Automation and Robotics in FinanceLaajuus (5 cr)

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.

Contents

Financial processes, process modeling, and development
Automation technologies and tools, eg. software robotics, artificial intelligence tools, Power query and advanced excel, SQL etc.
Profitability and feasibility of development projects

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.

Implementation methods, demonstration and Work&Study

Contact

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

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.