HOLMES
INSTITUTE
FACULTY OF HIGHER
EDUCATION
ASSESSMENT DETAILS AND SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Trimester T2 2021
Unit Code HI5019
Unit Title Strategic Information Systems for Business and Enterprise
Assessment Type Assessment 2: Group Assignment
Assessment Title System Analysis and Selection
Purpose of the assessment (with ULO Mapping) Students are required to:
• Critically evaluate the purpose and role of accounting information systems in today’s business environment (ULO 1),
• Evaluate systems development methodologies and the role of accountants in system development projects (ULO 3), and
• Appraise the risks inherent in computer-based systems/ERP, including the role of ethics and the various internal control processes that need to be in place (ULO 4).
Weight 30% of the total assessments.
Total Marks 30 Marks.
Word limit Up to 2,500 words.
Due Date
Group Formation: Please form the group by self-enrolling in Blackboard. There should be maximum of 4 members in a group. Email BBHelpdesk@holmes.edu.au for any issues with self-enrolling into groups.
The written report is due in Week 11 on Friday dated 1st October 2021 at 11:59 PM.
Late submission incurs penalties of five (5) % of the assessment per calendar day unless an extension and/or special consideration has been granted by Student Services prior to the assessment deadline.
Submission
Guidelines
• All work must be submitted on Blackboard by the due date along with a completed Assignment Cover Page.
• The students are required to work in a group of 1-4 students. However, there is no minimum limit for a group. In certain circumstances, a student can work in a Solo Group.
• The assignment must be in MS Word format, double spacing, 12-pt Arial font and 2 cm margins on all four sides of your page with appropriate section headings and page numbers.
• Reference sources must be cited in the text of the report and listed appropriately at the end in a reference list using Adapted Harvard Referencing style. Please see the section Assignment Design – Adapted Harvard Referencing Section below.
• Include a minimum of thirteen (13) references, at least seven (7) from peer-reviewed journal relevant to the unit.
Assignment Details
Part A. Accounting Information System as a Discipline [Up to 500 words]
Background: Conceptually, accounting is defined as the process of identifying, measuring, and communicating economic information to permit informed judgments and decisions by users of the information. In this context, accounting is an essential part of the business world and a constantly evolving profession. The accounting information systems (AIS) as a discipline is one of the outcomes of this evolution. AIS is mostly computerised based systems that make accountants jobs easier by collecting, storing, and processing financial and accounting data to produce reports that help users make more efficient and effective business decisions. Therefore, AIS must be covered within (or across) the undergraduate/postgraduate accounting curriculum to adequately prepare accounting students for what they will be using in the workplace. This discussion reveals that the AIS curriculum needs the attention of researchers.
Required: Based on the existing recent literature, discuss the transformation of the AIS curriculum [support your discussion with a minimum of four peer-reviewed journal articles].
Part B. The Conversion Cycle. [Up to 500 words]
You are a well-known management accountant of the area. Sara is your one of the best friends who is the Managing Director of XYZ Limited. Last Friday, you met with Sara, and she was worried about some accounting issues of XYZ Limited. She requested you to provide with her the expert opinion on the components of overhead and the logical cost driver. For this expert opinion, she forwarded you the following information on Monday morning.
For years, XYZ Limited has allocated overhead based on total machine hours. A recent assessment of overhead costs has shown that these costs are now in excess of 45 percent of the
company’s total costs. Sara is specifically worried about this variance and as a Managing Director, she is trying to better control overhead. For this purpose, the head of the management accountant adopted an activity-based costing system. Each cutting board goes through the following processes:
As an attempt to better control overhead, XYZ Limited is adopting an activity-based costing system. Each cutting board goes through the following processes. The given data reveals that cutting is the first process. In this process, boards are selected from inventory and are cut to the required width and length. Imperfections in boards (such as knots or cracks) are identified and removed. The second process is assembly. In this process, cut wooden pieces are laid out on clamps, a layer of glue is applied to each piece, and the glued pieces are clamped together until the glue sets.
The third process is shaping. Once the glue has set, the boards are sent to the shaping process, where they are cut into specific shapes. After being shaped, the cutting boards must be sanded smooth. In this setting, sanding is the fourth process.
The fifth process is finishing. In this process, sanded cutting boards receive a coat of mineral oil to help preserve the wood. The last process is packing. In the packing process, finished cutting boards are placed in boxes of 12. The boxes are sealed, addressed, and sent to one of the kitchen stores.
Required: Suggest the most suitable component of overhead for XYL Limited. Further, determine a logical cost driver for each process.
Part C. System Analysis and Selection Report. [Up to 1500 words]
Background
You are running an accounting/management consultancy firm. One of your clients is currently evaluating its information systems, and the Managing Director of your client thinks that they needed to invest in an Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) system to support the growth of the business. During your first meeting, the managing director of your client requested you to evaluate their business and recommend ERP software.
Client/Company Selection
You are required to select a listed company of your choice (your firm’s client). The selected company should be a manufacturing firm listed on either The Australian Stock Exchange or the Stock Exchange of your home country. The chosen company is your firm’s client.
