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Data analytics and big data

Get advanced data analysis, from number crunching and spreadsheets to decision-support and strategy, including access to useful and practical Excel guidance. Plus, find out how big data is used and can benefit the accountancy profession.

In this section

Features and articles

Webinars and recordings

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by external guest speakers in interviews or other publications included on this website are, by their nature, those of the speaker. They are not necessarily fully endorsed by the ICAEW or purport to reflect the official policies and views of the ICAEW or its members.

Reports, guidance and thought leadership

The essential guide to data analytics

Data analytics allows firms to harness data, both internal and external, to provide faster, deeper analysis for better decision-making. These tools offer accountants the ability to track client performance at a more granular level and identify ways to build in efficiencies.

The Library & Information Service provides a hand-picked collection of eBooks as a benefit of membership. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support or contact library@icaew.com

Python for accounting and business

The first of a two-volume series covering Python, a general-purpose programming language, for accounting and business tasks. This volume covers the concepts of Python and select foundational libraries using examples, codes, and accompanying outputs. Examples are tailored to accounting and business use-cases.

Guerrilla data analysis using Microsoft Excel: conquering crap data and Excel skirmishes.

Includes examples and case studies that teach users the tricks for analysing data in Excel.

Excel data analysis for dummies

For those new to data analysis. Takes the reader on a tour of Excel's data analysis tools.

Data visualization with Excel dashboards and reports

Large corporations like IBM and Oracle are using Excel dashboards and reports as a Business Intelligence tool, and many other smaller businesses are looking to these tools in order to cut costs for budgetary reasons.

Accounting disrupted

This book delivers a powerful analysis of the new technological forces buffeting the accounting profession. Using case studies and practical examples, the author demonstrates how big data, blockchain, robotic process automation and artificial intelligence can help accountants adapt to new realities.

Analytics and big data for accountants

This book will help accountants and financial managers better understand big data and analytics, including its history and current trends. It dives into the platforms and operating tools that will help you measure program impacts and ROI, visualize data and business processes, and uncover the relationship between key performance indicators.

Audit analytics: data science for the accounting profession

This book hopes to provide the reader with an inventory of basic algorithms which can be easily expanded and customized to fit an auditor's specific challenges. Accessible and comprehensive tools for these additional approaches are covered in this book, as are research approaches to take advantage of the additional explanatory power that these approaches offer to auditing. Coverage of software, methodologies, and fit statistics provide a concise reference for the conduct of audits, helping assure that audit opinions and decisions are defensible, fair, and accurate.

Digital finance: big data, start-ups, and the future of financial services

This book takes a thoughtful look at how the digital finance industry is evolving. It explains how to integrate digital finance concepts into existing traditional finance platforms and explores what successful companies are doing to maximize their opportunities in this context.

Terms of use: You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

Industry press

The Library & Information Service provides a hand-picked collection of industry press articles as a benefit of membership. If you are unable to access an article, please see our Help and support or contact library@icaew.com

Getting data sorted

The article focuses on data classification as a pre-requisite for data protection, security, and compliance, and it explores the tools available for data classification, including offerings from major tech companies as well as open-source options. It mentions these tools use machine learning and artificial intelligence to automate data classification, ensuring accurate data management and governance.

Managing people's data ethically

Article discusses how Ai-driven decisions have led to discrimination against women and minorities in recruitment, criminal sentencing, medical diagnosis and credit approval and led to thousand of fines under GDPR. An overview of a robust ethical review is given and the 'Five Ps of ethical data handling'

What is descriptive analytics?

Article explains that descriptive analytics is the process of analysing data to find trends and patterns that support decision-making, monitoring, and other initiatives. It's the most fundamental building block of data analytics.

Leadership in the age of big data

The article discusses the need for finance leaders to recognize the importance of data analytics to become effective in their roles. The need to ensure that employees work in a culture that sustains collaboration and exchange of ideas and information by leaders is noted. It discusses ways in which management accountants can demonstrate leadership such as competence in financial planning and imparting technical accounting knowledge.

Data classification: what is it and why do you need it

The article explains why data classification is vital to organisations. Topics discussed include tracking of information based on its sensitivity and confidentiality, key elements of a data classification policy, and compliance with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Also mentioned are the basic principles of data management, namely confidentiality, integrity, and access.

Guide to algorithms in AI

Algorithms define the rules, conditions, and methodology that an Artificial Intelligence will use when processing and analysing data. The article explains how they work and looks at the different types.

Terms of use: You are permitted to access articles subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

Useful links

Electronic Statistics Textbook

Provided by Tibco this textbook offers support on the application of statistics and data mining. It covers a variety of applications, including: business statistics, credit scoring, forecasting and survey research, data mining and quality control.

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