Bringing Data Analytics to the Governmental Accounting Classroom: A Problem Based Learning Approach

• In Event: Reception with Effective Learning Strategies Displays

Abstract

Summary
In this cooperative learning assignment students work in small groups to brainstorm about the design of a dashboard for a finance director of a local government. The group format fosters discussion among the students about which indicators to include and how to present them. Because few students will have had exposure to the role of a finance director especially in local government, the group format allows for brainstorming opportunities that will prove to be beneficial. Students work through the whole process from dashboard design to development. Questions answered along the way include: which software packages are available?, which measures should be included?, and where would we find the data to track these measures? After the students have created an initial list, they will meet with the finance director to present their proposal and receive feedback from the finance director. Finally, students develop a dashboard in Excel or Tableau using real data from a local government.
Objectives
- To provide students with experience in evaluating different software
- To provide students with hands-on experience in creating a dashboard
- To provide students with the opportunity to develop/improve communication skills
- To provide students with experience interacting with executives
Assignment Questions
1. Which software packages can we use to create a performance dashboard? What are the pros and cons of each? Which one do you recommend?
2. What Key Performance Indicators (KPI) should the Finance Director of a local government keep track of? Think about how the role of budgets in government differs from the role of budgets in the private sector.
3. Where do we get the data to track those KPIs?
4. Create a dashboard for the finance director in Excel or Tableau
Deliverables
A drill-down dashboard that would be useful for a finance director of a local government
Instructor Materials
An example dashboard for a local government is available

Authors

• Marco Lam, Western Carolina University

• Tara Mele, Western Carolina University

• Doug Parker, Western Carolina University