The proposed research project attempts to investigate the advances of technology in the Accounting Profession. Recent developments in technology, especially information technology, may be closely associated with maximizing productivity within the accounting profession. A comprehensive examination of technological growth and its impact deserves the utmost attention to practitioners in the field, to business educators involved in the development of curriculum, students in need of up-to-date knowledge in their college education, and most importantly to external parties who may have a direct impact on the evolution of the Accounting profession. It is with thorough research, objective analysis, and information derived from various professionals, that a better understanding will be reached on the subject and that improvements will be made.

1. 1
Project Title: An Examination of the impact of Technology on the Accounting Profession
Faculty Mentor: Songtao Mo
Amount Requested: $300
Student Information:
Eric W. Taylor, Jr.
Student ID: 0027813042
Email: taylo532@pnw.edu

2. 2
Research Proposal
Project Title:
An Examination of the impact of Technology on the Accounting Profession
Abstract/Problem Statement/Research Question (Question to be investigated)
The proposed research project attempts to investigate the advances of technology in the
Accounting Profession. Recent developments in technology, especially information technology,
may be closely associated with maximizing productivity within the accounting profession. A
comprehensive examination of technological growth and its impact deserves the utmost attention
to practitioners in the field, to business educators involved in the development of curriculum,
students in need of up-to-date knowledge in their college education, and most importantly to
external parties who may have a direct impact on the evolution of the Accounting profession.
Significance of the Problem (Rationale)/Literature Review:
Technology has always resided as a basic element in the lives of human beings. When referring
to technology in the societies of past civilizations, it is crucial to define technology as a method
for improving a process or objective. In prior decades and civilizations, technology could simply
be defined as an intermediary between a Human being and improved capabilities. Technology as
a fact would be anything that augmented the minds of Human beings and increased the sphere of
possibilities. Books, the ball point pen, electricity, wrist watches, and contact lens would all be
classified as a technological innovation. The major question that should be of the greatest
concern to the United States of America are the benefits and/or consequences associated with the
rise of technology that is often associated with computers, artificial intelligence, and various
other entities. In simpler terms, when does technology exceed the equilibrium of benefits and
happiness and become more of a liability to the population.
The growth of complex programs such as expert systems and artificial intelligence are not only a
part of the modern age, but will continue to be integrated into the lives of every American in the
coming decades (Brown, Baldwin-Morgan, & Sangster, 1995). The inevitable growth and
complexity of technology must shift the focus of Americans to effectively constructing a
contingency plan in the event of a mass technological revolution. While many Americans are
confident in the belief that technology is positively shaping the course of America, this idea is
not unanimous amongst many experts and analysts on the subject. Minor effects of technology
in the Accounting industry may already be prevalent in the changing skillsets needed by those
first entering the profession (Yu Hsin, Chang, & Chun Fu, 2015). What is certain however, is
that if Americans are not clear upon the exact effects that technology is expected to have on
society, a plan to mitigate negative side effects in the future will be much harder to construct.
Research results will be used to:
Develop a guideline for educational training and professional preparation: As one expert states,
“In this age of information and increasing use of technology, market expectations for accounting

