Change in Accounting System over Time with Information Technology

This research investigates the change in the accounting system over time with information technology. It includes an introduction, literature review, research methodology, data analysis, and findings. The research problem, aim, and objectives are also discussed.

Running Head: APPLIED BUSINESS RESEARCH
APPLIED BUSINESS RESEARCH

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Abstract
The main aim of this research is to investigate the change in the accounting system over time
with information technology. This research will investigate different chapters to assess the
research such as introduction, literature review and research methodology. It can be evaluated
that the introduction chapter illustrates the main aim and objectives of the research and also
defines the research background. There are different sources that will be used for assessing
the literature review such as journal articles, textbooks, academic publications, and online
websites. It is also identified that research methodology is being used to conduct the
investigation in a systematic way. Furthermore, certain techniques will be used by an
investigator such as research approach, data collection method, sampling, data analysis, and
research type. It is discussed that the mixed research approach will be used by an investigator
as it will contain the features of both qualitative and quantitative research design.
Furthermore, it can be evaluated that probability sampling process will be used to choose the
sample from a large number of the population on a random basis. It is assessed that the
statistical data analysis method will be used to assess the gather data in a comprehensive
manner. Along with this, it is evaluated that descriptive research will be used to describe the
research phenomenon by using theoretical aspects regarding research concern. It is also
described that ethical consideration will be used to perform the research in an ethical manner
as it will lead to attain the reliable outcome. It is also assessed that both primary and
secondary data gathering process will be used to pool the data through different sources.

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Table of Contents
Research background..............................................................................................................3
Overview of industry..............................................................................................................3
Outline the structure of this proposal.....................................................................................4
Introduction.........................................................................................................................4
Literature Review...............................................................................................................4
Research Methodology.......................................................................................................4
Data Analysis and Findings................................................................................................5
Conclusion and Recommendation......................................................................................5
Research Problem / Research Question..................................................................................5
Research Aim and Objectives:...............................................................................................6
Literature review........................................................................................................................7
Research Design and Methodology........................................................................................9
Type of research.....................................................................................................................9
Research approach..................................................................................................................9
Data collection methods.......................................................................................................10
Sources of data collection methods......................................................................................11
Sampling...............................................................................................................................12
Data Analysis Method..........................................................................................................13
References................................................................................................................................14

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Research background
The information technology plays an imperative role in the accounting structure. In the
current era, the organization has needed to gain their understanding with respect to the
implication of the information technology in the accounting system to obtain higher profit. In
addition, it is also addressed that the information technology could also facilitate the
organization to improve their business process and get reliable outcome (Laudon and Laudon,
2016).
In addition, it is also examined that the information technology could also be effective for the
handing the business process and get a reliable outcome. Moreover, the information
technology could be effective for obtaining a higher amount of revenue in limited time and
cost. Further, it is also analyzed that the technology has become one of a significant factor for
the organization to complete their task in an effective manner. In the current era, accounting
organization uses bookkeeping technology for getting higher competitive benefits. In
addition, it is also stated that accountants and accounting industry are facing problem at the
time of using the information technology in their business process (Dumais, et al., 2016). In
addition, it is examined that the main purpose of using the information technology in the
accounting system is that it allows to deals with the higher amount of numerical information
about the research matter. In addition, it is also examined that the manual process could be
time-consuming as well as less reliable data, therefore, organizations try to use the o line
system rather than other. Further, the organization should deeply understand the importance
of the information system to get higher benefits in limited time (Gallagher and Sixsmith,
2014).
Overview of industry
The accounting industry of Australia is bigger as compared to another country. The
accounting industry of Australia includes 34 partners and 243 professionals that offers many

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services to the associated organizations like advisory services, breadth of accounting, and tax.
The government of Australia support to their organization for starting the business and get
higher productivity. The stable government nature could give the preference to the
organization to obtain higher competitive benefits.
Outline the structure of this proposal
The dissertation structure is an effective technique to understand the structure of a research
report as it could be effective for the researcher to conduct their research in a systematic
manner. There are certain chapters that could be employed in the research reports like an
introduction, literature review, research methodology, data collection, data analysis method,
and concussion recommendation (Avgerou and Walsham, 2017). These are discussed as
below:
Introduction
The introduction is the first section of the dissertation. It provides significant information
regarding many components such as research study structure, the background of research, and
significance of the dissertation, questions of the research study and problem statement. These
factors facilitate the investigator to precisely conduct their research matter. This chapter is
helpful for research scholar to gain understanding with respect to investigation matter
because it describes an organization’s background (Schaltegger and Burritt, 2017). This
section of dissertation enables the researcher to attain the purpose of the research study and
achieve the consistent result.
Literature Review
Literature review section of the research study supports research scholar significantly
evaluate research issues and achieve reliable information regarding current research dilemma.
This section specifically illustrates approaches, theory, concept, and model that would be
used to meet aim and objectives of investigation. There are different components which could

