Featured items
Big data and analytics: the impact on the accountancy profession
- Thought leadership report
- 16 Oct 2019
This thought leadership initiative outlines the opportunities and risks for accountants from new and advanced capabilities in data, and highlights practical examples of how the profession is changing as a result of big data and analytics.
Data – a world of opportunities
- Webinar
- 18 Jun 2019
Join Mark Taylor and Kirstin Gillon of ICAEW, and Anthony Sayce FCA of EY, for the fourth in our series of Tech Faculty ‘Tech Talks’, this time on the subject of data and the opportunities it presents for practice and business.
Data Analytics Community
- Promotional material
- 04 Nov 2019
The ICAEW Data Analytics community will give you access to a curated programme of digital learning, use cases, subject matter experts and
community resources covering all the essential aspects of data analytics. Free to join.
Exclusive
The essential guide to data analytics for smaller firms
- Helpsheets and support
- 29 Jul 2019
- PDF (508kb)
Data – how you get it and what you do with it – has been an important part of the accountant’s role since the beginning; but it is only now, with data exploding in volume, variety and velocity, that accountants can start to add serious value to their business and that of their clients. As the guide says, ‘data analytics can broadly be defined as the use of data to support business decisions’.
Exclusive
The essential guide to data analytics
- Helpsheets and support
- 22 Jun 2017
- PDF (278kb)
This guide is designed to help alleviate some of the fears that lie behind the inertia on data analytics. There is information about how to get started using the resources you already have or to find out about others, and case studies to show how using data analytics has helped some practices already.
ICAEW Data Analytics Certificate
- Promotional material
- 27 Nov 2020
ICAEW Data Analytics Certificate programme will help you combine your commercial acumen and business knowledge with data analytics expertise.
Features and articles
Five in-demand skills for accountants in 2025
- Article
- 14 Feb 2025
We speak to recruitment experts to reveal the key skills and attributes accountants need to stand out in a competitive job market.
I built my first AI Agent – using AI
- Article
- 29 Jan 2025
Dudley Gould, ICAEW member and VP of Business Development at Circit, explains how he utilised ChatGPT to build an AI agent that can standardise client data.
Exclusive
Bringing financial reports alive in Excel with visualisation - visualising monthly results
- Article
- 22 Jan 2025
This article is part of a series that supports the lunch and learn webinars on how to bring financial reports alive in Excel with visualisation. This second article will explore how to visualise monthly results with a range of charts and chart features in Excel.
Improve your digital skills with ICAEW
- Article
- 08 Jan 2025
Enhance your technology skills for free via online courses available to ICAEW CFAB and ACA students from ICAEW and partner organisations.
Exclusive
Unpicking the three lines
- Article
- 02 Jan 2025
What does Three Lines mean to you? I would imagine it’s a concept that most who work within, or are involved with, internal audit understand well.
Leading data-led decision making in local government
- Article
- 05 Dec 2024
Finance professionals are pivotal in ensuring local authority decisions on service delivery are grounded in robust data analysis. CIPFA’s Iain Murray outlines the role of finance teams in ensuring data-led decision-making and the skills required for success.
The ABCD+ of technology: data
- Article
- 04 Dec 2024
In the fifth of our series on the biggest tech trends, ICAEW’s Head of Tech Ian Pay gives us the lowdown on data.
Exclusive
Your Excel Community – Highlights from 2024
- Article
- 29 Nov 2024
As we approach a new year, it’s time to reflect on the best content from the Excel Community in 2024 and look ahead as the community grows and develops. Whether you’re new or an existing member, we invite you to explore the insights and learnings the community has delivered for you over this last year.
Webinars
Excel Tips & Tricks Live - your questions answered (January 2025)
- Webinar
- 29 Jan 2025
Ian Pay, ICAEW Head of Data Analytics and Tech and James Berridge, Director - Data Analytics, Saffery LLP, will be on hand to answer your Excel dilemmas with live Excel demonstrations.
ICAEW Midlands: Alternative Finance
- Webinar
- 19 Sep 2024
On demand recording of webinar: ICAEW Midlands: Alternative Finance - What are the debt and equity finance options in the Midlands?'
