module specification

This module focuses on the function and theory of financial accounting in a computerised environment and enables students to practise the methods and develop relevant skills. To identify the nature, explain the function, interpret the dataflow, use the theory and practice the methods of financial accounting in a systemic context. 

• To identify the nature, explain the function, use the theory and practice the methods of financial accounting in a computerised environment.
• To complement the student learning of financial and management accounts with practical application in a computerised context by using SAGE accounting system.
• To understand and interpret business dataflow diagrams, flowcharts in transaction cycles.
• To introduce internal and external audit process and identify the major steps in the audit process.
• To provide a theoretical and technical foundation for subsequent units in, financial management and Management Information Systems
 

• Detailed practice in the techniques of book-keeping as carried out within a computerised environment.
• The creation of a computerised book-keeping system and the recording of transactions from source events to trial balance and period end.
• The importance of security and integrity within a computerised accounting environment.
• The treatment of accruals and prepayments, bad and doubtful debts, and stocks and work-in-progress.
• Practical application of cash-budgets.
• The framework of computerised accounting systems and the preparation of financial statements of businesses.
• The external audit process and related internal controls methods.
• An understanding of the information systems, transaction processing and ERP systems.
• System documentation techniques and data flows which support the production of accounting reports.
• Data modelling concepts and processes in a computerised environment.
• REA data model in the context of relational database.

Lectures and Tutorials:

Lectures (One hour): Deals with a combination of, class discussions, case analysis and presentations to explore modules conceptual knowledge.

Tutorials (Two hours): Students will engage in directed practical work in computer labs based on industry cases using standard software SAGE accounting, Excel spread sheets and Access databases. The objective is to apply module concepts using application software.

A variety of teaching tools will be used including presentations, case study analysis, and group discussions. Each tool facilitates students an opportunity to reflect on their learning. Students will receive formative as well as summative feedbacks via web learn.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Understand the context and practical application of a computerised accounting system. 
2. Prepare reliable records of commercial relationships by using SAGE accounting.
3. Understand and interpret accounting dataflow and models within transactional cycles linking the   business   processes.
4.  Evaluate the reports produced by a computerised accounting system and make necessary adjustments to the underlying data. 
5. Record the main types of commercial transactions accurately and in appropriate form.
6. Interpret and input data to a SAGE accounting system in order to produce final accounts and other reports.

The assessment for this module will be in several forms.

Assessment 1:
Coursework , is in three parts assesses student competence in using Sage, worth 60% .The coursework is based on the input to a computerised accounting system, and is ongoing from the first tutorial workshop. Part a,  will be due in week 8th assessing basic competence in using Sage weighting 10% of overall mark. Part b, will be assessing completion of the sage case study weighing 15% and the last part c is to assess further competence in using Sage weighting 35% of overall mark due in week 16.

Assessment 2
There are two parts to assess student competence in using and interpreting accounting data within transaction cycles using Data Flow Diagrams, worth 40%.
Part a, consists of an in-class test on the basis of a case study to assess basic competence in understanding transaction cycles and Data Flow Diagrams weighting 15% held during week 21.
Part b, consists of a case study coursework consisting of data modelling using Entity relationship diagrams and Access with 25% overall weighting and will be due in week 30.

The student will pass this module if an overall mark of at least 40% is obtained and if at least 35% is obtained for each component of the assessment.

Text books:
Accounting Information Systems: Global Edition, 12/E Romney & Steinbart ©2012   Pearson Higher Education  Published: Mar 2011
Accounting: A Smart Approach: Mary Carey, Cathy Knowles, and Jane Towers-Clark
Oxford University Press:2011
Financial Accounting: A Business Process Approach: International Edition, 3/E Jane L. Reimers, Prentice Hall:2008
GILERT, G., 'Sage Line 50 in Easy Steps.' Computer Step

Articles:
Klamm and Weidenmier (Fall 2004) Linking Business Processes and Transaction Cycles. Journal of Information Systems  (available on Web learn)
Scott, J. E. (1999). The Fox-Meyer Drugs bankruptcy: was it a failure of ERP? The 5th Americas Conference on Information Systems (available on Web learn)

Journals:
Journal  of information systems
The Accounting review
Issues in accounting Education

Periodicals:
Financial times
The Wall street Journal Europe (free copies available every day at Moorgate Library)

Internet resources:
http://www.accountingtoday.com
http://money.msn.com
http://www.computerworld.com
http://www.informationweek.com