Understanding Requirements and Benefits of the Usage of Predictive Analytics in Management Accounting: Results of a Qualitative Research Approach

Abstract

The accuracy of a forecast affects the financial result of a company. By the improvement of Management Accounting (MA) processes, the introduction of advanced technology and additional skills is prognosticated. Even though companies have increasingly adopted Predictive Analytics (PA), the impact on MA overall has not been investigated adequately. This study investigates this problem through a single case study of a German company. The interview results provide an overview of requirements and benefits of PA in MA. In the future, Management Accountants will be able to focus on business partnering, but require advanced statistical knowledge to fully benefit from PA.