Accounting Information Projects

A. RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT(10%)

You are required to choose one topic from the list provided in the course schedule and search for 3-4
articles about it. These articles may report an academic research, a case study, or a professional note
about the chosen topic. You will present a summary and an analysis to the articles in 15 minutes with
a 5-minute period of questions, at the date indicated in the outline for your topic. You will also hand
in a 3-page written assignment that consists in a summary of your readings. The most important
criteria in selecting the articles is the added value you will bring to the class. Or Write your own case
study: This project consists in making-up a case study based, for example, on a previous work
experience and readings. Similar to the first option, you have to make a presentation and hand in a 10-
page written assignment.

B. QUICKBOOKS PROJECT or other downloadable accounting software(20%) The QUICKBOOKS

project is individual and will be done using the supplemental material, Computerized Accounting
Using QuickBooks Pro 2014. The objective of this project is to familiarize you with the
Quickbooks software, which is widely used by Small and Medium Enterprises. Students may
download a free sample system to be used to get familiarization of the system. You will be
required to evaluate its usefulness and make recommendations for any add on or deletions for
its improvement on effectiveness in Transaction processing and Financial reporting . Make also
an evaluation on which type of business it is best suitable to be used in its accounting work.

As future modern consultants, besides knowing how to develop a computer based event-driven
accounting information systems, you should be aware of available accounting packages in the
market that, in some occasion, would be a feasible choice in systems implementation. In a group
of 5 members, you will be evaluating an accounting package. It is preferable that the software
should not be a brand-name one that you have used in other accounting courses. Your project
should address the following issues:

1- Functionality of the package: how to set up the accounting system, how does it work. You
may create a set of transaction examples to illustrate the functionality of the chosen
package
2- Limitations of the package in terms of volume of transactions, available accounting
functions, available outputs and operability.
3- Strengths and weakness of the package in satisfying information need of modern
businesses.
4- Recommendations on the use and implementation of this package: the type and
characteristics of industry, business where the package would be the best choice.

Address in your report and presentation all useful information about the package. Ask
yourselves what do you expect to learn from the works of other groups without spending times
 to explore those accounting packages. Then prepare your group work, report and presentation
accordingly such that you will meet the expectations of the audience.

As a group of future competent consultants, your group should hand in a professional written
report and make a professional presentation in class.

In the last 2 weeks of the semester, each group will make a presentation of 30 minutes in class.
In the presentation, you will show the audience how the package work and then evaluate the
package.

The report should be handed-in in the last meeting, Each member should make a peer
evaluation on the contribution of other members in the group work. Each evaluation should be
put in a sealed envelope and attached to the group report. Individual credits will be calculated
from the group performance and the individual contribution to the group work.

C. TERM PROJECT AND PRESENTATION (20%) You have the choice between two possible term
projects: 1) Accounting information system analysis project: This project requires that the student
selects an organization (example: for-profit business, an association, a sport club) and analyzes a
portion of its accounting information system. The student will observe the designated business process,
then relay the observations and draw some conclusions and inferences from the observations made
using the tools discussed in class. You will also hand in a 10-page written assignment.