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be useful to get feasible matter regarding specified research such as journals, books, and
articles (Vasarhelyi, Kogan, and Tuttle, 2015). A literature review is imperative for the
research study as it enables the research scholar to gain understanding towards recognizing
research limitations and provide information through primary data collection method.
Research Methodology
The third section of the dissertation is research methodology. It enables the research scholar
to get information regarding several tools and techniques that would support to attain
specified research purpose. Furthermore, research matter consists of several techniques such
as research philosophy, sampling method, limitations of research, data collection method, the
approach of research, data analysis technique, strategies of research and ethical consideration.
It is imperative for improvement of consistency and validly of research result (Simkin,
Norman, and Rose, 2014). Research scholar could attain relevant research purpose with the
help of tools and technique.
Data Analysis and Findings
Data analysis and finding a chapter of the dissertation assist the investigator to examine the
accumulated matter and make consistency in the research outcome. It enables research holder
to separate the gathered information and evaluate them the information to meet the specified
aim and objectives of research. It enables the investigator in directing data analysis tool.
Moreover, this section helps the researcher to demonstrate data by considering the graph and
chart and collect the appropriate outcome.
Conclusion and Recommendation
In last chapter, conclusion and recommendation is discussed by the researcher. It facilitates
the investigator to summarize the whole investigation as per the collected data. It makes a
link between the aim and objectives of a research study to obtain an appropriate and
consistent outcome. This chapter is very important for the attainment of research purpose and

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objectives as it describes the strategy of research. Conclusion and recommendation part of the
research study is helpful for conducting this research in a systematic manner (Stiglitz and
Rosengard, 2015).
Research Problem / Research Question
 How employees are adapting to changing technology?
 Future of accountants?
 A need for less basic training and more strategic training?
 Accountants need IT skills in addition to other business skills?
 What are the changes in the accounting system?
 What is the effectiveness of IT in accounting?
Research Aim and Objectives:
The main aim of this research is to address Change in accounting system over time with
information technology. Following objectives will be accomplished by the researcher to meet
the aim of research matter:
 To forecast career of accountants
 To adapt to changing technology.
 To provide the necessary IT skills.
 To know the effect of changing technology in the accounting industry.
 To know about the difficulties that industry faces and how they solve it.
 To know about the change in the accounting system over time with information
technology.
 To know about the limitation of technology in accounting


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Literature review
The literature review section supports to gain the theoretical information with research to the
current concern. There are certain sources that could be used by the researcher to obtain
reliable data with respect to the current research matter like academic sources, books,
journals, articles, online and offline sources. This literature review facilitates to gain the
understanding about the change in accounting system over time with information technology
as it would be effective for the accomplishment of the organizational task. In addition to this,
research could use many magazines, books, articles, and online sources to collect the opinion
and views of others researcher on the same topic. Thus, it can be evaluated that the researcher
will also be capable to obtain reliable data to meet their aim and objectives of the research
matter by considering such sources.
According to Laudon and Laudon (2015) process of accounting is improved after the
involvement of the internet in the accounting system. Further, the accounting structure could
be quite complex as compared to the other system. The accounting approaches demonstrate
the traditional procedure as it is being performed according to manual accounting.
Furthermore, it is also analyzed that accounting structure could enable the firm to record the
data that is operated in the business activity. The contingency theory offers an effective
process for the organization as it would be effective for operating their activities and get a
reliable outcome.
Chan and Vasarhelyi, (2018) argued that accounting information structure is imperative for
making a reliable decision with respect to the research matter. For maintaining internal
activities and audit structure, the organization has started to use the accounting information
system. Consequently, the organization will be capable to manage the transaction procedure
in the working place. It can also be summarized that information technology in the
accounting system could be effective for making the easy process of the accounting structure.

