This class introduces students to Power BI as a tool for data analysis, focusing specifically on sales performance relative to benchmarks, target achievement, and incentive structures. Through a risk-based approach, students will explore how sales data can reveal patterns and insights into benchmark-beating behavior, evaluating the effectiveness and risks associated with incentive structures. Students will gain hands-on experience building dynamic visualizations in Power BI, enabling them to analyze sales targets, measure performance, and assess potential risks linked to incentive-driven strategies. This project-based learning approach provides foundational skills in Power BI while highlighting the practical applications of data visualization in sales and risk analysis.

Why is this important?

Incentive structures are designed to drive performance, but they can also lead to unintended behaviors, such as manipulating sales targets or prioritizing short-term gains over long-term goals. Power BI allows users to analyze data dynamically, uncovering trends that may not be evident in static reports. This class equips students with the ability to analyze performance metrics and risk factors, developing a critical understanding of how data visualization can identify patterns and support effective decision-making. By introducing Power BI, students gain essential skills in data exploration and risk assessment that are increasingly relevant in today’s data-driven business environment.

Materials:

Case: The case will be described by our guests in class.
No slides are available for this class.
Data: A data update may be required for this class. To ensure your files are the most up-to-date, navigate to ACCTG521_Labs folder and run the command git pull.
Analytics Tools: Power BI

Review and Extension:

In prior classes, we examined traditional audit and control testing practices, establishing foundational skills in evaluating transaction accuracy and assessing internal controls. In this class, we examine an example professional services, or consulting, project relating to risk analytics.

Preparation:

1. This class is self contained with our guests from PwC, there is no required preparation.
2. Please be on time to class and ready to work using Power BI which is available within the remote labs interface.

Class Plan:

Teams: during this class, please sit in your assessment teams.

1. Our guests will provide an introduction (or refresher to those who have used it) to using Power BI, no prior experience is necessary.
2. After the introduction/refresher an open ended analysis relating to risk will be undertaken in your assessment teams.