Accounting Information Systems : A Managerial Perspective

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This Course Guide has been taken from the most recent presentation of the course. It would be useful for reference purposes but please note that there may be updates for the following presentation.

ACT B867

Accounting Information Systems: A Managerial Perspective

Welcome to ACT B867 Accounting Information Systems: A Managerial Perspective.

This course is a five-credit compulsory course for the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting (PDPA) and Master of Professional Accounting (MPA). You are advised to have completed ACT B861 Accounting for Corporations or ACT B825 Theory and Practice of Accounting before studying this course.

 

About the course

ACT B867 consists of five study units and a set textbook. The study time for each unit is three weeks. The overall aims of this course are to provide you with an understanding of information systems and control. Management and controls over accounting information systems are emphasized because they are a chief responsibility of many accountants and business managers in modern organizations.

Each unit contains activities and/or self-tests for you to check your progress. For some units, you are required to apply knowledge from the text to solve case studies. For all self-tests and case studies, suggested answers are provided. You will be expected to have access to a personal computer and the Internet.

By working through the study units, textbook, activities, self-tests, case studies and assignments, you should be able to master the course's topics in 15 weeks. Five three-hour supplementary lectures (pre-recorded videos)/live online tutorials, and one six-hour day school (in person) are provided to support your learning. The course is assessed by two assignments and a three-hour examination.

 

Course aims

ACT B867 Accounting Information Systems: A Managerial Perspective aims to explain and analyse how organizations create value through accounting information systems, and to delineate the roles of accountants in managing information technology. It also deals with application of modelling techniques to the planning and development process of accounting information systems. In addition it deals with the evaluation of the effectiveness and sufficiency of internal controls in relation to accounting information systems in a business organization, and the application of an event-based approach to evaluate business transactions and construct appropriate managerial controls.

 

Course learning outcomes

After completing ACT B867, you should be able to:

  • Evaluate the weaknesses in business cycles and propose measures to strengthen internal controls.
  • Discuss the role of information technology in providing accounting information for planning, control and decision-making.
  • Analyse and discuss the implications of new information technology and e-commerce on corporate strategies, business processes and system development.

Course organization

The following table gives a general overview of the course structure, suggested number of study weeks and the allocation of assignments.

 

UnitTitleSuggested study weeksAssignments
1Introduction to accounting information systems3 
2Data modelling and database design3Assignment 1
3Systems development and documentation techniques3 
4Control of accounting information systems3Assignment 2
5Accounting information system applications3 
 Revision1 
 Total16 

 

In addition to this Course Guide, please ensure that you have the following important course components:

  • five study units
  • set textbook (not provided by HKMU)
  • Assignment File.

Study units

There are five units in ACT B867. We expect you to spend about ten hours per week on your studies. Please remember that you have to plan your own study schedule. This is essential for you to complete your assignments on time and pass the examination.

The study units summarize key issues, explain theories and practices and comment on related readings. Each unit contains activities and/or self-tests to help you to apply and check your understanding. Please take the time to complete the activities and self-tests, and to check your answers against the feedback provided.

 

Set textbook

You are required to buy the following textbook:

Romney, M B and Steinbart, P J (2021) Accounting Information Systems, 15th Global Edition, Pearson.

This text uses a conventional approach to the study of accounting information systems. It provides an integrative framework of AISs with different business cycles.

 

Readings

You may be instructed in the study units to read articles or other supplementary materials. These will be available online or provided as hard copies at the backs of the study units.

For online readings, instead of typing in the URL, you can click the link in the online study unit provided in the OLE.

 

E-Library E-Reserve readings

You may be instructed to read articles in the E-Library E-Reserve. To read these items, go to the University's E-Library and click on 'E-Reserve'. Log in, click 'Accept/Agree' on the Copyright Restrictions page, fill in the 'Course Code' box, and click 'Search'.

 

Assignment File

Assignment details for this course are contained in your Assignment File. The nature of these assignments is described in the 'Assignments' section below. You are required to complete your assignments and send them to your tutor in accordance with the timetable provided in the Presentation Schedule (see below).

 

Online Learning Environment (OLE)

You are also encouraged to make use of HKMU's Online Learning Environment (OLE) to communicate with your tutor and with other students. You can also find course materials and the latest course information on the OLE. For details about the OLE and how to access it, please refer to the Online Learning Environment User Guide.

 

Presentation Schedule

The Presentation Schedule for this course is available on the OLE. In this schedule, you will see the times (due dates) by which your tutor should receive your assignments. Please note that you must submit all your assignments in time to reach your tutor by the dates shown.

You will be assessed on your ability to grasp the key concepts and theories of the course. You will then be tested on the application of these concepts and theories to practical problems.

The course has two formal assessment components:

  • the assignments; and
  • a final examination.

The assignments serve as the continuous assessment component within the study period and contribute 40% of the total course mark, while 60% of the mark is for the final examination.

You are required to pass both the continuous assessment component (s) and the final examination to obtain a pass in this course.

 

Assignments

The course requires you to complete two assignments.

  1. Assignment 1 will cover materials from Units 1 and 2.
  2. Assignment 2 will cover materials from Units 3 and 4.

The assignments are part of the Assignment File.

