Analytics is a new force driving business. Tools have been created to measure program effects and return on investment, visualize data and business processes, and uncover the relationship between key performance indicators many using the unprecedented amount of data now moving into organizations. In this course, you will discuss leading-edge topics in analytics and finance in a session that is packed with useful tips and practical guidance that you can apply immediately.

分析是一股推动业务发展的新力量。已经创建了一些工具来衡量项目效果和投资回报，可视化数据和业务流程，并揭示关键绩效指标之间的关系，许多工具使用了前所未有的大量数据，现在正转移到组织中。在本课程中，您将讨论分析和金融领域的前沿话题，其中包含了很多有用的技巧和实用的指导，您可以立即应用。

One of the first times the author was exposed to the concept of Big Data was when he served as the CFO for a large non-profit early in his career. The organization was going through a major organization restructure, and it was also restructuring its information technology infrastructure and the software tools used to provide information technology services. As a result, the agency brought in an expert on a fourthgeneration language database program. The expert had a wife who was suffering from a severe illness. The expert was adamant that if he could obtain a large number of patient records, he would find a cure for his wife’s illness. His contention was that a relationship between the illness and the cure was hidden within other patient records. He certainly had the skills to find a connection. The author saw the concept of Big Data first-hand without realizing how it would evolve. The author is more convinced than ever that the accountant position is morphing daily. Transaction analysis, variance analysis, and ratio analysis are all being performed by software packages. The accountant role will continue its migration from data creator, manipulator, and archivist to one of data scientist and storyteller. It is imperative that the accountant of today keep pace with technological change and recognize the need to move from historical analysis to predictive change and ultimately, prescriptive change.

作者第一次接触到大数据的概念，是在他职业生涯早期担任一家大型非盈利机构的首席财务官时。该组织正在经历一次重大的组织重组，它也在重组其信息技术基础设施和用于提供信息技术服务的软件工具。因此，该机构请来了一位第四代语言数据库项目的专家。这位专家有一位身患重病的妻子。这位专家坚持认为，如果他能获得大量的病人记录，他就能找到治愈他妻子疾病的方法。他的论点是，疾病和治疗之间的关系隐藏在其他病人的记录中。他当然有找到关系的能力。作者直接看到了大数据的概念，并没有意识到它将如何发展。作者比以往任何时候都更加确信，会计职位正在发生变化。事务分析、方差分析和比率分析都是由软件包执行的。会计角色将继续从数据创建者、操纵者和档案管理员向数据科学家和说书人的角色转变。当今的会计必须跟上技术变化的步伐，并认识到从历史分析转向预测变化和最终的规范性变化的必要性。