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The accounting professionals use information technology for improving the existing situation
of the firm by making easy to the transaction system.
In support of this, Ptak and Schragenheim (2016) stated that business procedure activity
supports the accountants to secure all the transaction and activities within the accounting
procedure. Moreover, it can also be illustrated that the expansion in entertainment, social
media, and networking communication directly impact on the information development. In
addition, it is also examined that the information system permits the financial institutions to
apply computerized structure to maintain the financial data as it could directly impact on the
performance of the organization.
On the other side, Langfield-Smith, et al., (2017) examined that accounting system could be
effective for saving the time of organization and maintaining the data of organization in a
reliable way. It is also analyzed that the information technology is a valuable procedure in the
organization as it increases the reliability of accounting structure information. It could also
facilitate the accounting firm to successfully transfer the data from one place to another place
and get a reliable outcome. The accountants of the organization to eliminate their manual
process form the form and complete their specified task in less time. It will also be effective
for securing the information about the research matter.
Ismail and King (2014), examined that organization could change their accounting process by
considering information technology. The management accounting process effectively enables
the organization to offer valuable accounting procedure to keep a transaction record and get a
reliable outcome. It is also examined that the information technology infrastructure facilitates
the firm to gain their profitability and obtain higher profit. It is also evaluated that
information technology plays an imperative role in changing the way of accounting procedure
within the firm.

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In support of this, Constantiou and Kallinikos (2015) stated that corporate could improve
their existing financial performance and get a reliable outcome. It can also be illustrated that a
large number of the accounting organization has used cloud base structure at the working
place for performing well and get a feasible result. The organization would be capable to
simply accessing the collected data and get a reliable outcome. It is also analyzed that the use
of information technology could significantly impact on the business operation of the firm.
As a result, the company needs to comprehend information technology to improve their
process and obtain higher benefits.
On the other side, Tayeh, Al-Jarrahand Tarhini, (2015) illustrated that the organization could
use the information technology and improve their business operation. It is addressed that the
quality of accounting information structure could support the firm to get higher benefits. It
can also be summarized that organization could use accounting information system in their
working place for completing their allocated task at least time and cost. It can also be
summarized that organization information technology could concentrate on the creation of
electronics ways that leads to exchange the information. Since the financial transaction
considers the information exchange to increase the availability of data in the least time. It is
effective for the organization to understand each factor that could directly impact on implying
of information technology in the working place. It could be effective for successfully
exchange the data and obtain a reliable outcome.

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Research Design and Methodology
Research methodology aids to select appropriate methods for collecting feasible information
about the research matter. There are certain methods that are considered in the research
methodology like research types, research approach, data collection methods, data collection
sources, sampling, and data analysis method (Shaikh and Karjaluoto, 2015). These methods
of research design also facilitate to complete the aim and objectives of the research matter.
These are discussed as below:
Type of research
Researcher uses different kinds of methods for the accomplishments of their specified task at
least time and cost. A research could be exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory with
respect to the research purpose. The research purpose of research is relied on the objectives
and aim of study (Tapscott and Tapscott, 2016). Moreover, it is analysed that descriptive
research is practiced to evaluate data and characteristics of the specified research. Further, the
explanatory research could be a common study that is practiced to examine the research issue
as it is not clearly defined (Spraakman, et al., 2015). Apart from this, exploratory research is
practiced to discover something new that is not addressed previously. For investigating the
change in accounting system over time with information technology, descriptive research
design is practiced that enabled the research scholar to determine the different phases of
internal abilities. In addition, it is also addressed that this research method is imperative for
increasing the internal capabilities of the researcher. The descriptive research method also
facilitates to identify the relationship between the accounting system and information
technology. Apart from this, the exploratory research method and explanatory research
methods will not be used by the researcher because this research is subjective in nature
(Collier, 2015).

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Research approach
Research approach is used to logically present the collected data to meet the aim and
objectives of the research matter. It is imperative for offering justification on many research
techniques and tools. Moreover, there are two kinds of methods that are considered in the
research methods like inductive and deductive research approach. Herein, the deductive
approach is relied on the views and ideas to reach in the particular situation. It is appropriate
for the positivism philosophy. Herein, the research scholar creates a hypothesis by application
of many theories and then rejects and proves them according to the collected data (Hitomi,
2017). Apart from this, the inductive approach is flexible as compare to another research
approach because there is no need to make a pre-determined concept to obtain data and
information. This approach is effective for collecting reliable data about the research matter.
The inductive approach facilitates the researcher to obtain views and perception of different
authors with respect to the current research matter (Ann Sykes, 2015).
For conducting the research in a reliable way, the inductive approach is practiced by the
research scholar than the deductive approach. Since the application of inductive approach
facilitates the researcher to determine the relationship between information technology and
changes in the accounting. Through this, the research scholar facilities to build many theories
that could not be possible by implying a deductive approach.
Data collection methods
Data collection procedure is an imperative section of research methodology that supports the
research scholar to obtain suitable information by the use of many resources to accomplish
research aim and objectives. Research scholar uses primary and secondary data collection
technique as per the requirement of a research study (Kavanagh and Johnson, 2017). Herein,
the primary data refers to fresh information that is collected by the research scholar to meet
any specific research purpose. In addition, the primary information is gathered by the support

