Using Enterprise Resource Planning Systems As The Core Of An Integrated Accounting Information Systems Course

Abstract

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems integrate primary business applications.  All the applications in an ERP suite share a common set of data that is stored in a central database. A typical ERP system provides applications for accounting and controlling, production and materials management, quality management, plant maintenance, sales and distribution, human resources, and project management.  Industry analysts expect the worldwide ERP systems market to reach $50 billion by 2002. The mainframe-based legacy systems of the past are being rapidly replaced with ERP software that runs on client/server technology.  The author believes that a strong case exists to utilize a multi-semester ERP course as part of the accounting curriculum (offered in the junior and senior years) at four-year colleges and universities to provide a way to help students tie their accounting and business courses together.  Such a course would address recent criticisms that suggest accounting programs are not preparing students to meet the challenges they will face upon graduation.  This paper provides an approach related to the design and implementation of an Integrated Accounting Information Systems Course using Enterprise Resource Planning Systems as the core of the Integrated Accounting Information Systems Course.  This paper presents research findings to support its approach to the design and implementation of an Integrated Accounting Information Systems Course.