Framework of Analysis
The report should include the following components:
1. Background of the Selected Business
1.1 Evaluate the business process of your client to identify potential weak internal controls and the risk associated with these potential weak controls. And recommend the control techniques that will reduce or eliminate the potential risks. [Hint: your response should be based on our discussion in Interactive Tutorial 4 to 6.]
2. Systems Requirements
2.1 Briefly discuss the software features and functionalities that your client should consider supporting its business activities. [Hint: your response should be based on Section
1.1 above.]
3. Software Selection
3.1 Compare and contrast the features and functionalities of three ERP software packages offered by the ERP vendors. Hint. Try to apply the general functionalities and key elements of ERP systems we discussed in Week 10 Interactive Tutorial.
3.2 In the end, identify the most suitable vendor and ERP software package for your client and explain why it is the best option.
Assignment Structure
The report should include the following components.
Holmes Institute Assignment Cover Sheet
The Holmes Institute Assignment Cover Sheet is available at the end of menu item Assessments on the Blackboard.
Table of Contents
This needs to show a logical listing of all the sub-headings of the report’s contents. Note this is excluded from the total word count.
Part A. Accounting Information System as a Discipline
Discuss the transformation of the AIS curriculum.
Part B. The Conversion Cycle
Suggest the most suitable component of overhead for XYL Limited. Further, determine a logical cost driver for each process.
Part C. System Analysis and Selection Report.
1. Executive Summary
The Executive summary should be concise and not involve too much detail. It should make commentary on the main points only and follow the sequence of the report. Write the Executive Summary after the report is completed, and once you have an overview of the whole text.
2. Introduction
Typically, the introduction is a short paragraph which includes background, scope and the main points raised in the order of importance. There should be a brief conclusion statement at the end of the introduction.
3. Main Body Paragraphs with Numbered Sub-headings
This section contains the detailed information which elaborates on the main points raised in the introduction. Each paragraph should begin with an exact topic sentence, then supporting sentences with facts and evidence obtained from research and finish with a concluding sentence at the end.
4. Conclusion
This section contains a logical and coherent evaluation based on a thorough and objective assessment of the research performed.
5. Appendices
This section includes any additional explanatory information which is supplementary and/or graphical to help communicate the main ideas made in the report. Refer to the appendices in the main body paragraphs, as and where appropriate. (Note this is excluded from the total word count.)
Note: The report should be grounded on relevant literature, and all references must be cited appropriately and included in the reference list.
Assessment Design – Adapted Harvard Referencing
Holmes will be implementing as a pilot program a revised Harvard approach to referencing. The following guidelines apply:
1. Reference sources in assignments are limited to sources which provide full text access to the source’s content for lecturers and markers.
2. The Reference list should be located on a separate page at the end of the essay and titled: References.
3. It should include the details of all the in-text citations, arranged alphabetically A-Z by author surname. In addition, it MUST include a hyperlink to the full text of the cited reference source.
For example;
P Hawking, B McCarthy, A Stein (2004), Second Wave ERP Education, Journal of
Information Systems Education, Fall, http://jise.org/Volume15/n3/JISEv15n3p327.pdf
4. All assignments will require additional in-text reference details which will consist of the surname of the author/authors or name of the authoring body, year of publication, page number of content, paragraph where the content can be found.
For example;
“The company decided to implement a enterprise wide data warehouse business intelligence strategies (Hawking et al, 2004, p3(4)).”
Non-Adherence to Referencing Guidelines
Where students do not follow the above guidelines:
1. Students who submit assignments which do not comply with the guidelines will be asked to resubmit their assignments.
2. Late penalties will apply, as per the Student Handbook each day, after the student/s have been notified of the resubmission requirements.
3. Students who comply with guidelines and the citations are “fake” will be reported for academic misconduct.
Marking criteria
Marking criteria Weighting in Total Grades
Discuss the transformation of the AIS curriculum. 8%
Components of overhead and the logical cost drivers 6%
Evaluate business processes of your client [according to section 1.1]. 3%
Outline the software features and functionalities that your client should consider supporting its business activities. 3%
Compare and contrast the features/functionalities of three ERP software packages offered by the ERP vendors. 4%
Identify the most suitable vendor and ERP software package for your client and explain why it is the best option. 4%
Presentation and Research Quality 2%
TOTAL Weight 30%
Marking Rubric
Excellent Very Good Good Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
(80-100%) (70-79%) (60-69%) (50-59%) (0-49%)
Discuss the
transformation of the
AIS curriculum. (8
Marks) An excellent discussion on the
transformation of the AIS curriculum. A very good discussion on the
transformation of the AIS curriculum. A good discussion on the transformation of the AIS curriculum. An adequate discussion on the
transformation of the AIS curriculum. Inappropriate discussion on the
transformation of the AIS curriculum.
Components of overhead and the logical cost drivers.
