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 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’.
Analytics in Power BI: ICAEW Certificate
- Promotional material
- 06 May 2025
New for 2025: Gain essential data analytics skills and advanced reporting techniques to stay ahead of industry demands with this practical qualification from ICAEW.
Features and articles
Exclusive
Excel Tips and Tricks #500
- Article
- 21 May 2025
Welcome back to Excel Tips and Tricks! Over the last 10 years, we have covered a range of tips and tricks to help our community members make better use of Excel. In this special 500th tip, we cover how to master the learning process to get better at Excel.
Exclusive
Excel Tips and Tricks #499 – Excel’s new focus cell
- Article
- 01 May 2025
Welcome back to Excel Tips and Tricks! This time, we have a Basic User level post exploring the new focus cell functionality in Excel.
Exclusive
Aligning data in PowerQuery
- Article
- 11 Apr 2025
In this article, Ben Ducker explores how to use PowerQuery to align data and fields from several sources and time periods into one report.
How to secure vital AI skills and an engaged workforce
- Article
- 21 Mar 2025
How should the UK nurture the skill sets that will underpin the AI-driven future of enterprise and accountancy? Members voiced their ideas for action in a round table.
Data analytics for auditors: five essentials
- Article
- 07 Mar 2025
Data analytics is often overlooked in favour of flashier technologies, but it is a critical skill set for the modern auditor.
How to navigate software platform migration
- Article
- 25 Feb 2025
Whether driven by cost, functionality, security or compliance, software migration is a complex process that requires careful planning. ICAEW highlights key considerations for practices and businesses looking to migrate.
Global Excel Summit 2025 – recap
- Article
- 21 Feb 2025
This year, ICAEW’s Excel Community partnered with the Global Excel Summit, an award-winning conference for Excel enthusiasts. From the sessions hosted by MVPs and global experts we took away insights on a range of topics, including the latest Excel functionality, principles for best practice, and the skills required to advance in Excel. So, here's some of our highlights!
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.
Webinars
Expert Q&A: capture, maintain and handle quality data
- Webinar
- 18 Mar 2025
Answering your questions on data capture and management.
AI: how will it transform analytics?
- Webinar
- 06 Mar 2025
Explore the basics of AI and why data is important to leverage the full potential of this technology.
Exclusive
Critical Skills Series Common accountant pitfalls in Excel
- Webinar
- 25 Feb 2025
Excel MVP and FCA David Benaim showcases ways that accountants typically deal with things and the optimal way to deal with accounting concepts such as depreciation, cleaning up bank statements, progress vs target, comparing to materiality, formula auditing and more, plus David will compare & contrast old & new formulas e.g. VLOOKUP vs XLOOKUP, SWITCH vs IF.
Exclusive
Expert Q&A: asking the right questions for your data strategy
- Webinar
- 30 Jan 2025
Learn how to effectively get started with your data strategy, and discover new perspectives and solutions for your data challenges.
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.
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.
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.
Data - a new emerging type of intangibles
- Report
- 04 Jun 2025
- PDF (322kb)
The research report explores whether and how DATA can yield economic benefits, and whether its omission from financial statements hinders decision-making for users of those reports.
Managing software risk when adopting cloud software
- Helpsheets and support
- 19 Feb 2025
The risks associated with adopting software – particularly software based in the cloud – are many and varied. Here, we consider some of the critical software risks that may be important for businesses to consider and mitigate.
Strategic considerations for software implementation
- Helpsheets and support
- 19 Feb 2025
When looking to implement a new software solution - whether hosted in the cloud or otherwise - it is worth spending time to determine your strategic approach to software before rushing into exploring specific applications. Here, we outline some of those considerations.
Benefits and risks of cloud computing
- Helpsheets and support
- 19 Feb 2025
Cloud computing offers a multitude of benefits that make it a valuable consideration for businesses, but it is not without risk. With the ability to store data, run applications or collaborate with others, cloud computing is a flexible and reliable option for many.
Contractual considerations for cloud implementation
- Helpsheets and support
- 19 Feb 2025
Consider the contractual tie-ins and the potential costs associated with buying into cloud or subscription-based software.
Data considerations for cloud software
- Helpsheets and support
- 19 Feb 2025
Data is of course at the heart of the vast majority of software applications. In some form or other, applications in the cloud will typically be storing data that relates to you or your customers/clients, and so understanding what this means for your organisation is critical.
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.
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
Future-proof accounting: data and technology strategies
- eBook
- 19 Jul 2024
Provides an understanding of the latest accounting technologies and their practical applications for the accountancy profession, including sections on artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, cloud computing, blockchain, and data visualisation.
Exclusive
Visualise this: the FlowingData guide to design, visualisation and statistics
- eBook
- 29 May 2024
Contains practical steps for how to use a mix of data visualisation tools and understand different types of data.
Exclusive
Good charts: the HBR guide to making smarter, more persuasive data visualisations
- eBook
- 29 Aug 2023
A guide to data visualisation and information design for business.
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.
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.
Analytics in Power BI: ICAEW Certificate for Finance Professionals
This ICAEW Certificate is tailored for finance professionals, equipping you with critical data analytics skills to enhance forecasting, reporting, and financial modelling. Designed in collaboration with ICAEW data experts and Kaplan’s learning specialists, the course delivers a highly relevant, practical approach to Power BI.
