Reflective Statement on Accounting Information System (AIS) Learning

This reflective statement details a student's learning experience with Accounting Information Systems (AIS) using Sage software. The report begins with an introduction to AIS and the student's learning journey, including the benefits of Sage Business Cloud Computing. The student then reflects on their most and least enjoyable experiences, highlighting the ease of invoice printing and the challenges faced during warehouse automation training. An evaluation of Sage software follows, discussing its advantages (eliminating human error) and disadvantages (implementation complexities). The report compares Sage to MS Excel, outlining similarities and differences. The student identifies Sage as the more effective system due to its ease of use and accessibility. The statement concludes with a plan to improve confidence and practical skills, including a timetable for overcoming weaknesses, and a coursework marking scheme.

Reflective Statement

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Accounting Information System (AIS)............................................................................................1
My Learning Experiences................................................................................................................1
Evaluation Of Sage Software...........................................................................................................2
Alternative Accounting Information System...................................................................................3
Next Step..........................................................................................................................................4
Coursework 2 Marking Scheme..................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Accounting Information System (AIS)
An Accounting Information System (AIS) can be defined as a structure that organisations
use in order to collect, manage, summarise, store its financial data so that it can be used by the
Accountants, Managers, CFOs (Chief Financial Officer), Auditors, Tax Agencies for making the
business decisions. I had completed my all learning stages of Sage as now I know about Sage
Business Cloud Computing, and its benefits to accounting. I also came to know about how to
access Accounting through Sage and it provided me a new and easy way of doing accounting
related works. The main outcome which I learnt is such as delivering the accounts, managing
inventory, item billing. The scope of this statement is to know about the compare and know
about the effectiveness of Sage as an accounting system.
This Reflective Statement aims at concussing my experience learning about Accounting
Information System through Sage Software. The outcomes of my learning such as the knowledge
which I gain by learning through this software, also there were some difficulties which will also
be addressed here.
My Learning Experiences
In my most enjoyable experience, I want to include the work of printing invoices. It is an
enjoyable experience as it was very simple and interesting to learn. Earlier, I used to make the
calculation at my own but with the help of this software, it reduced my whole effort as all the
calculations are now done by this software automatically and there are no chances of any
mistakes. In addition to this, I enhanced my knowledge with this system, so it also increased my
skills of working upon this software which the others are not capable of. So, it also helped me in
increasing my confidence level. Due to this reason, it is the best experience for me to learn
through this software.
Everything has its own pros and cons. This system also has their own pros and cons for
me. One the one hand it provided me a lot of knowledge and new way of working, the problem
that I faced during the learning was that it was not easy for me to learn it. It was very hard for
me to learn through this system because I had never worked before on this system and I did not
know anything about that. I was not able to accept this way of doing things. I forgot everything
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on the very next day what I learnt a day before. But by practising and concentrating more and
more, I was able to overcome from this problem.
In my least enjoyable experience, I want to say that during training sessions, one topic
which was Sage 100 Warehouse Automation bored me. The theoretical knowledge about Sage
100 Warehouse Automation given during the training sessions were boring as they did not
involve any practical experience. For improvement grounds, it could be done that with the
theoretical knowledge the trainer should provide practical knowledge as well so that the interest
of students can be maintained. and they may easily clear their doubts regarding the topic and a
better understanding regarding this can be created.
Evaluation Of Sage Software
As like other software, this system also has its own advantages and disadvantages, and
these can be different for different people. For me the key advantage of this Sage Software is:
Ruling Out Human Error:
From my point of view, the key advantage of using this system is that it eliminated the
chances of human error that occurs mostly. In pen paper works, the chances of errors are more,
and it takes a lot of time in making calculations but with the use of this system, it helps in
eliminating all these chances of errors and the relevancy and accuracy of work can be measured.
For example, preparing accounts involves large calculations and any mistake from humans will
spoil the accuracy and relevancy of results. Moreover, the state of mind of humans also differs
such as tired, disturbed, and working in these conditions increases the chances of errors. As these
small errors can create a big effect on the financial standing of a business and affects the decision
making of a business. So, this key advantage eliminated all these problems and that is why it is
the most important from my point of view.
The key disadvantage of this Sage Software is discussed as under:
Implementation:
Implementing this system is not an easy task. As the manual records are easy to setup but
the records under this system are not as easy to keep the manual records which has become its
one of the key disadvantages. At first, for installing the software a system provider will be
needed and the system will be installed by him and he will also charge for that. Continuous
updating of the software is also needed for its proper and good working. And this cost a huge to
