AICPA Microsoft Power BI course

Are you tired of struggling to make sense of your data? Microsoft Power BI can help you visualize and understand your data like never before.

With Power BI, you can create interactive dashboards, perform advanced data analysis, and gain real-time insights into your business. Plus, with features like data integration and predictive analytics, you'll be able to get a complete picture of your data.

With the AICPA Microsoft Power BI course, you can finally do data analysis independently without prior experience or training. Our nine-part self-study online series will teach you everything you need to know to use Power BI tools like a pro.

Take advantage of the power of Power BI. Try it yourself and see how it can transform your work with data.

About the course

The nine part study module course will help you

Learn to use Power BI tools for enhanced data analysis.
Remove the weaknesses of Excel PivotTables.
Take Excel from a low-end data analytics tool to one of the most sophisticated and comprehensive tools used.
Analyze your data more effectively than ever before.
Take your business to new heights with cutting-edge data analysis technique
Finish this series and be able to do things with data you never thought possible.

Topics part of the course

1. Introduction to MS Power BI Tools

This course is an introduction to Microsoft Power BI tools. The course discusses the challenges of using Excel for data analysis while explaining the benefits of using the various Power BI tools to analyze data. In this course, you will:

Learn to access data from on−premise and cloud-based sources.
Identify data modeling tools that can save time in data preparation.

Key Topics

Data analytics
Data analysis
Data modeling
Data sharing
Key performance indicators (KPIs)
Dashboards
Machine learning capabilities

Learning Outcomes

Recognize ways that the Power BI tools can help with your data analysis needs.
Identify uses for each Power BI tool.
Determine which Power BI tools will meet your organization's needs.

2. Prepare Your Data Efficiently for Excel Analysis

This course focuses on getting data from different sources into Excel.

Tools like Power Query (now known as "Get & Transform") can make transforming data from those sources quick and easy. Whether you are importing data or cleaning it, learn how to make it happen!

Key Topics

Various forms of data sources
Accessing data sources
Working with multiple tables/sources
Importing data for analysis
Introduction to Get & Transform (formerly Power Query)

Learning Outcomes

Differentiate between proper and improper data structure.
Select the best way to import data into Excel.
Identify ways to use Get & Transform/Power Query to clean your data.

3. Analyze Your Data with Excel Pivot Tables

This course demonstrates how to create pivot tables to make data analysis an easy task for all accountants. Participants will learn, step-by-step, the process for creating pivot tables and pivot charts for reporting. Set-up options will also be covered.

Key Topics

Pivot tables for data analysis
Pivot table creation
Pivot charts

Learning Outcomes

Determine the advantages of using PivotTables to analyze data from multiple dimensions
Apply the step-by-step process to create PivotTables
Choose the PivotTable options that best fit your needs
Use Pivot Charts to present your data graphically for the most effective analysis

4. Create Excel Dashboards for Maximum Impact

In this course, you will learn how to build robust dashboards for analyzing key metrics in Excel. The course begins with some dashboard design guidelines, such as understanding your audience and identifying necessary metrics, and shows how to create key performance indicators (KPIs).

Key Topics

Dashboard design guidelines
Visual aids
Power BI tools that enhance dashboard creation

Learning Outcomes

Create KPI dashboards that graphically represent your data.
Use Excel tools to easily create meaningful KPI dashboards.
Use dashboards to make strategic decisions

5. Use Power Query to Transform Your Data

This course focuses on using Power Query to clean, shape, and transform data while still allowing you a one-click refresh. The course will review various data issues including appending files, combining multiple files from a folder, adding custom columns, un-pivoting data, and creating a lookup table.

Key Topics

File maintenance
Custom columns
Un-pivoting a table
Look-up tables

6. Go Beyond Pivot Tables with Power Pivot

This course focuses on using the Power Pivot features to enhance data analysis. Four features of Power Pivot will be reviewed:

Data model
Calculations
Hierarchies
KPIs

Key Topics

Data modeling
Basic DAX and calculations
Calculated columns and measures
Data models and pivot tables
Hierarchies

Learning Outcomes

Create a data model using Power Pivot
Differentiate between calculated columns and measures
Use Power Pivot for data analysis

7. Use Advanced Calculations with DAX Formulas

This course focuses on using DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) to create advanced calculations in Power Pivot data models. You will learn over 20 DAX functions that will allow you to perform calculations not possible with standard Excel. Use of a date or calendar table will be reviewed.

Key Topics

Power Pivot calculations (column calculations versus measures)
Advanced DAX formulas
Date/calendar tables
DAX calculation process

Learning Outcomes

Create calculations using DAX formulas.
Use date/calendar tables to perform complex data analysis.
Use the DAX calculation process to validate calculations .

8. Use PBI Desktop to Create Reports and Dashboards

This course focuses on familiarizing yourself with the Power BI Desktop interface in order to connect to data sources and create rich visualizations. The course will demonstrate the creation of each of the various visualizations and options related to each.

Key Topics

Power BI Desktop interface
Using Power BI Desktop to connect to data sources
Available visualizations in Power BI Desktop
Building interactivity into visualizations

Learning Outcomes

Identify components of the Power BI Desktop interface.
Use Power BI Desktop to connect to data sources.
Use Power BI Desktop to create interactive visualizations of your data.

9. Share Your Data Analysis Using PowerBI.com

This course will focus on using Microsoft's cloud-based sharing/publishing platform, PowerBI.com. You will be introduced to the interface as well as the benefits of using PowerBI.com. You will learn how to leverage the work performed in Power Pivot or Power BI Desktop using the cloud.

Key Topics

PowerBI.com tour
Data sharing
Visualization creation
Visualization sharing

Learning Outcomes

Identify the components of the PowerBI.com interface.
Use PowerBI.com to connect data models.
Use PowerBI.com to create interactive visualizations and dashboards.

Power BI CPE hours and access

CPE Credits - 26 hours
NASBA Field of Study - Computer Software and Applications
Mode of study - Self paced, unlimited views for 12 months

Instructors

Bryan Smith

CPA, CITP, CISA

Bryan serves as a trusted adviser to CPAs in public accounting, as well as business and industry, on all aspects of information technology. Bryan’s expertise includes in-depth knowledge of paperless work flow solutions, the impact of technology on internal controls, strategic IT infrastructure design and information security best practices. As a nationally recognized author and presenter on information technology issues impacting CPAs, Bryan is passionate about the opportunities for CPAs to benefit from safe and secure computing.

Access

Course access will be sent via email from AICPA within 1-3 working days
Course access is for 12 months from date of activation

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