Big Data Information Governance by Accountants

International Journal of Accounting and Information Management 26 (1): 153-170, 2018

Posted: 5 May 2017 Last revised: 13 Sep 2019

See all articles by Emily Coyne

Emily Coyne

San Jose State University - School of Library & Information Science

Joshua G. Coyne

University of Central Arkansas

Kenton B. Walker

University of Wyoming

Date Written: May 5, 2017

Abstract

Big Data has become increasingly important to multiple facets of the accounting profession, but accountants have little understanding of the steps necessary to convert Big Data into useful information. This limited understanding creates a gap between what accountants can do and what accountants should do to assist in Big Data information governance. We attempt to bridge this gap in two ways. First, we introduce a model of the Big Data life cycle to explain the process of converting Big Data into information. Knowledge of this life cycle is a first step toward enabling accountants to engage in Big Data information governance. Second, we highlight informational and control risks inherent to this life cycle, and we identify information governance activities and agents that can minimize these risks. Because accountants have a strong ability to identify the informational and control needs of internal and external decision makers, they should play a significant role in Big Data information governance. Our model of the Big Data life cycle and information governance provides a first attempt to formalize knowledge that accountants need in a new field of the accounting profession.

Keywords: Information life cycle, Big Data, Information governance

JEL Classification: M4, D83, L21, M15, O32

Suggested Citation

Coyne, Emily and Coyne, Joshua G. and Walker, Kenton B., Big Data Information Governance by Accountants (May 5, 2017). International Journal of Accounting and Information Management 26 (1): 153-170, 2018, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2964041

Emily Coyne

San Jose State University - School of Library & Information Science ( email )

United States

Joshua G. Coyne (Contact Author)

University of Central Arkansas ( email )

201 Donaghey Ave.
Conway, AK 72035
United States

Kenton B. Walker

University of Wyoming ( email )

Dept. 3275
1000 E. University Avenue
Laramie, WY 82071
United States
307-766-3154 (Phone)
307-766-4028 (Fax)

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