Class 2

The Accounting & Finance Function with Self-Service Analytics using Alteryx

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Class Overview

What will we do?

This class introduces the Alteryx SparkEd Cases for the accounting & Finance function. Alteryx is a self-service analytics platform that visualizes data analytic workflows on a canvas using tools. Our goal is to learn this tool quickly and efficiently. The cases investigate several data intensive tasks relating to compliance in the accounting and finance function. The Purchase Order Splitting case emphasizes the detection and prevention of transaction manipulation through split purchases, an issue critical in maintaining procurement compliance and financial integrity. In Sales and Use Tax Allocation, students will apply Alteryx to accurately allocate tax liabilities across various jurisdictions, reinforcing skills in tax compliance and regulatory reporting. These exercises are designed to solidify students' ability to leverage data analytics in managing audit and compliance challenges.

Materials and Preparation

Class Materials
  • Case: SparkEd_Audit_PO_Splitting
  • Case: SparkEd_GL_Cleanup
  • Case: SparkEd_International_group_taxes
  • Case: SparkEd_Sales_and_use_tax_allocation
  • Link: Helpful online regular expressions tool
  • Link: Chat GPT (or use another LLM) for help with regular expressions
  • Link: Husky OnNet VPN Instructions (required for off-campus access to labs)
  • No slides are available for this class.
  • Data: Data for these cases can be downloaded your U-Drive using git clone and/or git pull commands on the Foster Remote Labs. You can access the Foster Remote Labs on campus if on UW wifi, if you are using a VPN, switch to UW wifi or use off campus access using Husky OnNet VPN. you can find the data for these cases in the U-drive. The data is organized by case and includes all necessary files to complete the exercises in class.
  • Analytics Tools: Alteryx Designer
  • Suggested Pre-Class Preparation
    1. There is no formal required preparation for this class
    2. The Alteryx SparkEd Cases are largely written as reference cases with brief overviews. Feel free to review these cases in advance.
    3. We will be working with git on virtual machines (the Foster Remote Labs) for this course, Alteryx is pre-installed on these machines, and data for the cases can be saved to the U-drive. Please note that the Foster Remoe Labs can only be accessed from outside of Foster if you are using Husky On net. See the FAQs for this course regarding some of these issues if you want to access the lab environment in advance.
  • Class Plan
    1. This will be a lab heavy class aimed at learning Alteryx, a good example of a proprietary self-service analytics software.

Required Deliverables

Deliverable Due Date Canvas Submission Portal
Professionalism (individual): Alteryx Submission During Class Upload to Canvas