Solutions to Questions for Chap 6
CHAPTER 6 Accounting Information Systems ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 01. (a) An accounting information system involves collecting and processing data and disseminating financial information. (b) Disagree. An accounting information system applies regardless of whether manual or com- puterized procedures are used to process the transaction data. 02. There are three principles for developing an accounting information system: Cost awareness. The system must be cost-effective; that is, the benefits obtained from the infor- mation disseminated must outweigh the cost of providing it. Useful output. To be useful, information must be understandable, relevant, reliable, timely, and accurate. Flexibility. The system should be able to accommodate a variety of users and changing informa- tion needs. 03. Cost awareness—The system must be cost-effective; that is, the benefits obtained from the infor- mation disseminated must outweigh the cost of providing it. In this case, the cost appears to out- weigh the benefits. 04. The phases of an accounting system are: Analysis, which involves planning and identifying information needs and sources. Design, which includes creating forms, documents, procedures, job descriptions, and reports. Implementation, which consists of installing the system, training personnel, and making the system wholly operational. Follow-up, which involves evaluating and monitoring effectiveness and efficiency and correcting any weaknesses. 05. A subsidiary ledger is a group of accounts with a common characteristic. The accounts are as- sembled together to facilitate the accounting process by freeing the general ledger from details concerning individual balances. The advantages of using subsidiary ledgers are that they: < Permit transactions affecting a single customer or single creditor to be shown in a single account, thus providing necessary up-to-date information on specific account balances.
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