FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
Department of Accounting
2019- Module II
Course Outline
Systems and Project Management
Qualification:
BTECH: Internal Auditing
Delivery Site/s:
Ibika
INSTRUCTIONAL OFFFERING: Systems and Project Management IV
CODE
: SPM40B2
PREREQUISITES
: BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS 4
EXAMINATION PAPERS : 1 X 3 hours paper
1 SYLLABUS
Exit Level Outcomes
After completion of this unit the student should be able to audit manual and
computerized (including networks) business cycles
Specific Outcomes
The student should be able to analyze Computer Information System network
architecture
Assessment Criteria
To achieve the exit level outcome an internal audit programme was compiled and
required tests performed to ensure the efficient utilization of business assets
Systems development and documentation techniques
The purpose of documentation
What do accountants understand by documentation
Documentation techniques used in accounting systems
Data flow diagrams and flowcharts (alike and different, preparation)
Relational database systems
Different Databases and file-based legacy systems
Importance and advantages of Databases
Differences between logical and physical views of a database
The fundamental concepts of database systems such as DBMS, schemas, the data
dictionary, and DBMS languages
Relational database, and how it organizes data
Structuring Tables properly to store data in a relational database
Steps in creating a database
Identify Business and Economic Events
Identify Relationships among Entities
Create Entity-Relationship Diagrams
Identify Attributes of Entities
Create Database Records
© 2018 Department of Finance and Management, Walter Sisulu University
Summary of this unit
Internal auditors identify, analyze, evaluate, and record sufficient information to achieve
their engagement objectives.
Information should be sufficient, reliable, relevant, and useful.
Conclusions and results should be based on appropriate analyses (having used
appropriate procedures) and evaluations.
Information gathering should be adequately supervised.
Information gathered should be adequately safeguarded.
Engagement observations, conclusions, and recommendations should be sufficiently
supported by the body of information gathered and collated in presentable format
(working paper).
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Information Systems auditing and Systems and Project Management are B.Tech single
semester programmes with 0.25 credits each at NQF Level 6.
This builds on knowledge that you have already acquired, in all accounting related
subjects in your prior years of study. We will therefore do case studies and students
should be ready to participate actively.
The course is advanced and demands high standards from the students. You will be
expected to do independent work in order to successfully complete this course. Note
that only about 20% of the syllabus can be done during lecturer time. Students
should therefore cover the remaining 80%.
Good progress can only be achieved if the concepts learnt are continuously practiced by
doing exercises with curiosity. It is also expected of the student to display insight using
the study material of the course, in order to be fully prepared for real-life situations.
As the topics covered in a single year of study are very broad, it is unlikely that you will
attain the required level of proficiency without considerable supplementary reading
especially from the library and the recommended reading. You will therefore be
expected to be proactive in this regard, to ensure you achieve the desired outcome of
study this year.
1.2 General Goals of the instructional offering
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At the end of the course students should be able to:
Understand the role of IT systems within the business environment.
Understand the control of activities and resource utilization.
Understand the auditing concepts of activities and systems
1.3 Core content of instructional offering
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Information Systems (IS) strategies, policies, and procedures (proficiency)
Hardware, platforms, networks, and telecommunications (understanding)
Data processing (manual and software) (understanding)
System development, acquisition, and maintenance (awareness)
Information system (IS) security and contingency planning (understanding)
© 2018 Department of Finance and Management, Walter Sisulu University
2 LECTURER
2.1 Your lecturers: ISA 4002 Mr. Charles Atoliyah.
: SPM 4022 – Miss N Buka
2.2 Office number and telephone number: AT 06. 047 401 6011
Consultation hours and appointments Wednesday 09.30–12.00.
3 STUDY PROGRAM
3.1 Prescribed works
The following are the prescribed textbooks:
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Wessels, Grobbelaar, Mc Gee, and Prinsloo. Information Systems in Business
environments. LexisNixis. (LATEST EDITION)
Gleim I N. CIA Review Part II- Conducting the Internal Audit Engagement. 18th
Ed. Gleim Publication. (LATEST EDITION)
Jackson & Stent. Auditing Notes for South African Students. January 2017.
10th edition. Audico. (LATEST EDITION)
ALL STUDENTS MUST ACQUIRE THESE BOOKS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND
MUST ALWAYS HAVE THEM AVAILABLE IN CLASS.
3.2 Recommended works
The following can be used as additional references, and are available in the resource
center:
 Romney, MB., Steinbart, PJ. Accounting Information Systems.
 Gowar and Jackson. Graded Question on Auditing 2014 - 2017 Audit
Education.
 Statements of South African Auditing Standards. These publications will be
made available on the computer network and learners are encouraged to refer to
them as much as possible.
 The Companies Act, 1973.
 The Close Corporations Act, 1984.
