AF5122: Business Analytics in Accounting and Finance

(2024-2025 Semesters 1)

Prof. Brian Kei

COURSE INTRODUCTION
• Learning Outcomes & Assessments

• Effectively collect, clean and transform accounting and financial data;

• Summarize, visualize and present accounting and financial data;
• Analyze accounting and financial data with basic analytical approaches.

• eTextbook & eLearning Platform:

• Introduction to Data Analytics for Accounting, 2023, by Richardson, Teeter and

Terrell, McGraw-Hill. 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill.

• The e-book is accessible through McGraw Hill Connect. Instruction on accessing and
registering for Connect is posted on Blackboard.

• You must purchase eTextbook to access Practice Lab video, Take-home Assignment
and In-class Quiz

2
COURSE INTRODUCTION
• Assessments

• Attendance & Class participation 10%

• Assignments & Quiz 10%
• Group project report & presentations 30%
• Final examination 50%

Tips: Prior attempt the lab assignment, do

1. Practice Labs
2. Watch recap videos

3
LEARNING MODE
• Project Report and Presentation
• You will form a group with 4 students
• A private group channel will be created in MS Teams and add teaching staff

• Student self-study
• Practice Labs, Practice Lab Videos, Lab assignments, Quiz, E-Textbook
• Excel tools
• Tableau tools
• Individual and group project

• In-class learning
• Analytics fundaments
• Critical thinking
• Case studies
• AMPS model
• Analysis: Descriptive, Diagnostic, Predictive, Prescriptive
• Industry trends
• Analytics practice

• MS Teams
• Assist your learning on problems encountered in self-study

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FINAL EXAM 2022 Q&A
• Do we need to take a computer-based exam?
• NO

• Do we need to bring our own computer to the exam room?

• NO

• How long will the exam be?

• 3 HOURS

• Is the exam open-book or closed-book?

• OPEN-BOOK

• What is exam questions format?

• A dataset is given
• Questions and analysis requirements are given
• You do:
• data preparation, charting and analysis
• Discussion of your analysis and an executive summary

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Course Introduction

Q&A

6
Business Analytics in
Accounting and Finance
Finance
The business analytics course provides a
comprehensive overview of data-driven decision-
making, statistical analysis, and predictive
modeling in a business context. Students will gain
valuable insights into leveraging data to optimize
business performance and drive strategic decision-
making.

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The Future of Business Analytics: GenAI

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Cooperation or Competition?
Importance of Business Analytics

Data-Driven Decision- Peformance Analysis Predictive Modeling and

Making Understanding and analyzing
Prescriptive Actions
Business analytics plays a crucial market trends and customer Business analytics allows
role in enabling organizations to behavior is essential for staying businesses to forecast future
make informed decisions based on competitive and adapting to trends, identify opportunities, and
data rather than intuition or changing business environments. mitigate potential risks.
guesswork.

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Learning Objectives
Data Analysis Skills
Develop proficiency in data analysis, statistical modeling, and interpretation of results.

Business Insights
Gain the ability to derive actionable insights from data to drive strategic and
operational decisions.

Decision-Making
Enhance decision-making skills based on quantitative and qualitative inputs and
predictive analytics.

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Course Structure and Format
Interactive Sessions Case Studies
Engage in interactive sessions that combine Analyze and discuss real-world case studies
theoretical concepts with real-world to understand the practical implications of
applications. business analytics.

Hands-On Projects
Apply learned concepts through hands-on projects and exercises to solidify understanding and
skills.

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Topics Covered in the Course
1 Data Management
Understanding data collection, storage, cleaning, and manipulation techniques.

2 Statistical Analysis
Exploring statistical methods for decision-making and predictive modeling.

3 Business Intelligence
Utilizing tools and technologies for business intelligence and data visualization.

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Case Studies and Real-World Examples

1 Financial Analysis 2 Customer Segmentation

Case studies on financial data analysis Real-world examples of customer
and forecasting for investment and segmentation and targeting using data
business decisions. insights for marketing strategies.

3 Operations Optimization
Illustrations of operations optimization through data-driven analytics and operational
improvements.

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 Tools and Software
Statistical Business Machine Sharing
Software Intelligenc Learning the Stories
e Tools Platforms
Learning to use Create a working
statistical software Exploring business Understanding and presentation,
such as R or Python intelligence tools like working with document or
for data analysis and Tableau or Power BI machine learning webpage you can
predictive modeling. for data visualization platforms such as refine and customize
and reporting. TensorFlow or in under a minute,
scikit-learn to using our powerful AI
develop and deploy generator.
predictive models.

Akkio: Generative BI for Gamma App: Generate

Agencies Without Coding AI Presentations,
Webpages & Docs
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Please follow PolyU's guideline using the tools.

Guides & Tutorials: Online Tools for Assignment: Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Tools
Wharton Research Data Service (WRDS)
Gain hands-on experience with the Wharton Research Data Service (WRDS), a powerful platform that provides
students with access to a vast collection of financial datasets. Explore and analyze real-world financial data to enhance
your understanding of business analytics in the accounting and finance field.

Wharton Research Data Services

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Resources and Materials Provided
(McGraw Hill Connect)
1 Textbooks and Readings
Access to essential textbooks, articles, and readings to enhance understanding and
knowledge.

2 Online Learning Platforms

Utilizing online platforms for interactive learning, quizzes, and additional resources for
continuous learning.

3 Industry Case Studies

Access to real industry case studies and datasets for practical application of analytics
techniques.
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Date Session Topic
September 2 – 7 Lecture 1 (Chapter 1) Using Data to Ask and Answer Accounting and Finance Questions
September 9 – 14 Lecture 2 (Chapter 2 & 3) Master the Data: An Introduction to Accounting and Finance Data
September 16 – 21 Lecture 3 (Chapter 4) Master the Data: Preparing the Data for Analysis

Complete team formation (size: 4 students)

18 Sept (Wed): The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

September 23 – 28
Lecture 4 (Chapter 5) Perform the Analysis: Types of Analytics

September 30 – October 5 Perform the Analysis: Descriptive Analytics

Lecture 5 (Chapter 6)
October 7 – 12
Lecture 6 (Chapter 7) Perform the Analysis: Diagnostic Analytics
October 14 – 19
Lecture 7 (Chapter 8) Perform the Analysis: Predictive Analytics

October 21 – 26
Lecture 8 (Chapter 9) Perform the Analysis: Prescriptive Analytics /

October 28 – November 2
Lecture 9 (Chapter 10 & 11) Share the story / Put it all Together
Group Project Proposal presentation (team or team rep) in-class

November 4 - 9
Lecture 10 (Chapter 12) Financial Statement Analysis

November 11 - 16
Lecture 11 (Chapter 13) Managerial Accounting Analysis
Group Project Presentation PPT and Report files submission at 4pm on November
16

November 18 - 23
Lecture 12 Group Final Project Presentations
November 25 - 30
Lecture 13 Group Final Project Presentations
Course Introduction

Q&A

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