The University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business has added two new concentrations, business analytics and financial accounting data analysis, to its Master of Business Administration Program as well as matching graduate certificates that will begin during the fall 2019 semester.  

The MBA concentration in financial accounting data analysis addresses an area of documented need for graduates of finance and accounting programs statewide.

“Firms need accounting and finance people with analytical skills, and not just in audit and financial statement analysis,” said Dr. Mark Funk, chair of the departments of economics and accounting. “The demand for analytics is growing in tax, consulting, real estate investments, risk management, and other areas within the accounting and finance professions.”

The MBA concentration in financial accounting data analysis will help students fill these gaps, while the second new MBA concentration will prepare students for a career in the fast-growing field of business analytics.

“The MBA concentration in business analytics can help you differentiate your career readiness by developing technical skills in the use of analytics tools, such as Watson analytics and Tableau, and using evidence-based decision making relevant to all areas of business,” said Dr. Robert Mitchell, chair of the Department of Business Information Systems.

The report of the Blue Ribbon Commission on the Economic Competitiveness of Data Analytics and Computing in Arkansas indicates that Arkansas is outpacing U.S. growth in most data analytics and computing-related occupations, Mitchell said.  

“The business analytics program can help you move into this growing career path,” he said.

Additionally, the graduate certificate in financial accounting data analytics is a great option for students with a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance who are seeking additional coursework to improve their skills in data analytics. The 18-hour graduate certificate will help students satisfy the 150-hour requirement for Certified Public Accounting (CPA) licensure.

The graduate certificate program helps professionals develop their financial data analytical skills and achieve their career goals. With convenient night classes taught by outstanding faculty members with real-world experience, the graduate curriculum can be easily customized. While many university data analysis programs remain focused on information technology services, UA Little Rock’s program for accounting and finance professionals focuses on the analytical skills most needed in the accounting and finance fields.

The 15-hour graduate certificate in business analytics is designed to increase the career readiness of information technology and MBA graduates. Students will develop business intelligence skills while familiarizing themselves with information technology infrastructures and systems that provide data and decision support.

UA Little Rock also offers a traditional MBA and the Weekend MBA as well as MBA concentrations in human resources and organizational communication.