Accounting Information Systems
Fifteenth Edition
Chapter 1
Accounting Information
Systems: An Overview
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Learning Objectives
• Distinguish between data and information:
– Discuss the characteristics of useful information.
– Explain how to determine the value of information.
• Explain the decisions an organization makes:
– The information needed to make them.
– The major business processes present in most
companies.
• Explain how an AI S adds value to an organization:
– How it affects and is affected by corporate strategy.
– The role of AI S in a value chain.
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Distinguishing Between Data and
Information
• Data are facts collected, recorded, and stored in the
system
– A fact could be a number, date, name, and so on.
For example:
2/22/14
AB C Company
123, 99, 3, 20, 60
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Data versus. Information
• The previous slide just showed data; if we organize the
data within a context of a sales invoice, for example, it is
meaningful and considered information.
Invoice Date : 2/22/14 Invoice #: 123
Customer: ABC Company
Item # Qty Price
99 3 $20
Total Invoice Amount $60
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Decision Quality
• Information helps us make better decisions.
• Too much information causing information overload can
reduce decision quality.
• Information Technology (I T) is used to help decision
makers more effectively filter and condense information.
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Value of Information
• Information is valuable when the benefits exceed the costs
of gathering, maintaining, and storing the data.
Benefit (i.e., improved decision making) - Cost (i.e., time and
resources used to get the information) = value of
information
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
What Makes Information Useful? (1 of 2)
There are 14 general characteristics that make information
useful:
1. Access restricted: limit access to authorized parties
2. Accurate: accurate, correct, and free of error
3. Available: available to users when needed
4. Reputable: perceived as true and credible
5. Complete: does not omit important aspects of events or
activities
6. Concise: clear, succinct, brief, but comprehensive
7. Consistent: presented in the same format over time
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
What Makes Information Useful? (2 of 2)
8. Current: up to the present data and time
9. Objective: unbiased, unprejudiced, and impartial
10.Relevant: reduces uncertainty and improves decision
making
11.Timely: provided in time for decision maker to make
decisions
12.Useable: easy to use for different task
13.Understandable: easily comprehended and interpreted
14.Verifiable: two independent people can produce the
same information
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Machine-Readable Format
• Data is most useful when it is in a machine-readable
format that can be read and processed by a computer.
• XBR L is an example of a machine-readable format that
can improve many of the characteristics that make
information useful.
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Information Needs and Business
Processes
• Business organizations use business processes to get
things done. A business process is a set of related,
coordinated, and structured activities and tasks performed
by people, machines, or both to achieve a specific
organizational goal.
• Key decisions and information needed often come from
these business processes.
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Figure 1.1 The Components of an
Information System
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Transactional Information Between
Internal and External Parties in an AIS
• Business organizations conduct business transactions,
which is an agreement between two entities to exchange
goods, services, or any other event that can be measured
in economic terms by an organization.
• Transaction data is used to create financial statements and
is called transaction processing.
• The flow of information between these users for the
various business activities involves a give-get exchange
grouped into business processes or transaction cycles.
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Figure 1.2 Interactions Between S&S
and External and Internal Parties
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Basic Business Processes
• Transactions between the business organization and
external parties fundamentally involve a “give–get”
exchange. These basic business processes are:
– Revenue cycle: give goods / give service—get cash
– Expenditure cycle: get goods / get service—give cash
– Production cycle: give labor and give raw materials—
get finished goods
– Payroll cycle: give cash—get labor
– Financing cycle: give cash—get cash
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
What Is an Accounting Information
System (AI S)?
• AI S is a system that collects, records, stores, and
processes data to produce information for decision
makers.
• Consists of
– People who use the system
– Processes (procedures and instructions)
– Technology (data, software, and information
technology)
– Controls to safeguard information
• Thus, an AI S collects and stores data, transforms that
data into information, and provides adequate controls.
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
How Does an AI S Add Value to an
Organization?
• A well thought out AI S can add value by:
– Improving the quality and reducing the costs of
products or services
– Improving efficiency
– Sharing knowledge
– Improving efficiency and effectiveness of its supply
chain
– Improving the internal control structure
– Improving decision making
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Artificial Intelligence
• Artificial intelligence (AI) is the use of computer systems
to simulate human intelligence processes such as learning,
reasoning, and self-improvement.
• AI can be used in the following fields
– Business
– Education
– Finance
– Healthcare
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Data Analytics
• Data analytics is the use of software and algorithms to
find and solve problems and improve business
performance.
• Analytics can help improve decision making by
– Identifying a problem/issue for management to resolve.
– Collecting the data needed to solve the problem,
analyze it, and make recommendations to
management on how to resolve it.
– Integrating actionable insights into the systems used to
make decisions.
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Blockchain
• Blockchain represents individual digital records, called
blocks, linked together using cryptography in a single list,
called a chain.
