The CEO of your company has requested that you prepare a written presentation to be given at the next board of directors meeting regarding the continuing impact that the information age has on financial accounting. What are some of the ways that financial information will be changed in the way the information is processed, gathered, and communicated because of changing information technology? At least 1-2 pages.
Accounting is the language of business which has gone through many transformation over ages. Technology advancements have enhanced the accountant’s ability to interpret data efficiently and effectively. He/she now has the ability to interpret the language of business with such ease that the accountant has become a corporation’s most trusted business advisor.
Accounting Changes through the Ages
We can start way back in the beginning with the invention of the
abacus, used to keep track of calculations in business. Although we
didn’t call it technology, we can go back centuries with several
attempts to build adding machines to help an accountant with
mathematical solutions. After the first working adding machine,
came the invention of the calculator for information accuracy. As
technology advanced so did the speed and proficiency of the
accountant’s job. But even with adding machines and calculators the
accountant still had to keep track of the businesses’ functions
with paper entry.
Towards the end of the twentieth century the accounting profession began to take on a whole new look. Computers and accounting software has changed the industry completely. With programs such as Microsoft Excel an accountant now had an electronic spreadsheet. The need for adding machines, calculators, ledgers and pencils was eliminated. The job became less tedious with less of a margin for error. The core training for accountants which included the basic accounting, auditing and tax preparation was a thing of the past. With use of the computer an accountant can now perform statistical accounting or forecasting analysis with greater efficiency. Accounting technology has eliminated the number cruncher sitting behind a desk working on people’s taxes and has allowed the accountant to find new challenges with much more to offer then decades ago when they relied on an abacus for a calculating tool.
E-Business and the Internet
Today’s accounting professionals who understand the importance of
the Internet will use the Internet for e-business. They use the
Internet to execute major business processes in the enterprise.
Electronic business (e-business) allows the accounting firm to
coordinate activities for internal management and combines the
clients’ relationships with the use of digital networks. Enterprise
applications can be used on a small internal network called the
Intranet. The Intranet can distribute information to employees such
as corporate policies, and programs. It centers on a portal which
is a single point of access. Information can come from several
different systems using a Web interface. They can feature such
things as e-mail, internal documents such as the Code of Ethics,
and a search tool. It is a good means of communication within an
organization. Accounting professionals can also communicate outside
the organization with Web technology. This allows the clients to
have limited access, linking to a portion of the accounting firm’s
Intranet to import and export files back and forth. Linking
electronically increases efficiency and cuts down on travel costs
ultimately reducing operational costs.
Diversified Opportunities
Information became available to an accountant with the click of a
mouse. This changed the nature of an accountant’s work. More doors
were opening with the use of information technology. This
diversified opportunities in the field of accounting. New
specialized areas had developed and. business owners started
looking to professional accountants for technology advice.
Accountants became more knowledgeable about which financial systems
worked best. Accountants were becoming the IT staff and trusted
advisors. Integrating the client’s technologies properly with the
accountant’s systems made the practice more efficient when it came
time for write-ups and reconciliation processes.
The Complex Input, Processing and Output
Not only does the client need to have proficient financial
processes but the accountants themselves need software programs
that keep track of clients accounting information with improved
efficiency. Accountants work with systems programmers to develop a
digital process that will organize their client’s history and all
their documents. When the clients’ data is input into the computer
program the processing cycle gives the computer instructions on how
to process the clients’ data. This enables it to change the data
into useful information. Output, transfers the processed
information to the accountant. He/she can analyze the data and
interpret the clients’ financial statements so as to increase the
client’s success. All the clients’ records can be stored and
organized on an accountant’s computer system. Rather then bringing
a suitcase full of file folders to a client’s place of business for
review, the documents can be carried on an encrypted laptop or
organized on an encrypted portable storage device. The accountant
has the client’s sensitive information protected but yet at his/her
fingertips, ready to perform statistical, accounting or forecasting
analysis. The program is stored on the computer hard drive and the
data is used to prepare the clients’ taxes. The need for a file
storage room has been eliminated.
Cloud Computing and Data warehouse
To go a step further, cloud computing is becoming popular today. It
is called cloud computing because the name represents the cloud
symbol used in flow charts, representing the Internet.It is a
service that is being provided over the internet to permanently
store data and use business applications over a remote server.
Software-as-a-service (SaaS) is a web based service. The data is
permanently stored in huge data centers shared by many other users.
The accountant would not have to purchase anything. He/she would
pay a monthly subscription so he/she would only pay for what is
needed. It would free up space on the accounting firm’s hard drive
while the firm rents space from giant computer centers. However,
the accountant should be aware of the security issues involved when
making a decision to use this technology. Cloud service providers
are obliged to provide a safe environment to store the
organizations sensitive information as accountants are obliged to
understand the risks.
