ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - Winthrop University recently partnered with technology firm UiPath through the firm’s Academic Alliance initiative.
UiPath is a pioneer in robotic process automation (RPA), which will become part of the curriculum for Winthrop’s accounting program. This change follows other recent developments, such as the addition of accounting analytics to the curriculum. Accounting students will now have the opportunity to learn the latest technologies that are being deployed in the profession to improve accounting, auditing and tax functions.
Adriana Cordis, associate professor of accounting, said Winthrop’s accounting program strives to provide innovative, high-impact, real-world and technology-forward experiences for its students. “Our faculty are continually taking the time to upskill and revamp the curriculum to ensure that our graduates are career-ready, competitive and in high demand on the job market,” she said.
Many large accounting firms have already partnered with leading RPA firms to automate routine processes. Cordis said Winthrop faculty members hope that the university’s accounting graduates will raise awareness of the power of automation and resulting increases in productivity as they join smaller local and regional employers.
“Our revamped curriculum also aligns with the requirements of professional certification exams, which now include analytics and technology-related topics that are reflective of the evolving business landscape,” Cordis said.
Accounting students and students in the risk assurance minor will be exposed to RPA as part of their course in Accounting Information Systems. For example, as part of the “A Robot for Every Student” training module, students will learn how to create robots using UiPath Academic Alliance software, thereby gaining valuable experience in automating solutions to real-world problems.
For more information, contact Cordis at cordisa@winthrop.edu.
