Question

in regards to accounting information system, What is the difference between accounting information systems and management information system?

Answer 1

Both MIS and AIS are Computer-based information systems that help the organization by keeping the records. Information obtained from different sources gets collected and processed by a computer which is presented as a detailed report which is then used for analysis and evaluation.

MIS or Management Information System: MIS contains all the information used in the process of evaluation of decisions. MIS provides information which is non-financial in nature like production planning, inventory planning, marketing research, etc

AIS or Accounting Information System: It is a division or subset of MIS and is a system of keeping the entire accounting, purchase and sales records, financial statements, and other transactions.

Basis for distinction	MIS	AIS
1. Meaning	It is a collection of processes, systems, people, hardware, and software that provides information for evaluation and decision making.	It collects, stores, and processes financial data which is used by management to report to the external uses of financial reports.
2. Type of information	The Information provided is Non-Financial in nature.	Only Financial or monetary information is provided.
3. Scope	It has a wider scope as AIS is a subset of MIS.	The scope of AIS is narrow as MIS is a superset of AIS.
4. Users	The information provided by MIS is mainly used by Management.	The information provided by AIS is used by both internal and external users.
5. Example:	MIS provides data like production planning, market research, etc.	AIS provides financial data like purchase and sales information, financial statements, etc.