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of observation, survey through questionnaire and interview method. In this, the research
scholar to create data on the basis of generating information on the basis of their requirement
that increases the research study quality (Otley, 2016). Apart from this, secondary data refers
to the information that has already gathered by another research scholar for accomplishing
their research purpose. It is gathered with the support of the internet, newspapers, and
journals. It is less expensive and time-consuming as compared to the other method (Suryanto,
2016).
For performing this study in a reliable way, both data collection techniques are practiced by
the research scholar. It is because by considering data collection technique, the research
scholar is able to fill the gaps between standards and actual needs. For this, secondary data is
gathered by accessing through existing resources like journals, governmental reports, annual
reports, authentic websites, and books. On the other side, the primary data collection
technique is gathered by considering survey through questionnaire technique. It facilitates the
research scholar to get a huge amount of information from the targeted research candidates
and evaluate this information to create valid and reliable result with respect to the research
matter.
Sources of data collection methods
The application of suitable research strategy enables the research scholar to effectively
accomplish the research objectives by utilizing suitable tools to collect information. In this,
the research scholar facilitates to increase the quality of the research matter. There are certain
methods that are considered by the investigator to collect feasible information about the
research matter like an interview, observation, case study, literature review, and experiments,
and survey method (Hanseth and Lyytinen, 2016). They all are enabled to offer sufficient
information to carry the research matter. For conducting this study, survey approaches, and
case study is used by the research scholar to meet research objectives. In addition, it is

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examined that case study and survey are supportive for the investigator to get the investigator
to obtain valid and reliable data for a research topic. Survey through questionnaire facilitates
the research scholar to obtain views and opinions of the research candidates related to the
research matter. Apart from this, case study and survey through questionnaire technique is
effective for getting the real-time data with respect to the current research concern (Grønbæk,
et al., 2017).
Sampling
Sampling is a technique of selection of research candidates from a defined population with
respect to collect desired information with respect to current research concern. For the
research, the selection of a suitable sampling method facilitates the research scholar to
determine appropriate observation from the identified population. In this, there are certain
methods that are considered in the sampling method named probability and non-probability
sampling method (Hall, 2015). The probability sampling technique provides a similar chance
to the research candidates with respect to the current study. It is imperative to decline the
biases from the research and manage the process. In opposition to this, non-probability
sampling provides an opportunity to select the research candidates on the basis of research
matter (Christiaens, et al., 2015). It is less speedy and expensive process but it is a less
expensive process as compare to another sampling method, but it creates possibilities of
business in the research that could create an issue for the researcher. For this research,
probability sampling with random sampling method is practiced by the researcher as
compared to a non-probability sampling method. Since the probability sampling method
facilitates the research scholar to select appropriate research candidates on the random basis
that could eliminate biases from the research. Apart from this, the researcher will not consider
a non-probability sampling method due to the subjective nature of the research matter
(Lehmann and Joseph, 2015).

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For performing the survey through a questionnaire, 35 managers of accounting firms are
selected from the distinct region. The main reason for selection of manager from a different
region is that research scholar will be capable to obtain comprehensive data about the
research matter (Brown, Henze, and Milford, 2017). In this, the research scholar able to
increase the validity and reliability of the research matter as the specified samples supported
in accomplishing research aim and objectives in a systematic manner. For conducting a
survey on the executive, the researcher will take the permission to the top management of the
selected organization for the accomplishment of the research matter in a reliable manner.
There are certain methods that could be considered by the research scholar like time,
duration, and employee involvement. In addition to this, the research scholar prepared the
survey through a questionnaire with the support of Ms-Excel software technique. It could be
effective for getting a reliable outcome. Researcher communicates with their specified
research candidates by considering mail before conducting the survey through a
questionnaire.
Data Analysis Method
Data analysis is a tool for evaluating and interpreting the data with the aim of finding out
reliable data. It is imperative for the accomplishment of research objectives in an effective
way. There are certain data analyses techniques that could be considered in the quantitative
data analysis techniques like conversational analysis, disclosure analysis, thematic/content
analysis, and statistical analysis. These methods are used by the researcher to evaluate the
collected information and get a reliable outcome. The statistical analysis tool is practiced by
research scholar to examine collected data and accomplish the aim and objectives of the
research matter (Dwivedi, et al., 2015). It is effective for the obtainment of research matter.
For this research, the qualitative and quantitative data analysis method is used by the
researcher and examines the factual as well as theoretical information of research matter.

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Moreover, it is also evaluated that the data analysis technique enables the researcher to
accomplish the aim and objectives of the research matter (Seethamraju, 2015).

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