Advancements of Information Technology
Accountants were pushed towards acquiring new skills due to the
advancements that information technology has made on the accounting
industry. Accountants now have to have a high level of computer and
technical skills. These skills have become part of the knowledge,
and abilities of the accounting professionals. The knowledge,
skills and abilities necessary for the entry-level accountant now
include the application and integration of information technology
into the accounting process, as well as financial and managerial
accounting principles. Not only does an accountant need to have a
broad range of accounting knowledge and a strong ability to apply
accounting principles, government regulations and interpret tax
laws; they must also have strong skills in information technology,
to be able to merge accounting with information systems. These
accountants will be in greater demand by the profession.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
The twenty first century accountants have strategic software
applications in place to prepare for the future; such as Enterprise
resource planning (ERP) systems. This is a software program that
integrates different departments in the organization onto the same
system. This makes data available diversely and supports activities
between the different departments. The information is made
available through a common central database and shared through
functional areas such as; finance and accounting, sales and
marketing, human resources, and manufacturing and production.
According to Thomas Wailgum, CIOs have told him that, “Their core
ERP modules were used chiefly for accounting and financial
applications (96%).” And when asked which areas of their business
ERP worked best, respondents overwhelmingly cited, “The financial
side of the house (70%)”.ERP improves the business performance
because management can get a full picture of how the business is
performing at any given moment which can help with major business
decision making.
Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Logistics
Another strategic software application is the Supply chain
management (SCM) system. This helps businesses manage relationships
with their suppliers. According to the authors of the textbook,
Management Information Systems, Kenneth and Jane Laudon the
definition of Supply chain management is, “Information systems that
automate the flow of information between a firm and its suppliers
in order to optimize the planning, sourcing, manufacturing and
delivery of products and services”. This is an interorganization
system because the flow of information crosses over organizational
boundaries.Dr. Roger D. Blackwell, professor of marketing at Ohio
State University and author of the best-selling book, "From Mind to
Market," says it very briefly, "Supply chain management is all
about having the right product in the right place, at the right
price, at the right time and in the right condition". Supply chain
management has become an important area in many organizations.
There are quite a few demands of a SCM such as; planning and managing procurement, sourcing, and product logistics. These systems require financial expertise to run them. The financial and control aspects of the SCM organization needs to be monitored and supported by a staff. The Accountant needs to monitor the entire supple chain, beyond the corporation itself. Supply chain finance positions typically require a strong background in inventory management and cost accounting, along with other skills, such as contract and capital expenditure evaluation.
IT Governance
Many doors have opened for a professional Accountant. Because
information technology takes on a major part of running a
successful organization the IT department needs to be managed. This
manager needs to oversee that the information technologies support
the organizations’ strategies and objectives. The organizations’ IT
systems must be ahead of the competition, they must be financially
responsible to the organization, they must be secure with a backup
plan for failure and they must be in compliance with effective
controls.
Not only must the IT systems support the organizational objectives
but the organization must be in compliance with government
regulations within the IT Infrastructure. The IT Governance concept
is promoted by professional organizations such as, the IT
Governance Institute (ITGI) which was established in 1998 and first
published the IT Governance framework in that year. In 2004, the
ITGI published IT Control Objectives for Sarbanes-Oxley which
helped to mainstream awareness of IT Governance and establish
controls.
IT managers must be in direct alliance with executive managers from all departments of the organization. Together they must orchestrate successful business planning, and compliance-related management decisions in reference to IT and the business model. He/she must be a successful, influential professional with strong IT leadership skills and superior managerial abilities.
Forensic Accounting
A run in of corporate fraud in the early 2000’s with such companies
as Enron, World Com and Tyco deeply influenced public awareness.
New regulations were developed. Corporate fraud was being seriously
investigated. These scandals actually opened new opportunities for
accountants in such areas as forensic accounting. A Forensic
Accountant's expert knowledge of accounting and finance; combined
with investigational techniques and law made it a perfect union for
examining criminal financial transactions. Forensic accountants
help with interpreting whether activities are illegal in such areas
as; financial statement fraud, money laundering, embezzlement,
bankruptcies, contract disputes, insurance claims, and securities
fraud. They work with lawyers, law enforcement personnel and can
also be an expert witness during a trial .
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002: Internal Controls, Internal and External Auditors
In October of 2002 the Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act also known as “SOX.” The law was passed in an effort to stop corporate accounting fraud and consider the shareholders best interest first .Since the enactment, publicly held companies were required to uphold strict internal controls. The CEO and the CFO were now personally responsible for reporting financial information. Instantly there was a demand to ensure accuracy in business systems. They were required to have internal controls for operating practices, policies and procedures written and communicated. In order to accomplish this task, management accountants and internal auditors would be needed.
