ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS (ACCT 331)

OVERVIEW

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students enrolling into the Bachelor of Accounting and Finance program will be exposed to the use of AIS to optimize business development, operation, auditing, and analysis for decision-making and be the product owners for AIS and other related technologies. This course aims to explore the relationships between AIS and business processes and internal controls and provide students with appropriate knowledge and skills in using AIS and other related technologies

2. REASON FOR THE COURSE

This course aims to give students a foundation in accounting information systems (AIS), technology management, and digital applications commonly used in business settings.  There are four main goals that this course intends to accomplish. First, it enables students to develop their knowledge and skills in relation to AIS in achieving organizational objectives. Second, it develops students’ ability to apply the knowledge gained in relation to the life cycle and project management of information systems in a business environment. Third, it further develops lifelong learning skills of independent learning and study in relation to AIS. Finally, it exposes students to real case studies and best practices centered around issues in AIS. 

3. STUDY HOURS

4. ROLE IN CURRICULUM

Prerequisites
Introduction to Computer Science (COSC 101) and Financial Accounting 1 (ACCT 211) are prerequisites for this course.

SKILLS

  • COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)
  • ASSESSMENT AND GRADING
  • TEACHING METHODS
  • STUDY PLAN
  • TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

5. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Knowledge Level of
Learning		 Related PLO
Explain Information Flows (CK1)
Explain Information Flows in Accounting Information Systems 		 Understand PK1
Describe Fraud and IT Risk Management (CK2)
Describe Computer Fraud, IT Risk Management and Trust Services Criteria.		 Understand PK2
Cognitive Skills Level of
Learning		 Related
PLO
Create Project Management Plan (CC1)
Create Project Management Plan for Accounting Systems in relation to Cost & Schedule Estimate		 Create PC2
Evaluate IT Control Systems (CC2)
Evaluate IT Controls applicable for Systems Reliability using Trust Services Criteria & Risk Based Design		 Evaluate PC2
Communication, Information Technology, and Numerical Skills Level of
Learning		 Related PLO
Describe the Emerging of the Technologies (CCIT1)
Describe the potential use of some emerging technologies in driving transformational improvements.		 Describe PCIT2
Apply AIS Development Strategies (CCIT2)
Apply AIS development strategies in the IT decision-making process.		 Apply PCIT2
Interpersonal Skills and Responsibilities Level of
Learning		 Related PLO
Work in a Team (CIP1)
Work in a team to evaluate effective decisions for Process & Key AIS Controls in Revenue, Expenditure, Production and HRM Cycles 		  Characterize  PIP1

6. ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

Grades will be determined based on the following assessments and score allocations:

SKILL Assessment Skill Weighting for Grade
Participation Assignment (Report) Assignment (Presentation) In Class Test (2) Final Exam
Explain Information Flows (CK1)        75% 25% 10%
Describe Fraud and IT Risk Management (CK2)       50% 50% 20%
Create Project Management Plan (CC1)   50%  50%     25%
Evaluate IT Control Systems (CC2)       50% 50% 10%
Describe the Emerging of the Technologies (CCIT1)       25% 75% 15%
Apply AIS Development Strategies (CCIT2)   25%  25%   50% 10%
Work in a Team (CIP1)   100%       10%

7. TEACHING METHODS

This course is primarily lecture and assignment based; assigned readings will support learning and serve as a reference to materials covered in class. During class, approximately half of the class will be devoted to lecture with another half of the class for working on case studies and problem sets and reviewing the solutions.

Students will submit two assignments in the area of AIS:

Assignment: Project Management Assignment (Part I)
Work type: Group
Output format: Written Report
Language: English
Description: The assignment requires students to analyze a case study and work in groups to present their group reports on the assigned case. This concerns developing a proposal to change AIS from an internally developed system called Financial Information System (FIS) to an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system called Systems Applications and Products in Data Processing (SAP), creating a cost management plan and schedule management plan and identifying potential risks. It could be done using a Project Management Tool called JIRA.
Assignment: Project Management Assignment (Part II)
Work group: Group
Output format:  Presentation
Language:  English
Description: Each group will present the Project Management Assignment (Part I) by discussing how Project Management is used in changing AIS, explaining the plan for managing cost and scheduling management plan, and identifying potential risks. The group will explain the benefits of using Project Management tools, possible challenges, and how those challenges shall be managed and/or resolved.
Assignment Rubric:  

8. STUDY PLAN

The course targets the 30 lessons in the study plan below. Each lesson requires 1.5 class hours. There are a total of 45 class hours. The study plan below describes the learning outcome for each lesson, described in terms of what the student should be able to do at the end of the lesson. Readings should be done by students as preparation before the start of each class. Implementation of this study plan may vary depending on the progress and needs of students.

