22759 Accounting and ERP

Subject level: Postgraduate

Handbook description

This subject introduces students to the world of integrated enterprise-wide systems and provides an integrated view on accounting, information management, and both intra- and inter-company business processes. The major issues in accounting data management, accounting and information systems controls, and accounting for integrated business processes are presented. The subject also highlights the changing role of accounting in an integrated enterprise systems environment ('hybridisation'). SAP enterprise systems are introduced and applied as examples of comprehensive, sophisticated, integrated systems supporting intra- and inter-company processes, and redrawing the lines between accounting and other business functions.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. identify and understand the impact of integrated Enterprise Systems on accounting and related business functions
2. understand the architecture and functionality of integrated Enterprise Systems in general and of SAP solutions for accounting in particular
3. understand organisational structures and integrated business processes modelled in Enterprise Systems and their implications for accounting
4. demonstrate a deeper understanding of the transactional accounting modules in SAP solutions, in particular the control elements, master data, and basic processes
5. understand the configuration options available in SAP solutions to support multiple objectives in accounting
6. use SAP solutions for integrated accounting transaction processing, control, reporting, and decision support.

Contribution to graduate profile

In many companies, functional stand-alone accounting systems have been replaced by integrated enterprise resource planning systems (ERP), with SAP solutions dominating the international market. ERP-vendors have developed their products into 'e-business suites' either by improving the interfaces with the Internet or by bundling their core ERP software with 'new dimension products' such as Internet Transaction Servers, Data Warehouses, SCM and CRM solutions, etc. This new generation of Enterprise Systems is more flexible and powerful, but also more complex.

ERP or Enterprise Systems are modular systems supporting information management in all functional areas of business, including accounting. But unlike traditional AIS, ERP-systems do not just 'reproduce' accounting transactions, they revolutionise the whole accounting function. ERP systems integrate traditional accounting data and processes with all other business data and processes within an organisation or even with external processes and databases. Understanding the basic architecture and the functionality of ERP/Enterprise Systems is essential for accountants, external auditors and for everyone involved in the information transformation process in a company.

This subject can be regarded as an essential part of a postgraduate program in accounting: it provides an integrated view on accounting information for intra and inter-company business processes, it provides students with a broad knowledge of accounting data management, ERP, modelling of business processes, and it introduces the accounting modules of the product SAP ERP as an example of a comprehensive, sophisticated ERP-system.

Teaching and learning strategies

A variety of teaching and experimental learning methods and strategies are applied, including teamwork, discussions, and, above all, hands-on experience with an ERP-system (SAP ERP).

Students are required to use the SAP ERP systems outside normal class hours. They have to work on a collaborative case study project, in order to gain the ability to apply their knowledge in a problem-oriented environment and to increase their teamwork and communication-skills. Each team member also has to make a short oral presentation of his/her contribution to the project.

Content

• Introduction to enterprise resource planning, e-business and sap-software
• Graphical user interfaces (guis) and navigation
• Accounting with ERP solutions
• basic accounting transactions
• master data for accounting: G/L accounts; business partners; fixed assets
• reporting
• Integration of financial and management accounting
• Full integration
• accounting and material management
• accounting and sales and distribution.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Mid-term exam (Individual

Assessment item 2: Case study (Group)

Assessment item 3: Final exam (Individual)