Module ACCT1081: Business Analytics and Technology

Department: Accounting

ACCT1081: Business Analytics and Technology

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• The module aims to provide accounting students with the tools and techniques required to apply a variety of analytical tools to support business decision making and management of business operations. In particular, the module introduces students to the field of business and data analytics, an area of business administration that considers the extensive use of data, methods, and fact-based management to support and improve decision making. Furthermore, it presents the fundamentals needed to understand the role of emerging technologies in contemporary corporate environments.

Content

• Introduction to business analytics and technology
• Descriptive statistical measures
• Sampling and estimation
• Statistical inference
• Forecasting techniques
• Introduction to big data analytics
• Spreadsheet modelling and analysis
• Monte Carlo simulation and risk analysis
• Linear programming

Learning Outcomes

• On completion of this module students should be able to:
• Describe the ways in which data and analytics are used in business and finance;
• Outline and explain the emerging technologies that affect business;
• Define and interpret the core concepts and terminologies of business and data analytics;
• Identify the tools required for business and data analytics;
• Explain how emerging technologies and analytics have been used in various industries;
• Explain the role that business and data analytics plays in the decision-making process;
• Effectively use business and data analytics to support decision making;
• Distinguish among the three categories of business and data analytics techniques (descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analysis), and determine the best technique to use in a give situation;
• Assess business situations and identify opportunities for creating value using analytics;
• Appraise business problems and determine the most suitable analytical methods.

• On completion of this module students should be able to:
• Solve problems.
• Use spreadsheets for descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics.

• Written communication
• Planning and organisation and time management
• Problem solving and analysis
• Numeracy
• Computer literacy

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching is by lectures and workshops. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in workshops.
• The workshops principally concentrate on the development of spreadsheet skills and interpretation of the analysis undertaken.
• Formative assessment is by means of exercises throughout the term.
• Summative assessment is by means of the submission of a portfolio of evidence including the completion of exercises throughout the term and a spreadsheet exercise.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Exercises will be completed throughout the term - two sets to be handed in and marked.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University