Faculty Friday Presents:

The Bots Are Coming …

to Intro Accounting
Jennifer Cainas, DBA, CPA
Tracie Miller-Nobles, CPA
Wendy Tietz, Ph.D., CMA, CSCA, CPA

September 25, 2020

 Webinar Features and CPE Credit

Asking Questions

Help

CPE Credit

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 Moderator

Jodi L. Ryan, CAE

Director
Member Engagement
IMA

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 Featured Presenter

Jennifer Cainas, DBA, CPA

Clinical Professor
University of South Florida

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Copyright © 2020 IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants). All rights reserved.
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 Featured Presenter

Tracie Miller-Nobles, CPA

Associate Professor
Austin Community College

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Copyright © 2020 IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants). All rights reserved.
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 Featured Presenter

Wendy Tietz, Ph.D., CMA, CSCA, CPA

Professor
Kent State University

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 Learning Objectives
Upon completing this webinar, you will be able to:
1. Define robotic process automation (RPA).
2. Explain the importance of RPA in business and accounting.
3. Describe why RPA should be taught in introductory
accounting classes.
4. Give examples of how to access accounting RPA resources
for an introductory accounting class.

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 Polling Question 1
What does RPA stand for?

a) Repetitive process analysis

b) Robotic process automation
c) Repetitive process automation
d) Robotic process analysis

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 Polling Question 1 Results (Placeholder)

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 RPA
Robotic process automation
RPA SYSTEMS MIMIC
HUMAN ACTIVITY
AND PROCESS
REPETITIVE TASKS
 ACCORDING TO A
DELOITTE SURVEY,
52.8% OF
ACCOUNTING
PROFESSIONALS’
ORGANIZATIONS
PLAN TO LEVERAGE
PROCESS
AUTOMATION

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 Demand for business grads with automation
technology skills has exploded

AACSB STANDARDS INCORPORATING RPA IN

INTRO ACCOUNTING IS A
FIRST STEP

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 RPA automates repetitive
tasks and is…
•a software system that emulates
human interaction
•delivered through development
of workflows
•best used for rules-based tasks

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 RPA SYSTEMS HAVE
DRAG-AND-DROP
ACTIVITIES

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 MINIMAL
TO NO
CODING IS
REQUIRED

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 A BOT CANNOT HANDLE ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE
CREATIVITY, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, AND JUDGMENT

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 >
AN RPA BOT IS MUCH MORE POWERFUL THAN AN
EXCEL MACRO

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Activities should have
these conditions and
characteristics:
• Rule-based
• Steps are repetitive and routine
• High volume of data
• Data follows a consistent
pattern
• Data can be recognized by the
software
• High chance of human error
• Cost-benefit
 Polling Question 2
Which of these activities would be suitable for RPA
candidates? (please select all that apply)
a) Perform bank reconciliations
b) Validating hours worked against the scheduling system
c) Updating inventory records from customer orders
d) All of these would be suitable for RPA

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 Polling Question 2 Results (Placeholder)

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 TEACHING
ABOUT RPA
SYSTEMS
AND BOTS

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 EXAMPLE
TO USE IN
CLASS

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 Other activities that can be
automated
•Accounts receivable
•Inventory
•Accounts payable and bad
debts
•Internal control and fraud
•Payroll

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 Polling Question 3
Which one of the following is not a potential benefit of RPA?

a) Reduced data-entry errors

b) Decreased productivity
c) Enhanced customer service
d) Reduced operational costs

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 Polling Question 3 Results (Placeholder)

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 Potential benefits of RPA
• Eliminating data-entry errors
• Providing a complete documentation log
• Developing informed employee decisions
• Receiving needed information faster
• Reducing operational costs
• Devoting less time to process internal requests
• Enhancing customer service
• Increasing productivity
• Employee satisfaction increases
• Ability to handle large fluctuations in activity

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 Polling Question 4
Which one of the following is not a potential drawback of
RPA?

a) Cost savings may not be achieved

b) High maintenance costs
c) Perception that human jobs will be eliminated
d) Promotes central IT oversight and documentation

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 Polling Question 4 Results (Placeholder)

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 Potential drawbacks of RPA
•Employees may believe automation
eliminates human jobs
•Possible high maintenance costs
•No central IT department oversight
and documentation
•May not achieve the expected net
savings

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 Projects for intro
accounting
• Introductory projects that
expose students to bots
• Build a simple process for a bot
• Uses the free software
Automation Anywhere
(automationanywhere.com)
• Can be accessed at Accounting
is Analytics
(accountingisanalytics.com)

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RPA is here to stay
•Demand for RPA bots is growing
•Human errors cost are costly
•Capabilities of RPA bots will
expand greatly due to AI
•Need to include RPA in
curriculum
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 Questions & Answers
Use the Q & A Panel to send your questions to our panelists.

Jennifer Cainas, DBA, CPA Wendy Tietz, Ph.D., CMA, Tracie Miller-Nobles, CPA Jodi Ryan, CAE
Clinical Professor CSCA, CPA Associate Professor Director,
University of South Florida Professor Austin Community College Member Engagement
Kent State University IMA

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 Thank You to Our Presenters!

Jennifer Cainas, DBA, CPA Wendy Tietz, Ph.D., CMA, CSCA, CPA Tracie Miller-Nobles, CPA
Clinical Professor Professor Associate Professor
University of South Florida Kent State University Austin Community College

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Copyright © 2020 IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants). All rights reserved.
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 Final Reminders
► Complete the Evaluation poll – 2 options
• On your screen
• Evaluation Survey icon at the bottom of your console
► Access to your CPE Certificate – 2 options
• Click the “CPE” icon at the bottom of your console
or
• Click the link in your post-event e-mail
► Please print a copy of the CPE certificate for your records.
► Your CPE credit will be automatically recorded in your transcript.

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Thank You!
About IMA® and the CMA® Program
IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) is one of the largest and most respected associations
focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Globally, IMA supports the
profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) and CSCA® (Certified in
Strategy and Competitive Analysis) certification programs, continuing education, networking, and
advocacy of the highest ethical business practices.

For nearly 50 years, the CMA certification has been the global benchmark for accounting and finance
professionals. It demonstrates mastery in 12 critical practice areas in business, including technology,
analytics, financial planning and analysis, performance, and control. Professionals who earn the CMA
can gain greater credibility, career advancement opportunities, and higher earning potential.

For more information about the CMA, visit www.imanet.org/cma.