Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Advanced Accounting Data Analytics (Online)

ACCT 6510-72I

Course: ACCT 6510-72I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ACFN
CRN: 30134

Course Description

The primary goal of this course is to help students develop an analytics mindset - the ability to recognize when and how data analytics can help answer business questions and support business decisions. To achieve this goal, students will be introduced to several analytics tools and techniques as they complete cases or projects. (Fall, Spring [As Needed], Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): MAcc majors only

Required Texts

Required

Data Analytics for Accounting 2025 Release by Richardson/Teeter/Terrell with Connect. By registering for this course you will automatically be able to access the eBook and Connect resources through a link on Canvas. Your student account will be billed directly. Also included with the textbook purchase is access to the University of Arkansas Virtual Desktop which gives you access to all the necessary software applications and data sets that you otherwise may have had to purchase.

Access to a computer with reliable internet connection. PC is preferable, but Mac can be used

We will also use a variety of free and/or open-source tools.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, students should be able to:

  • Describe in detail the purpose of data analytics and how it can create value.
  • Describe the IMPACT model and how it can be used to address accounting issues that accountants face.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in multiple software tools to manage data; perform test analyses; and communicate findings through text, tables, and visualizations.
  • Explain how data analytics can be used in auditing, financial, managerial and tax accounting to find patterns, errors, and anomalies and find insights useful to decision making.
  • Describe and demonstrate different types of test approaches that can be used to gather insights in decision making.

Course Requirements

General
This class will include assigned reading with comprehension questions and lecture videos to introduce topics and concepts. You will also complete several lab assignments for each chapter that will build on each other throughout the course. There are no quizzes or exams for this class. In place of a final exam, you will complete two final projects. Per SUU’s Academic Credit policy, “One-credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework.” This means that for any 3-credit class you should spend a total of at least 135 hours or between 9-10 hours per week for a 14-week semester. Due dates for all assignments can be found on Canvas and will generally be Sunday night each week. I am more than happy to answer questions and help with lab assignments, but I do not regularly check my email on the weekends. If you are planning on or need to complete your work over weekends, I recommend you plan/work ahead so you can get your questions to me during the week before the assignment due date.
SmartBook Reading Assignments
You will have 9 SmartBook Reading assignments worth 15 points each. This is a feature in Connect which tests for understanding of the chapter reading. To get credit for the SmartBook reading assignments, you do not need to get all the questions correct, but you do need to complete the entire assignment. These assignments are adaptive. The number and topic of questions will adjust based on your answers, so I recommend actually doing the reading before trying to answer the questions.
Lecture videos and PowerPoint slides
For each Chapter you will have access to lecture videos and/or PowerPoint slides from the textbook authors. These are available to you as additional learning resources, but there are no course points associated with these videos and PowerPoint slides.
Labs/projects
The majority of your learning in this class should come as you complete hands-on lab and project exercises, many of which will build upon each other throughout the semester. Each lab may contain free response objective and analysis questions as well as multiple choice, check box, or fill in the blank questions that you need to answer on Connect. You will also create a “lab document” that will include required screenshots from the lab and will be uploaded and attached to the Connect lab assignment. Free response lab questions should be answered on Connect for grading purposes, but you are welcome to also include your answers on the lab document for your notes or future reference. See Canvas and Connect for specific instructions for each lab and project. Labs will have requirements that need to be completed using Microsoft products, Tableau, and Alteryx software. You are welcome and encouraged to work together and use any resources that you can find, but each student should complete and turn in their own work. You are also allowed multiple attempts on lab assignments in Connect but your final attempt must be complete before the due date. You are welcome to use other resources to help you with lab assignments including internet searches and Generative Artificial Intelligence. However, written responses must be in your own words or include appropriate citations. These tools should be used to enhance your learning and understanding not as a means to complete assignments with minimal effort, thinking or actual learning. You should be able to recreate and or explain your assignments on your own without assistance after you have completed them. You should also be able to use the software tools to complete similar or related tasks.

Course Outline

Please refer to Canvas for specific assignment due dates. A general outline of the schedule is below.
Week 1                   Chapter 1 – Data analytics for accounting and identifying the Question
Week 2                   Chapter 2 – Mastering the Data
Week 3                   Chapter 2 – Mastering the Data
Week 4                   Chapter 3 – Performing the Test Plan and Analyzing the Results
Week 5                   Chapter 3 – Performing the Test Plan and Analyzing the Results
Week 6                   Chapter 4 – Communicating the Results and Visualizations
Week 7                   Chapter 5 – The Modern Accounting Environment
Week 8                   Chapter 6 – Audit Data Analytics
Week 9                   Chapter 7 – Managerial Analytics
Week 10                 Chapter 7 – Managerial Analytics
Week 11                 Chapter 8 – Financial Statement Analytics
Week 12                 Chapter 9 – Tax Analytics
Weeks 13 & 14       Final Projects (Chapters 10 &11)

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Work
No late work will be accepted. However, if you let me know well in advance (or later if there was an emergency) due dates may be adjusted on an individual basis. Check the schedule and plan ahead.
Extra Credit/Makeup work
The time to earn your grade is throughout the entire semester. Please do not ask for individual extra credit opportunities, or other things that you can do to bring your grade up near the end of the semester.

Attendance Policy

This is an online class. There are regular assignment deadlines throughout the semester, but no live or virtual attendance requirements. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.