Technological change is the topic of countless business and scholarly articles. Already moving at breakneck speed, its acceleration continues to shape industry and business practices across the board. As a result, effective integration of new technologies has become a critical factor for organisational and professional success.
ACCA has created the Certificate in Digital Finance Essentials for early career finance professionals navigating the rapid technological advancements in their profession.
This online, on-demand course explores the principles of technological development and adoption, preparing learners for a career in which digital agility will be paramount.
Topics covered in the certificate include:
• The effect of innovative technologies on finance professionals
• How technical products and functions are used in business
• How legacy and emerging technologies are used in different business contexts
• The usefulness of digital applications and data for accounting and finance
• The ethical implications of data governance, including the use of Generative AI
Learning outcomes
By completing this course, you or your team members will be able to:
- explain how innovative technologies are affecting the roles, and therefore the skills requirements, of finance professionals
- demonstrate awareness of how technical products and functions are used in business
- differentiate between how legacy and emerging technologies can be used in different business contexts
- recognise the usefulness of digital applications and data for accounting and finance
- understand the ethical implications of data governance and AI, with specific reference to accountability, bias, privacy, security, intellectual property and legal divergence/convergence.
| Module | Topics |
|---|---|
| 1. The digital age | Technological impact on accounting and finance Current and emerging digital applications and data |
| 2. Security | Challenges organisations face in relation to cybersecurity Ethical considerations and implications of cybersecurity How innovative technologies impact organisational security |
| 3. Automation | The impact of automation on accounting and finance professions Opportunities for and the application of automation in organisations |
| 4. Data analytics | The role of data analytics in business, finance and accounting The impact of data and data analytics on roles and skills requirements in finance professions Data analytics and their application to add value in business contexts |
| 5. Artificial intelligence | The impact of innovative technologies on skills requirements and the roles of finance professionals Ethical considerations and artificial intelligence The application of innovative technologies and machine learning in business and finance contexts |
| 6. Generative AI | The basic principles of GenAI and content creation Opportunities, risks and challenges in the application of AI in the accounting profession Ethical considerations such as accountability, transparency, bias, misinformation and intellectual property concerns |
Duration
The certificate takes approximately 10 hours to complete.
Additional features
Learners can explore specialist areas or repeat exercises to gain confidence.
Reflective exercises and knowledge checks are embedded throughout the content, to support knowledge retention prior to the final assessment
Certificate award
The certificate is assessed by a one hour exam with 12 questions, worth a total of 20 marks. You are required to achieve 10 marks to pass the assessment (50% pass mark). Once you pass the assessment, you will be awarded with a certificate.
