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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aos.2005.12.001 Byline: A. Faye Borthick (a), Mary B. Curtis (b), Ram S. Sriram (a) Abstract: We demonstrated that knowledge structure training is effective in imparting transaction flow and control objective knowledge structures and that knowledge structure mediates the relationship between structure training and performance in internal control reviews. A performance degradation associated with participant-task structure incompatibility arose at the point of situation model building rather than during application of knowledge structure in the judgment task. Higher-knowledge structure participants, but not lower-knowledge structure participants, performed better when their knowledge structures and case structures were compatible. Author Affiliation: (a) School of Accountancy, 35 Broad St. 5th Floor, POB 4050, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302-4050, USA (b) Department of Accounting, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203-5219, USA

We demonstrated that knowledge structure training is effective in imparting transaction flow and control objective knowledge structures and that knowledge structure mediates the relationship between structure training and performance in internal control reviews. A performance degradation associated with participant-task structure incompatibility arose at the point of situation model building rather than during application of knowledge structure in the judgment task. Higher-knowledge structure participants, but not lower-knowledge structure participants, performed better when their knowledge structures and case structures were compatible.

Certificate of Merit Is your company making sufficient progress in converting its systems for Year 2000 dates? Is management even aware that the company's accounting and other information systems need [...]

The user's PC--the client--processes data residing on another computer--the server--to accomplish the organization's objectives. The era of instant access to information has arrived. In the past, it was difficult to [...]

Real-time communications means real-time savings. Certificate of Merit, 1992-93 According to a project manager for Northern Telecom, the total cost of processing a paper purchase order can range from $75 [...]

Recent articles' on activity-based costing (ABC) make the process seem easy: identify cost drivers, establish driver-cost relationships, implement the drivers, and bask in the glory of better decision making based [...]

Purchasing software from an outside supplier can often save a company money, but there are several problems that should not be overlooked. Properly evaluating software involves: defining requirements that are specific and in line with long term goals; creating prototypes of input and output data formats; identifying the alternatives by using regularly updated notebook services or online reference services; and identifying all of the costs such as installation, documentation procedures, retraining users, and testing. Before accepting the final software, a company needs to design acceptance criteria that evaluate processing functions, hardware compatibility, product availability and support, and documentation. If a company is purchasing a large system it may be able to secure a maintenance contract from the vendor.

Before purchasing new computer software, companies should require internal auditors to review the proposed purchases to ensure that: the software will perform the desired functions; the software will not adversely affect corporate goals and objectives; the hardware and operating requirements of the software package can be met by the company's computer system; the software is capable of meeting all processing and timing requirements; the software is critical to the company's success; all costs and expenses related to the acquisition have been accurately accounted for; all alternatives to the software acquisition have been adequately investigated and evaluated; the software selected will not adversely affect system maintenance; and the alternative decided upon (either to purchase the software or not) is the best decision.

The dropping unit costs of data processing and the growing competition have made information systems become competitive weapons. Sufficiently low information costs make it feasible for the accountant to format data according to need instead of by what is available. By identifying major systems at their time of implementation and keeping sufficient audit and control systems the accountant will successfully manage the new systems environment.

An activity-based system using a database approach can provide valuable data for cost management. Under this system activities and not business volume form the basis for assigning costs to products. Prior to full integration, companies can implement the system in a spreadsheet format and use it as an off-line supplement to the overall accounting system. Limitations to the activity-based approach are: arbitrary cost allocations, arbitrary accounting time period, and the omission of certain costs.

The EC has adopted strict quality standards pertaining to the entry of foreign products and services into the European market with its acceptance of the International Standards Organization's (ISO) 9000 standards. Aside from Europe, the ISO 9000 standards has gained worldwide acceptance as a necessary contract compliance. Thus, it will be in the best interest of business enterprises involved in international trade that they attempt to conform with ISO 9000 standards., Suppose your company offers an excellent product or service and finds a potential customer in Europe. Would the Europeans buy it? The answer will soon be 'no,' unless your firm [...]

Even if your company makes good products, if its quality system doesn't conform to ISO 9000 standards Europeans won't buy. Suppose your company offers good products or services. Would Europeans [...]