• Blockchain has several significant advantages, including
– accuracy, transparency, data consistency, trust,
– no need for third parties, single set of books, reduced
cost,
– decentralization, efficiency, privacy, security, and
provenance
• There are also significant challenges to its adoption
including political and regulatory issues.
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Cloud Computing, Virtualization, and
the Internet of Things
• Cloud computing is the use of a browser to remotely
access software, data storage, hardware, and applications.
• Virtualization is the running of multiple systems
simultaneously on one physical computer.
• Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the embedding of
sensors in a multitude of devices (lights, heating and air
conditioning, appliances, etc.) so that those devices can
now connect to the Internet.
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
AI S and Corporate Strategy
• An AI S is influenced by an organization’s strategy.
• A strategy is the overall goal the organization hopes to
achieve (e.g., increase profitability).
• Once an overall goal is determined, an organization can
determine actions needed to reach their goal and identify
the informational requirements (both financial and
nonfinancial) necessary to measure how well they are
doing in obtaining that goal.
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
AI S in the Value Chain
• The value chain links together the different activities within
an organization that provide value to the customer.
– Value chain activities are primary and support activities.
 Primary activities provide direct value to the
customer.
 Support activities enable primary activities to be
efficient and effective.
• A supply chain is an extended system that includes the
organization’s value chain as well as its suppliers,
distributors, and customers.
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Figure 1.6 The Value Chain
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Key Terms (1 of 2)
• System
• Goal conflict
• Goal congruence
• Data
• Information
• Machine-readable
• Information overload
• Information technology (I T)
• Value of information
• Information system
• Business process
• Transaction
• Transaction processing
• Give-get exchange
• Business processes or
transaction cycles
• Revenue cycle
• Expenditure cycle
• Production or conversion cycle
• Human resource/payroll cycle
• Financing cycle
• General ledger and reporting
system
• Accounting information system
(AI S)
• Accounting
• Artificial intelligence
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Key Terms (2 of 2)
• Data analytics
• Data dashboard
• Blockchain
• Virtualization
• Cloud computing
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Value chain
• Primary activities
• Support activities
• Supply chain
Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Copyright
This work is protected by United States copyright laws and
is provided solely for the use of instructors in teaching their
courses and assessing student learning. Dissemination or
sale of any part of this work (including on the World Wide
Web) will destroy the integrity of the work and is not
permitted. The work and materials from it should never be
made available to students except by instructors using the
accompanying text in their classes. All recipients of this
work are expected to abide by these restrictions and to
honor the intended pedagogical purposes and the needs of
other instructors who rely on these materials.

Romney Accounting Information System Ed 15

  • 1.
    Accounting Information Systems FifteenthEdition Chapter 1 Accounting Information Systems: An Overview Copyright © 2021, 2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
  • 2.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Learning Objectives • Distinguish between data and information: – Discuss the characteristics of useful information. – Explain how to determine the value of information. • Explain the decisions an organization makes: – The information needed to make them. – The major business processes present in most companies. • Explain how an AI S adds value to an organization: – How it affects and is affected by corporate strategy. – The role of AI S in a value chain.
  • 3.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Distinguishing Between Data and Information • Data are facts collected, recorded, and stored in the system – A fact could be a number, date, name, and so on. For example: 2/22/14 AB C Company 123, 99, 3, 20, 60
  • 4.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Data versus. Information • The previous slide just showed data; if we organize the data within a context of a sales invoice, for example, it is meaningful and considered information. Invoice Date : 2/22/14 Invoice #: 123 Customer: ABC Company Item # Qty Price 99 3 $20 Total Invoice Amount $60
  • 5.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Decision Quality • Information helps us make better decisions. • Too much information causing information overload can reduce decision quality. • Information Technology (I T) is used to help decision makers more effectively filter and condense information.
  • 6.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Value of Information • Information is valuable when the benefits exceed the costs of gathering, maintaining, and storing the data. Benefit (i.e., improved decision making) - Cost (i.e., time and resources used to get the information) = value of information
  • 7.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved What Makes Information Useful? (1 of 2) There are 14 general characteristics that make information useful: 1. Access restricted: limit access to authorized parties 2. Accurate: accurate, correct, and free of error 3. Available: available to users when needed 4. Reputable: perceived as true and credible 5. Complete: does not omit important aspects of events or activities 6. Concise: clear, succinct, brief, but comprehensive 7. Consistent: presented in the same format over time
  • 8.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved What Makes Information Useful? (2 of 2) 8. Current: up to the present data and time 9. Objective: unbiased, unprejudiced, and impartial 10.Relevant: reduces uncertainty and improves decision making 11.Timely: provided in time for decision maker to make decisions 12.Useable: easy to use for different task 13.Understandable: easily comprehended and interpreted 14.Verifiable: two independent people can produce the same information
  • 9.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Machine-Readable Format • Data is most useful when it is in a machine-readable format that can be read and processed by a computer. • XBR L is an example of a machine-readable format that can improve many of the characteristics that make information useful.
