GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE

Department of Economics and Management

Professor Will Thomas

EM 66

Spring 1994

Texts:

Accounting Information Systems, 6th ed. Bodnar and Hopwood. Prentice Hall, 1995.

Introducing Paradox for Windows. Trainor and Stipes. McGraw-Hill, 1994.

Overall Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1) Identify and define the major elements of accounting information systems.

2) Describe in his/her own words the features of information systems.

3) Evaluate the relative benefits of accounting information systems.

4) Identify phases in a system's life cycle and apply them to situations similar to those discussed in class.

5) Define the elements of internal control structure.

6) Discuss the basic requirements for auditing a computer- based accounting information system.

Grading: Mid-term 1 100 A 93% of total points

Mid-term 2 100 A- 90%

Mid-term 3 100 B+ 87% C+ 77%

Final 100 B 83% C 73%

Project 100 B- 80% C- 70%

Class 50 D+ 67%

Assignments* 100 D 60%

Total 650

*The actual number of assignments will determine this total.

Assignments from Paradox will carry up to 80 points. Project: Each student will participate in an extensive, small group systems-related project over the course of the semester. The project consists of two phases. The first is the design and preparation of educational materials that will be used by the Area Adult Learning Cooperative to teach basic word-processing and spreadsheet skills to adult learners. We will meet with teachers from AALC early in the semester to learn what they want and need from these materials. The second phase will require matching each student with an adult learner who will be actually using the materials prepared in the first phase. The computers AALC will be using have been donated by Gustavus. Campus Compact has provided a grant to fund the purchase of software and some reimbursement to students travelling to and from the center on Davis Street in St. Peter. I expect to have the materials ready for use before Spring Break so that you can begin working with students after the break. During the last half of the semester, we will devote two class periods to reflection on the progress of your work with the adult learners. I will provide more details on each of these elements as we progress through the semester. Feel free to discuss them with me at any time.

Missed exams: If you must miss a scheduled exam, notify me in advance. Failure to do so may result in a grade of zero on the exam. I do not give make-up exams. If you miss an exam for reasons beyond your control, I will use your grades on the other exams in place of the missed exam. Doing so, however, is totally at my discretion, and you should not assume that I will be willing to do so.

Preparation and participation: You should read and study the assigned material before each class session. I expect each student to participate in class discussions; this is very difficult if you have not studied the material. Note that a portion of your final grade is based on this participation. I do NOT expect every answer or comment to be either correct or earth-shattering. My goals focus more on the process of learning, rather than on immediate, complete comprehension. We're working together here! Writing: Good writing skills are widely considered essential for a college graduate. My view is that good writing follows good thinking. For all written work connected with this class, I expect you to focus first on the ideas, information, and logic you set out to convey. The final step, however, should be a careful proofreading to eliminate grammatical, spelling and diction errors that detract from your overall presentation. I have found that I am better able to concentrate on ideas and meaning when I do not stumble across errors in writing. If you are aware of problems with your writing, I strongly recommend that you seek help immediately. I will be happy to give you a recommendation if that would be useful.

Practice: We will be using the Paradox book as a concrete application of data-base related topics we will be covering. It will expose you to how data is organized and used in a specific system. Your experience with Paradox should be useful in understanding many database management concepts. Schedule: The following schedule of assignments reflects what I expect to accomplish in this course. I reserve the right to change the dates for chapters or assignments. When I make a change, I will inform you as early as possible, particularly when exam dates are affected. I have indicated the approximate date on which we will begin each topic. The schedule includes significant dates for the service project as well.

SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS

I. Introduction and Information System Technology

Feb 6 - Mar 2

Feb 6 Overview of Accounting information systems

Ch. 1 (19, 22, 24, 25)

Feb 8 Documentation Methods

Ch. 2 (19, 20, 30, 34)

Feb 14 or 15 Computer Technology Basics

Ch. 3 (25, 27, 33)

Feb 14 or 16 First meeting with AALC teachers

Feb 17 Paradox assignment 1 is due today on the network

Feb 20 Transaction Processing

Ch. 4 (21, 23, 24, 28)

Feb 23 Internal Control Considerations

Ch. 5 (23, 50, 51, 52, 55, 58)

Mar 2 Exam 1 (100 points)

Mar 3 Paradox assignment 2 is due today on the network

II. Information System Specifics

Mar 6 - Mar 23

Mar 6 Database concepts

Ch. 11

Mar 9 Information system security

Ch. 6

Mar 14 or 15 Revenue and Expenditure Cycles

Ch. 7

Mar 14 or 16 Second meeting with AALC teachers

Mar 17 Paradox assignment 3 due on the network

Mar 20 Production and Finance Cycles

Ch. 8

Mar 23 Exam 2 (100 points)

