ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Accounting 384 – Spring 2011
Prerequisite: Accounting 285
Instructor: Dr. Diane Janvrin
Office: 3365 Gerdin
Office Hours: T Th 9:30 to 10:45 and by appointment
(djanvrin@iastate.edu)
Phone: 294-9450
College of Business General Education Learning Objectives
Students graduating with an undergraduate degree from the COB at ISU should have abilities to:
 Recognize ethical, legal, & global implications in business decision making.
 Work in collaborative environments.
 Communicate ideas (written, oral, visual, and electronic).
 Use quantitative and analytical methods to address unstructured business problems.
 Use business technologies in creating value.
 Recognize the benefits and challenges of diversity.
Department of Accounting Learning Objectives
Technical Knowledge - students should be able to demonstrate technical knowledge in the following
areas:
 Financial accounting model
 Financial accounting principles
 Automated accumulation of accounting data
 Internal control
 Individual and corporate income tax
 Cost concepts and relevance to decision situations
 Auditing concepts
 Information to support management decisions
Communications
 Understanding the audience for accounting communication
 Effectively communicating accounting information in writing
 Create visual representations of accounting information
Other Abilities
 Conduct research using electronic and other information sources
 Identify accounting alternatives and analyze the impacts of each on financial statements
 Develop a formula driven spreadsheet
Ethics
 Awareness for dealing with ethical issues
 Understanding of the institutional, legal and regulatory environment of accounting
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Course Learning Objectives
To provide students with an understanding of:
 concepts and procedures underlying the automated accumulated and processing of
 accounting data,
 EDP internal control,
 use of technology in audit techniques,
 trends in accounting information systems.
Course Materials
Textbook - Accounting Information Systems by Romney and Steinbart, 11th Edition
Supplemental readings
AICPA. 2010. 2010 Top Technology Initiatives. Available at:
http://www.aicpa.org/INTERESTAREAS/INFORMATIONTECHNOLOGY/RESOURCES/TO
PTECHNOLOGYINITIATIVES/Pages/default.aspx
The AICPA Insider Group. 2010. CPAs Technology Is a Cornerstone of Successful CPA Firms. Journal
of Accountancy (January). Available at:
http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/Issues/2010/Jan/20092309
Anderson, A., P. Herring, and A. Pawlicki. 2005. Enhanced Business Reporting: The Next Step.
Journal of Accountancy June 2005 http://www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/jun2005/anderson.htm.
Kinney, William. 2001. Accounting Scholarship: What is Uniquely Ours? Accounting Review
(April): 275-283 available at: http://www.jstor.org/cgibin/jstor/printpage/00014826/sp030001/03x0007g/0.pdf?backcontext=table-ofcontents&dowhat=Acrobat&config=jstor&userID=81babff1@iastate.edu/01c0a848690050a9b1a
&0.pdf.
DeFleice, A. 2009. CPAs on the Go Embrace Mobile Technology Journal of Accountancy November.
http://www.journalofaccountancy
Adams, B. 2008. Discover the Power of Excel 2007. Journal of Accountancy February 2008
http://www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/feb2008/discover_excel.htm
Grant, G.H., and A.D. Luzi. 2009. Enhancing Control Over Excel Workbooks. Internal Auditing 24 (6):
14-20. (available at:
http://proquest.umi.com.proxy.lib.iastate.edu:2048/pqdweb?index=0&did=1934129081&SrchM
ode=2&sid=1&Fmt=6&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1294254
736&clientId=60760
Damsgaard, J., and J. Karlsbjerg. 2010. Seven principles for selecting software packages.
Communication of the ACM 53(8):63-71. Available at:
http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1787234.1787252
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Stuart, A. 2009. Will the New FASB Code Change Accounting?
http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/13854787/1/c_13855570?f=home_todayinfinance.
Stantial, John. 2007. ROI on XBRL. Journal of Accountancy (June): or
http://www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/jun2007/stantial.htm.
An Introduction to XBRL. Available at:
http://www.capitalmarkets.kiev.ua/download/XBRL_052306_introduction.pdf
Tribunella, T. and H. Tribunella. 2010. Using XBRL to Analyze Financial Statements. The CPA Journal
(Match). Available at:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5346/is_201003/ai_n53082109/?tag=content;col1
Ramos, Michael. 2004. Evaluate the Control Environment. Journal of Accountancy (May): or
http://www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/may2004/ramos.htm
McNally, J.S., 2005. Assessing Company-Level Controls. Journal of Accountancy (June): or
http://www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/jun2005/mcnally.htm
Johnson, R.A., and J. M. Middleton. 2008. Accounting for Second Life. Journal of Accountancy (June):
or http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/Issues/2008/Jun/AccountingforSecondLife.htm
Pinkston, M. 2009. CPAs Embrace Twitter. Brief Messages Leave Powerful Impressions. Journal of
Accountancy (August): or
http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/Issues/2009/Aug/20091828.htm?action=print
Holdler, W.W., and P.B. Thomas. 2005. A Vision Fulfilled. Journal of Accountancy (July): or
http://www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/jul2005/holder.htm.
