Using dashboards and data visualizations in teaching accounting

Abstract

The paper investigates the use of dashboards and data visualizations as a teaching tools in accounting units. Accounting has a growing demand for data analytics and visualization and current graduates usually lack understanding and skills in this area. The paper addresses this gap by introducing dashboards and data visualizations in teaching accounting units. Approaching visualization as a cognitive tool, the study develops a model aligning conceptual blocks in the accounting domain with the dashboard visualization environment. The proposed model is instantiated in the undergraduate and postgraduate accounting courses. The model is evaluated using a survey and a focus group with accounting academics, graduates and industry representatives. The paper extends the information technology literature on visualization and demonstrates the use of dashboards and data visualizations in the domain of accounting education. The paper also contributes to the education literature by extending the project-based approach to analyse visualization environment as a cognitive tool in accounting education. The paper suggests directions on implementation of visualization in accounting reporting and accounting education and provides recommendations for researchers in those areas.