Samenvatting
Accounting Information
System
Boek: Accounting Information System
Editie: 14
ISBN: 9781292220086
Auteurs: M.B. Romney, P.J. Steinbart
Taal: Engels
Vak: BIV-BIS (Fontys) / AIS-RCB (Nyenrode)
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,Inhoud
Chapter 1 Accounting Information Systems: An Overview .................................................. 3
Chapter 2 Overview of Transaction Processing and Enterprise Resources Planning Systems6
Chapter 3 Systems Documentation Techniques ................................................................. 10
Chapter 4 Relational Databases .......................................................................................... 13
Chapter 5 & 6: Fraud & Computer Fraud and Abuse ................................................................ 16
Chapter 7 Control and Accounting Information Systems ................................................... 19
Chapter 8 Controls for Information Security ...................................................................... 25
Chapter 9 & 10 Confidentiality and Privacy Controls & Processing Integrity and Availability
Controls………………………………………………………………………………………...27
Chapter 11 Auditing Computer-based Information Systems ................................................ 30
Chapter 12 The Revenue Cycle: Sales and Cash Collections ............................................... 34
Chapter 13 The Expenditure Cycle: Purchasing and Cash Disbursements ........................... 39
Chapter 14 The Production Cycle ......................................................................................... 44
Chapter 15 The Human Resources Management And Payroll Cycle ................................... 48
Chapter 16 General Ledger and Reporting System................................................................ 50
Chapter 17 Database Design Using the REA Data Model .................................................... 53
Chapter 18 Implementing an REA Model in a Relational Database .................................... 57
Chapter 19 Special Topics in REA Modeling ....................................................................... 61
Chapter 20 Introduction to Systems Development and Systems Analysis ........................... 65
Chapter 21 AIS Development Strategies .............................................................................. 68
Chapter 22 Systems Design, Implementation, and Operation .............................................. 73
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,Chapter 1 Accounting Information Systems: An Overview
1.1 Introduction
An accounting information system (AIS) is the system of records a business keeps maintaining its accounting
system. This includes the purchase, sales, and other financial processes of the business.
The purpose of AIS is to accumulate data and provide decision makers (investors, creditors, and
managers) with information to make decision while this was previously a paper-based process; most modern
businesses now use accounting software such as UBS, MYOB etc. Information System personnel need
basic, if not vast, knowledge of database management and programming language such as C, C++, JAVA and
SQL as all software is basically built from platform or database. In an Electronic Financial Accounting system,
the steps in the accounting cycle are dependent upon the system itself, which in turn are developed by
programmers. For example, some systems allow direct journal posting to the various ledgers and others do
not. Accounting Information Systems provide efficient delivery of information needed to perform necessary
accounting work and to assist in delivery of accurate and informative data to users, especially those who are not
familiar with the accounting and financial reporting areas itself.
1.2 Systems, Data and Information
Accounting software is application software that records and processes accounting transactions within functional
modules such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and trial balance. It
functions as an accounting information system. It may be developed in-house by the company or organization
using it, may be purchased from a third party, or may be a combination of a third-party
application software package with local modifications. It varies greatly in its complexity and cost. The
market has been undergoing considerable consolidation since the mid 1990s, with many suppliers ceasing to
trade or being bought by larger groups.
1.3 What is AIS?
1.4 Why study Accounting Information systems?
Accounting Information Systems (AISs) combine the study and practice of accounting with the design,
implementation, and monitoring of information systems. Such systems use modern information technology
resources together with traditional accounting controls and methods to provide users the financial information
necessary to manage their organizations.
Input The input devices commonly associated with AIS include: standard personal computers or workstations
running applications; scanning devices for standardized data entry; electronic communication devices for
electronic data interchange (EDI) and e-commerce. In addition, many financial systems come "Web-enabled"
to allow devices to connect to the World Wide Web.
Process Basic processing is achieved through computer systems ranging from individual personal computers
to large-scale enterprise servers. However, conceptually, the underlying processing model is still the "double-
entry" accounting system initially introduced in the fifteenth century.
