PART III: Data Management and Advanced Analytics

In this section

• Chapter 11: Data Life Cycle and Governance
  • Creation, Storage, Active Use, Archival, and Disposition of Data
    Explore data life cycle best practices, compliance considerations, and confidentiality measures to ensure secure and efficient data handling.
  • Data Classification Levels and Metadata Management
    Discover how to establish effective data classification levels and integrate metadata management to enhance data consistency, control, and security across financial systems.
  • Policies for Data Retention and Destruction
    Explore comprehensive guidelines on crafting data retention and destruction policies. Understand regulatory drivers, best practices for sensitive data disposal, and how CPAs can ensure compliance through well-structured governance frameworks.
• Chapter 12: Database Structures and Administration
  • Relational Databases, Schemas, and Normalization
    Learn how relational databases use schemas and normalization to maintain data integrity, reduce redundancy, and streamline information systems essential for accounting and IT audits.
  • SQL Queries: Common Commands, Clauses, Operators
    Master essential SQL queries, from SELECT statements to GROUP BY clauses and JOINS, with real-world finance and accounting examples.
  • Data Dictionary and Data Integrity Controls
    Explore how a structured data dictionary enhances data consistency and ensures robust data integrity through primary and foreign key constraints within information systems.
  • Database Security and User Access
    Strengthen your database security strategy through best practices in user access control, encryption at rest, and row-level security for robust data protection and compliance.
• Chapter 13: Data Warehousing and Big Data Environments
  • Data Warehouses, Data Lakes, and Data Marts
    Explore the distinctions and typical usage scenarios of Data Warehouses, Data Lakes, and Data Marts, focusing on structured vs. raw data management in modern analytics and accounting contexts.
  • ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) Processes and Controls
    Explore ETL fundamentals, with a focus on data transformation risks and mitigation strategies. Learn how robust ETL frameworks ensure data integrity and support accurate financial analyses in modern information systems.
  • Managing Structured, Semi‑Structured, and Unstructured Data
    Learn practical strategies for managing diverse data types—structured, semi-structured, and unstructured—and explore audit implications, indexing complexities, and best practices in this essential guide for ISC candidates and finance professionals.
  • Governance Challenges in Big Data
    Explore the complexities of big data governance, including privacy, security, and real-world examples of data misuse, and learn best practices to ensure compliance and ethical data handling at scale.
• Chapter 14: Data Integration and Analytics
  • Combining Data from Disparate Sources for Analysis
    Learn how to effectively unify data from multiple, often inconsistent, sources for streamlined analysis while addressing common pitfalls, data cleansing steps, and best practices.
  • Visualization Tools and Reporting Dashboards
    Learn how to harness visualization tools and build effective reporting dashboards in your enterprise, focusing on BI platforms and best practices to convey key insights quickly.
  • Predictive Analytics, Machine Learning, and AI Fundamentals
    Learn how CPAs can leverage predictive analytics, machine learning, and AI techniques to enhance decision-making, identify risks, and streamline audits through classification, regression, and ethical data practices.
  • Identifying Control Risks in Data Analytics and Continuous Monitoring
    Learn how to uncover hidden vulnerabilities in data analytics processes and leverage continuous monitoring to detect anomalies, ensuring data integrity and accuracy.
• Chapter 15: Business Process Modeling and Improvement
  • BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) Use Cases
    Explore BPMN fundamentals, layering methodical structure onto CPA workflows. Learn syntax, real-world scenarios, and best practices to enhance financial processes through visual process modeling.
  • Analyzing Process Bottlenecks and Control Gaps
    Learn how to identify operational inefficiencies and map internal controls within business processes, enabling CPAs to pinpoint risks, enhance productivity, and ensure compliance.
  • Leveraging Process Automation for Enhanced Efficiency
    Explore RPA and automated process solutions to reduce manual tasks, enhance operational efficiency, and measure success metrics in business process transformations.