Presenting Numerical Data by Anna Faherty

Presenting Numerical Data

As an accountant you will deal with numbers every day. But how do you communicate numerical data to others? Translating the information you have in a way that makes it accessible to everyone is a key skill. Well-presented and focused data can help you and your colleagues make effective decisions. It can also build support for new initiatives and ideas.

This course demonstrates how best to share and present numerical data to support your individual and organisational goals. You'll explore how effective use of data can enable informed business decisions and win support for ideas while considering your audience, goals and the wider context. You'll also discover how to express numerical data in words or visuals, accessibly interpret it for non-specialist audiences and manage ambiguity and uncertainty.

This course will enable you to:

  • Select, share and interpret data in a range of professional contexts
  • Understand the difference between data, knowledge and insight
  • Pose critical questions to interrogate other people's data
  • Use verbal and visual methods to explain complex material to non-specialists
  • Build persuasive arguments founded on data
  • Consider the value and challenges associated with unstructured and big data
  • Evaluate and improve your ability to effectively present data


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Learning outcomes

Sharing data in a professional context

  • How and why is data shared in professional contexts?
  • How is presenting data different from other forms of communication?
  • What methods should I use to share data?
  • What are the barriers to effectively presenting numerical data?
  • What skills do I need to effectively present data?

Taking a critical approach to data

  • What types of data do I need to know about?
  • What is the difference between data, information and knowledge?
  • How may data be manipulated for different purposes?
  • How should I interrogate other people's data?
  • What do I need to know about analysis and forecasting?

Selecting and interpreting data and information

  • How should I decide what data to share?
  • What information do I need to know about the data I share?
  • How much detail should I include?
  • How should I explain the data I share?
  • What do I need to know about big data?

Sharing data to inform decisions

  • What should I think about when sharing data for decision-making?
  • What methods should I use to share data and information for decision-making?
  • How should I present data in written documents?
  • How should I share data in a presentation?
  • What visual tools could I use?
  • How should I handle ambiguity and uncertainty?

Using data to persuade and influence

  • What should I think about when using data to persuade and influence?
  • How can data help me win support for ideas?
  • How can I build a convincing argument using data?
  • How can I tell engaging stories using data?
  • How should I handle questions and concerns about data?

Target audience

This course is designed to appeal to accounting and finance professionals working at all levels.

See also

Anna Faherty

Anna Faherty

Writer, lecturer and consultant working across the publishing, museum and charity sectors.

Course details

  • 120 days access
  • 4 CPD hours
  • £75.00 (+VAT)

Course screenshots

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