the person installing it. In addition to this, the upgrading of the software is also occurring an
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additional cost. After the implementation of this software, it also does not provide any way to
track and import the current data so that it can be used further. And it can be implemented only
in the small and medium sized businesses and is not important for the large sized businesses.
Alternative Accounting Information System
Like the Sage Software, there are also some other software which provides the same or
matching qualities of Sage. This software is also used for the same purpose as the Sage does.
Examples for this can be MS Excel, Oracle, Cloud Computing Packages, Xero, etc. So, for the
comparison with Sage, we are choosing a different software used for the accounting information
system named as MS Excel.
It is a software programmed by Microsoft in order to calculate, organise, and formulate
the data by applying formulas in the spreadsheets. This software is a part of the Microsoft Office.
The reason behind choosing MS Excel for making its comparison with Sage is that both
of this software provides the same features as one another. The similarities can be in using
formulas, both can be used for the purpose of calculation and both are used on computer systems.
Due to these similarities, this comparison has been chosen as they both are used for the same
category of work and their evaluation can be done easily.
Comparison Between MS Excel and the Sage:
SAGE MS EXCEL
 In this accounting information
software, there is no such problems as
the data stored in Sage can be accessed
anywhere and at any time with a single
log-in from any Internet enabled
Device. In addition to this, there are no
chances of getting the data stolen or
damaging as it cannot be accessed
without logging in.
 For accessing the files stored in MS
Excel, an individual must make its
multiple copies or share the file using
Google Drive or Sky Drive as they are
stored only at one place. In addition to
this, there is also chances of loss of data
in case the laptop is stolen, or PC is
damaged. However, it is possible to
acquire the data saved in the stolen PC
but the person who had stolen the PC
can make unauthorised use of data.
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Drawbacks of Sage and MS Excel:
The following are the drawbacks of Sage Software and MS Excel which are discussed as
under:
SAGE MS Excel
 The major drawback of this system is
that for the instalment of this system,
an organisation has to hire a special
expert for it. As installation of this
software is a challenging task which
can only be fulfilled by an expert.
Along with this, this system is also very
hard to setup in all common areas of an
organisation. Additional Costs are also
charged in case of any up-gradation
needed in the software.
 This software is not as much costly as
Sage software. It costs only at one time
when it is purchased. It does not need
special experts to get installed.
From my point of view, the most effective accounting system is Sage. This is because
this system is not as much complicated as MS Excel, but it is simple than this. In addition to this,
due to its several advantages such as the easy access and not chances of losing it which is not
there in MS Excel. So due to these advantages of Sage Software I am considering it better than
MS Excel.
Next Step
My area of weakness regarding the use of this software was due to my lack of confidence
level. I was not able to put cross questions on the doubts that I came into my mind. Also, a
reason for this was that more focus was put on theoretical knowledge instead of practical
knowledge. It put a barrier on my level of knowledge about this system to a certain extent. In
order to overcome this weakness, I had set up some goals, objectives and the time period in
which I have to overcome this weakness. The description of the plan is as under:
OBJECTIVES
(What I want to
SUCCESS CRITERIA
(How to know that the
ACTIONS
(What will be done in
TIME TABLE
(Time Limit)
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Improve?) goal is achieved?) order to Overcome?)
To Improve the
Confidence Level and
Ability to use SAGE
Software
 The success
criteria for
using SAGE
Software will
be matched
when I will be
able to score
good marks in
practise
sessions before
exams.
 Another
measurement
will be made
when I will be
able to make
others
understand
what I want to
say in the right
sense.
 In the first
phase, the
confidence
level will be
enhanced by
reading books
relating to
SAGE.
 In the second
phase, the
action will
include
participating in
the class
debates,
demos, and
putting cross
questions
during teaching
so as to
enhance my
knowledge.
 In the third
phase,
individual
presentation
will be given
by me so that
the weakness
can be
This weakness will be
eliminated in three
months and the time
scale for completing
three phases is as
follow as:
 First Phase is
allotted one
month.
 Second Phase
is allotted with
one month.
 Third Phase is
also allotted
with one
month.
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overcome
completely.
From the very starting of 3rd Month, I will be able to speak confidently in front of all and also
will be able to present my views clearly without hesitating.
Exam revision timetable
Week Learning outcome
31/03/19 Complete the mock exam
07/04/19 Finding my shortcomings
15/04/19 Working on my weaknesses
22/04/19 Conducting mock test again
30/04/19 Score good on mock tests
Coursework 2 Marking Scheme
Criteria assessed Mark allocation Criteria met (tick by student)
I explained the scope of this
statement clearly.
1 ✔
I summarised my learning
experience using precise
language.
1 ✔
I explained what I enjoyed the
most in the Sage learning.
1 ✔
I explained what I enjoyed the
least in the Sage learning,
1 ✔
I explained the challenges I
faced during the Sage learning,
and steps I took to overcome
them.
3 ✔
I explained the benefits of 1 ✔
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using Sage software.
I explained the issues of using
Sage software.
1 ✔
I made a comparison between
Sage software and an
alternative accounting
information system (for
example, Excel, QuickBooks,
etc)
2 ✔
I explained the advantages and
disadvantages of each
accounting information system
2 ✔
My opinion of the most
effective accounting
information system is well
justified.
1 ✔
I have identified an action list
to prepare for the May 2019
exam.
2 ✔
I am aware of the areas I need
to focus on, and where to seek
help if needed.
2 ✔
My report has clear headings
and paragraphs.
2 ✔
Total Score 20 ✔
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