Output devices used include computer displays, impact and nonimpact printers, and electronic communication
devices for EDI and e-commerce. The output content may encompass almost any type of financial reports from
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,budgets and tax reports to multinational financial statements.
The development of AIS includes five basic phases: planning, analysis, design, implementation, and support.
The time period associated with each of these phases can be as short as a few weeks or as long as several years.
1.5 The Role of the AIS in the value Chain
• Firm infrastructure
• Human resources
• Technology
• Purchasing
1.5.1 How an AIS can add value to an Organization
An AIS provides useful information to decision makers for activities involving
• planning
• controlling
• evaluating
So that the value chain activities can be performed more effectively and efficiently An AIS adds value by
• Improving communication
• Improving efficiency
• Improving decision making capabilities
• Improving the sharing of knowledge
An AIS helps define business policies to shape and control business processes There is variation in the degree of
structure used to make decisions:
• Structured decisions
• Semi structured decisions
• Unstructured decisions
1.6 Providing Information for Decision Making
Decision making is a complex, multistep activity for which an AIS can provide assistance through all the steps.
– Identification of problems. – Collection and interpretation of related information –
Evaluation of means that can be used to solve the problems
Selection of the appropriate method to provide a solution Implementation of the method and provision of the
solution There is variation in the degree of structure used to make decisions: – Structured decisions—
repetitive and routine, can be delegated to lower-level employees. These are generally
related to routine performance of specific tasks such as recording a sale in the accounting records. –
Semi-structured decisions— have incomplete rules and require some subjectivity. These decisions generally
relate to utilizing resources to accomplish organizational objectives, e.g., budgeting. – Unstructured decisions—
nonrecurring and non-routine. A lot of subjectivity is needed here and the unstructured decision generally
involves setting
objectives and the policies to achieve them. Heuristics, often characterized as “rules of thumb” are often used
as decision aids. In general, the higher a manager is in the organization, the more likely he/she is to be engaging
in less structured decisions and decisions that are broader in scope (i.e., strategic planning).
1.7 The AIS and Corporate Strategy
Corporations have unlimited opportunities to invest in technology but limited resources with which to do so.
Consequently, they must identify the improvements likely to yield the highest return. This decision requires an
understanding of the entity’s overall business strategy. Michael Porter suggests that there are two basic
business strategies companies can follow— either a product-differentiation strategy or a low-cost strategy.
A product differentiation strategy involves setting your product apart from those of your competitors, i.e.,
building a “better” mousetrap by offering one that’s faster, has enhanced
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, features, etc. A low-cost strategy involves offering a cheaper mousetrap than your competitors. The low
cost is made possible by operating more efficiently. Sometimes a company can do both, but they normally
have to choose. Porter also argues that companies must choose a strategic position among three choices: –
Variety-based strategic position—
offers a subset of the industry’s products or services. Example: An insurance company that only offers life
insurance. – Needs-based strategic position—serves most or all of the needs of a particular group of customers in
a target market. Example: Farm Bureau insurance companies that tailored products to the needs to farmers. –
Access-based strategic position— serves a subset of customers who differ from others in terms of factors such
as geographic location or size. Example: Providing satellite internet to rural users who do not have access to cable
or DSL. These strategic positions are not mutually exclusive and can overlap Choosing a strategic position is
important because it helps a company focus its efforts as opposed to trying to be everything to everybody.
Example: A radio station that tries to play all types of music will probably fail.
It’s critical to design the organization’s activities so they reinforce one another in achieving the selected strategic
position. The result is synergy, which is difficult for competitors to imitate. The growth of the Internet has
profoundly affected the way value chain activities are performed: – Inbound and outbound logistics can be
streamlined for products that can be digitized, like books and music. – The Internet allows companies to cut
costs, which impacts strategy and strategic position. – Because the Internet is available to everyone, intense
price competition can result. The outcome may be that many companies shift from low-cost to product
differentiation strategies. – The Internet may impede access-based strategic positions. The AIS should help a
company adopt and maintain its strategic position. Requires that data be collected about each activity and requires
the collection and integration of both financial and non-financial data. The authors believe that accounting and
information systems should be closely integrated and that the AIS should be the primary information system to
provide users with information they need to perform their jobs.
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