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Technology on the Accounting Profession

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Effects of Technology on the Accounting Profession
ACC/210
August 15, 2011

Effects of Technology on the Accounting Profession Technology, information, software, and even the machines used to input, translate, and interpret the data we enter are ever evolving at shocking rates. We must constantly stay on top of our skills in order to be able to navigate through the vast screens, shortcuts, functions, and utilities stored in these small computers that have the capacity to do what would take a room full of human brains to do in a fraction of the time. In a time where nearly every occupation can be automated, accounting is nearly no exception, but notice I did say ‘nearly.’ With a vast array of software programs, data collection methods, and forms of technologies to keep accounting professionals up to the minute on their financials, there is little reason to justify the use of the antiquated legal sized general ledger books anymore. By integrating AIS effectively in the manufacturing industry, the accounting department where I work has been able to promptly and accurately produce cost analysis reports for the machines we produce, determine our SG&A at any given point, and determine whether a customer’s credit can be extended based on their average days of payment. AIS are invaluable tools that are overlooked for the value that they truly add to an accounting department. An accounting information system is a system that combines traditional accounting practices such as the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) with modern information technology resources. ("Accounting information systems," 2010) Accounting information systems have allowed for a much more orderly gathering and distribution of accounting information. By centralizing the collection of data into a location that can be utilized by many users, entries are not limited to one person per GL as if in the days of recording in an actual GL book. By allowing multiple users to input data simultaneously and being able to accurately store this data, a user-friendly interface between users is created. Multiple users have access to input data related to purchasing, sales, taxes, product cost, margins, and profit. All this data being entered is being sorted into its appropriate ‘bucket’ and is being stored and accumulated until it’s needed. Then as asked, the information is calculated and generates a figure reflective of the data that was entered by its users. New technological advances permit enhanced techniques of inputting accounting data and how the data is distributed within the program. Accounting software has made it possible for companies from the small business owner with two employees and a small customer base, to a large nationwide corporation with over a thousand employees and a worldwide customer base to centralize the storing of data no matter where the input is entered. These programs have the capabilities of transforming the raw data entered into information that can be generated instantaneously into report form. Yet the one key element in technology that had allowed for marked progress in accounting includes the internet. With the development of Wi-Fi, or instant connectivity through mobile technology, information is able to be transmitted and received remotely and without hard-wired connections to a phone line. (Bagranoff, 2008) Internet allows for mobile devices to connect financial professionals through PDA’s, web and video conferencing, e-mail, and software download exchange. Immediate reporting between accounting professionals allows for instant financial analysis. Reports can be instantly generated anywhere there is an internet connection and graphs, budgets, financial reports, and business statistics can be immediately produced and sent to financial managers and peers. In the company I currently work for, our office in California is connected to our office in Italy, our office in South Africa, and our office in Brazil all on the same server. It has taken several months of IT support in getting all of our offices together working simultaneously with minimal hiccups or down time. But we have been successful, and it has proven to be one of the most exciting and time saving accounting procedures we have ever implemented. Our accounting software is not just for use in the accounting department. Our purchasing, sales, payroll, manufacturing, paint, shop, inventory, shipping and receiving departments all utilize the same software. I don’t think they realize that every entry they make into the system generates some form of entry that is directly related to accounting in some way shape or form. Because of the technology and capability of the server allowing a shipping clerk in Italy to ship inventory to an intercompany location in California, this adjusts not only intercompany inventory in-transit, but also makes entries to intercompany payables and receivables, all without the shipping clerk knowing what they have done. This allows for human error on the accounting side, so the transaction is reviewed once the shipment is received at its location, and when the shipping clerk receives the inventory in California, it is only then that the values are posted updating the values from Euros to USD. This was a long process to learn, but in the back-end of the program, one entry can post several different transactions. With the integration of accounting software, technology, and information technology, accounting systems can allow for multiple users to input data and extract information as needed. Accounting professionals can pull information to generate and prepare reports, flowcharts, graphs, and financial statements and transmit them on request with the technological advances possible today.

References
Bagranoff, N. A., Simkin, M. G., & Norman, C. S. (2008). Core concepts of accounting information systems (10th ed.). New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.

Accounting information systems ais. (2010, March 03). Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/accounting-information-system-AIS.asp

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