Microsoft Excel in the Accounting Classroom

• In Event: Reception with Effective Learning Strategies Displays
  In Poster Session: Poster 6

Abstract

Abstract
Due to the increasing importance of young professionals possessing effective Excel skills as tools in the workplace, we examine the implementation of introducing, reinforcing, and building upon the existing Excel skills of our students, as they progress through our accounting program.

Our process consists of a very basic introduction to Excel in our Careers in Accounting class to make students aware of the usefulness of this tool when working with data. This will be followed in Principles of Accounting I through learning and practicing of basic formulas and functions when preparing financial statements, demonstrating the increase in accuracy and efficiency of preparing work product by using Excel tools.

Once these skills have been introduced in the early accounting classes, they are later reinforced, and built upon, in several accounting classes. In the Advanced Systems: Technology and Analytics and Auditing courses, students will also learn data analytics and demonstrate the ability to present data in useful formats for users of the information.

Sample assignments will be provided.

Authors

• Dawn L Mason, Western Michigan University

• Caroline Burke, Western Michigan University

• Sunday Maye Bonifas, Western Michigan University