Skip to main content
Unit outline_

INFS3110: Information Systems for Accountants

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit demonstrates how accounting information systems (AIS) can improve business performance relating to the conduct of accounting based transactions. It provides students with the skills necessary to identify and assess opportunities for business improvement, by looking at both conceptual and physical AIS and to understand the varied ways in which the business must assess risks, controls, costs and benefits in relation to the implementation of an AIS. From an end-to-end systems perspective, students gain knowledge of approaches and methodologies related to the design, implementation and operation of an AIS. Through graphic representations, visual thinking can be applied to analyse, assess and improve the conceptual AIS with a view to its physical implementation. Students learn the importance of an integrated approach to managing business cycles including expenditure, conversion and revenue where multiple competing requirements often need to be balanced. Students develop expertise in business analysis, a foundation skill for accountants, auditors, project managers and business analysts.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Business Information Systems
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
INFS2001
Assumed knowledge
? 

INFS1000 or INFO1000 or INFO1003 or INFO1903

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sandra Dwyer, sandra.dwyer@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Closed book exam
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8
Assignment Individual assignment
Written report
20% Week 05
Due date: 20 Mar 2023 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Assignment group assignment Group assignment
Report, class presentation and participation, group reflective assessment
30% Week 10
Due date: 01 May 2023 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO9
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

 

  • Individual assessment: Students will prepare a written report that critically analyses a case study or report, and will discuss specific issues arising from this. The report should demonstrate an understanding of key accounting and information systems concepts including the role of accountants in the digital age.
  • Group assignment​: In groups of 4-5 members, students will complete a series of tasks that comprise the group assignment, around a selected topic. Components include: prepare a written executive summary based on the research findings and participate in a creative presentation based on the group research and executive summary. Groups will also act as verbal inquirer’s of a presentation and and make one submission of two questions and feedback. And finally, there is a reflective submission (for group work using the software Feedback Fruits).
  • Final exam: The final exam is a closed book exam covering all topics and materials presented in the unit of study. Questions will require specific focussed answers and a detailed and thorough understanding of the concepts covered in the unit of study. Questions may be any combination of MCQ or short answer response

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to information systems for accountants Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO8
Week 02 Supporting Financial Accounting 1: Business processes, system processes and risks, Introduction to Individual Assignment Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 03 Supporting Financial Accounting 2: Business processes, system processes and risks Lecture (3 hr) LO6 LO8
Week 04 Supporting Financial Accounting 3: Designing and modelling business processes Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Supporting Financial Accounting 4: Enterprise Systems 1 - Introduction to an integrated approach. Testing the revenue cycle. Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO8
Week 06 Supporting Financial Accounting 5: Enterprise Systems II - the integrated general ledger and financial reporting. Infrastructure and Supporting Management Accounting 1: MDM and big data Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO8 LO9
Week 07 Supporting Management Accounting 2: Business Intelligence and shadow data Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Accountants in the C-Suite: Blockchain Self Directed Learning Week Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO9
Week 09 Supporting Management Accounting 3: Data visualisation, integrated and sustainability reporting Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Accountants in the C-Suite 2: Enterprise level risk and governance Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8
Week 11 Accountants in the C-Suite 3: Different approaches to systems development Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Group Presentations Examination Preparation Lecture (3 hr) LO5 LO8 LO9
Week 13 Group Presentations Wrap Up Examination Preparation Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8 LO9

Attendance and class requirements

  • Lecture recordings: A lecture stream will be recorded. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate. However, please note that many classes have a high level of hands on work either in group work or using software, so it is highly recommended that students attend class.
  • Participation: Students should ensure they participate in all classes.
  • Guest lectures: We may be able to secure a Guest lecturer this semester and they may not consent to be recorded. It is recommended to attend your class if a guest lecturer is presenting. Guest lecturers will not be presenting during the online/in-class weeks.
  • Recording presentations and attendance: Additionally, group presentation recordings will not be made available. You are not permitted to record any group presentation with any device. Attendance for group presentations is compulsory (excepting approved special considerations).
  • Please note the mid-semester break (AVCC Week) immediately follows Week 7. Also note that the following Public Holidays will be observed during the Semester: Friday 7th April, Monday 10th April nd Tuesday 25th April. There are no classes held during AVCC week, or on Public Holidays.
  • Weeks 12 and 13 require compulsory attendance for all students. An approved Special Consideration is required if a student is unable to attend one of these weeks

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Prescribed Text Book:


Compiled by Dwyer, S. 2022 The Crossroads of Accounting and Business Information Systems – Managing Risk and Applying Controls. Pearson


This text has been specifically compiled for this unit of study and is a compilation of two current text books.


The compilation is designed to offer a more effective and comprehensive reference source without the need for students to purchase two separate texts.


Final details on referencing and accessing this compilation text will be provided prior to the start of semester.


Final details on purchasing and accessing this text via Fisher Library will be provided prior to the start of semester.

Fisher Library currently holds a hard copy of the text book and an e-text is currently being purchased.


For your easy reference the two text books that form the compiliation are:
Kay, D. and Ovlia, A. (2014). Accounting Information Systems The Crossroads of Accounting and IT . (2nd Edition.). Pearson New International Edition, Pearson Education Limited USA.
and
Romney, M. et al (2021). Accounting Information Systems. (15th Edition). Pearson Education Limited.


All other readings for this unit will be provided in the Learning Materials on Canvas as required.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. identify and describe the concepts, history and current status of business processes and enterprise systems
  • LO2. identify and describe the broader information infrastructure in which such systems are embedded
  • LO3. identify and describe the main features of enterprise risk management, and the way in which this is related to information infrastructures
  • LO4. identify and describe the ways in which accountants interact with information infrastructures
  • LO5. identify different stakeholders and their ethical, social and cultural issues in the design, implementation, use and assurance of information infrastructures
  • LO6. demonstrated ability to design, document and analyse business processes and internal controls
  • LO7. conduct a literature review and develop and support arguments regarding accountants and their relationship to information infrastructures
  • LO8. communicate orally and written form knowledge on all concepts identified through class discussions, group work, individual assignments and group assignments
  • LO9. provide constructive feedback to peers and address issues identified by instructors and peers when reflecting and revising your own written work.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Students need a room suitable for group work (ie:not raked theatre), have requested this style of room, No submission of Minute Papers, Review of some topic lecture material and learning objectives

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.