(6 Marks) An excellent discussion on the components of
overhead and the logical cost drivers. A very good discussion on the components of
overhead and the logical cost drivers. A good discussion on the components of overhead and the logical cost drivers. An adequate discussion on the components of
overhead and the logical cost drivers. Inappropriate discussion on the components of
overhead and the logical cost drivers.
Evaluate business processes of your client [according to section 1.1]. (3 Marks) Demonstrate an excellent
understanding of key
business processes for your client in the discussion. Demonstrate a very good understanding of key business processes for your client in the discussion. Demonstrate a good understanding of key
business processes for your client in the discussion. Demonstrate an adequate
understanding of key
business processes for your client in the discussion. Unable to present a proper discussion of
key business processes for your client.
Outline the software features and functionalities that your client should consider supporting its business activities. (3
Marks) Present an excellent discussion on the features and
functionalities of
accounting software
that your client should consider. Present a very good discussion on the features and
functionalities of
accounting software
that your client should consider. Present a good discussion on features and functionalities of accounting software
that your client should
consider with minor errors and/or omissions. Present a discussion on features and
functionalities of
accounting software
that your client should consider with errors and/or omissions. Unable to present a proper discussion on features and
functionalities of
accounting software
that your client should
consider
Compare and contrast
the
features/functionalities of three ERP software packages offered by the ERP vendors.
(4 Marks) Present an excellent comparison of features
and functionalities of three ERP software packages. Present a very good comparison of features
and functionalities of three ERP software packages. Present a good comparison of features
and functionalities of three ERP software
packages with minor errors and/or omissions. Present a reasonable comparison of features
and functionalities of three ERP software
packages with errors and omissions. Unable to present a proper comparison of features and
functionalities of three
ERP software packages.
Identify the most suitable vendor and ERP software package for your client and explain why it is the best option. (4 Marks) Propose a choice of
ERP software package based on very strong arguments. Propose a choice of
ERP software package based on strong arguments. Propose a choice of
ERP software package based on reasonable arguments. Propose a choice of
ERP software package based on weak or inadequate arguments. Unable to propose a proper choice of ERP software package or back the proposed
choice with a valid argument.
Presentation and Research Quality.
(2 Marks) The report included all elements and is very well presented.
The writing flowed
clearly, and sections are linked very effectively.
Referencing is exemplary.
English is used very effectively and is errorfree.
An extensive amount of high-quality evidence from peer- The report included all elements and is well presented.
The writing flowed
clearly, and sections
are linked effectively.
Referencing is of a high standard.
English is used effectively with very
few errors present.
A broad range of quality peer-reviewed journal references and other sources is The report included all elements and is
generally presented appropriately.
The writing flowed well in most of the
cases, and sections are linked.
Referencing is in accordance with guidelines.
English is used effectively with few errors present. The report included most elements and is
adequately presented.
Writing sometimes does not flow clearly, leaving the paper to seem disjointed in areas.
Referencing is somewhat in
accordance with guidelines.
Basic English is used with some errors present. The report lacked some elements and is poorly presented.
Writing often does not flow clearly, leaving the paper to seem
somewhat disjointed.
Referencing is not entirely in accordance with relevant
guidelines.
Basic English is used with errors present.
Little or no peerreviewed journal
reviewed journal included and used articles and other effectively to support
sources is included discussion.
and used effectively to support discussion.
An adequate range of peer-reviewed journal references is included and used to support discussion.
An adequate range of references are peer-reviewed journal included, and these are references is included rarely used to support and used to a basic discussion effectively.
extent to support discussion.
Academic Integrity
Holmes Institute is committed to ensuring and upholding Academic Integrity, as Academic Integrity is integral to maintaining academic quality and the reputation of Holmes’ graduates. Accordingly, all assessment tasks need to comply with academic integrity guidelines. Table 1 identifies the six categories of Academic Integrity breaches. If you have any questions about Academic Integrity issues related to your assessment tasks, please consult your lecturer or tutor for relevant referencing guidelines and support resources. Many of these resources can also be found through the Study Sills link on Blackboard.
Academic Integrity breaches are a serious offence punishable by penalties that may range from deduction of marks, failure of the assessment task or unit involved, suspension of course enrolment, or cancellation of course enrolment.
Table 1: Six categories of Academic Integrity breaches
Plagiarism Reproducing the work of someone else without attribution. When a student submits their own work on multiple occasions this is known as self-plagiarism.
Collusion Working with one or more other individuals to complete an assignment, in a way that is not authorised.
Copying Reproducing and submitting the work of another student, with or without their knowledge. If a student fails to take reasonable precautions to prevent their own original work from being copied, this may also be considered an offence.
Impersonation Falsely presenting oneself, or engaging someone else to present as oneself, in an in-person examination.
Contract cheating Contracting a third party to complete an assessment task, generally in exchange for money or other manner of payment.
Data fabrication and falsification Manipulating or inventing data with the intent of supporting false conclusions, including manipulating images.
Source: INQAAHE, 2020
HI5019 T2 2021 – Assessment 2: Group Assignment Page 10 of 10
