Describe the various types of accounting software along with their advantages and limitations.
1) Ready to Use Software: A variety of readymade softwares is available in the market. These softwares are for users at large and are not developed according to the requirements of any specific user. Most popular readymade softwares available in the market is Tally, Ex. Busy etc.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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1. These softwares are developed by a group of highly experienced group of professionals. |
1. These softwares use laser printers which are costly than the use of Dot Matrix Printers. |
2. Since these softwares are used by a large number of users, accounting personnel well versed with these software are easily available. | 2. The lwvwl of Secrecy in these software is very low thus the siftware is highly prone to frauds. |
3. They are easy to learn and their training is sometimes offered free by the vendor. | 3. These software offer very little scope of linking to other information systems. |
4. Because of their use by a large numbers of users, they have better after sales maintenance service. | |
5. Because they are available off-the-shelf , time required in developing a tailor made software is saved. | |
6. The cost of installation is low. |
2) Customised Software: The term 'Customised Software' means making changes in the ready to use Software so as to suit thespecific requirements of the user. Any readymade software can be changed according to the needs and specifications of the user. However, the cost of installation of Customised softwares are high because the cost of change is to be paid by the user.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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1. These softwares are designed to suit the specific requirements of the users. | 1. Cost of installation and maintenance is higher in comparison to ready to use Software. |
2. Level of Secrecy for the data is higher. | 2. Training requirement for using these packages is higher in comparison to ready to use Software. |
3. Linkage to other information systems is available on the basis of need of the enterprise. |
3) Tailor-made Software: The term 'tailor-made software' means developing a software according to the needs and specifications of the user. These softwares are not available off-the-shelf.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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1. It being developed sccording to the specifications of the user, takes care of the specific needs of the enterprise. | 1. If the accounts are grouped in an innocent manner, the results will be misleading. |
2. The level of secrecy of data and authenticity checks are robust in such softwares. | 2. The cost of development and maintenance of such software is much higher in comparison to readymade or customised software. |
3. It is difficult to lern and require specialised training. | |
4. Training costs are high since they involve sophisticated applications. | |
5. If someone leaves the job, it becomes very difficult for the new employee to be fully conversant with such software. |
State the four basic requirements of a database applications.
‘Computerised Accounting Systems are best form of accounting system’. Do you agree? Comment.
Name the various categories of accounting package.
Define a computerised accounting system. Distinguish between a manual and computerised accounting system.
Database is implemented using ........
A sequence of actions taken to transform the data into decision useful information is called.......
‘Accounting software is an integral part of the computerised accounting system’ Explain. Briefly list the generic considerations before sourcing an accounting software.
The framework of storage and processing of data is called as ........
Give examples of two types of operating systems.
Give two examples each of the organisations where ‘ready-to-use’, ‘customised’, and ‘tailored’ accounting packages respectively suitable to perform the accounting activity.
Name any two types of commonly used negotiable instruments.
Why is it necessary to record the adjusting entries in the preparation of final accounts?
State the meaning of incomplete records?
What is ‘Depreciation’?
Briefly state how the cash book is both journal and a ledger.
State the meaning of a trial balance?
Define accounting.
State the different elements of a computer system.
Why is it necessary for accountants to assume that business entity will remain a going concern?
State the need for the preparation of bank reconciliation statement?
Explain, using examples, the relationship between the organisational MIS and the other functional information system in an organisation. Describe how AIS receives and provides information to other functional MIS.
If wages paid for installation of new machinery is debited to wages Account, it is:
(a) An error of commission.
(b) An error of principle.
(c) A compensating error.
(d) An error of omission.
A purchase of machine for cash should be debited to:
(i) Cash account
(ii) Machine account
(iii) Purchase account
(iv) None of these
Describe the informational needs of external users.
Name and explain different types of reserves in detail.
What do you understand by ledger folio?
Which of the following is not an error of principle:
(a) Purchase of furniture debited to purchases account.
(b) Repairs on the overhauling of second hand machinery purchased debited to repairs account.
(c) Cash received from Manoj posted to Saroj.
(d) Sale of old car credited to sales account.
Fill in the blanks :
(i) Passbook is a copy of.............as it appears in the ledger of the bank.
(ii) When money is with drawn from the bank, the bank ............. the account of the customer.
(iii) Normally, the cash book shows a debit balance, passbook shows .............balance.
(iv) Favourable balance as per the cash book means .............balance in the bank column of the cash book.
(v) If the cash book balance is taken as starting point the items which make the cash book balance smaller than the passbook must be .............for the purpose of reconciliation.
(vi) If the passbook shows a favourable balance and if it is taken as the starting point for the purpose of bank reconciliation statement then cheques issued but not presented for payment should be .............to find out cash balance.
(vii) When the cheques are not presented for payment, favourable balance as per the cash book is .............than that of the passbook.
(viii) When a banker collects the bills and credits the account passbook overdraft shows .............balance.
(ix) If the overdraft as per the passbook is taken as the starting point, the cheques issued but not presented are to be .............in the bank reconciliation statement.
(x) When the passbook balance is taken as the starting point items which makes the passbook balance .............than the balance in the cash book must be deducted for the purpose of reconciliation.
If the trial balance agrees, it implies that:
(a) There is no error in the books.
(b) There may be two sided errors in the book.
(c) There may be one sided error in the books.
(d) There may be both two sided and one sided errors in the books.
Use of common unit of measurement and common format of reporting promotes;
a. Comparability
b. Understandability
c. Relevance
d. Reliability