An Accountant's Guide to Cryptocurrency and Blockchain (Completed)

Blockchain technology offers the promise of digital truth. When properly implemented is offers a transparent, permanent, immutable, and high-speed record-keeping system. The possibilities are endless, from managing the logistics of supply chain networks to facilitating international commerce. The adoption of this technology is growing with millions of new users every year. Organizations are adopting this technology every day to help improve their existing operations through its ledger capabilities or executing smart contracts. Cryptocurrency is one example of blockchain technology. Its growth and value have exploded to over $2 trillion in the last few years. This growth has helped to fuel widespread adoption amongst Wall Street and regular investors alike. While more popular than ever, few business professionals understand these technologies, their capabilities, their risks, and their potential impacts on business operations and processes, such as contract execution, recording and maintaining real estate ownership records, and supply chains. This incredible technology is wrapped in mystery for most accounting professionals. This course will provide a detailed and in-depth look at this technology including a detailed overview of the underlying technology, the benefits, the risks, the major players, and many practical applications. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the inner workings of this technology as well as recommendations on how to get started.

Who Should Attend
Financial professionals looking to get started with Blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies.

Topics Covered

• Define blockchain
• Examples of blockchain technology
• Examples of how blockchain uses encryption to make the resulting ledger tamper-resistant
• Possible uses for blockchain-based ledgers
• List the major cryptocurrencies in use today
• List examples of benefits and risks associated with using cryptocurrencies

Learning Objectives

• Describe blockchain and identify an example of blockchain technology currently in use
• Recognize examples of how blockchain uses encryption to make the resulting ledger tamper-resistant
• Identify at least four possible uses for blockchain-based ledgers
• Define cryptocurrency and list the major cryptocurrencies in use today
• Identify examples of benefits and risks associated with using cryptocurrencies

Level
Basic

Instructional Method
Group: Internet-based

NASBA Field of Study
Information Technology (2 hours)

Program Prerequisites
None

Advance Preparation
None