Introduction to the Analytics Mindset and Skillset

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.

Why is this important?

With the growing significance of data and analytics in accounting, these skills are central to providing professional accounting services in a rapidly evolving landscape. As emerging technologies drive significant changes in the industry, the ability to perform and communicate data-driven insights is becoming essential. This course helps students develop an analytical, adaptive, and resilient mindset, 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.

Materials:

Case: Analytic mindset overview reader.
Slides: will be available for download by the beginning of class in either powerpoint or pdf formats.
Data: A data update may be required for this class. To ensure your files are the most up-to-date, navigate to ACCTG522_Labs folder and run the command git pull.
Analytics Tools: Git and GitHub

Review and Extension:

This class will serve as an introduction to ACCTG 522, Data Analytics for Professional Accountants, by introducing students to the Analytical Mindset. The class will be part theoretical and part practical, the practical component making use of the Foster Remote Labs.

Preparation:

1. There is no required preparation for this class.

Class Plan:

Teams: during this class, please sit in your discussion teams, which will be assigned in class.

1. We will have a walk through of this website with Q&As We will start with the syllabus to familiarize everyone with the course content and requirements.
2. We will set up our ACCTG 522 Lab Materials using git like we did in orientation, this time using the git clone https://github.com/ashercurtis/ACCTG522_Labs
3. We will use python and Visual Studio Code to download some data from the SEC's website, examine it, and discuss it.
4. Finally, as our last exercise, we will discuss how this data relates to the final project.