Topic: ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEM
BFA221 Accounting Information Systems
Assessment Task 2: Group written assignment
Assignment Objectives
Upon successful completion of this assignment a student will:
? Enhance knowledge of the accountant?s role within the Accounting Information System (AIS);
? Communicate risks and opportunities arising from the AIS with the aim to assist organisations to achieve their business
goals;
? Develop analysis skills;
? Develop work readiness skills.
Background
Assume that you and your team members are recent graduates and newly employed by AIS Tasmania (AIST), an Oatlands-based
consulting firm.
AIST has been engaged by an SME, Tasmania Export-Imports, to determine if it is viable for TEI to move its accounting
practice into a popular accounting package.
Up until now, Tasmania Export-Imports has used a paper-based accounting system. Expansion plans and growing sales dictate
that this is just no longer viable.
Whilst TEI is primarily involved in sales, part of its role for the import market involves assembly of product. This requires
a low-level assembly-type operation out of its warehouse in Geeveston. The manager of TEI has undertaken her research, and
understands the theory behind application controls, but is not convinced that MYOB can deliver. With the planned expansion,
effective internal controls are essential for the business.
The Task
In your team of three, undertake an analysis of MYOB to respond to the scenario above. Your team is required to address the
three requirements below AND the relevant requirements stated in the BFA221 Unit Outline:
1. As consultants employed by AIST, prepare a formal business report for TEI, addressing the concerns raised.
2. Justify your case based on your analysis of the internal procedures and physical control activities associated with the
appropriate transaction cycles for MYOB and its perceived appropriateness for the future needs of TEI. Would any perceived
shortcomings of MYOB be addressed by comparable packages, such as QuickBooks, for instance?
3. In an appendix to the report, briefly set out the contribution of each group member to the assignment.
Additional Information
Although MYOB will be available in the laboratory at your campus used for the BFA221 practicals, it is acceptable for your
team to evaluate different versions to the ones provided, although V19 is preferred. Note that the requirement to complete
this assignment in teams of three is designed to develop your work readiness skills.
You are able to download MYOB v19 Student version free of charge, as you are with QuickBooks. The free versions are available
for limited trials (30 days for MYOB). With three of you in a group, this should provide plenty of opportunity.
To complete this assignment, you will need to input data into the package/s to gather information, and to provide examples in
your report to support your claims. Reports that rely on information gathered solely from printed or electronic sources, and
not from using the package/s, will not do well as they will not allow you to demonstrate your understanding. Include specific
examples to demonstrate your understanding, and that you have investigated the packages first-hand.
You must submit the assignment in two ways:
1. One electronic copy (only) of the assignment for each team to Turnitin by the due date and time through the BFA221 MyLO
site. Do not submit the Group Assignment Cover Sheet, but include in the filename all group members family name and the group
number (i.e. Wang_Smith_Mumtaz Group 4 Assignment 1.doc)
2. Securely staple a completed printout of the Group Assignment Cover Sheet signed by all team members to a printed copy of
your assignment and submit it to the submission box appropriate for your campus by the due date and time. Emailed assignments
will NOT be accepted.
Students need to be aware of the policies on extensions for assignments, penalties and review of assignment marks. These are
clearly set out in the BFA221 Unit Outline.
Date Due
Friday 21 September 2012 at 3:00pm
Assessment
This assignment will count 25% towards the final mark for BFA221.
Marking Scheme
The assessment criteria are given below. They indicate the major areas of assessment, the proportion of the total marks
allocated for each and the standards expected within those areas. Please use the criteria to guide you in your preparation of
the assignment.
Assessment Criteria
Poor
<50%
Adequate
50?59%
Good
60?69%
Very Good
70?79%
Outstanding
80?100%
Awareness & understanding
35%
Did not appear to be aware of or understand relevant issues related to accounting cycle processes, physical controls and/or
package/s
Sufficient, but limited awareness & understanding; significant gaps or flaws
Demonstrated sufficient understanding & awareness but with some gaps
Clearly demonstrated good grasp regarding awareness & understanding
Showed significant awareness & understanding; provided highly convincing evidence of both
Analysis
35%
Weak or no attempt at analysis/
evaluation; reliance on information gathered from elsewhere instead of from a first-hand analysis of the package/s.
Barely sufficient first-hand analysis
& evaluation; significant gaps or flaws
Reasonable first-hand analysis
& evaluation, but lacked depth; some gaps
Very good first-hand analysis & evaluation
Outstanding first-hand analysis; showed real insight & depth
Report structure
20%
Not in stipulated report format
Some significant report structure defects eg executive summary does not contain the required parts
Appropriately laid out as a report, but lacked attention to detail
Very well laid out report; good attention to detail
Excellent & professionally structured report which adds significantly to readability & credibility
Presentation
10%
Poorly presented; highly inappropriate use of grammar, spelling, style &/or referencing
Barely sufficient presentation; significant grammatical, spelling, style &/or referencing defects
Appropriate presentation but lacked attention to detail
Very good presentation; good attention to detail
Excellent presentation including style/referencing; presentation adds significantly to readability & credibility
Penalties may incur for any failure to follow any of the requirements or procedures outlined in this document or in the Unit
Outline.