UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTANCY

Accounting Information Systems AC211 and AC221: Course Outline

Practical Sessions: Please refer to timetable in the Commerce Computer Labs.

Lecturer: Mrs Kunzekweguta

Course Purpose
The course is designed to improve your proficiency, appreciation and understanding of the
application on Information Technology in Accounting, Auditing and Control. It will help you
acquire essential skills in using and managing computer based information systems that support
the activities of the accountant.
Prerequisite
Successful completion of the Level 1 course in Information Processing (AC105 and AC115).
Students are expected to have an email account, an eLearning account and be proficient in the
use of the Internet, the University eLearning system, MS Office and MS Access.

Course Aims and Objectives

 To gain knowledge about various information technology resources available and
understand the process of acquiring, developing and auditing accounting information
systems.
 The students should be able to use computerized accounting systems, electronic
spreadsheets and other relevant software tools.

Specific Learning Objectives / Learning Outcomes

Semester 1: Accounting Information Systems 1 (AC211)
By the end of this course students will:
 Explain the functions of an Accounting Information System (AIS)
 Identify Accounting Cycles and describe the activities carried out in each cycle
  Discuss key decisions to be made in each accounting cycle
 Discuss the benefits of a computerized accounting system
 Discuss key decisions to be made at various levels of an organization and discuss the
relevant information systems that support management decision making and key business
processes.
 Set up and manage a set of accounts using QuickBooks.
 Use electronic spreadsheets to build financial models for decision making
 Use accounting research software SPSS.

Specific Learning Objectives / Learning Outcomes

Semester 2: Accounting Information Systems 11 (AC221)

 Explain how projects are managed and identify essential resources and techniques to
manage projects successfully
 Explain how computer-based information systems are acquired, developed and
controlled.
 Identify phases of developing an information systems and describe the activities carried
out in each phase.
 Identify threats and risks to AIS and discuss how they can be minimised.
 Identify the objectives of an information systems audit, and describe how information
systems are audited using computer assisted audit techniques.
 Set up and manage a set of accounts using Pastel.
 Use electronic spreadsheets to build financial models for decision making

Methods/Strategies of Teaching and Learning

The course is taught using face to face lectures, discussions, group activities, practical sessions
and assessments. Assignments and assessments will help students in achieving intended learning
outcomes. Some learning activities will involve the use of the internet and the university’s
elearning channel; Tsime. Learning resources and references will be posted on Tsime and all
students’ responses to assignments, examinations and tests will be submitted via the eLearning
System.
Students should therefore get training and be acquainted with the system as well as regulations
and instructions related to computer based assignments, tests and examinations posted on the e-
learning space. Every students is required therefore to join a group for practical lessons and to
attend in their group two hour practical sessions in the commerce computer laboratories.

Student Assessment
Assessments will include completing practical assignments, making group presentations, taking
tests and semester exams. Coursework will contribute 30% and one semester examination will
contribute 70% towards the final grade. Examinations posted on the eLearning space. Every
students is required therefore to join a group for practical lessons and to attend in their group two
hour practical sessions in the commerce computer laboratory.
Grades will be given based on the following assessments:
Quiz and tests 15%
Practical 5%
Group Assignments 10%
Coursework 30%
Semester Exam 70%
The semester examination paper is made up two sections, where section A is MS excel and
section B is MS word.

Academic Integrity
Each Students in the course is expected to abide by the University regulations and Academic
Integrity. Submitted work will be checked using plagiarizing software.

Reference Text Books

Romney, M.B. & Steinbart, P. J (2015). Accounting Information Systems. 13th edition. Prentice
Hall. (Main Text)
Topic 1: ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS:
AN OVERVIEW
Learning Objectives:
1. Distinguish between data and information, discuss the characteristics of useful information,
and explain how to determine the value of information.
2. Explain the decisions an organization makes and the information needed to make them.
3. Identify the information that passes between internal and external parties and an AIS.
4. Describe the major business processes present in most companies.
5. Explain what an accounting information system (AIS) is and describe its basic functions.
6. Discuss how an AIS can add value to an organization.
7. Explain how an AIS and corporate strategy affect each other.
8. Explain the role an AIS plays in a company’s value chain.

Topic 2: OVERVIEW OF TRANSACTION PROCESSING AND ENTERPRISE

RESOURCE PLANNING
SYSTEMS
Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the four parts of the data processing cycle and the major activities in each.
2. Describe documents and procedures used to collect and process transaction data.
3. Describe the ways information is stored in computer-based information systems.
4. Discuss the types of information that an AIS can provide.
5. Discuss how organizations use enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to process
transactions and provide information.

Topic 3: SYSTEMS DOCUMENTATION TECHNIQUES

Learning Objectives:
1. Prepare and use data flow diagrams to understand, evaluate, and document information
systems.
2. Prepare and use flowcharts to understand, evaluate, and document information systems.
3. Prepare and use business process diagrams to understand, evaluate, and document information
systems.
Topic 4: RELATIONAL DATABASES
Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the importance and advantages of databases, as well as the difference between
database and file based legacy systems.
2. Explain the difference between logical and physical views of a database.
3. Explain fundamental concepts of database systems such as DBMS, schemas, the data
dictionary, and DBMS languages.
4. Describe what a relational database is and how it organizes data.
5. Create a set of well-structured tables to properly store data in a relational database.
6. Perform simple queries using the Microsoft Access database.

NB: Topic 5, Topic 6, Topic 7, Topic 8 and Topic 9 will be supported by a practical session
(QuickBooks).

