ACCT341, Chapter 15 Accounting Software
Introduction Accounting software Early decades primarily processed bookkeeping transactions Today it has become much more of a mgmt tool customizes financial reports provides sophisticated ratio analyses and dashboards performs forecasting functions. has evolved into a part of integrated enterprise software accommodates specific industry information needs
AIS Software Market Entry-level (Entry) software is designed for smaller businesses those with revenues of less than $5 million and with up to 20 employees. Estimated 5 million U.S. companies fitting this profile. Small to medium business (SMB) software is engineered for companies with sales of up to $100 million and no more than 100 employees. About 516,000 companies meet that description. Small to medium enterprise (SME) software is designed for organizations with sales of up to $500 million and as many as 500 employees. Some 84,000 companies make up this category. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is for the largest organizations with sales exceeding $500 million and more than 500 employees. An estimated 17,000 companies fit that profile.
Integrated Accounting Software Programs Most companies purchase accounting and enterprise software rather than developing internally But only 80% of needs can be met with purchased software 20% of needs met by supplemental software (e.g. Excel) or by customizing purchased software (if vendor supplies source code) Installation/setup of mid-to-high end software is complex a value-added reseller (VAR) or qualified installer is needed.
Integrated Accounting Software Programs process all types of accounting transactions include transactions affecting accounts in the general and special journals organize transaction processing in modules and provide links among the modules general ledger module includes the chart of accounts other modules usually include accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory and payroll journal entries recorded in modules update the ledger module
Integrated Accounting Software Programs - Features Can handle multiple companies and users Has audit trails Has budgeting capability Provides cash-based and accrual-based accounting options Can print checks and invoices Can customize financial reporting
Integrated Accounting Software Programs - Features Has E-commerce features Has tools for financial analysis Can generate graphic reports Can manage the inventory Can handle recurring journal entries Accommodates business growth Can provide variance analysis.
Buying Accounting Software mid-range or high-end accounting software packages are usually purchased from a valueadded reseller (VAR) VARs provide buyers with services such as installation, customization, and training (if they know what they re doing! E.g. WWU initially hired a bad VAR) a VAR offers a broader array of services than a qualified installer
Small Business Accounting Software Small business owners are usually concerned with cash flows and figuring out if they have been profitable. The three top-rated small business accounting software include QuickBooks products by Intuit Sage50 (formerly PeachTree) products by Sage DacEasy, Simply Accounting, etc.
Mid-Range Accounting Software A mid-range software package is useful when transaction processing needs grow in volume and increase in complexity. Some examples of accounting software packages of this type are Microsoft s Dynamics GP SAP Business One Sage s MAS90 Intuit s QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions
Mid-Range Accounting Software These software packages offer many features. They can convert transactions from one currency to another write checks in foreign currencies split commissions among multiple salespersons handle more than just accounting functions be deployed from an array of options including desktop computers, a web browser, or a hosted solution
Hosted Solutions Another option is hosted solutions, also called cloud computing, or e-sourcing. This is where the software is rented and hosted online. E.g. QuickBooks online Advantages: No upgrades (always have most current version) Auto backup (Computer crashes? No problem.) Universal access 24/7 Multiple user access around the world Password access of parts restricted to certain users Facilitates online business
Specialized Accounting Information Systems Accounting software began with programs written to automate common, repetitive transactions has become increasingly sophisticated and customized for specific industries offer add-on modules that can process special information. are useful to manufacturers and construction companies, and point-of-sale features for retailers sell source code with their programs to customize the software to fit specialized information needs
Enterprise-Wide Accounting Software Solutions Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are integrated programs with a central data base do much more than process financial data expand with the price and complexity of software have the ability to interface with customers and suppliers (supply chain management). ERP systems include SAP (used by P&G, Kodak, etc.) Oracle / PeopleSoft (used by Wal-Mart) Microsoft Dynamics GP Enterprise
ERP Historical Development Enterprise System Functionality: ERP systems originated from manufacturing systems MRP I Systems: Marketing sales projections, Production schedules MRP II Systems: MRP I plus forecasting planning for all manufacturing resources including labor and overheads ERP Systems combined MRP II systems with accounting and finance functions
Traditional ERP Functions Traditional functions are concerned with back-office functions which primarily deal with internal systems, such as Order processing and fulfillment Manufacturing Purchasing Human resources
Extended ERP Functions Integrated external front-office functions Traditional capabilities plus E-business Customer management Supplier management Business partner management Strategic business relationship management
Traditional ERP
Extended Enterprise Information System
The Talking Bears
The Architecture of Enterprise Systems ERP Configurations are client-server based can typically run on many operating system platforms Centralized database stores information about each data item just once makes it immediately available to all the various functions
The Architecture of Enterprise Systems Application interfaces a best-of-breed approach (BOB) extended application interfaces Internet portals Are gateways to other web sites enhance communication and productivity among employees, customers, partners, and suppliers
ERP Systems and Business Process Reengineering Buying an ERP system is akin to a new way of doing business entails reengineering an organization, encourages the separate units to conform to standard practices
Implementing an Enterprise System Implementing an ERP involves: systems planning, forming the project team, selection of the software and the consultant, pre-implementation work, follow-up after going live, training of personnel, and change in management methods, if warranted
Systems Development
Costs and Benefits of Enterprise Systems Costs Hardware Software Training Technical Business processes Data conversion Interfaces and customization Professional services Reassigned employees Software maintenance Software upgrades Benefits Reduction in inventory investment Improvement in asset management Improved decision-making Resolution of data redundancy and integrity problems Increase in flexibility and responsiveness Improved customer service and satisfaction Global and supply chain integration
Buying Accounting Software --Large organizations with specialized needs may require a customized AIS likely to be costly, but will prove to be a good choice in the long run. -- may manage with a packaged software for 80% of their needs -- Installation/setup of mid-to-high end software is complex a value-added reseller (VAR) or qualified installer is often needed.