SYLLABUS:
- HANDS-ON COURSE ON DATA MANAGEMENT & ANALYTICS
- HANDS-ON COURSE ON FIN-TECH
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
Hands-on Course on Data Management and Analytics
Competency
Apply enhanced skillset of data management, analysis and business intelligence to
respond to the needs of emerging workplace.
Grid Grid Minimum Weightage
Ref Coaching
hours
A Data and Database Management System 16 15-20
B Big Data, Data & Business Analytics 18 -20-25
C Data Description and Diagnostics 20 20-25
D Data Visualization & Classification 16 15-20
E Data Prediction and modeling 20 20-25
Total 90 100
Syllabus Proficiency
Contents
Ref Level
A Data and Database Management systems
Discuss popular database management systems and Structured P2
1
Query Language (SQL).
2 Use SQL commands to perform extract and analyze data. P2
Discuss core features and main components of ERP systems and
3 P1
how data can be extracted from an ERP using SQL.
Discuss fundamentals of big data cloud services, e.g., google cloud
4 P1
(big-query), AWS, and Azure.
Discuss No-SQL, object databases, graph database, and
5 unstructured documents (pdf, docx) search (Multiple data P1
sources).
B Big Data, Data & Business Analytics
1 Discuss Big Data modeling on cloud infrastructure. P1
Prepare for collection, storage, and organization of data using Big
2 P1
Data solutions for business organizations.
Apply statistics tools for Predictive modeling using Regression,
3 P2
Clustering and Classification analysis.
2
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
Syllabus Proficiency
Contents
Ref Level
4 Apply time series data analysis and forecasting. P2
C Data Description and Diagnostics
1 Introduction to Python and its libraries. P1
Use Python descriptive and statistical analysis of financial,
2 P2
accounting other business data.
Discuss use of Python in audit, assurance and related services
P1
3 context for evaluating internal controls, gathering evidence and
drawing conclusions.
D Data visualization and classification
Perform Data Extraction, Transformation and Loading (ETL) using
1 P2
Python and Power Query.
2 Develop Data insights using Python. P2
Perform data visualization techniques using Python and Power
3 P2
BI.
E Data prediction and modeling
Use machine learning model for predictive data analysis and data
1 P2
driven decision making.
Apply supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques
2 P2
on business problems.
Apply AutoML, and cloud services to train models with minimal
3 P2
code or no code, e.g., hugging face autoML, vertextAI, etc.
4 Apply model deployment and inference pipeline. P2
Key Examinable Professional Skills
1 Evaluate data and information from a variety of sources and perspectives
through research, integration, and analysis.
Key Examinable Professional Values, Ethics and Attitude
1 Apply an inquiring mind when collecting and assessing data and information
2 Apply critical thinking when identifying and evaluating alternatives to
determine an appropriate course of action.
3 Apply fundamental principles of ethics when collecting, generating, storing,
accessing, using, or sharing data and information.
3
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
4 Ability to work with sensitive information in an ethical and secure manner.
5 Ability to adapt to changes in technology.
6 Willingness to continuously learn and improve skills.
Specific Examinable Knowledge Reference
1 Conceptual schema, relational database design, normalization
2 SQL for data extraction and analysis
3 Core features and components of ERP systems and data extraction from ERP
using SQL
4 Big Data Infrastructure Plan and Information System Design
5 Strategies for handling and processing Big Data
6 Open-source frameworks for Big Data
7 Collection, storage, and organization of data using Big Data solutions for business
organizations
8 Data integrity and control processes in business and finance
9 Gartner’s Model (Descriptive, diagnostics, predictive and prescriptive analytics)
10 Predictive modeling using regression, clustering, and classification analysis
11 Python and its libraries
12 Python for descriptive and statistical analysis of business data (mean or average,
median, quartile, maximum, minimum, range, variance, and standard deviation)
13 Create plots, graphs, tables using python and its libraries
14 Hierarchical Clustering, Nonhierarchical Clustering
15 Cluster and Association
16 Correlation, Hypothesis Testing
17 Python in audit, assurance, and related services for evaluating internal controls
and gathering evidence
18 Data Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) using Python and Power Query
19 Development of data insights using Python
20 Data visualization techniques using Python and Power BI
21 Machine learning models for predictive data analysis
22 Implications of AI and robotics in data prediction and validation
23 Use of smart software and applications for data prediction and results
validation
4
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
24 Application of supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques on
business analytics.
