CPE Session 40: Sunday, August 5, 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Using Manual, Dynamics-GP, and/or SAP Business Simulations

(Accounting)

Description/Objectives:
Professionals agree that most accounting graduates have little practical knowledge of business processes and the actual ERP systems used by their future employers and/or clients since many AIS courses focus on teaching definitions and many technical and structural aspects of information systems. Accountants need technical definitions and structural understanding, but more importantly, they need business process understanding and hands-on experience with actual ERP systems. This knowledge helps create a more systemic and forensic thinker. This approach builds a student's knowledge base of the cross-functional nature of business transactions and the ultimate control necessary to bring economic data to management and external stakeholders.

This session introduces three different business simulations using a manual accounting system, Microsoft Great Plains, and SAP software. We begin with a simulation of a small family-owned business in a manual environment. We then introduce Microsoft Dynamics-GP software and some hands-on work using the software. We finish with a brief introduction to SAP software and hands-on work using a series of navigational exercises that explore the development of various master data for use in expenditure and revenue cycle transactions.

Special Note: Participants are requested to bring a laptop computer to the workshop.

Presenter:
Susie Wright, Penn State University

Note: CPE fields of study are in parentheses