Impact of Cloud Accounting and ERP Implementation

Impact of Cloud Accounting and ERP Implementation
Task

Many Accounting Information System software vendors are now providing their products on Cloud based platforms.
• Explain what Cloud based systems are, and how they differ from non-Cloud based / traditional systems.
• Explain the risks and benefits that the implementation of a Cloud based Accounting Information System provides for public practice accounting firms and their clients.
• Use a recent announcement by an organisation (either an accounting practice or accounting software vendor) to illustrate your answer.
Present your answer in essay format (word guide 1,000 - 1,200 words).
APA referencing must be used, where relevant, with citations and a list of references for any sources used in this assessment.
Question 2 (7.5%)
Your manager has requested a report explaining how implementation of an ERP can value add to a business. It must address the following:
• What is an ERP?
• Potential risks that should be avoided when organisations implement an ERP system, and how organisations can manage these risks.
• Provide an example of an organisation that has seen improvements to its business through the implementation of an ERP, explaining what benefits or improvements have resulted.
Your report, including executive summary, should be a maximum length of 1,200 words.
APA referencing must be used, where relevant, with citations and a list of references for any sources used in this assessment.
Rationale
This assessment task is designed to enable you to demonstrate your ability to:
• understand and apply foundation principles relating to computerised information systems in contemporary organisations;
• illustrate typical network configurations and identify the components of a network, particularly identifying the role that cloud computing has in a network;
• evaluate accounting information system architecture, particularly identifying the role that cloud computing and ERP have as the basis for an accounting information system;
• identify organisational risk and the impact that cloud computing and ERP systems have on that risk.
Marking criteria
Criteria HD DI CR PS
Explain Cloud based systems and how they differ from non-Cloud based systems Clear explanation of Cloud based systems. Detailed comparison of 4 differences to non-Cloud based systems. Clear explanation of Cloud based systems. Detailed comparison of 3 differences to non-Cloud based systems. Explanation of Cloud based systems. Comparison of 3 differences to non-Cloud based systems. Explanation of Cloud based systems. Limited comparison of differences to non-Cloud based systems.
Identify the risks and benefits in using cloud computing Clearly identified all key risks and benefits in using cloud
computing in a public practice accounting firm, with detailed information and relevant illustrative example. Clearly identified a number of risks and benefits in using cloud computing in a public practice accounting firm, with detailed information and relevant illustrative example. Identified a number of risks and benefits of using cloud computing in a public practice accounting firm, providing limited detail but illustrated with a relevant example. Identified 1-2 risks and benefits of using cloud computing in a public practice accounting firm and illustrated with only a partially relevant example.
Describe an ERP and the role that an ERP can have in an organisation Clearly and concisely describes an ERP and articulates in both broad and specific terms what it entails and its function within an organisation Clearly and concisely describes an ERP and succinctly identifies what it entails and its function within an organisation Clearly describes an ERP, identifies what it entails and most aspects of its function within an organisation Describes an ERP, identifies what it entails and some aspects of its function within an organisation
Evaluate the impact of implementing an ERP, the associated risks and methods to manage these risks Critically evaluates the impact of implementing an ERP with a thorough analysis of the implementation risks and how they can be overcome Critically evaluates the impact of implementing an ERP with a detailed analysis of the implementation risks and brief discussion of how they can be overcome Evaluates the impact of implementing an ERP with some analysis of the implementation risks and how they can be overcome Discusses the impact of implementing an ERP, identifies the risks and lists or briefly discusses how they can be overcome
Academic writing skills Accurate use of syntax, spelling and punctuation; correctly refers to an extensive variety of sources to support arguments, including prescribed texts and a broad range of additional readings; reference list of an extensive range of resources used, correctly formatted using APA style. Accurate use of syntax, spelling and punctuation; succint and effective use of vocabulary; correctly refers to a broad range of sources to support arguments, including prescribed texts and a variety of further readings; reference lists a broad range of relevant resources used, correctly formatted using APA style. Accurate use of syntax, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation; correctly refers to more than the minimum requirements of sources to support arguments, including prescribed texts and recommended readings; reference list formatted in APA style, with few or no errors. Mostly accurate syntax, spelling and punctuation; correctly refers to minimum number of sources to support arguments, including prescribed texts; reference list used, formatted in APA style, with minor errors.