DeFelice, A. 2010. CPA exam to undergo an evolution. Journal of Accountancy (May): or
http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/Issues/2010/May/20102565.htm
Course Format
Class time will be spent discussing new material, illustrating techniques by working through examples,
completing in-class assignments (short quizzes and team exercises that constitute a formal part of your
grade), and reviewing for upcoming exams.
Class Homepage
We will use WebCT to distribute all materials for this course syllabus, practice quizzes, and
assignments. It is very important that you check WebCT regularly.
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Course Requirements
Your course grade will be based on the following components:
Component
Midterm
Seven quizzes (20 points each)
Five team exercises (20 points
each)
Subtotal for quizzes & exercises:
12 x 20 points each = 240 points
Available
Accounting Software Project
Assignments
Final exam
Total points
Points
150
Dates
210
160
230
250
1,000
See schedule for due dates
Finals week
Team exercise and quiz points are allowed to accumulate up to 210 total points. Thus, you can miss
one in-class assignment and still get full credit.
Exams
There is one midterm in-class exam and a comprehensive final exam during finals week. These exams
will include multiple choice, short answer and essay questions.
You must receive prior approval from me if you will be unable to take the midterm exam. If you are
excused from the midterm exam, your score on the final will generally be used to substitute for that
exam. If you become aware of a conflict that might cause you to miss the final exam, you should inform
me immediately.
Quizzes
There are seven quizzes each worth 20 points. The purpose of these quizzes is to ensure that you learn
basic concepts as we go along. These quizzes are completed on an individual basis, either before class
via webct or in class. There will be no makeups available for missed quizzes. The items to be
covered are shown in the syllabus, and a practice quiz will be available on the web site 48 hours prior to
the quiz. These quizzes are short and cover basic concepts.
Team Exercises
There are five team exercises each worth 20 points. The purpose of these exercises is to allow you to
discover important accounting information systems concepts in an active learning environment. Teams
should consist of two to three students. Students choose their own teams, and the teams may change
from exercise to exercise. There will be no makeups available for missed team exercises.
Grading of Quizzes and Team Exercises
240 points are available on the quizzes and team exercises (140 points on the quizzes and 100 points on
the team exercises), but you cannot receive more than 210 points from the quizzes and exercises towards
your overall grade. This 30-point cushion allows for the possibility that you may miss one or two
quizzes and/or team exercises due to illness, personal emergencies, or University-related activities. If
you have no such absences, the cushion allows you to receive less than full credit on some of the
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assignments yet still receive all possible points from the quizzes and exercises towards your overall
grade. If you anticipate missing more than two quizzes and team exercises due to University-related
activities, please speak with me before the end of the first week of classes.
Accounting Software Project
The Accounting Software Project will be broken into four parts. More details will be available after the
midterm.
Calculation of Overall Grade
I intend to grade on a scale no stricter than the following:
90% = some form of A; 80% = some form of B; 70% = some form of C; 60% = some form of D.
If you have any questions about any aspect of the grading, please speak with me.
Students with Disabilities
Please address any special needs or special accommodations with me at the beginning of the semester or
as soon as you become aware of your needs. Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities
should obtain a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) form from the Disability
Resources office (515-294-6624). The Disability Resources Office is located on the main floor of the
Student Services Building, Room 1076.
Academic Integrity
I define academic dishonesty in this course as offering or receiving help on an exam or a quiz, or
otherwise compromising or attempting to compromise the integrity of an exam, quiz, team exercise, or
assignment. All cases of suspected academic dishonesty will be handled in strict accordance with
University policy. For more details, see the College of Business Professional Standards and
Expectations document at
Communication Center
Across the College of Business, it is our goal to strengthen student communication skills and enhance
your critical thinking skills by creating opportunities for you to practice communication skills
throughout your academic careers. Representatives in our Communication Center are available to
support your written, oral, and visual communication assignments this semester. These Communication
Consultants will be available to: 1) review basic grammar, 2) provide feedback on paper organization
and flow, 3) give suggestions on document design, including written documents and slide presentations,
and 4) other services as needed.
