New Analytics Course Fall 2020
The deluge of data is rapidly transforming business, social interactions, and the future of our society. Accountants and other business professionals are expected to have a good understanding of databases and related Extract, Transform, and Loading (ETL) processes. They are also expected to effectively communicate the implications of data analytics in succinct and intuitive manners. In response to the increasing demand for accountants equipped with analytics skills, AICPA has incorporated data analysis and emerging technologies content into the CPA exam. To prepare our students for this fast-changing business environment and the changes in the CPA exam, Haoning Richter introduced ACTG 120 (Accounting Data Analysis and Visualization), which focuses on accounting data analysis and visualization. In addition, Hyungshin Park revamped the existing AIS course, ACTG 134 (Accounting Information Systems), to incorporate key database concepts and ETL procedures, which are essential to understanding the internal controls of information systems and performing audits and other advisory services.
The new course ACTG 120 was launched in Fall 2020. Its primary goal is to expose students to entry-level data analytics skills. The course includes data analysis exercises that are designed to train students to summarize data in a visually enhanced way. Students will develop such data analysis techniques through hands-on experience, using both Microsoft Excel and Tableau software. Since ACTG 120 replaces ACTG 20, it also covers key concepts and process steps in the accounting cycle as ACTG 20 did.
The revamped ACTG 134 was also launched in Fall 2020. It employs advanced software and hands-on examples, through which students will learn how to identify internal control weaknesses in information systems, to extract and cleanse data for further analysis, and to communicate with data scientists when more advanced analytics are required.