Free (Virtual) Analytics for Audit and other Business Practices 1 CPE

Free (Virtual) Analytics for Audit and other Business Practices 1 CPE

Tue, July 15, 2025, 6:00 PM, 2 hr CPE

When: Tues Tue, Jun 17, 2025, 6:00 PM, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM (Arizona Time)

6:00 to 6:20 - Networking

6:20 to 7:10 – Free (Virtual) Analytics for Audit and other Business Practices

by J. Christopher Westland, Professor in the Department of Information & Decision Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago

"Are you ready to unlock the secrets hidden within the "data deluge" and revolutionize your decision-making? Join us for a compelling talk that begins by exploring how Audit Analytics is transforming the accounting profession. We'll unveil how traditional manual methods are no longer sufficient to navigate the sheer volume and velocity of modern data, and why auditors now need entirely different skills, embracing data science and advanced computational tools. Prepare to dive into the powerful world of Bayesian A/B Decision Models. Discover how these cutting-edge models move beyond the limitations of traditional statistics, offering unparalleled flexibility and adaptability to deliver precise, actionable insights even under conditions of high uncertainty. Learn how Bayesian methods provide direct probabilities, enabling clearer and more confident strategic choices in high-stakes environments, from financial audits to corporate strategy and legal deliberations. Don't miss this opportunity to see how embracing data science and Bayesian thinking can empower you to make truly intelligent decisions in our complex digital age!"

Field of Study: 2 hour CPE- Field of Study : Information technology (technical): Data Analytics

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the Role of Data Science in Modern Auditing: Learners will explore how Audit Analytics integrates data science techniques, such as statistical analysis and machine learning, to transform traditional auditing practices, enabling auditors to handle large-scale, complex datasets and derive actionable insights for more reliable and efficient financial audits.
• Recognize Practical Tools and Techniques for Audit Analytics: Participants will gain knowledge of the R statistical language and its packages (e.g., lubridate, ggplot2, tidytext) to perform advanced data processing, visualization, and sentiment analysis, as outlined in the book, to enhance audit procedures and decision-making.
• Recognize the Evolution and Future of the Accounting Profession: Learners will examine the historical and ongoing shifts in auditing, from manual ledger-based methods to technology-driven approaches, and understand the importance of acquiring skills in data analytics, cloud computing, and cybersecurity to meet the demands of modern corporate accounting environments.

BIO:

J. Christopher Westland is a Professor in the Department of Information & Decision Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago. He holds a BA in Statistics and an MBA in Accounting from Indiana University and received his Ph.D. in Computers and Information Systems from the University of Michigan. He has worked professionally in the US as a certified public accountant and as a consultant in technology in the US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. He is the author of numerous academic papers and of nine books: Bayesian A/B Decision Models, Audit Analytics, Structural Equation Modeling; Global Electronic Commerce; Global Innovation Management; Red Wired: China’s Internet Revolution; Structural Equation Modeling; Financial Dynamics; Valuing Technology. Since 2013, he has been the Editor-in-Chief of Electronic Commerce Research (Springer) and has served on editorial boards of other information technology journals, including Management Science, ISR, ECRA, IJEC, and others. He has served on the faculties at the University of Michigan, University of Southern California, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, University of Science and Technology of China, Harbin Institute of Technology, and other academic institutions. In 2012, he received High-Level Foreign Expert status in China under the 1000-Talents Plan and was named Overseas Chair Professor at Beihang University; in 2024 he was awarded a Fulbright Grant to Colombia. He regularly advises on patent, valuation, and technology strategy.

Location: Virtual

Online Instructions: (Register below to get the Link to the meeting-mailed out 2 days and also 1 hours before)

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