ACC 315 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric

Overview The final project for this course is the creation of a client recommendation that includes flowcharts, diagrams, tables, narrative, and an executive summary presentation. The final product represents an authentic demonstration of competency because you will analyze a real-world scenario with the goal of making recommendations for an accounting information system. The project is divided into two milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three and Five. The final product will be submitted in Module Seven.

In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:

 ACC-315-01: Explain how accounting information systems function in today’s business environment in small, medium, and large enterprises  ACC-315-02: Diagram key elements of typical business processes and their associated transactions in a computerized accounting environment  ACC-315-03: Identify internal controls and sources of internal control guidance as related to accounting systems, and how to document system-related

internal controls

 ACC-315-04: Illustrate features found in accounting application software (vendor and customer management, general ledger, financial statement preparation, payments and cash receipts, etc.)

 ACC-315-05: Describe critical elements of databases used in typical computerized accounting systems

Prompt For this project, you will assume the role of a consultant responsible for assessing a client’s business operations and making recommendations for an accounting information system. To complete this project, review the Final Project Scenario document.

Specifically, you must address the critical elements listed below. Most of the critical elements align with a particular course outcome (shown in brackets).

I. Client Recommendation: Prepare a written recommendation for the automation of a client’s accounting system. Address the following elements in detail:

a) Describe the current accounting environment and the stakeholders of a business. [ACC-315-01] b) Map one accounting cycle (sales, accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory, or payroll) using a data-flow diagram and system flowchart.

[ACC-315-02] c) Use an REA diagram to identify the pertinent resources, events, and agents within the chosen accounting cycle. [ACC-315-02] d) Create a table that identifies weaknesses and potential threats to a business and potential internal controls to address the weaknesses and

threats found in the chosen cycle. [ACC-315-03]

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e) For the chosen cycle, describe the data elements that need to be captured in the accounting information system (AIS), and organize that data

into relational database tables. Include the data type, structures, and whether the data element is a primary or foreign key. [ACC-315-05]

II. Executive Summary Presentation: Prepare a presentation as a visual accompaniment to the recommendation. a) Explain your findings. Describe the business’s strengths and weaknesses and what the results indicate about the business’s ability to be

successful. [ACC-315-01] b) Describe how and why an automated AIS would benefit the business. Explain the attributes and advantages of an automated AIS and the

specific ways an automated AIS would benefit the business. [ACC-315-01] c) Recommend accounting application software that would help the business. Explain the features of accounting application software along with

your rationale for the chosen software. [ACC-315-04]

Milestones Milestone One: Client Recommendation Part 1 In Module Three, you will create a data-flow diagram, system flowchart, entity-relation diagram, and a brief paper describing the accounting environment. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.

Milestone Two: Client Recommendation Part 2 In Module Five, you will create a table that identifies weaknesses, potential threats, and potential internal controls, along with a brief paper describing the required data elements and the resulting relational database tables. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.

Final Project Submission: Client Recommendation and Executive Summary Presentation In Module Seven, you will submit your final project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product, along with supporting diagrams, charts, and tables. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. A presentation will accompany the report. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.

Final Project Rubric Guidelines for Submission: Your client recommendation should be 6 to 9 pages in length (plus a cover page and references) and must adhere to APA format. Use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Include at least two references cited in APA format. Your executive summary presentation should be 5 to 8 content slides, plus a title slide and speaker notes.

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Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Client Recommendation:

Accounting Environment and

Stakeholders [ACC-315-01]

Meets “Proficient” criteria and demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the environment

Accurately describes the accounting environment and the stakeholders of a business

Describes the accounting environment and the stakeholders of a business, but description contains inaccuracies or lacks detail

Doesn’t describe the accounting environment or the stakeholders of a business

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Client Recommendation:

Map Accounting Cycle [ACC-315-02]

Meets “Proficient” criteria and shows a complex grasp of data and system flowcharting

Accurately maps one of the accounting cycles using a data-flow diagram and system flowchart

Maps one of the accounting cycles using a data-flow diagram and system flowchart, but the mapping lacks detail or contains inaccuracies

Doesn’t map one of the accounting cycles using a data-flow diagram and system flowchart

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Client Recommendation: REA

Diagram [ACC-315-02]

Meets “Proficient” criteria and masterfully demonstrates knowledge of pertinent elements

Uses an REA diagram to correctly identify the pertinent resources, agents, and entities within the chosen cycle

Uses an REA diagram to identify the pertinent elements within the selected cycle, but diagram contains inaccuracies

Doesn’t use an REA diagram to correctly identify the pertinent resources, agents, and entities within the chosen cycle

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Client Recommendation:

Weaknesses, Threats, and Internal Controls

[ACC-315-03]

Meets “Proficient” criteria and shows keen insight into weaknesses, potential threats, and potential internal controls

Accurately creates a table that identifies weaknesses and potential threats to a business and potential internal controls to address the weaknesses and threats found in the chosen cycle

Creates a table that identifies weaknesses and potential threats to a business and potential internal controls, but table lacks detail or contains inaccuracies

Doesn’t create a table that identifies weaknesses and potential threats to a business and any potential internal controls

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Client Recommendation: Data Elements in

Relational Database Tables

[ACC-315-05]

Meets “Proficient” criteria and demonstrates a complex grasp of data elements and their relational organization

Accurately describes the data elements that need to be captured in the AIS and organizes that data into relational database tables, including the data type, structures, and whether the data element is a primary or foreign key

Describes the data elements that need to be captured in the AIS and organizes that data into relational database tables, but description or tables lack required detail or contain inaccuracies

Doesn’t describe the data elements that need to be captured in the AIS or organize that data into relational database tables

13

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Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Executive Summary Presentation: Findings

[ACC-315-01]

Meets “Proficient” criteria and makes cogent connections between the business’s strengths and weaknesses and what the results indicate about the business’s ability to be successful

Accurately explains findings, including the business’s strengths and weaknesses and what the results indicate about the business’s ability to be successful

Explains findings, including the business’s strengths and weaknesses and what the results indicate about the business’s ability to be successful, but the response lacks detail or speaker notes or contains inaccuracies

Doesn’t explain findings or what the results indicate about the business’s ability to be successful

10

Executive Summary Presentation:

Automated AIS Benefits

[ACC-315-01]

Meets “Proficient” criteria and shows in-depth knowledge of how automated AIS would benefit the business

Accurately describes how and why an automated AIS would be beneficial to the business, explaining the attributes and advantages of an automated AIS and the specific ways an automated AIS would benefit the business

Describes how and why an automated AIS would be beneficial to the business, explaining the attributes and advantages of an automated AIS and the specific ways an automated AIS would benefit the business, but the description lacks detail or speaker notes or contains inaccuracies

Doesn’t describe how and why an automated AIS would be beneficial to the business

10

Executive Summary Presentation:

Accounting Application Software

[ACC-315-04]

Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation shows a nuanced understanding of how the chosen software will help the business

Recommends accounting application software that would help the business and accurately, explains the features of the accounting application software, and provides a rationale for the chosen software

Recommends accounting application software that would help the business, explains the features of the accounting application software, and provides a rationale for the chosen software, but response lacks detail or speaker notes or contains inaccuracies

Doesn’t recommend accounting application software, explain the features of the accounting application software, or provide a rationale for the chosen software

10

Articulation of Response

Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy-to-read format

Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization

Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas

Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas

5

Total 100%

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