Exclusive
Critical Skills Workshop - 50+ Excel features from this decade
- Webinar
- 27 Jun 2024
Excel MVP David goes through a whistlestop tour of the most important functions, commands and tools to have hit Excel in the 2020’s so far. So many Excel enthusiasts are highly familiar with classic Excel features, but many of these (nested IF, VLOOKUP, commenting, SUMPRODUCT) have been superseded with better tools. AI is also now nested to Excel in several ways, and Excel has made strides for simultaneous editing and collaboration, for example the ability to check, cell by cell, who edited what and when.
Exclusive
Power Tools Part 4: Build dynamic dashboards with Power Pivot
- Webinar
- 04 Mar 2024
This webinar explores the fundamentals of Power Pivot and how to best use this functionality in Excel to structure and analyse data, based on real-life examples accounting and finance professionals will encounter.
Data-driven insights: The importance of data quality in cash flow forecasting with Futrli
- Webinar
- 14 Feb 2024
Could bad data be holding your forecasts back? If you want to perform incisive cash flow forecasts and empower your clients to make the best business decisions, you need to have a focus on data quality. In this webinar, we will delve into the impact of good data on your cash flow forecasting. We will consider the processes you can implement today to ensure your clients’ data is captured, processed, and presented in the most effective manner, and look at how Futrli can help.
Exclusive
Excel tips and tricks live: your questions answered
- Webinar
- 22 Jan 2024
Join our experts as they tackle your Excel questions, quandaries, and more.
Power Tools Part 2: Harness the potential of Power BI
- Webinar
- 06 Sep 2023
Discover the power of Power BI as we embark on a journey of data visualisation and analysis.
From data to value: mastering forecasting and reporting for effective advisory
- Webinar
- 02 Aug 2023
Leverage forecasting and reporting to streamline production and delivery of management information whilst evolving client relationships. A webinar brought to you in partnership with Futrli.
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
Reports, guidance and thought leadership.
ICAEW Financial Due Diligence guideline
- Report
- 22 Oct 2024
- PDF (738kb)
This guideline explores the what, why, who and how of performing effective financial due diligence (FDD) and the outcomes it should achieve. It considers how FDD interacts with other areas of due diligence and how rapidly evolving technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), is reshaping the FDD process.
Ethics and AI
- Report
- 18 Oct 2024
- PDF (1,006kb)
In 2024, ICAEW’s Trust and Ethics Team hosted roundtables on shaping guidance for the accountancy profession on the ethical use of artificial intelligence. Read an overview of the discussions, offering insights into real-life use cases and the risks that must be managed.
ICAEW LGPS Guide
- Report
- 06 Jun 2024
- PDF (3,204kb)
ICAEW and the LGPS Scheme Advisory Board are pleased to publish a Local Government Pension Scheme Informer.
Evolution of mid-tier accountancy firms
- Report
- 23 May 2024
ICAEW's latest research into mid-tier practices reveals reaction to the increase in private equity funding to the sector, as well as expectations for profit growth and shifts in services lines over the next three years.
ICAEW Evolution of mid-tier accountancy firms 2024
- Report
- 23 May 2024
- PDF (1,466kb)
ICAEW's latest research reveals the polarised reactions to private equity funding within the sector, as well as expectations for profit growth and shifts in services lines over the next three years.
Cyber Security in Corporate Finance
- Report
- 31 Jan 2024
- PDF (1,862kb)
The flow of sensitive information and the number of parties typically interacting in M&A, raising finance or a restructuring can increase the cyber security risk of all those involved. This guide aims to help organisations manage cyber risk and improve its governance, setting out good practice within the context of a corporate finance transaction.
Sharpening the Focus on Corporate Fraud: an Audit Firm Perspective
- Report
- 21 Jul 2022
- PDF (1,112kb)
A snapshot of the steps being taken by audit firms to better facilitate fraud deterrence and detection.
Exclusive
The essential guide to data analytics
- Report
- 07 Dec 2021
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.
ebooks
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
Exclusive
Python for accounting and business
- eBook
- 28 Aug 2023
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.
Exclusive
Guerrilla data analysis using Microsoft Excel: conquering crap data and Excel skirmishes.
