Business Driven Education

CPA firm sponsors data analytics class for School of Business

Howard Foote of UHY speaks with School of Business Dean Nilanjan Sen (right) after making a contribution to support a new analytics class for the school. (Photos by Patrick Dodson)

ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 20, 2020) — A partnership between the accounting firm UHY LLP and the School of Business has resulted in a new course, “Data Analytics for Audit and Control."

The school has had a 20-year relationship with UHY, particularly with Howard Foote, the longtime office managing partner of Capital Region UHY. The firm is providing $30,000 in funding to cover the instructor and technology for the course for three years.

Foote said he is impressed with the high standards for coursework in the School of Business as well as its dual accreditation in business and accounting through tAACSB, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. “UHY’s support of the class is a heartfelt recognition of what the school offers. The core values of the school, particularly ‘From Opportunity to Impact’ resonates with us,” Foote said.

Howard Foote, right, hands over a ceremonial check to the School of Business from the accounting firm UHY.

Exploring ways his firm could make an impact on the school, Foote discussed options with Accounting Department Chair Ingrid Fisher, and the two landed on the idea of an analytics class. Fisher said, “UHY uses their strength in data analytics and the school receives resources to offer a tools-driven class."

Fisher worked with Mark Hughes, director of Accounting Programs, to develop the syllabus. Hughes said the course teaches “real-life analytics that auditors are using in the field” as well as a fundamental understanding of software functionality that students can apply to many types of digital tools. “We are preparing for the future of accounting,” he said. “The entire profession is reorganizing around data analytics.”

This is not UHY’s only involvement with the School of Business. UHY Assistant Controller Brad Cone has taught both undergraduate and graduate level accounting classes, and several partners hold positions on the School of Business Advisory Council and the Accounting Advisory Board.  Foote estimates that 30 to 35 percent of UHY partners and professional and administrative staff are UAlbany alumni.

A History of Collaboration

The accounting department has an extensive history of collaboration with the business world. In 2009, a $100,000 gift from EY alumni and the EY Foundation created a communication class for undergraduate accounting students. The class was made necessary by the implementation of the 150-hour education requirement necessary for CPA certification. EY funding covers the class and provides resources for career and faculty development and mentoring.

EY also sponsors the Trajectory program, a one-semester class that includes guest speakers and hands-on projects where students operate as part of an information technology risk consulting team. The latest partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers involves their input into curriculum changes to stay abreast of new technological development.

Fisher notes that the many connections are driven by the Accounting Advisory board, made up of industry professionals. She recently worked with the board to identify professionals to review the curriculum for the MS in Forensic Accounting.

“It is part of the Accounting Department culture to reach out to our professional partners and stakeholders,” Fisher said. “The connections are also driven by the many talented UAlbany alumni who are willing to help. It behooves us to be connected to industry needs so that our students are literate in in the necessary tools.”

Industry connections drive curriculum development throughout the school. Information Systems & Business Analytics Department Chair Eliot Rich said, “Over the last decade alumni and business leaders have helped ISBA identify industry-driven topic areas. Key Bank regularly sends teams of volunteer instructors in support of Agile design concepts in our undergraduate and graduate ISBA classes. Alumni from General Electric and Bank of America helped shape our new undergraduate certificate in Business Analytics. Price Chopper staff have also worked with our MBA students on the potential of greening systems and infrastructure.”

The marketing department is well-connected to industry, having integrated a variety of concepts into marketing studies, including, business analytics for executive decision making, online survey tools for consumer and marketing research, CRM tools (including Oracle and Salesforce.com) and how they can be used for business analytics, and familiarity with Amazon Web Services and website tools.

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