LAB ASSIGNMENTS
Much of your learning in this course will take place through hands-on labs that build on concepts covered throughout the semester. For each lab, you will complete a set of questions in Connect and submit a lab report that includes the required screenshots. You are encouraged to collaborate with classmates and to make use of outside resources; however, each student must submit their own work. You may attempt each lab multiple times, but your final submission must be completed before the due date. Each lab is worth ten points, for a total of 320 points across the semester, which makes up 32 percent of your overall grade.
FINAL PROJECT
The Final Project is designed to bring together the skills you develop throughout the course. You will select an accounting- or business-related dataset, identify questions that can be explored with that data, and analyze it using Tableau and other tools as appropriate. The project consists of both a written report and a presentation. The written report should be approximately ten pages in length and should outline your research questions, describe the dataset you selected, explain your analysis, and present your findings, including any limitations or possible extensions.
Before beginning the full project, you will submit a short proposal (one to two paragraphs) describing your dataset, anticipated questions, and planned analyses. This proposal will be due on November 1, 2025, by 11:59 p.m., and I will provide feedback to help you refine your approach. The presentation component will require a 20-minute overview of your project, including your findings and a reflection of what worked well—and what did not—in your analysis. The Final Project is worth 250 points, or 25 percent of your grade.
EXAM
There will be one comprehensive final exam covering all course content. While this may feel like a lot, the material is cumulative, with later topics building directly on earlier ones. The exam will be administered online through Canvas and will be worth 160 points, which accounts for 16 percent of your grade.
IN-CLASS QUIZZES
Each chapter will include a quiz covering the material from both the lectures and the text. Quizzes will be completed in Connect, are closed-book, and you will have only one attempt at each. You must be physically present in class to take each quiz. Over the course of the semester, you will complete ten quizzes, each worth 15 points, for a total of 150 points (15 percent of your grade).
AI CASE
Toward the end of the semester, you will complete a case assignment that integrates artificial intelligence into your analysis. In this project, you will work through an accounting case, using AI to generate a recommended solution. You will then record and upload a 20-minute presentation in which you provide background on the case, explain the relevant accounting or professional standards, discuss the AI’s proposed solution, and evaluate whether you agree with it or would suggest modifications. Your grade will be based on professionalism, the quality of your analysis, and the depth of your critical thinking. This case will be worth 120 points, or 12 percent of your final grade.
EXTRA CREDIT
Finally, there may be opportunities for extra credit during the semester. These opportunities will always be offered to the entire class, never to individual students. Please keep this in mind as the semester comes to a close.