- eBook
- 01 Mar 2022
Includes examples and case studies that teach users the tricks for analysing data in Excel.
Exclusive
Excel data analysis for dummies
- eBook
- 15 Feb 2022
For those new to data analysis. Takes the reader on a tour of Excel's data analysis tools.
Exclusive
Data visualization with Excel dashboards and reports
- eBook
- 01 Apr 2021
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.
Exclusive
Accounting disrupted
- eBook
- 03 Mar 2021
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.
Exclusive
Analytics and big data for accountants
- eBook
- 07 Dec 2020
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.
Exclusive
Audit analytics: data science for the accounting profession
- eBook
- 06 May 2020
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.
Exclusive
Digital finance: big data, start-ups, and the future of financial services
- eBook
- 25 Sep 2019
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 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.
Join the Excel Community
Do you use Excel in your organisation? Are you using it to its maximum potential? Develop your skills and minimise spreadsheet risk with our Excel resources. Membership is free to ICAEW members. Non-ICAEW members are also welcome to join.
Industry press
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
Exclusive
Data management trends: privacy, security and AI
- Article
- 29 Jul 2024
This article discusses the importance of data management for accountancy firms, focusing on the trends of privacy, security, and artificial intelligence (AI). It highlights the challenges posed by cyberthreats and regulatory requirements, emphasizing the need to prioritize privacy and security measures. The article suggests strategies such as data encryption, cybersecurity measures, and staff training to enhance data management. It also recommends leveraging AI tools for automation, predictive analytics, and data visualization.
Exclusive
No more 'wait and see'
- Article
- 01 Feb 2024
Article discusses how accounting firms are increasingly embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI to improve efficiency and gain a competitive edge. Many firms are exploring the various applications of AI, such as internal virtual agents, client communication and automation, data analysis and anomaly detection, and tax and client services. While there is a growing acceptance of AI within the profession, some accountants still have concerns about work quality, data accuracy, fiscal costs, undetected bias, and ethical issues. It is important for firms to have proper AI guidelines ...
Exclusive
In the dark about data
- Article
- 01 Dec 2023
Article discusses openness and transparency in data collection from customers. The authors argue that companies that are open about what they are doing with customer data and offer something fair in exchange are at an advantage over companies that are not trusted with data.
Exclusive
The data-driven supply chain raises new governance and security issues
- Article
- 01 Sep 2023
The article highlights the importance of data management and security in today's digital supply chain, where every enterprise is considered a "data enterprise." As companies transition to digitally integrated supply chains, they must prioritize data stewardship, embed data governance and security into their operations, and adapt to changing practices and regulations.
Exclusive
Getting data sorted
- Article
- 25 Jul 2023
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.
Exclusive
Managing people's data ethically
- Article
- 01 Jul 2023
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'
Exclusive
What is descriptive analytics?
- Article
- 13 Feb 2023
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.
Exclusive
Leadership in the age of big data
- Article
- 01 Jan 2023
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.
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
- Website
- 09 Jun 2020
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.
Operational Reasearch Case studies
- Website
- 15 Aug 2019
Case studies of the use of analytics, searchable by industry, application, benefit or function
Big data, artificial intelligence, machine learning and data protection
- Website
- 04 Sep 2017
This discussion paper looks at the implications of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for data protection, and explains the ICO’s views on these.
Data mining and analytics: a beginners guide to anti-fraud measures
- Website
- 01 Dec 2015
This guide, from the Fraud Prevention Panel, provides an overview of the common methods of data mining and analytics and explains how you can use them to guard against fraud.
POST Big Data series
- Website
- 30 Nov 2014
A series of reports from the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST) covering the use of big data in security, health, business, transport, social media, citizen science, biomedical research and the smart metering of utilities.
Computing - Big Data analytics
- Website
- 23 Mar 2014
Computing magazine news and features on Big Data and analytics
ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided ‘as is’ with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.
ICAEW Data Analytics Certificate Programme
In an increasingly data-rich and technology-driven world, finance teams must learn how to harness and make sense of data and what it means for the business. Data analytics and data science skills are showing the biggest growth in demand from employers, and finance professionals are perfectly placed to upskill in this area.