 The Internal Auditor - quarterly journal published by the Institute of Internal
Auditors
 Internal Audit Advisor - quarterly journal published by the Institute of Internal
Auditors
 Accountancy SA – monthly journal published by the South African Institute of
Chartered Accountants.
Students are encouraged to read as widely as possible on any Business, Finance,
Auditing and Accounting related subjects. Do not limit yourself - use the Internet, read
journals, magazines and newspapers. You should be reading a newspaper like the
Daily Dispatch regularly to improve your understanding of the Eastern Cape, South
African and international economic, corporate governance and business situation; and
provincial and central government related finance news, etc.
3.3 Other materials
Plain lined paper must be used for the taking down notes during lectures. The necessary
paper will be supplied for tests and exams.
The use of a silent pocket calculator will be useful and may be necessary in tests and
examinations.
© 2018 Department of Finance and Management, Walter Sisulu University
Supplementary learning material will be issued during the year.
PLEASE NOTE: Handouts are NOT given out from the lecturer’s office. You must
attend lectures to receive any handouts.
3.5 Lecture format
Lectures will be held as indicated in the time- table and students are advised to attend
all lectures. It is advisable for students to read through the chapter to be covered in the
textbook before each new study unit. Every time a new study unit is started, the
learning objectives and principles should be noted.
Students will be expected to participate in class work and group presentations.
3.6 Tutorials/Homework Exercises
At the completion of each study unit:
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The assigned homework exercises should be attempted by students.
4. TESTS AND EXAMS
4.1 Preparation for tests and exams
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Study the goals of topics to be examined on
The written work given as examples and homework should be done again.
You may use old test and exam papers as revision.
4.2 Test Schedule
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As far as possible the tests will be held during normal lecture periods.
The exact tests dates will be notified to you in class.
4.3 Absence for Tests
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It is compulsory for students to write all the tests and examinations. A zero (0)
mark will be awarded for not writing a test. No excuses will be considered. No
request to write prior to or after the scheduled date and time will be considered.
This is the departmental policy
4.4 Calculation of year mark
 The DP mark will be made up as follows:
Out of the 3 tests written per semester, the 2 best marks will be taken.
A minimum year mark of 40% must be obtained in order to write the final exam.
4.5 Final examination and mark
 A 3-hour examination covering the years work will be written at the end of each
semester. All the questions will be compulsory.
 The final mark will be made up as follows:
© 2018 Department of Finance and Management, Walter Sisulu University
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Exam mark * 60%+ DP mark * 40%= Final mark100%
The pass requirement is an average final mark of 50%.
Obtaining a mark of lower than 40% in the final examination will result in failure
regardless of the combined final mark.
4.6 Supplementary exam
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A student must obtain 40% in the final exam in order to be eligible for the
supplementary examination.
5. STUDY UNITS
5.1 Purpose of a study unit theme
Study units are themes that break down the syllabus into logical parts. They are the
primary building blocks of the subject.
5.2 Learning objectives
The study goals are the basics of the theme and are also the basis of testing. These
study goals should be mastered before the homework exercises are attempted.
6. USE OF THE LIBRARY
Students are encouraged to use the resource center facilities as much as possible, and
to be actively involved in doing their own research of auditing and accounting related
topics.
You will be expected to use the Intranet, Internet and will be shown how to access the
SAAS and GAAP statements. You should also know how to use OPAC –the On-line
Public Access System of the library. NOTE: Graded questions in Auditing for prior
years (from 2014 - 2017) can be accessed from the library.
© 2018 Department of Finance and Management, Walter Sisulu University
UNIT 1- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS
Theme 1: introduction to information systems
 Information concepts
 System Concepts
 What is an Information System?
 Business Information Systems
 Data processing
Theme 2: Systems Development: Investigation and Analysis
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An Overview of Systems Development
Systems Development Life Cycles
Factors Affecting Systems Development Success
When Systems Development Fails
Systems Investigation
Systems Analysis
Systems Design
Systems Implementation
Systems Operation and Maintenance
Systems Review
UNIT 2- CONTROL OF ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES
Theme 3- Protecting information resources
 Risks associated with information technology
 Computer and Network Security : Basic safeguards
 Security Threats: overview
 Security Measures and enforcement: an overview
 Internal controls
 Classification of controls
 Categories of controls
UNIT 3 - AUDITING OF ACTIVITIES AND SYSTEMS
Theme 4- Information technology audit process
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Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS)
IT Audit Process Overview
Phases of an IT Audit
Completing the Audit
Audit Procedures
Evaluation of Internal Controls
UNIT 4- MANAGEMENT OF QUALITY
Theme 5- Quality Management
 Importance of project quality management
 What is quality management
 Planning quality management
 Performing quality
 Improving IT project quality
© 2018 Department of Finance and Management, Walter Sisulu University
© 2018 Department of Finance and Management, Walter Sisulu University