ACCT2343 - Accounting Data Analytics and Visualisation

Individual Assessment 3 (Part A)

Due Date: Monday 14 April 2025 5:00PM

Overview

This final assessment, Assessment 3 - Part A (30%), consists of two sections as outlined below. The assessment is designed to evaluate your analytical and storytelling skills, based on the marking criteria provided. A rubric is also available to guide your work.

Section 1: You are required to independently source a large dataset for analysis using Tableau or Power BI. The dataset should contain minimum 3,000 rows and can be collected from any accessible and relevant source available online. Superstore dataset and other datasets used in our workshops (eg Slainte) cannot be used.  There will be no step-by-step instructions for this analysis. You are expected to identify and create a narrative (story) based on your data in

Tableau Story and determine the appropriate dashboard with four visualisations to support that narrative. The story points in Tableau Story and accompanying visualisations should be presented in a written Word document.

Section 2: In this section, you will create a 5-minute video presentation of your data story, tailored to a specified audience. The video should not simply be a reading of your written narrative from Section 1. Instead, you are expected to present your story creatively and engagingly, using visual and verbal elements to communicate the insights from your data analysis in Tableau Story. The video should effectively translate your written story into a dynamic format, making appropriate use of visual aids, such as the data visualisations developed in Section 1. You may use any video recording software or platform. of your choice.  Your talking head should be clearly visible in the entire 5-minute video presentation.

Assessment Details & Requirements

Section 1 (15 marks):

You are responsible for independently sourcing a large dataset consisting of minimum 3,000 rows from online sources. No dataset will be provided. Superstore dataset and other datasets used in our workshops (eg Slainte) cannot be used.   You must thoroughly describe your dataset by answering specific questions (see below for further instructions) and use your dataset to create at least four (4) visualisations for a dashboard and story using either Tableau or Power BI (your choice). Based on your analysis and the visualisations you have developed; you will write an insightful story with a clear link to an accounting in any business decision-making aspect. Accounting must feature in at least one visualisation and in the narrative itself. You can connect accounting (from any domains that we covered in this course such as managerial, financial, audit, or taxation). In addition, you can also connect accounting aspect with any other broader issues like ESG, SDGs, sustainability, climate change, environmental management, or other human rights related issues. The objective is to find an interesting and meaningful story that can be told through the data analysis and visualisations you have created. You must submit both the written story (including the four visualisations and story) and answers to the dataset questions in a Word document (1,000 words), as well as your dataset in Excel and Tableau Packaged Workbook (.twbx) or Power BI workbook.

Please include the following sections in your written report (note: dashboard visualisations and reference list do not count toward word count).

1. Introduction and Background. Discuss, in brief, your motivation for this dataset. Please

include any sources that inspired you picking your topic. Give context and relevance. What do you want to learn and accomplish?  What questions do you want to answer? How will your

project benefit others?

2. Datasets. Describe the dataset(s) that you are using (you need collect at least one dataset). For the dataset include:

•     Who collected the data? Who funded the project that the data came from? Other important information about the dataset?

•     Why was the data created and for what purpose?

•     What is the timeline or lineage of the data?

• Define and describe the variables included in the dataset.

•      How large is the dataset (cases, how many and what are the variables)?

• What locations are included in the dataset?

•     Describe how the datasets will help you achieve your goals/questions that posed in your introduction, including any limitations.

3. Data Story. The weekly exercises and examples shown in our workshops (Weeks 1-12) can help you craft your data story.

•     Create at least four (4) visualisations for a dashboard and story in Tableau or Power BI. Please include different types of visualisations (tree map, bar, line chart etc.)

• For each visualisation:

o  Tell the reader which data set (if using more than one) each variable comes from, the units (or categories) of the variable, and any other additional information.

Please explore and reference accompanying documentation! Are there any limitations in the data set?  Are there any definitions to share?

o  As mentioned above, make sure that your variables are clearly defined.

o  Please paste these visualisations in your document at appropriate points in your story/narrative.

o  Demonstrate how the visualisations addresses your question/goal.

•      Compose a story/narrative that describes your visualisations and tells your audience a story that meets your goals stated in your Introduction section.

•      Please apply the concepts, principles, frameworks that we have covered in this course.

4. Summary and Conclusions.

5. References. Please use quality references for in-text citations and end-reference list in your report.

6. Supporting Resources. Please see some references provided below as supporting resources for your dataset collection.

Section 2 (15 marks):

While data stories provide meaning and insights from analytics and visualisations, video stories   add depth and engagement to these insights. For this task, you are expected to create a 5-minute video presentation for a target audience of board members and senior executives of an imagined organisation, based on the dataset you collected in Section 1. The video should not simply repeat the written story from Section 1 but should transform. it into an engaging, dynamic format that clearly conveys the deeper meaning behind your data analysis and the insights derived. The goal is to make the data accessible and meaningful, highlighting the key actionable insights that support decision-making.

After successfully submitting your data analytics and visualisations to your manager (Section 1), you now have approval to present your findings to the board of directors and senior executives for their consideration. While these board members and senior managers are highly   knowledgeable in their business domains, they may not have the technical expertise to fully grasp the complexities of your dataset, analytics, and visualisations. What they care about is how your analysis can help them make informed decisions. Your task is to present the data and insights in a succinct, digestible, and engaging manner through a 5-minute video presentation. The video should demonstrate how your findings address the question or business problem you set in Section 1 and the actionable insights they can use.

