Data Analytics for Managers

Curriculum guideline

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Course
ACCT 3880
Discontinued
No
Course code
ACCT 3880
Descriptive
Data Analytics for Managers
Department
Accounting
Faculty
Commerce & Business Administration
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
201830
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks X 4 Hours per week = 60 Hours
Max class size
35
Contact hours
Lecture: 4 Hours per week or 2 Hours lecture and 2 Hours on-line
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Online
Hybrid
Learning activities

In-class lectures in a computer lab and/or on-line

Course description
Canadian Accounting Standards, International Accounting Standards, and regulations require managers to be proactive in testing and reporting activities related to fraud, money laundering, corruption, and violation of government sanctions list. Fraudulent and erroneous transactions thrive on control weakness, and they hide in the volumes of data generated by any organization. From the perspective of an auditor or manager, you will learn how to use data analytics to identify the control weaknesses and learn how to identify patterns in the transaction that point to fraud and error. Students will be using CaseWare IDEA software.
Course content

Course Content:

1.      Accessing different data files.

2.      Understanding data:

  • Footing the file using control totals
  • Looking for odd patterns in the data using field statistics
  • Generating clean file as starting point for analysis

3.      Analyzing data:

  • Basic commands:  aging, summarization, stratification, pivot tables, gaps, duplicates, sorting, indexing, extracting
  • Using the equation editor for recalculation
  • Redefining source data using functions
  • Correlation and trend analysis

4.      Working with multiple files:

  • Joining two files looking for matched or unmatched records
  • Searching for fields in multiple files 
  • Using visual connector to check for limits
  • Automating the process and reporting
  • History log, use of macros.
Learning outcomes
  • Demonstrate proficiency in using CaseWare IDEA software
  • Access and examine different data files
  • Analyze data patterns, identify discrepancies and extract unusual items
  • Create audit samples
  • Analyze data used in accounts receivable and/or payable aging reports, emphasizing data correlation and trend analysis
  • Analyze inventory for accuracy and risk exposure
  • Examine financial data for existence of misrepresentations in areas such as matched or unmatched records, duplication and limit violation
  • Verify and implement automated process and reporting
  • Analyze and interpret the history log
Means of assessment

Projects: A minimum of three separate audits/investigations

              (a miminum of 10% should be assigned to each project)      60%

Midterm/Test (s)                                                                     10%-20%

Final Exam                                                                              20%-30%

Textbook materials

CaseWare IDEA Software and IDEA Workbook, 

and/or

other textbook(s) and/or material approved by the department 

Prerequisites

ACCT 1110 and ACCT 1210 with a C or better OR ACCT 1235 with a C or better, AND CSIS 2200 OR equivalent

OR

Permission of the Accounting instructor