Introduction to ACL for Windows Training

Introduction to ACL for Windows - Expanded Edition

Course Level: Beginner

CPE Credits: 24

Course Description:

The objective of this 3.0-day interactive “hands-on” course is to acquaint
the participant with the primary features of the ACL for Windows software
system in order to enable him/her to successfully perform data analysis
on various types of data files. The ACL for Windows environment will be
discussed including navigation techniques, creating and working with ACL
projects (documents) and views, and the function of the overview window.
Data access methods will be presented and explained. Real-world
exercises will include the use of the primary ACL data analysis commands
including: Count, Total, Verify, Classify, Stratify, Statistics, Duplicates, Age,
Sort, Summarize, Sample, Join and Export. Graphing, reporting, record
filtering, expression building, and computed fields will also be presented.
In addition, this expanded edition course will include various topics
normally presented in the Intermediate ACL class. These topics include
working with Scripts and Group, and establishing relations between
multiple data files.

Course Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, each participant will be able to:

Understand the role data analysis software plays in supporting
audit activities.
Understand and recognize data analysis terminology, as well as
common data types, data structures, and character sets.
Create and manage ACL Projects and Project components.
Navigate within the ACL software system in order to utilize ACL
commands, functions and other software features.
Utilize ACL commands and functions in order to successfully
perform data analysis operations on various types of data files.
Utilize the reporting and other output features of ACL to generate
meaningful reports, charts, graphs, and/or output files.
Utilize the ACL commands necessary to simultaneously work with
multiple data files.
Create and utilize ACL scripts in order automate various data
analysis routines.

Course Balance:

Lecture / discussion: 50%
In-class applications: 20%
Section exercises: 30%

Course Prerequisites:

Participants should have basic computer skills, including at least some
experience using applications operating within the Microsoft Windows
operating system.

Who Should Attend:

IS/IT Auditors, Financial and Operational Auditors, Internal/External
Auditors, Analysts, Accounting Professionals, Investigators, or anyone
interested in learning to use the ACL for Windows software system.

Other Information:

PIA Consulting will provide comprehensive course manuals containing
presentation material, command, function and other ACL reference
material, class exercises, and glossary sections.

Course Outline:

Days 1 and 2

Days 2 and 3

A. Understanding the Basics
- Data audit and analysis techniques
What is ACL?
- Understanding common data types
and data structures
- Obtaining your data
B. Understanding the ACL for
  Windows Environment
- Navigating within ACL / The ACL
Main Menu structure
- Creating and working with ACL
projects
- Creating and managing ACL Views
- Working with the Overview window
C. Accessing Data
- Data paths and data downloading
- Defining data files
- Accessing / downloading ODBC-
compliant data
D. Analyzing and Understanding
Your Data
- Using the Verify, Count, Total, and
  Statistics commands
- Using the Sequence, Duplicates,
  Stratify, Classify, & Age commands
- Graphing and reporting within ACL

D. Analyzing and Understanding
Your Data (cont.)
- Filtering records
- Building expressions using the ACL
Expression Builder feature
E. Manipulating and Managing Data
- Using the Extract, Export, Sort, Join,
   Merge, Summarize, and Sample
   commands
- Working with common ACL
   Functions.
F. Working with Multiple Data Files
- Relations Command
- Join Command
- Data Relations vs. File Join Command
- Overcoming intra-file record
  comparison limitations
G. Enhancing Efficiency with Script
  and Group Commands
- Scripts and Groups defined
- Static and interactive Scripts
- Creating and using command groups

H. Comprehensive Class Exercise

I. Course Wrap-up & Discussion