Automation and Robotics in Finance

Intro

This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to identify, model, and develop financial tasks and processes with various automation solutions. You will explore key concepts, functionalities, and the applicability of software robotics, while also learning to calculate the benefits and cost savings of automation projects. By the end of this course, you will be prepared to act as a business analyst in financial management automation projects, contributing to the efficiency and innovation of your organization. No coding skills are required, making this course accessible to all students with a background in business finance.

Learning objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

Identify concepts, functionalities, applicability of software robotics, and organizational roles and operating models related to automation development.
Model financial processes, design, and develop software robots.
Recognize the opportunities offered by intelligent automation in the development of financial processes.
Calculate the benefits and cost savings of automation projects and prioritize development projects.
Act as a business analyst (financial process expert) in the organization's financial management automation projects.

Implementation methods, demonstration and Work&Study

Contact

Learning materials

Sachin Sahgal. 2023. RPA Solution Architect's Handbook: Design Modern and Custom RPA Solutions for Digital Innovation, Packt Publishing

Langmann, C. & Turi, D. 2022. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) -- digitization and automation of processes : prerequisites, functionality and implementation using accounting as an example. Wiesbaden, Germany: Springer

Microsoft Excel 365 Bible by Michael Alexander, Dick Kusleika. Released March 2022, Publisher(s): Wiley ISBN: 9781119835103
Chapters 35-38 Power Query
Chapters 39-44 Visual Basic

Dell, S. & Akpan, M. 2024. ChatGPT and AI for Accountants. O'Reilly e-book.

Other material provided by the teacher in Moodle.

Starting level and linkage with other courses

Prerequisites and Connections to Other Courses

Mandatory: ECO001HH1A Business Finance Recommended: ECO002TR1A Basics of Financial Management and Financing or equivalent knowledge. Note: Students do not need to know coding.

Assessment criteria - grade 1

When the implementation type of the course is CONTACT, ONLINE or BLENDED it is required that the student is present during those teaching hours that are marked in the study schedule. If you are absent more than 25 %, your grade will be lowered by one. If you are absent more than 50 %, the course is failed.

At this level, the student:
- Can identify automation opportunities in accounting and financial management
- Can select appropriate tools for office automation
- Understands concepts related to knowledge work automation
- Recognizes the functionalities, applicability, and organizational roles related to the development of various automation tools
- Understands the necessity of continuously monitoring and learning about new technologies and tools in the automation market

Assessment criteria - grade 3

At this level, the student:
- Can build automations under supervision
- Can maintain and modify existing automations and workflows
- Can model financial processes from an automation perspective
- Can calculate the benefits and cost savings of automation projects
- Is able to continuously monitor and learn about new technologies and tools in the automation market

Assessment criteria - grade 5

At this level, the student:
- Can design and develop automations with different tools
- Can act as an internal expert resource in financial management automation projects
- Can prioritize development projects for the automation of financial management processes
- Is able to continuously monitor and learn about new technologies and tools in the automation market