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Positive Impacts That Information Technology Has Had in the Finance and Accounting Fields

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Submitted By denisel731
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Positive Impacts that Information Technology has had in the Finance and Accounting Fields

The role of Information Technology (IT) in today’s world cuts across almost all sectors of the economy and society. In finance and accounting, IT has played a significant role in ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of accounting and finance activities (Half, 2012). Several IT networks and computer systems have shortened the lead-time necessary for accountants to make and present financial information to firms’ managements and other stakeholders. Moreover, the IT has also improved the overall efficiency of the information provided by the accountants to firms’ management departments. Accurate information by the accountants is crucial for appropriate and relevant decision making by the company.

One of the biggest impacts of IT in accounting is the development and use of computerized systems in tracking and recording various financial transactions. Before the innovation of technology and its use in finance and accounting, recording of transactions took long and was never accurate. The paper ledgers, handwritten financial statements, and spreadsheets have been translated into computer systems for quick presentation of individual transactions into easily interpretable financial report (Half, 2012). Improved reporting is necessary for investors in the determination whether a company is an appropriate investment for growth opportunities. It also determines whether it has a potential to attain the status of a high value company in the future. Companies utilize the investors for the purpose of equity financing, which is crucial for the purpose if expanding business operations.

IT has also ensured increased functionality in the accounting and the financial systems through the improvement of the accounting information timelines. Improvement of the financial information

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