Syllabus
ACCT IS 340 ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS Fall 2011
Professor Ann O’Brien (updated 8/29/11)
Class Time and Location:
Course Web Site:
Professor Contact Information:
Professor Office Hours:
T/R 8:00 –9:15; 1270 Grainger, lecture 1, course # 52194
T/R 9:30 –10:45; 1270 Grainger, lecture 2, course # 52388
T/R 11:00 –12:15; 1270 Grainger, lecture 3, course # 52389
T/R 1:00 –2:15; 1270 Grainger, lecture 4, course # 52443
http://courses.bus.wisc.edu
aobrien@bus.wisc.edu, 4273 Grainger Hall, 608.219.7428
Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:20-12:50, 2:20-3:30
Additional hours offered by appointment
Graduate Assistants
MATERIALS
The options and variations will be discussed and clarified in class. All materials are on reserve in the library.
Required:
(1) Class Packet from the Grainger Copy Center.
(2) Chang, Ingraham, Modeling and Designing Accounting Systems, Using Access to Build a
Database, Wiley, 2007 (online version available at lower cost and with 2007 Access directions
http://store.vitalsource.com/search?q=9780470931578).
Strongly Recommended/Required:
Romney & Steinbart, Accounting Information Systems, Prentice Hall, Select either: (a.) Prof. O’Brien
custom published 11th edition version, (b.) online electronic12th edition version or (c.) hardcopy of
10th, 11th, or 12th edition.
Optional (for supplemental study only if needed):
Dunn, Cherrington, & Hollander, Enterprise Information Systems, 3rd Edition, 2005 McGraw-Hill.
COURSE OVERVIEW & DESCRIPTION
Accounting is defined by the AICPA as “a service activity whose function is to provide quantitative
information, primarily financial in nature, about an organization that is intended to be useful in making ...
decisions.” Other accounting courses examine the conceptual framework, rules, and techniques for recording
information and also, how management, investors, and decision makers use the information. In this course,
the educational emphasis shifts away from the recording and usage of financial information to an emphasis on
understanding core business processes.
More specifically, students will analyze and model the underlying business processes, the information that
should be tracked in those processes and the systems that capture, manipulate, and disseminate the
information. Accounting Information Systems (AIS) encompasses those systems, manual and automated,
that collect, store, manipulate, disseminate, and present information to the decision-maker. Throughout the
course, AIS may also be referred to as an Enterprise Information System (EIS) to reinforce the broader
context of business decision making.
In July 1999, the AICPA Board of Directors adopted the Electronic Business Strategic Initiative with
the goal of: "Establish[ing] CPAs as the premier knowledge professionals who leverage electronic
business and information to solve business issues and capitalize on opportunities."
As accountants design, implement, use, and audit computer-based accounting systems, they must be
comfortable with the conceptual foundation of business processes, information systems, and the many
information technology application issues of the 21st century. Accountants must understand and exploit the
capabilities of information technology in order to play a significant role as information providers and
advisors. This course is primarily concerned with building the skills needed to operate in the world
envisioned by the AICPA when they adopted the Electronic Business Strategic Initiative, and to develop a
broad perspective of the opportunities and needs of an EIS in the business value system.
AIS 340 will be a “hands-on” course. Students will practice using the information technology that has
become common in accounting applications, as well as gaining skills needed to master ever evolving
technology.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
AIS 340 will provide students with the opportunity to:
Analyze, Model, & Document Business and Accounting Processes
-by studying how business processes work on a day to day basis:
Value Systems, Value Chains, Sales and Purchasing Cycles/Processes, and Relationships between
Resources, Events and Agents (REA)
-by studying how to document processes:
Flowcharts, Data Flow Diagrams, Business Process & UML Diagrams, Entity-Relationship
Diagrams, REA Models
-by studying how to analyze, evaluate, and improve processes:
Data Modeling and Internal Controls
Learn and practice computer-based tools used in the field
Netsuite, SAP, Excel, Access, diagramming tools such as SmartDraw and Visio, XBRL, and
technology learning tools such as on-line forums and “help” search functions
Investigate AIS Developments
Integrated Enterprise Systems, XBRL, IFRS & IT, Privacy & Security, Assurance & Compliance
Standards, IT Governance, Business Intelligence, Web-based Applications, etc.
Performance
The overall grade in this class will be determined as follows:
Exams (3)
Computer Tools and Projects
Class Work and Activities
50%
35%
15%
Further details, including due dates, are listed on the course schedule at the end of the syllabus, posted on the
course website, and will be discussed in class.
Exams
Three exams are scheduled. If a student misses an exam, a zero grade and no re-weighting of the remaining
exams may result. If the instructor is notified in advance of the regularly scheduled exam, a make-up exam
may be given for valid, well-documented, reasons (medical emergency, family emergency, universityscheduled events, or class conflicts). Instead of providing a make-up exam, the instructor has the option of reweighting the remaining exam(s) accordingly.
