Data Analytics- What skills do Accounting Students need?

• In Event: Breakfast with Research Roundtable Forum Session

Abstract

"In August 2016, the Journal of Accountancy had an article entitled, “The next frontier in data analytics” which discusses the importance of analytics skills in accounting and finance personnel. There is a discussion of the 4 types of data analytics, as well as how the skills are acquired. Both the Pathways Commission Report and the new CPA exam standards, driven by industry and practice, indicate that these skills are going to become increasingly more important as students graduate and begin to take jobs in the field. As a starting place in this discussion, we need to answer such questions as:
• What skills should accounting students have when they graduate?
• Should these skills be taught in the accounting curriculum?
• What course or courses should these skills be taught in?
• Should students have a theoretical knowledge of tools available for data analytics, or is it important that they have applied knowledge?
• Is it important for accounting students to seek certifications?
• Is it important to reinforce analytical skills in multiple classes so that students can see how the skills are applied in multiple settings (e.g. financial, managerial, audit, tax)
This is an evolving research topic and incorporates theoretical and practical implications for the accounting student of the future."

Author

• M Pamela Neely, SUNY-Brockport