III. Special Topics in Information Systems

Apr 3 - Apr 24

Apr 3 Introduction to Systems Development

Ch. 9 & 16

Apr 6 Systems Design

Ch. 17

Apr 7 Paradox assignment 4 due on the network

Apr 12 Systems implementation issues

Ch. 18

Apr 18 Managerial issues in information systems

Ch. 10

Apr 20 Communications issues

Ch. 12

Apr 25 Exam 3 (100 points)

IV. Applications

Apr 26 - May 17

Apr 26 Reflection session

Apr 27 Components of electronic accounting systems

Ch. 13

May 2 Information in modern systems

Ch. 14

May 8 Auditing topics

Ch. 15

May 16 Reflection session (with teachers?)

May 17 Wrap-up

Chapter Objectives

I. Introduction and Information System Technology

Introduction to Accounting Information Systems (Ch. 1 - 3)

The student will be able to:

1) Identify the major roles of accounting information systems in organizations.

2) Relate concepts of accounting information systems to concepts of business organization.

3) State in his/her own words the content of accounting cycles and identify the basic information needs of each.

4) Apply the concepts of forms design to specific situations.

Hardware and Software Issues and Concepts (Ch. 4 - 5)

The student will be able to:

1) Describe in his/her own words the major hardware components of a computer system.

2) State and apply criteria for choosing a specific piece of hardware. (For example, select a printer.)

3) Differentiate among the types of software used in accounting information systems.

4) Apply basic software concepts to specific situations.

Microcomputers and Communications (Ch. 6 - 7)

The student will be able to:

1) Describe in his/her own words the major applications of microcomputers to accounting information systems.

2) Identify limitations/risks associated with the use ofmicrocomputers in accounting information systems.

3) State in his/her own words the primary principles of data communications.

4) Apply communications principles to situations similar to those discussed in class.

Database Systems (Ch. 8)

The student will be able to:

1) Differentiate between database and file-based information systems.

2) Design an appropriate table structure for a database application.

3) Identify and describe in his/her own words applications of databases to accounting information systems.

II. Information System Specifics

Overview (mostly Ch. 14)

The student will be able to:

1) Describe in his/her own words the major phases in the life of an information system.

2) Identify potential behavioral problems related to system design and change. (also ch. 16)

3) Discuss the role of regular system review in the operation of the system.

Analysis (mostly Ch. 15)

The student will be able to:

1) Describe in his/her own words the importance of

understanding the existing system when modifying or replacing it.

2) State in his/her own words the role of proper

documentation in system analysis/design. (also ch. 14)

3) Apply the following dimensions to the analysis of an

information system:

a. Operational control, management control, strategicplanning.

b. Structured versus unstructured decisions.

4) Identify the information needs of managers using an information system.

5) Differentiate among the benefits of using custom, canned and modified software. (also ch. 14)

6) Discuss the benefits and problems associated with a point-scoring aid to a selection decision.

Design (mostly Ch. 15)

The student will be able to:

1) Justify the sequence of output==>process==>input in system design.

2) Discuss the role of internal controls in designing aninformation system.

3) Differentiate among flowcharts, data flow diagrams, HIPO, charts, structured English and matrix analysis as tools to assist in system design/evaluation.

Implementation (mostly Ch. 16)

The student will be able to:

1) State in his/her own words the role of testing in implementing an information system.

2) Discuss the benefits of phased installation relative to other schedules for implementing a new or redesigned information

system.

3) State in his/her own words the major issues related to the physical installation of a computer system.

III. Special Topics in Information Systems

Accounting in Computer Environments (Chap. 9,12,13)

The student will be able to:

1) Identify major transaction cycles and classify events into appropriate cycles.

2) State in his/her own words the data relationships among various transaction cycles.

3) Describe information needs for managers in production departments.

4) Relate these information needs to specific modules and capabilities in an information system.

5) Identify the strengths and limitations of microcomputer- based accounting informaton systems.

6) Describe the contents of master files, transaction files, and constant files and indicate examples of each in a typical accounting system.

Auditing in a Computer Environment (Chap. 17)

The student will be able to:

1) Identify the major phases in conducting an audit.

2) Differentiate between operational and financial audits.

3) Identify major techniques for collecting audit evidence.

4) State in his/her own words the nature and importance of communication of the results of an audit.

5) Indicate appropriate uses of computer technology in the conduct of an audit.

Will Thomas

Gustavus Adolphus College

800 W. College Avenue

St. Peter, MN 56082

(507)933-7409

FAX(507)933-7041

e-mail: wthomas@gac.edu