Applying Data Analytics in Accounting
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Applying Data Analytics in Accounting
This course is part of Business Analytics Specialization
Instructors: Kimberly Mendoza
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What you'll learn
Understand analytic issues and topics in accounting.
Conduct audit and control testing tasks using Python and SQL
Perform automation using Python.
Understand data governance.
Skills you'll gain
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There are 4 modules in this course
This course explores how modern technologies are transforming accounting practice. We begin with a survey of accounting fundamentals and emerging analytics topics, including process mining, text analysis, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. Next, we move into visualization, summarization, and filtering techniques for control testing and auditing, using tools like Python and Pandas to analyze and interpret accounting data. We then explore automation in accounting—from generating invoices programmatically to building dashboards from SQL databases—while introducing the spectrum of automation from basic scripts to intelligent agents. Finally, we focus on data governance, covering core principles, lifecycle management, and frameworks like COSO and COBIT, paired with hands-on exercises using SQL and Git to enforce data quality and maintain an audit trail.
In this module, we will explore the fundamentals of accounting as the language of business, examine key roles and terminology, and consider how emerging technologies and data analytics—from process mining to cybersecurity—are transforming the field.
What's included
13 videos7 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin
13 videos•Total 75 minutes
- Course Introduction•4 minutes
- About Professor Kim Mendoza•2 minutes
- About Professor Ye Joo Park•2 minutes
- The Impact of the Gies Community•2 minutes
- Module 1 Introduction•2 minutes
- Accounting is the Language of Business•4 minutes
- Accounting Environment•12 minutes
- Accounting and Technology Overview•12 minutes
- Process Mining•8 minutes
- Text Analysis•13 minutes
- Cloud Computing•3 minutes
- Cybersecurity•8 minutes
- Module 1 Conclusion•3 minutes
7 readings•Total 70 minutes
- Syllabus•10 minutes
- Coursera Coach•10 minutes
- About the Discussion Forums•10 minutes
- Online Education at Gies College of Business•10 minutes
- Updating Your Profile•10 minutes
- Module 1 Overview•10 minutes
- Module 1 Study Guide•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
- Orientation Quiz•30 minutes
- Survey of Analytics Topics in Accounting: Graded Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Getting to Know Your Classmates•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
- Welcome! Please Tell Us About Yourself•15 minutes
In this module, we will plan data analysis steps, explore types and causes of employee fraud, understand internal controls and the role of internal auditors, and apply control testing using tools like Alteryx Designer and Python.
What's included
10 videos3 readings1 assignment
10 videos•Total 98 minutes
- Module 2 Introduction•3 minutes
- Installation and Intro to Jupyter Lab and Using AI•10 minutes
- Visualization in Accounting Practice•4 minutes
- Visualization in Academic Accounting Research•10 minutes
- Summarizing and Filtering Data•6 minutes
- Internal Controls and Auditing•6 minutes
- Introduction to the Case•9 minutes
- Completing the Case - ETL and EDA•30 minutes
- Completing the Case - Controls Testing•17 minutes
- Module 2 Conclusion•2 minutes
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
- Module 2 Overview•10 minutes
- Module 2 Files•10 minutes
- Module 2 Study Guide•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 90 minutes
- Controls and Auditing: Graded Quiz•90 minutes
In this module, we will explore the fundamentals of automation, identify its applications—particularly in accounting—outline the automation process, and implement basic automation tasks using Python.
What's included
13 videos3 readings1 assignment
13 videos•Total 98 minutes
- Module 3 Introduction•4 minutes
- Real-world Use Cases of Automation in Accounting•6 minutes
- Exercise 1: Generating Word Invoices - Overview•3 minutes
- Exercise 1: Generating Word Invoices - Walkthrough•13 minutes
- Exercise 2: Using APIs to Download Data - Overview•6 minutes
- Exercise 2: Using APIs to Download Data - Walkthrough•25 minutes
- Exercise 3: Creating a Dashboard from a SQL Database - Overview•6 minutes
- Exercise 3: Creating a Dashboard from a SQL Database - Walkthrough•15 minutes
- Exercise 4: Scheduling Tasks - Overview•3 minutes
- Exercise 4: Scheduling Tasks - Walkthrough•6 minutes
- Spectrum of Automation•5 minutes
- AI Agents•3 minutes
- Module 3 Conclusion•2 minutes
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
- Module 3 Overview•10 minutes
- Module 3 Optional Readings•10 minutes
- Module 3 Study Guide•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 60 minutes
- Automation in Accounting: Graded Quiz•60 minutes
In this module, we will explore the principles and purpose of data governance, examine common frameworks and internal structures, analyze causes of governance failure, and gain exposure to tools and techniques—including GitHub—for managing data effectively.
What's included
11 videos5 readings1 assignment1 plugin
11 videos•Total 78 minutes
- Module 4 Introduction•5 minutes
- Why Strong Data Governance is Non-Negotiable•5 minutes
- The Data Life Cycle•5 minutes
- The Governance Landscape - Key Frameworks and Regulations•3 minutes
- Exercise 1 Part 1: Introduction to Applying Governance with SQL •3 minutes
- Exercise 1 Part 2: Building Data Integrity Rules in SQL•15 minutes
- Exercise 1 Part 3: Querying for Data Quality in SQL•21 minutes
- Exercise 2 Part 1: Introduction to Version Control with Git•7 minutes
- Exercise 2 Part 2: GitHub Exercise•9 minutes
- Module 4 Conclusion•4 minutes
- Learn on Your Terms•1 minute
5 readings•Total 50 minutes
- Module 4 Overview•10 minutes
- Module 4 Readings•10 minutes
- Module 4 Study Guide•10 minutes
- Congratulations on completing the course!•10 minutes
- Get Your Course Certificate•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 60 minutes
- Data Governance: Graded Quiz•60 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
- End of Course Survey•15 minutes
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This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
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Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025
The instructors provide clear and precise explanations of the tools and trends for applying data analytics in Accounting—Excellent course and instructors!
Reviewed on Oct 20, 2024
Overall, I highly recommend the Applying Data Analytics in Accounting course to anyone who is interested in learning more about the use of data analytics in the accounting profession.
Reviewed on Oct 20, 2022
This course was beyond my expectations and i learned a lot from it.
Thankyou GIES!
Frequently asked questions
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
You will be eligible for a full refund until 2 weeks after your payment date. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the 2-week refund period. View our full refund policy.
You will be eligible for a full refund until 2 weeks after your payment date. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the 2-week refund period. View our full refund policy.
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Financial aid available,