  Lesson Learning Outcomes Teaching (T), and
Assessment (A) Methods
1

Accounting Information Systems: An Overview 

  1. Describe information needs and business processes
  2. Explain AIS components and functions (CK1)
 Lecture
Kahoot Game

Reading: AIS book, Chapter 1, Page 28-41
2

Accounting Information Systems: An Overview 

  1.  Class Activity (CK1)
 Lecture
Kahoot Game

Reading: AIS book, Chapter 1, Page 28-41
3

Accounting Information Systems: An Overview

  1. Describe accounting information system (CK1)

 

Lecture
Kahoot Game

Reading: AIS book, Chapter 1, Page 28-41
4

 Accounting Information Systems: An Overview 

  1. Class Activity (CK1)
 Lecture
Kahoot Game

Reading: AIS book, Chapter 1, Page 28-41
5

Project Management (including related concepts of Product Management)

Getting to know project management 

  1. Define a project & Project Management
  2. Characteristic of a PM – Project Manager (CK2)
 Lecture
Kahoot Game
Group problem-based learning
Discussion
Integrative case

Reading:
Handout: 1, 2, 3,4
6

Project Management (including related concepts of Product Management)

Getting to know project management 

  1. Product Scoping v/s Project Scoping
  2. Define project methodology
  3. Define project management process (CK2)
 Lecture
Kahoot Game
Group problem-based learning
Discussion
Integrative case

Reading:
Handout: 1, 2, 3,4
7

Project Management (including related concepts of Product Management)

Getting to know project management

  1. Discuss Project management software (CIP1)

 

 

Lecture
Kahoot Game
Group problem-based learning
Discussion
Integrative case

Reading:
Handout: 1, 2, 3,4

 
8

Project Management (including related concepts of Product Management)

Getting to know project management

  1. Class Activity (CIP1)
 Lecture
Kahoot Game
Group problem-based learning
Discussion
Integrative case

Reading:
Handout: 1, 2, 3,4
9

Data Analytics in Accounting, System

Documentation Techniques

  1. Explain what makes a good question and evaluate questions relative to the S M A R T framework
  2. Describe the extract, transform, and load (E T L) process and key components of each step of the process
  3. Explain the differences between descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics (CCITl)
 Lecture
Kahoot Game
Didactic questioning
Group discussion

Reading:
1. Online resources
2. Journal articles
10

Data Analytics in Accounting, System

Documentation Techniques

  1. Describe how automation interacts with the analytics mindset and when data analytics is an inferior tool for decision-making
  2. Prepare and use business process diagrams to understand, evaluate, and document information systems
  3. Prepare and use flowcharts and data flow diagrams to understand, evaluate, and document information systems (CIPl)
 Lecture
Kahoot Game
Didactic questioning
Group discussion

Reading:
1. Online resources
2. Journal articles

 

 
11

AIS Development Strategies 

  1. Describe how organizations purchase application software, vendor services, and hardware
  2. Explain how information system departments develop custom software (CCIT2)
 Lecture
Didactic questioning
Group discussion

Reading:
AIS book, Chapter 20, Page 647- 649
AIS book, Chapter 21, Page 680 -697

 

 
12

AIS Development Strategies

  1. Explain how end users develop, use, and control computer-based information systems
  2. Explain why organizations outsource their information systems and evaluate the benefits and risks of this strategy (CIP1)

 

Lecture
Didactic questioning
Group discussion

Reading:
AIS book, Chapter 20, Page 647- 649
AIS book, Chapter 21, Page 680 -697
13

