Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies

BSc in Accounting
Course Syllabus
Course Title
Course Code
Prerequisite Course (s)
Course Category
Year of Study
Office Location
No. Of Credits
Assessment Method and
Criteria
Language of Instruction
Mode of Delivery

Accounting Information System

ACC300

Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies

(Sharjah/Abu Dhabi/Dubai)
3
Assignments, Quizzes, Mid-Term, End Term
English
Face-to-Face

Course Description:
The course aims to provide a critical understanding of Accounting Information Systems that will enable
students to practice the subject in an effective manner. As technology continued to develop, accounting
became increasingly dependent on information systems, to the point where it is now viewed as a subset of
information systems. The course explores, in detail, several typical AIS application subsystems, such as
revenue, payment, payroll, and production cycles. The course covers topics including the role of
accounting information, business processes, system mapping and documentation, transaction cycles,
business environment and the control of risk. The course also endeavors to develop skills to critically
analyze and evaluate the existing AIS and propose control procedures that are appropriate and sensible.
Course Objectives:

The objectives of the course are to enable the student to:

1. Understand the fundamentals of Accounting Information Systems, including topics such as
electronic commerce, electronic business and the internet,
2. Understand of the purpose and role of accounting information systems within contemporary
organizations;
3. Develop an awareness of the way in which internal controls and technology interrelate with
Accounting Information Systems; and
4. Develop an understanding of the real-life problems of designing, implementing and using
Accounting Information Systems.
5. Apply what they learn from the course to the real-world accounting decision making
environment,
Course Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course students will be able to:

ACC 300 Accounting Information Systems

Page 1

1. Appreciate of how information systems, particularly accounting information systems, can assist
in attaining organisational objectives, and how they can improve planning and control at all levels
of the organisation;
2. Appreciate the technical nature of (and interrelations between) physical resource flows, source
documentation, financial flows, internal controls, accounting information procedures, and
management control systems for both manual and computerised accounting information systems;
3. Understand the business processes and accounting cycles: how accounting transactions are
initiated, processed and recorded and the operational and information functions of several major
AIS subsystems, how these subsystems interface with one another, and the principle inputs,
processes, files and outputs associated with these subsystems;
4. Understand internal controls (both computerised and manual) and its associated risks and an
ability to critically evaluate and design the structure of internal control elements with business
processes and accounting cycles; and
5. Apply accounting principles and theoretical skills to case-based scenarios.
Course Outline
Week

Topic

Accounting
Information
Systems:
An
Overview

Overview
Transaction
Processing
Enterprise

of
and

Details
Distinguish between data and information and explain how to
determine the value of information. Decisions an organization makes
and the information needed to make them. Identify the information that
passes between internal and external parties and an AIS. Describe the
major business processes present in most companies. Explain what an
accounting information system (AIS) is and describe its basic
functions. Discuss how an AIS can add value to an organization.
Explain how an AIS and corporate strategy affect each other. Explain
the role an AIS plays in a companys value chain.
Describe the four parts of the data processing cycle and the major
activities in each. Describe documents and procedures used to collect
and process transaction data. Describe the ways information is stored
in computer-based information systems.
Discuss the types of information that an AIS can provide.
Discuss how organizations use enterprise resource planning (ERP)
systems to process transactions and provide information.

Systems
Documentation
Techniques

Prepare and use data flow diagrams to understand, evaluate, and

document information systems. Prepare and use flowcharts to
understand, evaluate, and document information systems. Prepare and
use business process diagrams to understand, evaluate, and document
information systems.
Quiz 1

Relational
Databases

Explain the importance and advantages of databases, as well as the

difference between database and file-based legacy systems. Explain
the difference between logical and physical views of a database.
Explain fundamental concepts of database systems such as DBMS,
schemas, the data dictionary, and DBMS languages. Describe what a
relational database is and how it organizes data. Create a set of wellstructured tables to properly store data in a relational database.

