Unit Outline
BEA213
Data Analytics for Accounting
Semester 1, 2024
Rakesh Pandey
Tasmanian School of Business & Economics (TSBE)
College of Business and Economics
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Rakesh Pandey
Email: Rakesh.Pandey@utas.edu.au
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
 
In today’s data economy, businesses are blessed and cursed with an abundance of data. This proliferation of data is creating new professions and changing existing professions. One profession that is witnessing a rapid change due to the explosion of data is accounting. While there exists a plethora of data available to businesses, accounting data remains a source of data that is reliable, relevant and accessible for all organisations. This unit will introduce students to the very recent changes ushered in by the big data revolution to the accounting profession, introduce students to how data analytics is being applied to accounting data, develop their skills in analysing and presenting accounting data to management and also develop their abilities to critically evaluate the underlying accounting systems and processes related to both the collection, creation, processing and production of accounting data within organisations.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1.
Apply data analytics to accounting data to solve business problems.
2.
Critically evaluate data analytics inputs, processes and outputs.
3.
Create compelling stories based on data analytics using data visualization tools.
Alterations as a result of student feedback
To Be Determined
 
 
Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Lecture (On Campus)
Pre-recorded 1-hr lecture, once a week
1
Weekly
Workshop
2-hr workshop, fortnightly, commencing in Week 2
2
1 time per fortnight
Other
5-hrs independent learning
5
Weekly
Online
Online Class
Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Independent Learning
Pre-recorded 1-hr lecture, once a week
1
Weekly
Online Class
1-hr workshop, weekly, commencing in Week 2
1
Weekly
Independent Learning
5-hrs independent learning
5
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
The Tasmanian School of Business and Economics regularly hosts Masterclasses and Industry Engagement and Employability Events, which students are encouraged to attend. Registration and details will be available via the College of Business and Economics channel on the Uni App and/or via your Unit Coordinator
 
 
How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Role play assignment
Week 5
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:
Data analytics using accounting
Week 10
35 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:
Exam via Respondus
Exam Period
35 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
 
Assessment details
    
Assessment Task 1: Role play assignment
Task Description:
This assignment is based on a case study. The case study presents a scenario where a junior accountant has been tasked with assisting management with a business problem and their responsibility is to perform data analysis on an accounting dataset of the company.
You are to assume the role of a senior accountant who has been given the task to review the data analytics prepared by the junior accountant. The senior accountant must then identify any issues with the analysis prepared, communicate these issues to the junior accountant, address these issues and present the modified report to management. You will be required to prepare both an oral and written presentation as senior accountant.

Task Length:
2,000 words and a 5 minute presentation
Due Date:
Week 5
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Critically evaluate the inputs, processes and outputs produced in an analysis.
LO3
2
Apply data analytics to correct identified errors in a report.
LO1
3
Communicate errors in a report to junior level staff in a manner that is clear but also constructive.
LO3
4
Present the findings of your report in a manner that is appropriate for the context of the case study.
LO2
5
Write a report that summarises your findings and that is appropriate for presentation to senior management.
LO2
 
Assessment Task 2: Data analytics using accounting
Task Description:
You will be provided with a dataset of accounting data for publicly listed companies in Australia. You will be required to calculate the risk of bankruptcy for each of these companies using either Altman’s Z-Score or Ohlson’s O-Score. Based on these scores, you will create a data visualisation based on the map of Australia showing the states/territories with the companies that have the lowest and highest risks of bankruptcy. Using this map, you will write a report on the risk of bankruptcy of companies in Australia by state.

Task Length:
1,500 words
Due Date:
Week 10
Weight:
35 %
 
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Use Microsoft Excel to calculate bankruptcy metrics for companies based on accounting data
LO1
2
Use Tableau to create a data visualisation based on accounting data
LO2
3
Write a report using data analysed and data visualisation that provides insights relating to risk of bankruptcy of companies in Australia
LO3
 
Assessment Task 3: Exam via Respondus
Task Description:
The exam will enable you to demonstrate your breadth and depth of understanding across all unit materials. All topics are examinable. An information sheet with details about the exam will be given to you in the last week of the semester and posted on MyLO. You will require a non-programmable calculator for the exam. The invigilated exam will be completed by you via MyLO and Respondus on a day and time determined by the exams office.

Task Length:
3 hours
Due Date:
Exam Period
Weight:
35 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Explain the impact of data analytics to the accounting profession
LO1
2
Use Microsoft Excel to analyse accounting data
LO2
3
Use Tableau to create data visualisations using accounting data
LO2
4
Critically evaluate inputs, processes and outputs of data analytics in accounting
LO3
5
Reflect on the challenges and limitations of accounting data for data analytics
LO3
 
 
 
How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
 
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
 
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
 
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.