Computer Tools and Projects
Netsuite, SAP, Access, AND Excel computer assignments are listed on the course schedule shown at the end
of the syllabus. Specific requirements regarding the assignments will be discussed in class and posted on the
course website. Some assignments will be done on an individual basis and others may be done on a group
basis.
Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all computer assignments are due before 8PM on the due date.
Assignments that are submitted late but before 8AM of the following day will lose 10% of the grade assigned.
Assignments handed in after 8AM following the day due but before 8AM of the second following day will
lose 20%. After that, assignments will not be accepted. Do not wait until the last minute to submit computer
projects; too many technology issues can confound your efforts.
Class Work and Activities
Class work and activities are extremely important. This measure is not simply a matter of attending class. It's
a matter of being prepared by having done the reading and homework, appropriate in coaching others to
understand the issues being discussed (including postings on the discussion forum that guide rather than
simply giving answers), actively creating a positive classroom learning environment, and generally using
personal initiative to move the class learning process forward. Gratuitous class comments and redundant
discussion board postings are not positive ways to contribute. Constructive criticism and suggestions to the
professor are welcome and encouraged. Class work and activities may include pop quizzes over material
assigned for the day, small projects, homework assignments, or presentations. My expectations regarding
class contribution include:
-Arrive on time, attentive (e.g., no side conversations, texting, surfing, etc.) when professor and classmates
are talking, follow directions and be respectful to classmates and professor.
-Strong individual effort on preparation for class and class assignments.
-Ask for clarification if uncertain or confused and/or offer to answer questions posed.
-Offer to demonstrate or present answers or projects in front of class.
-Assist classmates outside of class with their questions (unless instructed not to do so).
-Contribute significant thoughts, issues, questions, and/or suggestions to help class (e.g., software or
technology tips) either in class, during office hours or on the discussion board.
Class work and activities will usually be graded on a satisfactory or unsatisfactory basis. For any work or
activity not completed satisfactorily (less than “B” level work/effort), your overall course grade will be
dropped by approximately 1%.
Grade Appeals
Challenges to the grading of exams, projects and activities will be considered if an appeal is submitted within one
week after the graded item is available to the class. The originally graded work must be submitted along with a
written explanation justifying the re-evaluation request. If a written appeal is not made within the seven day period,
no grade re-evaluation will take place.
Academic Misconduct
UW conduct rules describe academic misconduct as "... an act in which a student: (a) Seeks to claim credit for
the work or efforts of another without authorization or citation; (b) Uses unauthorized materials or fabricated
data in any academic exercise; (c) Forges or falsifies academic documents or records; (d) Intentionally
impedes or damages the academic work of others; (e) Engages in conduct aimed at making false
representation of a student's academic performance; or (f) Assists other students in any of these acts."
Charges of academic misconduct are taken seriously and actions that can be taken against a student include
failure in the course and permanent record in the student’s file. See:
http://www.wisc.edu/students/saja/misconduct/UWS14.html.
The Department of Accounting has endorsed a statement of values developed by students in the IMAcc
Professional Program. Additional information on the statement of values and the student-developed Ethics
and Professionalism Program can be accessed at the following link:
http://www.bus.wisc.edu/accounting/resources_for_students/Ethics%20general/ethics%20PwC.asp
All work turned in for a grade must be solely the work of the individual or group turning it in. This
means no collaboration with any other person, unless the project is designated as a group project or
unless the professor has given alternative guidelines (such as use of the discussion forum or help
sessions in the lab). This also means no plagiarism (i.e., copying material directly from any other
source without giving proper reference). If you are in doubt about any rule or guideline regarding this
honor code, please contact the professor. Note: Copying a computer file (or portion of a file) from another
student (former or current) is cheating.
Acknowledgements
Professors Kathy Hurtt and Kevin Kobelsky (Baylor University) have generously shared course design and
materials for this class. Bill McCarthy (Michigan State University) has inspired vision, creativity, and
innovation in AIS course delivery; including materials by Cheryl Dunn and Guido Geerts. Dirk Shimpach
(Netsuite), Jim Mensching (SAP University Alliance), and public accounting firms offer students materials
and access to industry leading experiences. Marianne Bradford, Deb Cosgrove, Skip White, David Hayes,
David Fordham, Stacy Kovar, Sarah Bee, and other AIS educators have also shared ideas and class materials
unselfishly.
AIS 340 Class Schedule Fall 2011 (updated 8/29/11), updates announced in class.
