AIS Graduate Group Case -
Overview
Each group will select and research a business on the Internet. Any kind of company may be chosen, but generally speaking companies that are not too large yet also provide a fair amount of information on the Internet work best. Each group will prepare a written paper to include the specific items below.
Case Requirements - Gather the following information about the business you have selected and summarize it in your case:
1. Company Information
a. Business location
b. History/background
c. Industry
d. Products or services provided and/or produced
e. # of employees
f. Organizational structure
2. Company's AIS (given what you can learn about the company)
a. Determine what the major purposes and functions of the AIS should be.
b. What key accounting transactions would be processed by the AIS?
c. What kind of internal and external users would you expect for the information generated by the AIS?
d. Name several key reports that management would require which are generated by the AIS.
3. Technology
a. Determine to what extent the firm uses e-commerce and the Internet to carry out its business functions. If not, describe how they might use e-commerce to enhance their business.
b. For what major purposes and functions is the company web site used and at what level is it being utilized? Make suggestions if the company has an opportunity to further use the Internet and its web site to gain a competitive advantage.
c. Does the company have a privacy policy? If so, briefly summarize it.
d. Do a news search to determine any information about the following:
a. Type of system or software
b. Any security threats or breaches reported in the news
c. Any news or information about security, technology, or systems (e.g.
Company hired a Chief Information Officer)
e. Discuss what type of back-up and recovery plan the business should have in place. Should the company have a disaster recovery plan and what type of events would be a threat such that a DRP would be required?
4. Transaction Processing - Documentation
a. Choose one transaction processing cycle:
Based on your research and understanding of the business write a narrative of how the transaction cycle might work. Be specific and relate it to the company. Be sure to include all important processes and controls for the transaction cycle in order to achieve the goals of that transaction cycle as they relate to the business.
Create a document flowchart to depict your description of the transaction cycle accurately. Be sure to follow the flowchart guidelines and create a professional and properly structured flowchart.
5. Transaction Processing - Internal Control
a. Given your research on the company determine the primary threats they face.
b. What do you see as the primary internal control objectives for the company?
c. Choose one of the firm's transaction processing cycles: Identify the major risk exposures they are likely to face with respect to assets and data for this transaction cycle.
Identify the necessary internal control procedures/activities at all phases in the transaction cycle.
6. Summary
a. Prepare a summary of your findings. Including overall concluding points about each area and any suggestions for improvement.
b. Follow the guidelines below for the written paper.