Reference no: EM133000985

HI5019 Strategic Information Systems for Business and Enterprise - Holmes Institute

Assessment - System Analysis and Selection

Critically evaluate the purpose and role of accounting information systems in today's business environment (ULO 1),

Evaluate systems development methodologies and the role of accountants in system development projects (ULO 3), and

Appraise the risks inherent in computer-based systems/ERP, including the role of ethics and the various internal control processes that need to be in place (ULO 4).

Assignment Details

Part A. Accounting Information System as a Discipline [Up to 500 words]

Background: Conceptually, accounting is defined as the process of identifying, measuring, and communicating economic information to permit informed judgments and decisions by users of the information. In this context, accounting is an essential part of the business world and a constantly evolving profession. The accounting information systems (AIS) as a discipline is one of the outcomes of this evolution. AIS is mostly computerised based systems that make accountants jobs easier by collecting, storing, and processing financial and accounting data to produce reports that help users make more efficient and effective business decisions. Therefore, AIS must be covered within (or across) the undergraduate/postgraduate accounting curriculum to adequately prepare accounting students for what they will be using in the workplace. This discussion reveals that the AIS curriculum needs the attention of researchers.

Required: Based on the existing recent literature, discuss the transformation of the AIS curriculum [support your discussion with a minimum of four peer-reviewed journal articles].

Part B. The Conversion Cycle. [Up to 500 words]

You are a well-known management accountant of the area. Sara is your one of the best friends who is the Managing Director of XYZ Limited.1 Last Friday, you met with Sara, and she was worried about some accounting issues of XYZ Limited. She requested you to provide with her the expert opinion on the components of overhead and the logical cost driver. For this expert opinion, she forwarded you the following information on Monday morning.

For years, XYZ Limited has allocated overhead based on total machine hours. A recent assessment of overhead costs has shown that these costs are now in excess of 45 percent of the company's total costs. Sara is specifically worried about this variance and as a Managing Director, she is trying to better control overhead. For this purpose, the head of the management accountant adopted an activity-based costing system. Each cutting board goes through the following processes:

As an attempt to better control overhead, XYZ Limited is adopting an activity-based costing system. Each cutting board goes through the following processes. The given data reveals that cutting is the first process. In this process, boards are selected from inventory and are cut to the required width and length. Imperfections in boards (such as knots or cracks) are identified and removed. The second process is assembly. In this process, cut wooden pieces are laid out on clamps, a layer of glue is applied to each piece, and the glued pieces are clamped together until the glue sets.

The third process is shaping. Once the glue has set, the boards are sent to the shaping process, where they are cut into specific shapes. After being shaped, the cutting boards must be sanded smooth. In this setting, sanding is the fourth process.

The fifth process is finishing. In this process, sanded cutting boards receive a coat of mineral oil to help preserve the wood. The last process is packing. In the packing process, finished cutting boards are placed in boxes of 12. The boxes are sealed, addressed, and sent to one of the kitchen stores.

Required: Suggest the most suitable component of overhead for XYL Limited. Further, determine a logical cost driver for each process.

Part C. System Analysis and Selection Report. [Up to 1500 words]

Background

You are running an accounting/management consultancy firm. One of your clients is currently evaluating its information systems, and the Managing Director of your client thinks that they needed to invest in an Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) system to support the growth of the business. During your first meeting, the managing director of your client requested you to evaluate their business and recommend ERP software.
Client/Company Selection

You are required to select a listed company of your choice (your firm's client). The selected company should be a manufacturing firm listed on either The Australian Stock Exchange or the Stock Exchange of your home country. The chosen company is your firm's client.
Framework of Analysis

The report should include the following components:
1. Background of the Selected Business

1.1 Evaluate the business process of your client to identify potential weak internal controls and the risk associated with these potential weak controls. And recommend the

control techniques that will reduce or eliminate the potential risks. [Hint: your response should be based on our discussion in Interactive Tutorial 4 to 6.]

2. Systems Requirements

2.1 Briefly discuss the software features and functionalities that your client should consider supporting its business activities. [Hint: your response should be based on Section
1.1 above.]

3. Software Selection

3.1 Compare and contrast the features and functionalities of three ERP software packages offered by the ERP vendors. Hint. Try to apply the general functionalities and key elements of ERP systems we discussed in Week 10 Interactive Tutorial.
3.2 In the end, identify the most suitable vendor and ERP software package for your client and explain why it is the best option.
Assignment Structure
The report should include the following components.

Holmes Institute Assignment Cover Sheet

The Holmes Institute Assignment Cover Sheet is available at the end of menu item Assessments on the Blackboard.
Table of Contents

This needs to show a logical listing of all the sub-headings of the report's contents. Note this
is excluded from the total word count.

Part A. Accounting Information System as a Discipline

Discuss the transformation of the AIS curriculum.

Part B. The Conversion Cycle

Suggest the most suitable component of overhead for XYL Limited. Further, determine a logical cost driver for each process.

Part C. System Analysis and Selection Report.

1. Executive Summary

The Executive summary should be concise and not involve too much detail. It should make commentary on the main points only and follow the sequence of the report. Write the Executive Summary after the report is completed, and once you have an overview of the whole text.
2. Introduction

Typically, the introduction is a short paragraph which includes background, scope and the main points raised in the order of importance. There should be a brief conclusion statement at the end of the introduction.
3. Main Body Paragraphs with Numbered Sub-headings

This section contains the detailed information which elaborates on the main points raised in the introduction. Each paragraph should begin with an exact topic sentence, then supporting sentences with facts and evidence obtained from research and finish with a concluding sentence at the end.
4. Conclusion

This section contains a logical and coherent evaluation based on a thorough and objective assessment of the research performed.
5. Appendices

This section includes any additional explanatory information which is supplementary and/or graphical to help communicate the main ideas made in the report. Refer to the appendices in the main body paragraphs, as and where appropriate. (Note this is excluded from the total word count.)
Note: The report should be grounded on relevant literature, and all references must be cited appropriately and included in the reference list.

Attachment:- System Analysis and Selection.rar