  • 10.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Information Needs and Business Processes • Business organizations use business processes to get things done. A business process is a set of related, coordinated, and structured activities and tasks performed by people, machines, or both to achieve a specific organizational goal. • Key decisions and information needed often come from these business processes.
  • 11.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Figure 1.1 The Components of an Information System
  • 12.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Transactional Information Between Internal and External Parties in an AIS • Business organizations conduct business transactions, which is an agreement between two entities to exchange goods, services, or any other event that can be measured in economic terms by an organization. • Transaction data is used to create financial statements and is called transaction processing. • The flow of information between these users for the various business activities involves a give-get exchange grouped into business processes or transaction cycles.
  • 13.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Figure 1.2 Interactions Between S&S and External and Internal Parties
  • 14.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Basic Business Processes • Transactions between the business organization and external parties fundamentally involve a “give–get” exchange. These basic business processes are: – Revenue cycle: give goods / give service—get cash – Expenditure cycle: get goods / get service—give cash – Production cycle: give labor and give raw materials— get finished goods – Payroll cycle: give cash—get labor – Financing cycle: give cash—get cash
  • 15.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved What Is an Accounting Information System (AI S)? • AI S is a system that collects, records, stores, and processes data to produce information for decision makers. • Consists of – People who use the system – Processes (procedures and instructions) – Technology (data, software, and information technology) – Controls to safeguard information • Thus, an AI S collects and stores data, transforms that data into information, and provides adequate controls.
  • 16.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved How Does an AI S Add Value to an Organization? • A well thought out AI S can add value by: – Improving the quality and reducing the costs of products or services – Improving efficiency – Sharing knowledge – Improving efficiency and effectiveness of its supply chain – Improving the internal control structure – Improving decision making
  • 17.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Artificial Intelligence • Artificial intelligence (AI) is the use of computer systems to simulate human intelligence processes such as learning, reasoning, and self-improvement. • AI can be used in the following fields – Business – Education – Finance – Healthcare
  • 18.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Data Analytics • Data analytics is the use of software and algorithms to find and solve problems and improve business performance. • Analytics can help improve decision making by – Identifying a problem/issue for management to resolve. – Collecting the data needed to solve the problem, analyze it, and make recommendations to management on how to resolve it. – Integrating actionable insights into the systems used to make decisions.
  • 19.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Blockchain • Blockchain represents individual digital records, called blocks, linked together using cryptography in a single list, called a chain. • Blockchain has several significant advantages, including – accuracy, transparency, data consistency, trust, – no need for third parties, single set of books, reduced cost, – decentralization, efficiency, privacy, security, and provenance • There are also significant challenges to its adoption including political and regulatory issues.
  • 20.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Cloud Computing, Virtualization, and the Internet of Things • Cloud computing is the use of a browser to remotely access software, data storage, hardware, and applications. • Virtualization is the running of multiple systems simultaneously on one physical computer. • Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the embedding of sensors in a multitude of devices (lights, heating and air conditioning, appliances, etc.) so that those devices can now connect to the Internet.
  • 21.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved AI S and Corporate Strategy • An AI S is influenced by an organization’s strategy. • A strategy is the overall goal the organization hopes to achieve (e.g., increase profitability). • Once an overall goal is determined, an organization can determine actions needed to reach their goal and identify the informational requirements (both financial and nonfinancial) necessary to measure how well they are doing in obtaining that goal.
  • 22.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved AI S in the Value Chain • The value chain links together the different activities within an organization that provide value to the customer. – Value chain activities are primary and support activities.  Primary activities provide direct value to the customer.  Support activities enable primary activities to be efficient and effective. • A supply chain is an extended system that includes the organization’s value chain as well as its suppliers, distributors, and customers.
  • 23.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Figure 1.6 The Value Chain
  • 24.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Key Terms (1 of 2) • System • Goal conflict • Goal congruence • Data • Information • Machine-readable • Information overload • Information technology (I T) • Value of information • Information system • Business process • Transaction • Transaction processing • Give-get exchange • Business processes or transaction cycles • Revenue cycle • Expenditure cycle • Production or conversion cycle • Human resource/payroll cycle • Financing cycle • General ledger and reporting system • Accounting information system (AI S) • Accounting • Artificial intelligence
  • 25.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Key Terms (2 of 2) • Data analytics • Data dashboard • Blockchain • Virtualization • Cloud computing • Internet of Things (IoT) • Value chain • Primary activities • Support activities • Supply chain
  • 26.
    Copyright © 2021,2018, 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Copyright This work is protected by United States copyright laws and is provided solely for the use of instructors in teaching their courses and assessing student learning. Dissemination or sale of any part of this work (including on the World Wide Web) will destroy the integrity of the work and is not permitted. The work and materials from it should never be made available to students except by instructors using the accompanying text in their classes. All recipients of this work are expected to abide by these restrictions and to honor the intended pedagogical purposes and the needs of other instructors who rely on these materials.