Practical Applications for Practitioners

Objective: Develop a written article that explores practical applications of Python in the accounting field. The article should offer clear, instructional content on using Python to solve a specific problem or improve a process within accounting, aimed at professional practitioners.

Instructions:

1. Topic Identification:
   • Select a relevant challenge or task in accounting that can be addressed or improved using Python.
   • Research the impact of this challenge on accounting practices and the potential benefits of using Python as a solution.
2. Article Development:
   • Write a detailed article that serves as both a how-to guide and a persuasive piece on the advantages of implementing Python for the chosen task.
   • Include a clear description of the task, its significance in the accounting profession, and a step-by-step guide on how Python can be applied.
   • Enhance your article with code snippets, flowcharts, and screenshots to illustrate your points and guide the reader through the Python solution.
3. Presentation:
   • Prepare a Zoom presentation where you effectively present your article, with the written content displayed in the background.
   • Demonstrate the steps and the utility of the Python application in a clear and professional manner.

Submission Requirements:

• Article Length: Approximately 5 pages, suitable for submission to an accounting journal.
• Presentation: A professional Zoom recording where you discuss and demonstrate the key aspects of your article.

Reference Articles for Guidance

As part of the course requirements, students are expected to produce practitioner articles that could potentially be published in leading accounting journals. To assist in this endeavor, the following articles have been provided as models to help guide your understanding of effective writing styles, article flow, technical detail, and submission requirements for such publications:

1. “How Microsoft Power BI Can Provide More Insight Than Excel Alone” – Journal of Accountancy
   • Focus on how the integration of software tools like Power BI enhances traditional Excel tasks.
2. “Testing Journal Entries with Excel: An Effective Audit Tool” – Journal of Accountancy
   • Note the detailed explanation of procedural steps and the clarity of the audit-related content.
3. “Automating Excel with Power Query” – CPA Journal
   • Understand the use of Power Query as an automation tool within Excel, highlighting process efficiencies.
4. “A Better Way to Keep PivotTables Updated” – CPA Journal
   • Analyze the techniques used for maintaining and updating complex Excel PivotTables.
5. Internal Auditor Journal – The IIA
   • Explore a variety of topics related to internal auditing to gauge the breadth of subjects and depth of research expected.

These articles serve as exemplars of how to effectively communicate complex information to a professional audience. Students should use these articles to gauge the appropriate depth of content, clarity of explanations, and adherence to professional standards necessary for their submissions to be considered for publication.