3. 3
graduates are changing rapidly. Training future accountants who are fit for the technology-based
work market is more challenging for academia than ever before,” (Ahadiat, 2008). More
effective methods for dealing with technological growth must be instilled in the curriculum of
Accounting courses and other related business majors. This curriculum and the spectrum of skills
needed to be proficient in the industry must drastically be redefined. In addition to this, the
psychological approach of the American public must be altered to adapt to the changing times.
Construct a moral, psychological, and philosophical proposal: While much data is currently
available on the growth of technology, practical analysis is far less used in an attempt to
effectively address the issue. During the height of the Greek Empire, prominent philosophers
such as Socrates and Plato transcended the typical ideas that were in circulation at the time.
Ethics that are taught in College classes, fundamental philosophical principles, and even math
concepts may be attributed to two individuals who simply put, “thought outside of the box.” It is
my belief, that such basic and simplistic methods of thinking must be applied to the analysis of
technological improvement. Raw data alone elicits a false and somewhat misleading belief that
since Technology is increasing in use, decreasing production prices, and providing for more
efficient business processes, that it is positive and should be accepted. Not only does this prove
to be a basic logical fallacy, but it is a primary reason why the issue is largely being ignored and
why if left untreated will disintegrate the fabric of Democracy.
Personal Objective: I am currently a member of the Future Leaders Program and an active
participant in the Finance and Accounting club. This research project will serve as an instrument
for me to demonstrate my critical thinking skills. Simultaneously, I believe that research
evidence and results will be highly beneficial to Finance and Accounting club discussions in our
attempt to prepare students for the real world. Successful completion of this research project will
prove to be a useful asset in applying for graduate school one day.
In my personal time, I have begun conducting extensive research on ways to improve the United
States of America and to push our nation to the next level of prosperity in the coming decades.
The topic outlined in this research proposal represents but a variety of issues that I believe must
be confronted if this nation is to truly excel over the course of the twenty first century. As a loyal
American, I not only feel that it is my obligation to push for more corrective measures in our
nation, but is a necessity in order to surmount the rising challenges in the Global sphere. By
being awarded this research grant, I would not only be able to satiate my growing curiosity
regarding this topic, but would also receive the opportunity to effectively address an issue that is
so imperative to the success of this nation.
State Hypothesis or Objectives (Outcomes):
The objective of this research is to investigate the impacts that technology has had, and to further
explore the deleterious effects that it may have on the Accounting profession in the coming
decades. More specifically, new and dynamic innovations such as Artificial intelligence and
Expert systems will be particularly examined. Through preliminary research, the idea of constant
technological change will remain a fixed theme in the formation of all future reasoning. The
negative or positive elements of the topic will be the variable concept in this experiment. It is

4. 4
based on thorough research, objective analysis, and information derived from various
professionals, that conclusive findings will be applied to the Accounting profession and related
industries.
Derived from preliminary statistical analysis, an upward and exponential trend in the growth of
Accounting technology yields a more pessimistic forecast of the topic. As a result, expected
outcomes will function in the deliverance of a proposal that alters the national perception of
developing technologies. Awareness, in the most basic sense, is one of the key elements in the
success of this project. Not just better awareness for Accountants, but awareness to its customers,
clients, and related constituents. Awareness to the morality of technological improvement and
detailed analysis upon the long-term and possibly detrimental effects on society. Simple
Documentation of reasoning and ideas in this project may serve as a foundation for future work
on this topic. Previous attempts to successfully address this topic have remained stagnated in a
Nation concerned with so many other pertinent and current issues. Continuously addressing this
topic and issue is essential if true progress is to be made in the future.
ResearchDesign, Methodology, and Activities (Researchplan):
The research design involves the collection of facts, analysis of the evidence, and the inferences
based on the first two steps. The research plan is listed as follows:
1. Literature review of scholarly academic sources- primary location: Purdue University
Northwest Library
2. A brief survey of the technology currently used in the accounting profession- primary
locations: library, internet, etc.
3. Select key technologies from step two and conduct comprehensive investigation on how
the technologies have changed the perspectives of accounting professionals.
4. Based on the results from step three, further investigation will be conducted on how
technologies may be improved to address accounting professionals’ concerns.
5. Future research plan (not included in this research proposal): based on findings of this
research, expand the research using survey, experiment, and interview.
Budget
 Capital Materials: Books. The grant will fund the purchase of reference books, online
article (when unavailable via university library).
 Technology promise: Expert Knowledge on the Transformation of Business and Society,
1st ed, by William E. Halal, amazon price: $53
 Fundamentals of Information Systems, 8th ed., by Ralph Stair and George Reynolds,
estimated Price: $116
 Travel to gather resource data from other libraries (e.g. Purdue University West Laffette
MEL Library, University of Chicago Library etc): $60
 Consumable Materials: Print and publication materials $80
Subtotal: $309
Thank you for your time and consideration!

5. 5
References
Ahadiat, N. (2008). Technologies Used in Accounting Education: A Study of Frequency of Use
Among Faculty. Journal Of Education For Business, 83(3), 123-134.
Brown, C. E., Baldwin-morgan, A. A., & Sangster, A. (1995). Expert systems in accounting
education--a literature guide. Accounting Education, 4(3), 283.
Yu Hsin, H., Chang, R. I., & Chun Fu, L. (2015). Survey of software literacy, behavior and
personal traits of freshmen accounting majors. British Journal Of Educational
Technology, 46(5), 1064-1069. doi:10.1111/bjet.12333