You should submit each completed assignment to your tutor on or before the cut-off date. Please refer to the section on 'How to submit your assignments' in the Assignment File before you submit your first assignment.

Assignments serve three purposes:

  1. to provide you with a mechanism for assessing your progress;
  2. to test your understanding of the topics; and
  3. to provide an opportunity for you to apply concepts, methods and solutions you have learned to given problems.

After being marked by your assigned tutor, the assignments are returned to you so that you can monitor and clarify any misunderstanding. It is a good practice to keep a copy of each assignment so that you can refer to any queries with your tutor.

 

How to submit assignments

You must use word processing software (such as Microsoft Word) to prepare the assignments, and submit the assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE). All assignments must be uploaded to the OLE by the due date.

Failure to upload a assignment in the required format to the OLE may result in the score of the assignment being adjusted to zero.

 

Assignment submission extension policy

The assignment policy of the University as stated in the Student Handbook should be observed. You are required to submit assignments for this course in accordance with the dates communicated by your Course Coordinator. You may apply for a submission extension on the grounds of illness, accident, disability, bereavement or other compassionate circumstances

Applications for extensions must be submitted online via the OLE. Please note the following:

  • Supporting documents must be submitted to justify applications for extensions of over seven days.
  • Applications for extensions should normally be lodged before or on the due date.
  • Applications are considered by:
    • your tutor for extensions of up to seven days;
    • the Course Coordinator for extensions of 8 to 21 days; and
    • the Dean for extensions of over 21 days.

After an assignment is submitted via the OLE, it is your responsibility to check that the assignment has been successfully submitted. Extension applications due to any problem with uploading will not be accepted. The University cannot accept any responsibility for assignments that are not received by your tutor due to any problem with submission via the OLE. As a precaution, you are advised to keep a copy of each assignment you submit.

According to the University's policy, no extension of the due date will be allowed for the final assignment. This policy will be strictly enforced. Any late submission of the final assignment will result in the score of the assignment being adjusted to zero.

 

Examination

The final closed-book written examination is of three hours' duration and is worth 60% of the total course grade. The examination covers material from all units. You should use the time between finishing the last unit and the examination to review all five units in the course. In particular, we suggest you review your self-tests, assignments and your tutor's comments on the assignments before sitting for the examination. You will be advised of examination arrangements after you send in your examination registration card.

A specimen examination paper will be provided before the examination for practice purposes. The format of the specimen examination will be similar to that of the final examination.

The following table summarizes the assessment requirements for this course. In order to pass this course, you must pass both the assignments component and the examination.

 

Assessment typeMarks
(% out of total marks)
Assignment 120%
Assignment 220%
Examination (three hours)60%
Total100%

To assist you in this course, live online tutorial sessions will be held by assigned tutors at several points during the course. The function of the tutorials is to complement the distance learning material. In this course, the primary means of learning is through the written work, that is, HKMU study materials and the textbook.

 

Tutors

Tutors give tutorials and conduct telephone tutoring. They also mark the assignments and give feedback.

 

Tive online tutorials and day school (in person)

There are five 2-hour live online tutorials and one six-hour day school (in person) during the 16 study weeks. Tutorials provide discussion of topics and an opportunity to sort out any problems. During the day school, tutors will lead you through a case study in which managerial decisions are assisted by using appropriate information system design and controls.

 

Online support

The course will be supported by the Online Learning Environment (OLE), an online course delivery system developed by HKMU. The OLE includes a course discussion board that allows you to interact with other students and your tutor. You are strongly encouraged to make use of the discussion board to share experiences, resources and perspectives during the course and to post your ideas and questions.

If you wish to defer your studies of this course until a later date, you should apply for deferment of studies. For the regulations governing deferment of studies, please refer to your Student Handbook. If you have applied for deferment of studies you should continue with your studies of this course and submit the required assignments until formal approval is given by the University.

ACT B867 Accounting Information Systems: A Managerial Perspective is a five-credit postgraduate course that examines information systems and management and controls over accounting information systems.

There is a set textbook for ACT B867, which you are required to purchase. You are also expected to refer to any supplementary readings as instructed in the units.

You will complete two assignments and a final examination. The examination will cover materials from all units in the course.

You will receive feedback and support from your tutors. The course will be supported by five three-hour supplementary lectures (pre-recorded videos)/live online tutorials and one six-hour day school (in person).
You are encouraged to attend these and to use the OLE to seek help and share your ideas and experiences.

Good luck!

 

A note about the developers of this course

Developer of the original 2007 version

The original version of this course was developed by Dr Hak-man Wan of HKMU's School of Business and Administration.

Dr Wan has developed several courses for HKMU, including BIS B892 Advanced Information Systems and Electronic Commerce Strategy and ACT B304 Accounting Information Systems.

Dr Wan obtained his PhD from Sunderland University in the UK and spent nine years teaching at Lingnan University before joining HKMU. He is an active researcher and writer of academic articles. His recent publications include Electronic Financial Services: Technology and Management published by Chandos Ltd in the UK.

 

Developer of the 2016 version

The course was revised in 2016 by Mr Christophor Tsui, a Senior Lecturer of the Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration at HKMU. Mr Tsui is a fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accounts, CPA Australia as well as a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada.

Coming soon