An importance was placed on audits of financial controls.The Act prohibits accountants from managing and consulting clients whose books they were auditing. As a result, the company had to hire two separate accounting firms. The internal auditor was hired to make certain the company was in compliance with corporate policies and government regulations.These internal auditors could actually design internal controls and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the company’s computer systems. By documenting and testing internal controls on real-time data they could ensure the company’s reliability of financial reporting.
According to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, “It emphasizes the importance of internal control and makes management responsible for internal controls” .The external auditor refers to, The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) as the, “Standard for evaluating the effectiveness of the internal control systems” .This piece of legislation was passed as a result of the accounting sandals to try and restore ethical business practices and public confidence in large corporations.
Conclusion
The accounting industry is now speaking a brand new language of
business which is also the language of future generations of
accounting professionals. The evolution of accounting technology
has been tremendous with strong growth potential. In comparing and
contrasting the changes that have occurred with the use of
technology in accounting throughout the ages, enterprise
productivity has created career stability and many diverse
opportunities in this successful industry of professional
accountants.
The CEO of your company has requested that you prepare a written presentation to be given...
The CEO of your company has requested that you prepare a written presentation to be given at the next board of directors meeting regarding the continuing impact that the information age has on financial accounting. What are some of the ways that financial information will be changed in the way the information is processed, gathered, and communicated because of changing information technology? At least 1-2 pages.
The CEO of your company has requested that you prepare a written presentation to be given at the next board of directors meeting regarding the continuing impact that the information age has on financial accounting. What are some of the ways that financial information will be changed in the way the information is processed, gathered, and communicated because of changing information technology? At least 1-2 pages.
The CEO of your company has requested that you prepare a written presentation to be given at the next board of directors meeting regarding the continuing impact that the information age has on financial accounting. What are some of the ways that financial information will be changed in the way the information is processed, gathered, and communicated because of changing information technology?
The CEO of your company recently met with the external auditors to discuss the scope of the year’s audit. The auditors suggested that they conduct an integrated audit. The CEO has asked you, the accountant, to make a presentation at the next board of directors meeting that includes the following: Give a definition of auditing. Explain the purposes and reasons for public accounting firms to perform an integrated audit. Address the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). Explain corporate governance and its relation...
The CEO of your company recently met with the external auditors to discuss the scope of the year’s audit. The auditors suggested that they conduct an integrated audit. The CEO has asked you, the accountant, to make a presentation at the next board of directors meeting that includes the following: Give a definition of auditing. Explain the purposes and reasons for public accounting firms to perform an integrated audit. Address the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). Explain corporate governance and its relation...
The CEO of your company recently met with the external auditors to discuss the scope of the year’s audit. The auditors suggested that they conduct an integrated audit. The CEO has asked you, the accountant, to make a presentation at the next board of directors meeting that includes the following: Give a definition of auditing. Explain the purposes and reasons for public accounting firms to perform an integrated audit. Address the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). Explain corporate governance and its relation...
As noted above, your CEO has traveled to London, UK to make a presentation to the company’s board of directors. Your company, Belleaqua, produces bottled water for consumer use in Canada. Recent negative publicity for the bottled water industry has caused your CEO to design a new bottle return policy for Belleaqua’s products. This would greatly reduce the amount of plastic currently finding its way to landfills and into the oceans. The first bottled water company to successfully launch such...
At a recent meeting of the board of directors of General City Hospital, the CEO gave his annual “state of the hospital” presentation. Each year the CEO would pro- vide the directors with an in-depth report of the accomplishments, challenges, and key metrics that would give the governing body the information they needed to understand the current state of the hospital. Before the CEO began his report, he warned the directors that this year’s report would be very different from...
"Push-down Accounting and the Recording of Both Tangible Assets and Intangible Assets" Imagine you are the chief financial officer (CFO) of a corporation with plans to complete the acquisition of a key subsidiary during the current year. Your chief executive officer (CEO) has requested a presentation to the Board of Directors describing the methods available to account for the acquisition internally and the best method for the company during the acquisition year. Please assess the value of each method identified...
CASE STUDY At a recent meeting of the board of directors of General City Hospital, the CEO gave his annual “state of the hospital” presentation. Each year the CEO would pro- vide the directors with an in-depth report of the accomplishments, challenges, and key metrics that would give the governing body the information they needed to understand the current state of the hospital. Before the CEO began his report, he warned the directors that this year’s report would be...