Core and Capstone Courses

The primary focus of this course is to explore the integration and application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within the accounting profession. As the field of accounting continues to evolve with the rapid advancements in technology, AI has become a crucial component in streamlining and enhancing various accounting processes. This course aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to harness the potential of AI in the accounting landscape effectively. Throughout the course, students will gain insights into the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and its implications on accounting functions. By examining real-world case studies and engaging in hands-on exercises, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of how AI-driven tools can improve efficiency, reduce human error, and facilitate decision-making in the accounting profession.

The capstone project is one of the core courses offered by the programme. It is usually towards the end of the programme, which allows you to integrate and apply the knowledge and techniques you have learned in previous courses to a real-world data analytics project. You will be assigned to a reputable corporation within the region and work as a team with your colleagues and dedicated faculty advisor, using actual data to tackle business challenges. You will gain solid experience in data mining, analysis, and visualization, and deliver applicable solutions to clients in the final project presentation.

This course examines the role of the external auditor on financial statement reporting and the needs for external auditing in the commercial sector. More specifically, this course provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct audits that combine financial statement and IT audit methodologies. Students will learn how to identify risks and vulnerabilities related to financial reporting and IT systems and understand the impact of emerging analytics tools on audit procedures. Through exercises and presentations, students will develop a holistic picture about external auditing. By the end of the course, students should be able to gather enough knowledge on the nature of the auditing profession to decide whether they wish to embark on a public accounting career.

This course on advanced data analytics in accounting prepares students to apply analytics systematically to various domains of accounting, developing key skills required for an analytics mindset, which are highly valued by the industry. The course combines a mix of theory and hands-on practice, utilizing real-world datasets and case studies in the context of accounting areas such as Audit, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Forensic Accounting, and Tax. First, students will be introduced to the importance of analytics in the accounting profession and learn how financial and accounting data is generated and stored in modern Accounting Information Systems (AIS). They will acquire skills in building queries to extract data from AIS or databases, performing descriptive analytics using various data visualization techniques, and identifying potential problems and relevant issues. The course will also introduce students to entry and advanced level predictive accounting models and practical applications, such as performance forecasting and credit scoring.

This course establishes a foundation of data analytics for accounting professionals, including the basics of analytics methods and an introduction to accounting information systems used in business processes. Students will be guided to appreciate the complications in the era of “big data”, identify pending problems, acquire analysis abilities and propose solutions to challenges. The course consists of descriptions about most widely used statistical and machine learning models, a step-by-step guidance about programming and applications to different types of problems. Real business cases will be provided to illustrate how to select and use a variety of models, interpret results and draw conclusions. Furthermore, this course prepares students for advanced-level courses, in terms of both economic intuitions and analytical skills. Some other topics about recent developments in the industry will be covered as well, including e-commerce, risks and security of information management and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. A general understanding about business analytics and pertinent problems in the accounting area is expected through taking the course.

Statistical Analysis is an intensive course in statistics. Students who successfully complete this course will understand basic concepts of data collection, exploratory data analysis, and statistical inference, including common statistical concepts and tools. Students will make connections with business economics concepts and problems. They will recognize various types of data, use appropriate statistical methods to analyse them, and solve real business problems. They will also gain extensive experience in the use of statistical software to analyse data.

The primary aim of this course is to develop a profound grasp of essential financial accounting concepts and techniques, while simultaneously bolstering your ability to employ these notions across diverse decision-making contexts. The curriculum covers not only the intricate dimensions of financial accounting, such as the compilation of financial data, but also the underpinning reasoning for its crucial role in effective business governance. In addition, the course delves into advanced methods for analysing financial statements, tackling obstacles in cost management, and devising performance appraisal approaches that surpass the scope of conventional financial accounting subjects. By integrating a more extensive range of financial accounting components, this course is designed to equip students with a thorough understanding of the domain's intricacies and the necessary skill set to excel in various financial accounting positions.