Data Analytic Skills for a Future Accountant using Microsoft Power BI

Level 1 - Needed – DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) – Very similar to Excel formula. 

Level 2 -  Good to have – M Formula (Power Query) – Used when loading and transforming data 

Level 3 -  Wow Factor – SQL (Structured Query Language) 

Level X - Planet X – API Extraction – This skill moves data from a source to a destination via API. Example Simpro data to a Database. Some example platforms to use are SSIS and Talend.

There is an overlap here between a BI Specialist and an Accountant based on the level of understanding for the above skills. Each of these skills have different levels in themselves. An Accountant is more likely to have a basic knowledge, whereas a BI specialist is more likely to have an advanced level of knowledge. The BI specialist and Accountant can collaborate and co-exist together.

I’ll note that learning SQL and having API skills is going to be very unusual even in the future. They border on actually writing code which is clearly outside the scope of an Accountant right now. It must be noted though, that the profession is evolving. If you were to have the above skills, you would be some kind of weapon to a firm and demand a wage on the technical front significantly higher than others.