ACC 300 Accounting Information Systems

Page 2

Perform simple queries using the Microsoft Access database.

5

Control
Accounting
Information
Systems

and

Explain basic control concepts and why computer control and security
are important. Compare and contrast the COBIT, COSO, and ERM
control frameworks. Describe the major elements in the internal
environment of a company. Describe the four types of control
objectives that companies need to set. Describe the events that affect
uncertainty and the techniques used to identify them. Explain how to
assess and respond to risk using the Enterprise Risk Management
model. Describe control activities commonly used in companies.
Describe how to communicate information and monitor control
processes in organizations.

Controls
Information
Security

for

Explain the factors that influence information systems reliability.

Describe how a combination of preventive, detective, and corrective
controls can be employed to provide reasonable assurance about
information security.

Auditing
Computer-Based
Information
Systems

The
Revenue
Cycle: Sales to
Cash Collections

The Expenditure
Cycle: Purchasing
to Cash
Disbursements

Describe the basic business activities and related information

processing operations performed in the expenditure cycle. Discuss the
key decisions to be made in the expenditure cycle, and identify the
information needed to make those decisions. Identify major threats in
the expenditure cycle, and evaluate the adequacy of various control
procedures for dealing with those threats.

10

The
Production
Cycle

Describe the major business activities and related information

processing operations performed in the production cycle. Explain how
a companys cost accounting system can help to achieve its
manufacturing goals. Identify major threats in the production cycle,
and evaluate the adequacy of various control procedures for dealing
with those threats. Discuss the key decisions that must be made in the
production cycle, and identify the information required to make those
decisions.
Quiz 2

Describe the scope and objectives of audit work, and identify the
major steps in the audit process. Identify the objectives of an
information system audit, and describe how the risk-based audit
approach can be used to accomplish these objectives. Describe the
different tools and techniques auditors use to test software programs
and program logic. Describe computer audit software, and explain how
it is used in the audit of AIS. Describe the nature and scope of an
operational audit.
Mid Term Exam
Describe the basic business activities and related information
processing operations performed in the revenue cycle. Discuss the key
decisions that need to be made in the revenue cycle, and identify the
information needed to make those decisions. Identify major threats in
the revenue cycle, and evaluate the adequacy of various control
procedures for dealing with those threats.

ACC 300 Accounting Information Systems

Page 3

11

The
Human
Resources
Management and
Payroll Cycle

Describe the major business activities and related information

processing operations performed in the human resources management
(HRM)/payroll cycle. Explain the key decisions to be made in the
HRM/payroll cycle, and identify the information required to make
those decisions. Identify the major threats in the HRM/payroll cycle,
and evaluate the adequacy of various internal control procedures for
dealing with them.

12

General
Ledger
and
Reporting
System

Describe the information processing operations required to update the

general ledger and to produce other reports for internal and external
users. Identify the major threats in general ledger and reporting
activities, and evaluate the adequacy of various control procedures for
dealing with them. Understand the implications of new IT
developments, such as XBRL, and changes in external reporting
requirements, such as IFRS, for the design and operation of the general
ledger and reporting system. Discuss how tools such as responsibility
accounting, balanced scorecards, and graphs can be used to provide
information managers need to effectively monitor performance.
Assignment

13

Database Design
Using the REA
Data Model

Discuss the steps for designing and implementing a database system.

Use the REA data model to design an AIS database. Draw an REA
diagram of an AIS database. Read an REA diagram and explain what it
reveals about the business activities and policies of the organization
being modelled.

14

Implementing an
REA Model in a
Relational
Database

Integrate separate REA diagrams for individual transaction cycles into

a single comprehensive organization-wide REA diagram. Build a set of
tables to implement an REA model of an AIS in a relational database.
Explain how to write queries to retrieve information from an AIS
relational database built according to the REA data model.