25 Data Analytics Cases on:
• Consumer Demand, Pricing and Revenues
• Customer Value, Segmentation and Share of Wallet
• Product Profitability and Channel Optimisation
• Supply Chain Optimisation
• Predictive Maintenance
• Operational Efficiency
• Fraud and Risk Assessment
• Business Portfolio Assessment
• Business Valuation Metrics
5
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
HANDS-ON COURSE ON FIN-TECH
Competency
Apply enhanced skillset to manage and foresee impact of technology on financial decision
making to respond to the needs of the emerging workplace.
Grid Minimum Weightage
Coaching
hours
Business Technology 8 5-10
Digital Transactions, Funding and Investments 26 25-30
Financial Trends & Analytics 44 45-50
Security, Risk and Regulations 12 10-15
Total 90 100
Proficiency
Syllabus Contents Level
Ref.
A Business Technology
1 Discuss Fintech Overview including: AI, Blockchain, Cloud, IoT, P1
Data, Cybersecurity.
2 Discuss FinTech infrastructure including the impact of the P1
changing technologies within finance and Banking.
3 Discuss and identify market size and major players in the market, P1
including startups, Banks, consumers and governments.
B Digital Transactions, Funding and Investments
1 Develop understanding of the digital payments and remittances. P2
2 Discuss payment operations Processes, Procedures and Policies P1
including settlement and reconciliation processes.
3 Identify elements of block chain, cryptocurrencies, crowdfunding P1
and other alternative finance technologies (design, uses and
limitations). Understand initial coin offering.
4 Discuss introduction to Decentralized Finance (DeFi), how it is P1
different from Centralized Finance. Discuss lending and other
financial operations using digital technologies.
5 Discuss data-driven finance using existing case studies. P1
6
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
Proficiency
Syllabus Contents Level
Ref.
6 Discuss Global and Pakistan’s FinTech landscape with the case P1
studies.
C Financial Trends and Analytics
1 Perform coding using Python. P2
2 Use Python to analyze data trends for payments, credit lending, P2
crowdfunding and other retail and business decisions.
3 Use Python/R for basic descriptive, diagnostic and predictive P2
analytics on financial data.
D Security, Risk and Regulations
1 Discuss regulation and ecosystems for FinTech regulations. P1
Understand key challenges relating Digital Financial Services in
Pakistan.
2 Discuss overview of Risk Management Process and security P1
standards. Discuss cyber security framework and risk mitigation
solutions for business organizations.
3 Discuss threats and vulnerabilities regarding privacy and digital P1
identities. Understand process of penetration testing and
vulnerability assessment.
4 Discuss the importance of disaster recovery and business P1
continuity in relation to FinTech solutions.
Key Examinable Professional Skills
1 Evaluate data and information from a variety of sources and perspectives
through research, integration, and analysis.
Key Examinable Professional Values, Ethics and Attitude
1 Apply an inquiring mind when collecting and assessing data and information
2 Apply critical thinking when identifying and evaluating alternatives to
determine an appropriate course of action.
3 Apply fundamental principles of ethics when collecting, generating, storing,
accessing, using, or sharing data and information.
4 Ability to work with sensitive information in an ethical and secure manner.
5 Ability to adapt to changes in technology.
7
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
6 Willingness to continuously learn and improve skills.
Key Examinable Knowledge Reference
1 Banking and payments industry
2 FinTech technologies including AI, Blockchain, Cloud, IoT, Data, and
Cybersecurity
3 Impact of changing technologies on finance and banking
4 Digital payments and remittances, settlement and reconciliation processes
5 Blockchain ecosystems
6 Cryptocurrencies, crowdfunding, initial coin offerings, and decentralized
finance
7 Python for descriptive, diagnostic, and predictive analytics
8 Regulatory environment and challenges for FinTech in Pakistan
9 Risk management and security standards, cyber security framework and
mitigation solutions
10 Cybersecurity models (the CIA triad, the star model, the Parkerian hexad)
11 The information security lifecycle
12 The Risk Management Framework (RMF)
13 Threats and vulnerabilities regarding privacy and digital identities,
penetration testing and vulnerability assessment
14 Disaster recovery and business continuity in relation to FinTech solutions.
15 Contingency Planning
16 FinTech Regulations (National Financial Inclusion Strategy, Government of
Pakistan
17 Regulatory Technology
