Question

How can we determine the Accounting information System requirements by proposing a strategy.

Answer 1

Accounting information System requirements:

The current system is thoroughly understood, including problems, and complete documentation of the system—transactions, reports, and questions. It include everyone, from top management to data entry.

Requirements given below:-

Systems Design-

The analysis is thoroughly reviewed and a new system is created.

The system is designed to include appropriate internal controls and to provide management with the information needed to make decisions. It is a goal of an accounting information system to provide information that is relevant, meaningful, reliable, useful, and current.

To achieve this, the system is designed so that transactions are entered as they occur (either manually or electronically) and information is immediately available online for management. Once the system is designed, an RFP is created detailing the requirements and fundamental design.

Documentation-

As the system is being designed, it is documented. The documentation includes vendor documentation of the system and, more importantly, the procedures or detailed instructions that help users handle each process specific to the organization. The documentation is tested during the training so that when the system is launched, there is no question that it works and that the users are confident with the change.

Testing-

Before launch, all processes are tested from input through output, using the documentation as a tool to ensure that all processes are thoroughly documented and that users can easily follow the procedures: They know it works and that the procedures will be followed consistently. The reports are reviewed and verified, so that there's no garbage in-garbage out. This is done in a test system not yet fully populated with live data. All reports and online information must be verified and traced through the audit trail so that management is ensured that transactions will be handled consistently and that the information can be relied upon to make decisions.

Training-

Before launch, all users need to be trained, with procedures. This means a trainer using the procedures to show each end user how to handle a procedures. The procedures often need to be updated during training as users describe their unique circumstances and the "design" is modified with this additional information.

Data Conversion-

Tools are developed to convert the data from the current system to the new system. The data is mapped from one system to the other and data files are created that will work with the tools that are developed. The conversion is thoroughly tested and verified before final conversion. There's a backup so it can be restarted, if necessary.

Launch-

The system is implemented only after all of the above is completed. The entire organization is aware of the launch date. Ideally, the current system is retained and often run in "parallel" until the new system is in full operation and working properly. when the above process is followed, the system is thoroughly documented and tested, and users are trained before launch.

Tools-

Online resources are available to assist with strategic planning of accounting information systems. Information systems and financial forms aid in determining the specific needs of each organization, as well as assigning responsibility to principles involved.

Support-

The end users and managers have ongoing support available at all times. System upgrades follow a similar process and all users are thoroughly apprised of changes, upgraded in an efficient manner, and trained.

Many organizations chose to limit the time and money spent on the analysis, design, documentation, and training, and move right into software selection and implementation. If a detailed requirements analysis is performed with adequate time being spent on the analysis, the implementation and ongoing support will be minimal.