15

AIS Development
Strategies

Describe how organizations purchase application software, vendor

services, and hardware. Explain how information system departments
develop custom software. Explain how end users develop, use, and
control computer-based information systems. Explain why
organizations outsource their information systems, and evaluate the
benefits and risks of this strategy. Explain the principles and
challenges of business process management. Describe how prototypes
are used to develop an AIS, and discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of doing so. Explain what computer-aided software
engineering is and how it is used in systems development.

16

Review and
Revision

Final Exam

Application Pedagogy:
Lecture format will include discussions, case studies, group work, computer exercises, visual and audio
learning as necessary. Student will be expected to participate actively in the discussions during the sessions.

ACC 300 Accounting Information Systems

Page 4

Students will be expected to read the text, assignment, articles or other assigned recommended readings by
the instructors.
Teaching Methods:
Lectures, Interactive presentations, Interactive problem solving;
Use of Modern Instructional Technology:
Learning Management System, PC Ms-EXCEL, Practice through student workbook,
Grading:
10%

Attendance

5%

Participation

Assignments
Quizzes

Midterm Exam

Final exam

&

20%

25%

40%

The Institutes attendance policy must be adhered to. Those

who have any reasons not to attend lecture should notify
their instructor.
Students are encourage to take part in discussions,
presentations, seminars..etc.
Assignments are used as a method of evaluating student
participation, understanding, and progress made over the
course period. Assignments are part of students Term Work
and should be completed and presented within the term as
instructed. Students are encouraged to put more emphasis
on this important term work.
Mid-term exam is an important method of evaluating
students progress and should be given adequate
Final exams cover all topics taught in the course and may
take several forms of question such as the multiple choice,
short answer, identify, fill-in, diagram, etc.).

Attendance:
Attendance and participation in all classes is essential in order to capture the full learning experience and is
considered an important part of EIBFS academic requirements. Instructors regularly take attendance and
submit reports to academic advisors. Students are advised to refer to the Students Handbook for more
details on EIBFSs attendance policy.
Educational Resources
Educationa
Description
l Resources
Text Book
Accounting Information Systems, 13/E - Marshall B. Romney, Paul J. Steinbart
ISBN-10: 0133428532 ISBN-13: 9780133428537
Reference Books
R1
Accounting Information Systems, James A. Hall
Publisher: South-Western College Pub;

ACC 300 Accounting Information Systems

Page 5

R2

ISBN-10: 1439078572
ISBN-13: 978-1439078570
Gelinas and Dull, Accounting Information Systems, 8th edition, Thomson South-Western,
2008, ISBN 0-324-37882-5.

Grading Criteria for Assessments

The approved grades of performance and associated ranges of marks for subjects are:
Percent Grade
90
100
80
89
70
79
60
69
0
59

Grade
A+
A
B
C
F

4
4.0
3.8
3.0
2.0
0.0

EIBFS Description
Outstanding
Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Failure

Assessments, Mid-term and End Term performance will be reported as percentages. However the overall
performance at the end of the term will be reported as grade.
Methods for Monitoring and Authenticating Student Work
The students log-ins and internet journeys can be traced. The students development of practical skills
will be monitored during their academic journey. The group work and an individuals input will be
recorded in minutes.
Plagiarism
Please be aware of the plagiarism norms of the EIBFS and take care not to infringe upon any of them. All
students are required to attach the hard copy and softcopy of the plagiarism report for all soft copy / hard
copy submissions (except hand written assignments) generated by Viper Software (Downloadable Free).
The maximum acceptable limit of Plagiarism report is 20%.
Academic Integrity
Each student in the course is expected to abide by EIBFSs Code mentioned in student Handbook.
Academic dishonesty is not limited to simply cheating on an exam or assignment. It also includes
the following:
Facilitating acts of academic dishonesty to others,
Submitting someone-else work or work previously used in other courses, without informing the
instructor,
Receiving outside assistance without instructors permission
Including ideas from external sources (such as on the web or in the library) without proper referencing
Providing assistance to students during exam

ACC 300 Accounting Information Systems

Page 6