To schedule an appointment please e-mail commctr@iastate.edu or call 515.294.9693. The
Communication Center is located in 2140 Gerdin.
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Tips for Success
1.
Whenever possible, you should READ the assigned readings in the textbook before you come to
class.
2.
Be an active learner in class. Focus on following class discussion, not on taking notes. All
important material presented in class has either been made available to you through readings or
on the website by 5:00 p.m. the day before class.
3.
Attempt the homework before class, on your own. These are the types of questions you should
be able to answer once you have understood the material. Give each question a reasonable
effort, but don’t spin your wheels.
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
Week Date
Topic
1
1/11
Introduction / Top Ten
Technologies
Chapter 1 – Introduction
to
Accounting Information
Systems
1/13
Accounting
Careers/Web Site
Evaluations/Second Life
2
1/18
1/20
3
1/25
Overview of Business
Process
Overview of Business
Process
Relational Databases
Relational Databases
1/27
4
5
6
Database Design
2/8
Implementing REA
Model in Database
Team Exercise 1
Information Retrieval
Implementing REA
Model in Database
Team Exercise 2 –
Information Retrieval
2/15
2/17
Homework
Chapter 1 and 2
Anderson et al. article –
Journal of Accountancy
Kinney article – concentrate
on figures 1 & 2
Prob 1.4, 1.7
Chapter 2
DQ 2.2, 2.4
Assignment 1 –
Student Profile Due
Chapter 2
Prob 2.7, 2.8
Prob 4.2, 4.3,
4.10
Assignment 2 – Web
Site Evaluation due
Quiz 1 – Chapter 1
and 2
Chapter 4 and supplemental
reading
Chapter 4 and supplemental
reading
Notes
Quiz 2 – Chapter 4
Chapter 4
2/1
2/3
2/10
Reading assignment
Chapter 1
AICPA articles
Holder article
DeFelice 2010 article
Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
DQ 15.3
Prob 15.1,
15.2, 15.6, 15.7
Prob 16.1,
16.2, 16.9
Assignment 3–
Beginning Access due
Quiz 3 – Chapter 15
Assignment 4 due
Chapter16
Assignment 5 due
6
Week
7
Date
2/22
2/24
Topic
Review for exam
Exam
Financial Reporting
Cycle
FASB Codification
8
9
10
3/1
XBRL
3/3
Systems Development
and Documentation
13
Chapter 14
Adams article – Journal of
Accountancy
DeFleice 2009 article –
Journal of Accountancy
Stuart article – CFO.com
Chapter 14
Stantial article – Journal of
Accountancy
XBRL article
Tribunella and Tribunella
article – CPA Journal
Chapter 3
DQ14.1, 14.2
Computer Fraud
Chapter 3
Chapter 3 / 5
3/22
Computer Fraud
Chapter 5
3/24
Control and Accounting
Systems
Chapter 6
Ramos article – Journal of
Accountancy
McNally article
– Journal of Accountancy
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Johnson and Middleton
article – Journal of
Accountancy
Pinkston article – Journal of
Accountancy
Chapter 8
3/29
Social Networks
Confidentiality, Privacy,
Processing Integrity and
Availability
12
Homework
3/8
3/10
Information Security
11
Reading assignment
3/31
Team Exercise 3
4/5
Confidentiality, Privacy,
Processing Integrity and
Availability
Chapter 8
Notes
Prob 3.1, 3.8
Accounting Software
Part I due
Prob 5.1, 5.5
Quiz 4 – Chapters 14
and 3 and accounting
software readings
Prob 6.2, 6.4
Prob 7.1, 7.2
parts a to c
only
Accounting Software
Part II due
Assignment 6 due –
DFD/Flowchart
Quiz 5 – Chapter 5
and 6
DQ 8.7, Prob
8.2, 8.11
Accounting Software
Project Part III due
Prob 10.3, 10.12
Accounting Software
Project Part IV due
Chapter 10
4/7
4/12
Revenue Cycle
Team Exercise 4
Revenue Cycle
Chapter 10
4/14
Expenditure Cycle
Chapter 11
7
Assignment 7 due
Prob 11.16
Quiz 6 – Chapters 7,
8, 10
Week
14
Date
4/19
4/21
15
4/26
4/28
Topic
Human Resources and
Payroll Cycle
Auditing
Team Exercise 5
Reading assignment
Chapter 13
Homework
Prob 13.1, 13.10
Chapter 9
DQ 9.5
Systems Development
Systems Development
Review for Final
Chapter 18 to 20
Chapter 18 to 20
Notes
Assignment 8 due
8
Assignment 9 due
Quiz 7-Chapters 9, 13,
18 to 20