This course is designed for individuals who would like to obtain a basic understanding of data analytics and how data analytics can be used by accountants and auditors. We will review the various types of data analytics that are available to accountants and auditors. We will discuss the issues with validity and bias when performing data analytics. Examples of data visualization tools will be provided for participants.
Publication Date: February 2019
Designed For
CPAs, CMAs, CFEs, CFOs, CEOs, employees, staff accountants and anyone who is interested in obtaining a basic understanding of data analytics.
Topics Covered
- Changing Technology in Business
- How Much Data Do You Have?
- Ethics and Data Gathering
- Where is the Data Located?
- Data Recovery
- Data Formats
- Data Integrity
- Common Types of Analytical Procedures
- Normal Distribution of Data
- Binomial Distribution of Data
- Random Distribution of Data
- Data Analysis
- Types of Data Analytics
- Performing Data Analysis
- Data Mining
- Performing Electronic Data Analysis
- Designing Procedures for Data Analysis
- Things to Consider When Using Graphics or Tables
- Data Visualization
- Data Visualization Example
- Validity Considerations
- Categories of Bias
- Examples of Conscious Bias
- Examples of Unconscious Bias
- Benford's Law Exercise
Learning Objectives
- Identify and apply various types of data analytics
- Differentiate data analytics issues with validity and bias when performing data analytics
- Recognize types of data analytics available
- Differentiate data bit sizes
- Describe the speed at which data is generated, collected, and processed
- Identify how long physical data integrity must be maintained with respect to data integrity
- Differentiate type of data analytics relates to past performance
- Identify an example of an external validity concern
- Describe an example of conscious and unconscious bias
- Identify an example of unstructured data
- Differentiate type of analytical procedure provides information
- Recognize how Bendord's law is used
Level
Basic
Instructional Method
Self-Study
NASBA Field of Study
Auditing (2 hours)
Program Prerequisites
None
Advance Preparation
None
Instructor
Robert K Minniti
DBA, CPA, CFE, Cr.FA, CVA, MAFF, CFF, CGMA, PI
Dr. Minniti is the President and Owner of Minniti CPA, LLC. Dr. Minniti is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Forensic Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Valuation Analyst, Certified in Financial Forensics, Master Analyst in Financial Forensics, Chartered Global Management Accountant, and is a licensed private investigator in the state of Arizona.
Dr. Minniti received his doctoral degree in business administration from Walden University, received his MBA degree and Graduate Certificate in Accounting from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management, and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Minniti taught graduate and undergraduate courses in forensic accounting at DeVry University, Grand Canyon University, Kaplan University, Northwestern University, and the University of Phoenix. He designed graduate and undergraduate courses for Grand Canyon University, Northwestern University, and Anthem College.
He is a writer and public speaker. He has experience in forensic accounting, fraud examinations, financial audits, internal audits, compliance audits, real estate valuations, business valuations, internal control development, business continuation planning, risk management, cyber security, privacy laws, data security, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance work and business consulting. In addition to his practice Dr. Minniti is an instructor teaching continuing professional education classes for a variety of providers and CPA Societies.
Dr. Minniti is currently serving as a board member on the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts' (NACVA) Litigation Forensics Board (LFB) and as a committee member on the Arizona State Board of Accountancy's Law Review Advisory Committee.