AIS Development Strategies

  1. Brief introduction to Prototyping.
  2. Class Activity. (CCIT2, CIP1)
  Lecture
Didactic questioning
Group discussion

Reading:
AIS book, Chapter 20, Page 647- 649
AIS book, Chapter 21, Page 680 -697
14

Introduction to Systems Development, Systems Analysis, Design, Implementation, and Operation 

  1. Explain the life cycle / phases of the systems development life cycle
  2. Discuss methodologies used (CIP1)
 Lecture
Didactic questioning
Group discussion

Reading:
AIS book, Chapter 20, Page 647- 649
AIS book, Chapter 21, Page 680 -697
15

Introduction to Systems Development, Systems Analysis, Design, Implementation, and Operation 

  1. Class Activity (CIP1)
 Lecture
Didactic questioning
Group discussion

Reading:
AIS book, Chapter 20, Page 647- 649
AIS book, Chapter 21, Page 680 -697
16

Introduction to Systems Development, Systems Analysis, Design, Implementation, and Operation 

  1. Discuss the people involved in systems development and the roles they play
  2. Explain why system changes trigger behavioral reactions, what form this resistance to change takes, and how to avoid or minimize the resulting problems (CCIT2)
 Lecture
Didactic questioning
Group discussion

Reading:
AIS book, Chapter 20, Page 654 – 663
AIS book Chapter 22, Page 708 – 722
17

Introduction to Systems Development, Systems Analysis, Design, Implementation, and Operation  

  1. Class Activity (CCIT2)
 Lecture
Didactic questioning
Group discussion

Reading:
AIS book, Chapter 20, Page 654 – 663
AIS book Chapter 22, Page 708 – 722
18

Digital Transformation 

  1. Define what is digitalization and disruptive technology
  2. Discuss implications for its people, culture, processes, and technology
  3. Discuss risk of ignoring digital transformation and its current trends (CCIT1)
 Lecture
Didactic questioning
Discussion
Case study discussion – Netflix

Reading:
Handout: 6,7,8
19

 Overview of Transaction Processing and Enterprise Resource Planning Systems 

  1. Describe Transaction Processing 
  2. Describe Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) and its pros and cons (CK1)
 Lecture
Didactic questioning
Discussion

Reading: AIS book, Chapter 2 Page 52 to 64
Handout: 9,10
20

Computer Fraud and Abuse

  1. Define AIS threats
  2. Introduce fraud & Fraud Triangle
  3. Class Activity (CK2)
 Lecture
Discussion
Case studies

Reading:
AIS book Chapter 5, Page 153 – 170

Handout: 11, 12, 13, 14
 21

Computer Fraud and Abuse

  1. Explain Social Engineering Class Activity (CK2)
 Lecture
Discussion
Case studies

Reading:
AIS book Chapter 6, Page 191-192

Handout: 11, 12, 13, 14
22

 Computer Fraud and Abuse

  1. Explain Social Engineering Class Activity (CK2)
 Lecture
Discussion
Case studies

Reading:
AIS book Chapter 7, Page 224

Handout: 11, 12, 13, 14
23

 Risk Management Information Systems 

  1. Describe the nature, scope, and objectives of IT risk work, and identify the major steps in the risk process 
  2. Discuss IT risk management approaches (CK2)
 Lecture
Didactic questioning
Group discussion
Integrative case

Reading:
AIS book, Chapter 7, Page 226-230

Handout: 15
 24

 Risk Management Information Systems 

  1. Discuss Control Frameworks (COBIT, COSO’s IC and COSO’s ERM)
  2. Apply IT Risk Management Approaches on a scenario using case-study approach (CK2)
 Lecture
Didactic questioning
Group discussion
Integrative case

Reading:
AIS book, Chapter 7, Page 226-230

Handout: 15
25

 Information Systems Controls for Systems Reliability, Confidentiality, Privacy, Processing Integrity & Availability

  1. Understand Value of Controls & Risk Based Design of Internal Controls for IT Risks
  2. Class Activity (CC2)
 Lecture
Didactic questioning
Group discussion
Case Study

Reading:
AIS Chapter 7, Page 235-237

Handout: 16 & 17
26

Information Systems Controls for Systems Reliability, Confidentiality, Privacy, Processing Integrity & Availability 