1
9/6
2
9/8
3
9/13
4
9/15
5
9/20
Topic
Add’l work TBA in class
T Course Overview, Enterprise Information Systems,
Modeling & Representations, Netsuite Project
R Revenue & Expenditure Cycle Introduction; CC,
Modeling & Representations, Script & Object Patterns,
Flowchart & Diagramming Introduction
T Show-a-System Demos, Revenue Cycle - Sales/Cash
Collection Process, Expenditure Cycle – Acquisition
Purchase/Cash Pay Process, Flowchart Examples
R Flowchart Key Scenarios, Diagramming Software, The
Bigger Picture: Modeling EIS Value System, Value
Chain, Business Process, and Task Levels
T Other Diagramming: DFD, BPD, ER, REA, UML
6
7
8
9
10
9/22
9/27
9/29
10/4
10/6
R
T
R
T
R
Diagramming Systems Summation
SAP Introduction and Review for Exam
Business Process Modeling and Diagramming Exam
EIS, ERP, SAP
Business Process Modeling, & Databases, REA
Overview, Typifications & Commitments
11
12
13
14
10/11
10/13
10/18
10/20
T
R
T
R
Modeling & Databases: Cardinalities, REA & Practice
Modeling & Databases: Cardinalities, REA & Practice
Modeling & Databases: REA Practice
Modeling & Databases: Cardinalities
15
16
10/25 T Modeling & Databases: Normalization
10/27 R Workday – Access
17
18
19
20
21
11/1
11/3
11/8
11/10
11/15
22
23
24
11/17 R Analysis of Process Risks/Threats & Controls, Assertions,
Cost-Benefit
11/22 T Snap-a-Control Presentations & Introduce CyberProtext
11/24 R THANKSGIVING – No Class
25
26
27
28
29
30
11/29
12/1
12/6
12/8
12/13
12/15
T
R
T
R
T
T
R
T
R
T
R
Modeling & Databases: REA Patterns
Database to REA, REA Value System Summation
REA Data Modeling & Database Exam
Excel & XBRL computer projects, Snap-a-Control Topic
IC Framework, Segregation of Duties, Process Controls
CyberProtect Review, IT Controls, COBIT
IT Controls, COBIT, Assertions
EIS current topics, XBRL
EIS current topics, IFRS
Internal Control Wrap up and Practice
Enterprise Information Systems, Business Processes,
Value Systems, REA, Vision, EIS Current Topics – IFRS,
XBRL, etc.
12/21 W 7:25-9:25 PM Systems and Internal Controls Exam
Reading/Assignment
*Optional supplemental reading
Internet Search
RS Ch 1, *EIS Ch2
RS Ch 2, 10, 11
*EIS Ch8, pp199-221, Ch9, pp259-279
Show a System
Flowchart Handouts & Practice
Computer Project 1 due 9/15 in class
-Netsuite , also Flowchart Practice
Chang Ch 1, RS Ch 3, *EIS Ch 1, 3
Klamm Reading, Practice
*EIS Ch 5
Diagramming Practice
LAB
LAB, RS Ch 4
Computer Project 2 due 10/6 in class
-SAP
Chang Ch 2, 3, 4 RS Ch 15, 16
*EIS Ch 6
REA Practice
REA Practice
REA Practice
Cardinality Practice
Computer Project 3 due 10/21
Friday 8PM -CherokeeTragg Access
Normalization Practice, *EIS Ch 7
Computer Project 4A Part Q only
due 10/28 Friday 8PM - NW Queries
REA Practice
*EIS Ch 14
LAB, RS Ch 6, 7, 8
Computer Project 5 due 11/18
Friday 8PM - Excel
IC Practice
Snap-a-Control due
Computer Project 4B due 11/23
Wednesday 8PM - NW Excel
CyberProtect Due
Assertions Practice
XBRL Due
IFRS Due
IC Practice
Additional Information Regarding Course Requirements and Grading (updated 7/1/11)
This may be (and probably will be) changed. Updates announced in class.
Due
9/13*
9/13
9/15
9/15
9/20
9/22
9/29
10/6
10/11
10/13
10/18
10/20
10/21
10/25
10/27
10/28
11/8
11/17
11/18
11/22
11/23
11/29
12/6
12/8
12/13
12/21
Projects:
Show A System
Flowchart practice 1
Flowchart practice 2
Computer Project 1: Netsuite
Flowchart practice 3
Flowchart practice 4
1st Exam (Modeling, Flowcharts, etc.)
Computer Project 2: SAP
REA Practice 1
REA Practice 2
REA Practice 3
Cardinality Practice
Computer Project 3: Cherokee Tragg
Normalization Practice
REA Practice
Computer Project 4A NW Part Q only
2nd Exam (REA & Databases)
Internal Control Practice 1
Computer Project 5: Excel
Snap-A-Control
Computer Project 4B: NW Access/Excel
CyberProtect
XBRL
IFRS
Internal Control Practice 2
3rd Exam (Systems & Internal Controls)
*Satisfactory completion (>=“B”)
TOTAL 100%
Class*
Ex
Prjt
Notes
1-4 person group
7%
Individual work
7%
Individual work
7%
Individual recommended, 2ok
15%
1-3 person group
15%
7%
7%
Individual work
3-4 person group
1-3 person group
20%
15%
50%
35%
*Class assignments may be collected or a pop quiz over the assigned material may be given. Unsatisfactory
completion (<”B” work, will result in a deduction of approximately 1% from your class grade. In other words, class
assignments are worth approximately 1% each.