Topic 5 THE REVENUE CYCLE: SALES TO CASH COLLECTIONS

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the basic business activities and related information processing operations performed
in the revenue cycle.
2. Discuss the key decisions that need to be made in the revenue cycle, and identify the
information needed to make those decisions.
3. Identify major threats in the revenue cycle, and evaluate the adequacy of various control
procedures for dealing with those threats.

Topic 6: THE EXPENDITURE CYCLE: PURCHASING TO CASH DISBURSEMENTS

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the basic business activities and related information processing operations performed
in the expenditure cycle.
2. Discuss the key decisions to be made in the expenditure cycle, and identify the information
needed to make those decisions.
3. Identify major threats in the expenditure cycle, and evaluate the adequacy of various control
procedures for dealing with those threats.

Topic 7: THE PRODUCTION CYCLE

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the major business activities and related information processing operations
performed in the production cycle.
2. Explain how a company’s cost accounting system can help to achieve its manufacturing goals.
3. Identify major threats in the production cycle, and evaluate the adequacy of various control
procedures for dealing with those threats.
4. Discuss the key decisions that must be made in the production cycle, and identify the
information required to make those decisions.

Topic 8: THE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND PAYROLL CYCLE

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the major business activities and related information processing operations
performed in the human resources management (HRM)/payroll cycle.
2. Explain the key decisions to be made in the HRM/payroll cycle, and identify the information
required to make those decisions.
3. Identify the major threats in the HRM/payroll cycle, and evaluate the adequacy of various
internal control procedures for dealing with them.

Topic 9: GENERAL LEDGER AND REPORTING SYSTEMS

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the information processing operations required to update the general ledger and to
produce other reports for internal and external users.
2. Identify the major threats in general ledger and reporting activities, and evaluate the adequacy
of various control procedures for dealing with them.
3. Understand the implications of new IT developments, such as XBRL, and changes in external
reporting requirements, such as IFRS, for the design and operation of the general ledger and
reporting system.
4. Discuss how tools such as responsibility accounting, balanced scorecards, and graphs can be
used to provide information managers need to effectively monitor performance.

Topic 10: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

Learning Objectives:
Gain an understanding of and being up-to-date on current issues.
AC221 Accounting Information Systems 11 Course Outline

Topic 1: COMPUTER FRAUD

Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the threats faced by modern information systems.
2. Define fraud and describe both the different types of fraud and the process one follows to
perpetuate a fraud.
3. Discuss who perpetrates fraud and why it occurs, including the pressures, opportunities, and
rationalizations that are present in most frauds.
4. Define computer fraud and discuss the different computer fraud classifications.
5. Explain how to prevent and detect computer fraud and abuse.

Topic 2: COMPUTER FRAUD AND ABUSE TECHNIQUES

Learning Objectives:
1. Compare and contrast computer attack and abuse tactics.
2. Explain how social engineering techniques are used to gain physical or logical access to
computer resources.
3. Describe the different types of malware used to harm computers.

Topic 3 CONTROL AND ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Learning Objectives:
1. Explain basic control concepts and why computer control and security are important.
2. Compare and contrast the COBIT, COSO, and ERM control frameworks.
3. Describe the major elements in the internal environment of a company.
4. Describe the four types of control objectives that companies need to set.
5. Describe the events that affect uncertainty and the techniques used to identify them.
6. Explain how to assess and respond to risk using the Enterprise Risk Management model.
7. Describe control activities commonly used in companies.
8. Describe how to communicate information and monitor control processes in organizations.

Topic 4: CONTROLS FOR INFORMATION SECURITY

Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the factors that influence information systems reliability.
2. Describe how a combination of preventive, detective, and corrective controls can be employed
to provide reasonable assurance about information security.

Topic 5: CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY CONTROLS

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify and explain controls designed to protect the confidentiality of sensitive information.
2. Identify and explain controls designed to protect the privacy of customers’ personal
information.
3. Explain how the two basic types of encryption systems work.

Topic 6: PROCESSING INTEGRITY AND AVAILABILITY CONTROLS

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify and explain controls designed to ensure processing integrity.
2. Identify and explain controls designed to ensure systems availability.

Topic 7: AUDITING COMPUTER-BASED INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the scope and objectives of audit work, and identify the major steps in the audit
process.
2. Identify the objectives of an information system audit, and describe how the risk-based audit
approach can be used to accomplish these objectives.
3. Describe the different tools and techniques auditors use to test software programs and program
logic.
4. Describe computer audit software, and explain how it is used in the audit of an AIS.
5. Describe the nature and scope of an operational audit.
Topic 8: INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT AND SYSTEMS
ANALYSIS
Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the five phases of the systems development lifecycle.
2. Discuss the people involved in systems development and the roles they play.
3. Explain the importance of systems development planning and describe planning techniques.
4. Discuss the various types of feasibility analysis and calculate economic feasibility.
5. Explain why systems changes trigger behavioral reactions, what form does this resistance to
change take, and how to avoid or minimize the resulting problems.
6. Discuss the key issues and steps in systems analysis.

Topic 9 AIS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe how organizations purchase application software, vendor services, and hardware.
2. Explain how information system departments develop custom software.
3. Explain how end users develop, use, and control computer-based information systems.
4. Explain why organizations outsource their information systems, and evaluate the benefits and
risks of this strategy.
5. Explain the principles and challenges of business process management.
6. Describe how prototypes are used to develop an AIS, and discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of doing so.
7. Explain what computer-aided software engineering is and how it is used in systems
development.

TOPIC 10: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

Gain an understanding of and being up-to-date on current issues.