scholarly journals Addressing The Challenge Of Strategic Alignment Faced By Small And Medium-Sized Entities During The Selection Of Accounting Software Packages

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Arthur Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Software Package ◽  
Strategic Alignment ◽  
Pertinent Literature ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Business Objectives ◽  
Empirical Basis ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
Accounting Software ◽  
Selection Of

Alignment between an entity’s strategic business objectives and its information systems (ISs) has recently received research attention. Currently, small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) still face the challenge of successfully aligning their strategic business objectives with their ISs. Various small generic accounting software packages are available for purchase by SMEs. These accounting packages all have functionalities that enable SMEs to keep proper accounting records. However, due to their generic nature, these accounting packages do not always have sufficient functionalities to drive the SMEs’ strategic business objectives, resulting in IS misalignment.  Not selecting the correct accounting software package will result in the accounting software not addressing the strategic business needs of the SME.  The purpose of this study is to review and discuss the challenges faced by SMEs when selecting generic accounting packages and to develop a mapping between strategic business objectives commonly found within SMEs and software package functionalities that SMEs can refer to during the selection and implementation of new accounting software packages. This is accomplished on a non-empirical basis through a review of pertinent literature. In order for a SME to select the correct accounting software package, it is important that it invest time and effort in considering the software functionalities provided by the software package and map it against its strategic business imperatives to prevent failure of the package. 

Skills vs. Concepts: A Comparison of Practitioners' and Educators' Preferences for Accounting Information Systems Proficiencies

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack L. Winstead ◽  
Mitchell R. Wenger
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Business Cycles ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Accounting Information ◽  
Accounting Information Systems ◽  
Public Practice ◽  
Differences Of Opinion ◽  
Accounting Software ◽  
Computer Operation ◽  
Selection Of

ABSTRACT This study investigates whether AIS instructors' selection of topics adequately prepares graduates for the expectations of employers seeking candidates who can adapt to the pace of technological change. As businesses adopt new technologies, stakeholders of the accounting profession must periodically reassess educational needs in the area of accounting information systems (AIS). Because AIS is a field that encompasses a wide variety of conceptual and skill-based topics, the selection of course topics can result in a “gap” between what academics and CPA firms expect from new accountants. Given the variety of topic areas, do academics and CPAs agree on which ones to emphasize, or what levels of proficiency are appropriate for each topic? In this study, academics and accountants, primarily in public practice, completed identical surveys regarding desired levels of proficiencies. The results suggest agreement on desired levels of proficiency regarding computer operation and use of accounting software to complete basic tasks and create reports, while suggesting differences of opinion in six other areas (understanding business cycles in an electronic environment, understanding data-sharing technologies, using XBRL, comprehending business needs and how technology could solve problems, understanding e-commerce, and the basics of safeguarding electronic accounting records). Participants concluded by offering observations about the strengths and weaknesses of newly employed accountants.

scholarly journals Strategic Alignment Of Application Software Packages And Business Processes Using PRINCE2

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1239
Author(s):  
Wandi Kruger ◽  
Riaan Rudman
Keyword(s):  
Success Rate ◽  
Software Package ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Strategic Alignment ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
Application Software ◽  
Project Failure ◽  
Significant Contributor ◽  
Software Packages

Numerous factors exist that may contribute to the unsuccessful completion of application software package implementation projects. The most significant contributor to application software package project failure lies in the misalignment of the organisations business processes with the functionality of the application software package. While various IT control frameworks that may assist in the implementation of application software packages are available, the question arises why industry still reports that the success rate of application software package implementation projects remains low. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which the Projects in Controlled Environment (PRINCE2) framework assists in the alignment of the organisations business processes with the functionality provided by the application software package implemented. This study investigated whether PRINCE2 addresses all the reasons for project failure. It identifies the shortcomings and weaknesses in PRINCE2 which may contribute to the misalignment between the business processes of the organisation and the functionality of the application software package implemented. The study recommends how these weaknesses identified in PRINCE2 can be addressed. By taking these recommendations into account when using PRINCE2 to implement application software packages, proper alignment between the organisations business processes and the functionality of the application software package may be achieved. This results in a more successful application software package implementation.

The Algos Center

2006 ◽  
pp. 46-63
Author(s):  
Susan J. Chinn ◽  
Charlotte A. Pryor ◽  
John J. Voyer
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Project Implementation ◽  
Charitable Organization ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
United Way ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
The Board Of Directors ◽  
Mission Critical ◽  
Accounting Software

Two systems faculty from a university was contracted to perform an analysis of information systems at the Algos Center, a small non-profit charitable organization which provides support for children and their families facing losses. The Center specifically requested help in integrating its fundraising and accounting software packages or exploring alternative software solutions. It also needed to generate reports required by the board of directors and United Way. Finally, the Center requested help in designing a family database to capture and track statistics about the families receiving services. As the team analyzed the Center, they discovered many underlying issues that would form part of their recommendations to the staff. This case makes two contributions. First, it reveals many problems facing small non-profit organizations, which primarily expend their resources on mission-critical activities, and allows readers to supply possible courses of action. Second, it provides an opportunity to evaluate how a consulting experience was handled and to make recommendations to ensure successful project implementation.

