Business Information Systems for Accounting Students

Business Information Systems for Accounting Students offers a more practical approach than the typical accounting information systems textbook. The text covers the technical foundations of the topic, and provides a unique insight into what information systems and technology mean for accountants in today's business environment. Providing a contemporary education for undergraduate accounting students, Quinn and Kristandl offer a fresh perspective that is relevant to both UK and international students of computerised accounting, accounting information systems or accounting technology. Key features of the text include: * Real life examples with QR codes for easy access on smart devices . Examples are drawn from leading organizations such as Ryanair, Marks and Spencer, SAP and The World Bank. * Coverage of the features of selected office, accounting and business software * Mini-cases to show how technology benefits business "Tracking the relationship between accounting and technology in an ever changing world is no mean feat. Now, this book offers a comprehensive overview of technology- using many real-life examples - to introduce why and how technology matters for today's accountant" Professor Niels Dechow, EBS Business School, Wiesbaden.Part 1 -- Introduction to information systems, design and development Chapter 1 -- introduction * Outline purpose of the text * Outline of how business has changed in past 25/30 years * Outline of information systems/technology changes * Outline of what this means for accountants/accounting Chapter 2 -- The basics of information systems and technology * Refresher of basic IS/IT concepts * The prevalence of IS/IT in the business world -- covering SME, large firms, service/public sector * Software and hardware currently used -- desktop software/hardware, hand-held/tablet, internet based software -- all quite brief mention with examples. Chapter 3 -- The role of IT/IS in accounting * Brief history of information systems in accounting * The role of accountants in business -- what exactly do (management) accountants do if IS/IT does so much? * What should accountants now about IS/IS -- this section leads into the remaining chapters Chapter 4 -- Implementation and change management * A brief synopsis of the SDLC * Brief theoretical review of organisational change and link to how IS/IT implies change and understanding the technology/business link -- theory would include traditional approach, contingency, processual change and organisational routines * Need for project/change management in IS/IT projects; some basic project management concepts * Problems encountered in organisational change efforts Part 2 -- Accounting information systems in larger organisations Chapter 5 -- Enterprise resource planning systems * Introduction to business processes (as opposed to functional approach) * Outline of origins/development of ERP * Functionality * Business process alignment/engineering * Role of accountants in ERP installation -- role changes, reporting changes, controls, cost centre structures, ledger alignment This chapter would include some screenshots/diagrams from SAP Chapter 6 -- Integrating information systems with external bodies * Brief outline of IS/IT data integration concepts and interfaces * Information duplication/non-standard information problems * ERP functionality -- standardisation across organisations (brief) Chapter 7 -- An introduction to XBRL * Brief history of html/xml/xbrl * Internet financial reporting * Basic purpose of XBRL * XBRL taxonomies * XBRL and ERP Part 3 -- Accounting information systems in smaller organisations Chapter 8 -- Accounting software for smaller businesses * The accounting needs of a smaller business -- sole trader/small company * Ways to keep accounting records electronically * Small business accounting software -- typical functionality * Examples of small business software - Quickbooks Chapter 9 -- Software as a Service * Introduction to cloud computing * Benefits of cloud computing -- including some recent CIMA reports/articles * Examples of how cloud computing /SaaS is used in accounting -- Quickbooks/other software online for smaller businesses/ SAP for larger business Chapter 10 -- Financial modelling and decision support with spreadsheets (MS Excel) * Uses of spreadsheets in accounting -- simple analysis and reporting * Examples of some modelling/decision support tools in MS Excel -- capital investment functions, solver, macros/forms -- this section will show some screen shots/examples, but will not over do it. Examples/materials/flash videos could be provided on a website.