Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Accounting Data Analytics (Face-to-Face)

ACCT 3510-01

Course: ACCT 3510-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Accounting and Finance
CRN: 30063

Course Description

The primary goal of this course is to help you develop an analytics mindset - The ability to recognize when and how data analytics can help answer business questions and support business decisions. Throughout the course we will build upon accounting fundamentals learned in prior accounting classes as we apply data analytics techniques to accounting specific settings and questions. To help students develop an analytics mindset, this course will focus on the following skills
  1.  Asking the right question - Develop critical thinking skills by thinking about data requirements for answering a given question or thinking about specific questions that could be answered with a given set of data.
  2. Mastering the data - Understand different types and sources as well as data integrity issues, including its completeness, reliability or validity, and ability to address the business question.
  3. Performing the analysis - Learn about different types of analysis and analytics techniques using multiple technology tools.
  4. Sharing the result - Report results to various decision makers based on their specific needs including the creation of data visualizations and dashboards.

Required Texts

This course involves the textbook Introductory Data Analytics for Accounting by Richardson, Terrell, and Teeter (2026 Release). You also need access to McGraw-Hill Connect, which will be used for homework. Access to this content is included as part of Inclusive Access. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:
  1. Develop critical thinking skills.
  2. Develop technical and analytical skills.
  3. Develop communication skills.
  4. Analyze ethics issues.
  5. Prepare for an accounting career.
  6. Demonstrate proficiency in accounting-specific technology.  

Course Requirements

Registration Restriction(s): Accepted into the School of Business OR permission from a School of Business advisor OR have approved accounting minor

Course Outline

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 one time but can use the “check my work” function an infinite number of times. Each lab is worth ten points, for a total of 240 points across the semester (24% of the final grade).

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS - Each chapter will include a series of short exercises related to the definitions discussed in the book and lectures. Each assignment is worth 10 points, for a total of 120 points across the semester (12% of the final 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 1-2 questions that can be explored with that data, and analyze it using Tableau and other tools as appropriate. The written report should be approximately 10 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, 2026, by 11:59 p.m., and I will provide feedback to help you refine your approach. An important part of any data analysis project is being able to tell a cohesive story about what you did in a way that others – who do not have an in-depth understanding of your data or your project – can understand. As such, you will present your final project to your classmates on the last two days of regular class. It is anticipated that each presentation will take between 10 and 15 minutes, with time allotted for your classmates to ask questions about your approach. The Final Project is worth 200 points (20% of the final grade), broken down between the written report (150 points) and the presentation (50 points). 

EXAMS - There will be three exams administered throughout the semester. Each exam is not cumulative, which means that exams will only cover content that has not been previously covered on another exam. Thus, Exam I will cover Chapters 1 – 4; Exam II will cover Chapters 5 – 8; Exam III will cover Chapters 9, 10, 12, and 13. Each exam is worth 100 points, for a grand total of 300 points (30% of the final grade). There is an optional comprehensive final exam that will be administered during our scheduled Final Exam. Should you score higher on the exam, it will take the place of a previous exam. Should you score lower, the exam will be dropped. The class period before each exam will consist of a review session that will include a “test out” competition, where the student who scores the highest on review activities will receive an automatic 100% on the final exam. You can “test out” of an exam once per semester (but are free to participate in all review activities).

ALTERYX - As part of the class, we will be exploring the use of Alteryx to clean and prepare data for analysis. Alteryx is available for free – see link in Canvas – and is a valuable skillset to have. Collectively, this project will be worth 140 points (14% of the 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.

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

Unless arranged with the professor, in advance, no late work will be accepted. 

Attendance Policy

As an face-to-face course, attendance is expected, and required at certain points of the course. No course credit is awarded for attendance or participation outside of those specified assignments and dates. 

Course Fees

This course involves a $67.50 course fee ($22.50 per credit hour | 3 credit hours). 

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.