To be successful in this assessment, you are encouraged to use Tableau Story (for submission using Tableau) or presentation slides (for submission using Power BI) that incorporate visual aids, such as the visualisations you developed in Section 1, to support your narrative. Your presentation should be tailored to the appropriate audience and use storytelling techniques  to create a cohesive and engaging narrative. This approach will ensure that the board of directors and senior executives can clearly understand the key insights and take appropriate actions based on your analysis.

You may use any video recording software or platform of your choice to create this presentation. Some supporting resources are provided below for Section 2. You can do research to find more relevant and appropriate tips and tools. To help you prepare for your video presentation, the following guidance and suggestions outline an effective structure, tips for recording, and recommended tools. Your talking head should be clearly visible in the entire 5-minute video presentation.

Suggested Structure of the Video:

1. Explain the question(s) or business problem(s):

o  Begin by introducing the key question(s) or business problem(s) that your analysis seeks to address.

2. Incorporate your visualisation(s) into a visual narrative:

o  Use the visualisations from Section 1 to guide your audience through your data

story. Ensure the visualisations are clear and relevant to your narrative.

3. Provide recommendations with actionable insights:

o  Based on your analysis, offer concrete recommendations or solutions. Highlight actionable insights that the board of directors or senior executives can use to inform. decision-making.

4. Provide a conclusion:

o  Summarise your key findings and recommendations in a clear and concise manner.

5. Include references:

o  Where relevant, cite any sources or references used. You may include a slide at the end of your presentation for references or appendices.

6. Use and number of slides:

o  There are no strict guidelines on the number of slides. As a general rule, aim for a 5-minute video presentation but use your discretion in balancing the visuals and  content.

Supporting Resources for Section 1 (Data Collection & Analysis, Visualisations, and Written Report with a Narrative Data Story)

Try to locate potential sources of relatively large dataset (with at least 3,000 rows) that are suitable for either Tableau or Power BI. You are allowed to use more than one dataset to prepare your visualisations for your storytelling. Please remember to check the terms and conditions associated with each dataset to ensure that it can be used for your assignment purposes. Remember that before using any dataset, you should understand    its limitations and restrictions and ensure that it is suitable and legal for your intended use. You should also preprocess and clean the data before inputting it into Tableau or Power BI, to ensure it's in the right format and doesn't contain any errors or inconsistencies.

Here are a few sources where you can find large datasets containing accounting variables that you can download for free and use in Tableau and Power BI:

Kaggle: Kaggle is a platform for predictive modelling and analytics competitions. They host datasets in various formats, including CSV and SQL datasets, which can be integrated with

Tableau or Power BI. There are several accounting and financial datasets available on Kaggle, contributed by users and organisations around the world.

data.gov.au: This is the central source of Australian open government data. You can search for various datasets including financial and accounting related ones.

Data.gov: This is the home of the U.S. Government’s open data. You can find federal, state, and local data, tools, and resources to conduct research, build apps, design data visualisations, and

more. You can filter the datasets by topic or category to find accounting and finance related datasets.

https://discover.data.vic.gov.au/dataset/: Data.Vic is the place to discover and access Victorian government open data.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS): ABS is Australia's national statistical agency, providing trusted official statistics on a wide range of economic, social, population and environmental  matters.

CSIRO Data61: CSIRO’s Data61 is Australia’s data innovation network that transforms existing industries and creates new ones through the application of science and technology. They have a  range of datasets available, some of which are related to finance and economics.

UCI Machine Learning Repository: This repository maintains a collection of databases, domain theories, and data generators that are used by the machine learning community. Although not    specifically focused on accounting, you may find some financial datasets here.

Google Dataset Search: This is a search engine from Google that helps researchers locate online data that is freely available for use. You can search for "accounting datasets" or "financial

datasets" to find data relevant to your needs.

EU Open Data Portal: This portal provides access to open data published by EU institutions and bodies. You can find various types of datasets including those related to economics and finance.

World Bank Open Data: This is a comprehensive resource for global development data. The World Bank's Open Data initiative provides access to financial, economic, and various other datasets.

Quandl: Quandl offers a vast collection of data from hundreds of publishers. It provides

financial, economic, and alternative data that can be used in various data analytics tools. Some data are free, but for some others, you need a subscription.

Financial Modeling Prep API: This provides real-time and historical stock data, as well as other financial data. It’s free to use up to a certain limit.

Supporting Resources for Section 2 (5-minute Video Preparation)

Things to Avoid in the Video:

•      Presenting verbatim from your written report: Your video should distill the essential insights from Section 1, rather than reading the full report.

•      Overly technical explanations: Avoid diving into the technical details of your dataset, analytics, or visualisations. Tailor your presentation for the board members and executives, who are more interested in insights and implications than in the technical process.

•      Exceeding the time limit: Ensure your video adheres to the 5-minute time limit. Brevity and clarity are essential.

Tips for Recording Your Video:

•      Record in a quiet space: Ensure that your recording is free from distractions or background noise.

•      Test audio and video quality: Do a test run to verify that both audio and video are clear. You may want to seek feedback from peers.

•      Readable visuals: Make sure that any visuals or text used in your presentation are large enough to be clearly visible.

•     Dress professionally: Remember that your audience is composed of board members and senior executives, so dress appropriately for the occasion.

•      Engage with your audience: Be aware of your gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions, as they enhance engagement and help convey your message.