scholarly journals Selection of Accounting Software for Small and Medium Enterprises Using the Fuzzy Topsis Method

TEM Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1348-1356
Author(s):  
Oleh Vysochan ◽  
Olha Vysochan ◽  
Alla Yasinska ◽  
Vasyl Hyk
Keyword(s):  
Financial Management ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Fuzzy Topsis ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
Automation Systems ◽  
Accounting Software ◽  
Tax Reporting ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Selection Of

In the article, the authors analyse the types of accounting software available on the market, in order to identify the most effective programs in terms of meeting the needs of the accounting service of small and medium enterprises. Alternatives for the choice were: large software packages of corporate type, universal programs for automation of financial accounting, programs for the formation and submission of tax reporting, document automation systems, small programs with an emphasis on financial management. The ranking of types of accounting software in terms of compliance with the requirements of accounting services of small and medium enterprises was led by universal programs focused primarily on the implementation of financial accounting functions with maximum support of the accounting process.

The Algos Center

2011 ◽  
pp. 21-35
Author(s):  
Susan J. Chinn ◽  
Charlotte A. Pryor ◽  
John J. Voyer
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Project Implementation ◽  
Charitable Organization ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
United Way ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
The Board Of Directors ◽  
Mission Critical ◽  
Accounting Software

Two systems faculty from a university was contracted to perform an analysis of information systems at the Algos Center, a small non-profit charitable organization which provides support for children and their families facing losses. The Center specifically requested help in integrating its fundraising and accounting software packages or exploring alternative software solutions. It also needed to generate reports required by the Board of Directors and United Way. Finally, the Center requested help in designing a family database to capture and track statistics about the families receiving services. As the team analyzed the Center, they discovered many under lying issues that would form part of their recommendations to the staff. This case makes two contributions. First, it reveals many problems facing small non-profit organizations, which primarily expend their resources on mission-critical activities, and allows readers to supply possible courses of action. Second, it provides an opportunity to evaluate how a consulting experience was handled and to make recommendations to ensure successful project implementation.

Novel Multi-Perspective Usability Evaluation Framework for Selection of Open Source Software Based on BWM and Group VIKOR Techniques

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-91
Author(s):  
Kareem A. Dawood ◽  
A. A. Zaidan ◽  
Khaironi Y. Sharif ◽  
Abdul A. Ghani ◽  
H. Zulzalil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Group Decision Making ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Software Package ◽  
Group Decision ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Usability Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
Selection Of

Increasing demand for open-source software (OSS) has raised the value of efficient selection in terms of quality; usability is an essential quality factor that significantly affects system acceptability and sustainability. Most large and complex software packages partitioned across multiple portals and involve many users — each with their role in the software package; those users have different perspectives on the software package, defined by their knowledge, responsibilities, and commitments. Thus, a multi-perspective approach has been used in usability evaluation to overcome the challenge of inconsistency between users’ perspectives; the inconsistency challenge would lead to an ill-advised decision on the selection of a suitable OSS. This study aimed to assist the public and private organizations in evaluating and selecting the most suitable OSS. The evaluation of the OSS software packages to choose the best one is a challenging task owing to (a) multiple evaluation criteria, (b) criteria importance, and (c) data variation; thus, it is considered a sophisticated multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem; moreover, the multi-perspective usability evaluation framework for OSS selection lacks in the current literature. Hence, this study proposes a novel multi-perspective usability evaluation framework for the selection of OSS based on the multi-criteria analysis. Integration of best-worst method (BWM) and VIKOR MCDM techniques has been used for weighting and ranking OSS alternatives. BWM is utilized for weighting of evaluation criteria, whereas VIKOR is applied to rank OSS-LMS alternatives. Individual and group decision-making contexts, and the internal and external groups aggregation were used to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed framework. A well-organized algorithmic procedure is presented in detail, and a case study was examined to illustrate the validity and feasibility of the proposed framework. The results demonstrated that BWM and VIKOR integration works effectively to solve the OSS software package benchmarking/selection problems. Furthermore, the ranks of OSS software packages obtained from the VIKOR internal and external group decision making were similar; the best OSS-LMS based on the two ways was ‘Moodle’ software package. Among the scores of groups in the objective validation, significant differences were identified; this indicated that the ranking results of internal and external VIKOR group decision making were valid, which pointed to the validation of the framework.

The Evaluation of Application Controls in Accounting Software: A Short Instructional Case

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance M. Lehmann ◽  
Cynthia D. Heagy ◽  
Carolyn Strand Norman
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Software Package ◽  
Accounting Information ◽  
Accounting Information Systems ◽  
Central Topic ◽  
Sarbanes Oxley ◽  
Accounting Software

Internal control is a central topic in auditing and accounting information systems courses and is even more important since enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The purpose of this case is to help students identify whether appropriate controls exist by attempting to execute unauthorized or improper transactions in a popular accounting software package. Students then compose a memo to summarize and explain the results of their transactions. This case helps students (1) identify application controls, (2) think about controls that may be weak, missing, or violated by an employee, and (3) consider and document potential risk exposures to an organization.

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