  1. Understand elements of Systems Reliability 
  2. Understand Trust Services Criteria, SOC2 Report
  3. Discuss ISO 27001(CC2)
 Lecture
Didactic questioning
Group discussion
Case Study

Reading:
AIS Chapter 8, Page 263-266
AIS Chapter 9, Page 296-297, Page 300

Handout: 16 & 17
 27

Information Systems Controls for Systems Reliability, Confidentiality, Privacy, Processing Integrity & Availability

  1. Know about Defense in Depth & Time Based Model of Security
  2. Understand overall context of IT Risks & Controls and apply them in the given Case Study (CK2)

 

 

 Lecture
Didactic questioning
Group discussion
Case Study

Reading:
AIS Chapter 10, Table 10-1, Table 10-2, Page 332-334

Handout: 16 & 17
 28

Auditing Computer-Based Information Systems

  1. Describe the nature, scope, and objectives of IT audit work, and identify the major steps in the audit process
  2. Discuss how to manage the information systems audit (CK2)

 

 Lecture
Didactic questioning

Group discussion
Reading:
AIS Book Chapter 12, Page 380 & 381, Table 12-1
AIS Book Chapter 13, Page 421 & 422, Table 13-1, 13-2
AIS Book Chapter 14, Page 459, 460 and 461, Table 14-1
AIS Book Chapter 15, Page 489, Table 15-1
AIS book, Chapter 11, Page 349-353

Handout: 18
29

Auditing Computer-Based Information SystemsBusiness Processes & Key Controls

  1. Introduce revenue, expenditure, production, and HRM/payroll Cycle
  2. DIscuss Key IT Controls applicable to these cycles (CIP1)
 Lecture
Didactic questioning

Group discussion
Reading:
AIS Book Chapter 12, Page 380 & 381, Table 12-1
AIS Book Chapter 13, Page 421 & 422, Table 13-1, 13-2
AIS Book Chapter 14, Page 459, 460 and 461, Table 14-1
AIS Book Chapter 15, Page 489, Table 15-1
AIS book, Chapter 11, Page 349-353

Handout: 18
 30

Review

  1. Revision 
  2. Class Activity
 Lecture
Didactic questioning
Group discussion

Reading:
AIS Book Chapter 12, Page 380 & 381, Table 12-1
AIS Book Chapter 13, Page 421 & 422, Table 13-1, 13-2
AIS Book Chapter 14, Page 459, 460 and 461, Table 14-1
AIS Book Chapter 15, Page 489, Table 15-1
AIS book, Chapter 11, Page 349-353

Handout: 18

9. TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

Core Textbook

  • Romney, M.B., and  Steinbart, P.J., Accounting Information Systems, 14 Ed.

Supplementary 

References

  1. PMBOK – https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok
  2. Product Managers for Digital Age 
  3. The Agile Coach – What is Product Management 
  4. Product Management 
  5. JIRA Based Project Management 
  6. Digitization, digitalization and digital transformation – https://www.i-scoop.eu/digitization-digitalization-digital-transformation-disruption/
  7. Digitization, Digitalization, And Digital Transformation: Confuse Them At Your Peril – https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbloomberg/2018/04/29/digitization-digitalization-and-digital-transformation-confuse-them-at-your-peril/#17a4a66d2f2c
  8. Netflix Delivers Billions of Hours of Content Globally by Running on AWS –
  9. What is ERP – https://www.sap.com/products/what-is-erp.html
  10. Four ERP implementation case studies you can learn from – https://www.erpfocus.com/erp-implementation-case-studies.html
  11. Journal of Accountancy – Why employees commit fraud – https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2001/feb/whyemployeescommitfraud.html
  12. Top 12 Cyber Crime Facts & Statistics – https://www.blue-pencil.ca/top-12-cyber-crime-facts-and-statistics/
  13. A malware attack against accounting software giant Wolters Kluwer – https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/08/wolters-kluwer-accounting-giant-hit-by-malware-causing-quiet-panic.html 
  14. Social Engineering –
  15. Risk management white paper: KPMG Whitepaper Model Risk Management 
  16. KPMG – SOC2 & ISO 27001 
  17. PwC – SOC2 Reporting Overview
  18. Deloitte – IT Auditing Process

Education Resources