Alfred University students achieve Data Analytics & Visualization certification

Students in Theresa Gunn's Cost Accounting class who earned Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) certification in Data Analytics & Visualization, shown in photo above are, front row, from left, Omar Allari, Nathan King, Dashun Smith, and Reign Peterson; middle row, from left, Noelle Payne, Harper Smith, Morgan Glover, Patonn Francois, Toryn Cline, and Antonia Mejia; and back row, from left, Kristin Morris, Quincy Tyler, Casey Grange, Zach Kelsey, Joe Adipietro, David Andrews, Ryan Hughes, and Miracle Stephens.

A group of students in the Cost Accounting class taught by Theresa Gunn, associate professor of accountancy in Alfred University's College of Business, have earned Data Analytics & Visualization certification from the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).

Data analytics and visualization are processes that help businesses understand data to make informed decisions and communicate insights to stakeholders. According to Gunn, the IMA certification gives the students additional knowledge on the impact of technology and analytics in the accounting profession.

"They understand how data analytics can influence organizational strategy and learn the effectiveness of data visualizations to portray business information to help in decision making," she said. "The certification also increases their data skills, use of Excel tools, visualization ability, and ability to understand and portray data for others to understand."

Since being included in the Cost Accounting class three years ago, 40 students have earned IMA certification in Data Analytics and Visualization. To achieve certification, students complete four online modules, including a final exam. The modules consist of hands-on, experiential learning through case study scenarios and practical exercises with sample questions throughout each module.

Students, whose IMA membership is supported by the College of Business, began working on their IMA Data Analytics and Visualization certification in early October. To hone their skills, data visualization instruction was incorporate into homework assignments, and the final exam for IMA certification was counted as a percentage of students' final course grade.