University of Technology Sydney

22759 Accounting and ERP

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Business: Accounting
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject introduces students to accounting with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and provides an integrated view on accounting, information management and business process management in an ERP system. Students get the opportunity to manage master data, day-to-day transactions and periodic/closing transactions in accounting in a virtual company implemented in a real-world, market-leading ERP system (SAP ERP). Cross-functional automation and control features in ERP systems are demonstrated and students manage cross-functional business processes within their own virtual accounting environment.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
1. discuss the impact of enterprise systems on accounting and related business functions
2. examine the architecture and accounting functionality of enterprise resource planning systems (ERPS) in general and of SAP solutions in particular
3. appraise the transactional accounting modules in ERPS, in particular the control elements, master data, processes and automation options in SAP solutions
4. use ERPs for integrated accounting transaction processing, control, reporting and decision support.

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject provides an integrated view on accounting, business processes and information management and provides students with grounding in the current role and activities of accountants and emphasizes the practical challenges graduates faced in accounting departments. The subject contributes to all five graduate attributes of the Bachelor of Business, with particular emphasis on critical analysis of applied business concepts (GA 1), the development of interpersonal skills through teamwork (GA 3) and the development of knowledge, technical competencies and values to operate effectively in integrated systems environments (GA 5).

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject has two learning components: (1) preparation and review (outside class), (2) an integrated lab-based lecture and seminar and (3) integrated feedback in class.

  1. Outside class, students are required to (a) review the content of the previous class and attempt end of chapter exercises in the textbook; (b) prepare for the next class by reading the relevant sections in the textbook, and watching tailor-made videos which guide them through the SAP-based demonstration exercises in those textbook sections; and (c) work on a collaborative case study project in order to apply their knowledge in a problem-oriented environment and to increase their teamwork and communication skills (see section ‘assessment’).
  2. In class:The lecture component covers the conceptual aspects of each topic. Students are expected to engage in discussions facilitated by the instructor, ask questions, etc. In addition, the instructor uses the SAP ERP system to demonstrate how accounting and information systems concepts are applied in real-world systems.The seminar component covers the practical (including SAP ERP hands-on) aspects of each topic in various ways:
    • Collaborative student work on mini-cases of accounting information processing challenges in ERP systems (groups of 2);
    • Instructor guided processing of textbook demonstration transactions in the SAP ERP system by students.
  3. Feedback in class:
    • Instructor feedback to students on the quality of their outside class hands-on activities to provide them with direction on their self-directed study;
    • Collaborative opportunities in class providing opportunities for students to exchange mutual feedback and develop a peer support network.

Content (topics)

  • Introduction to the world of enterprise systems and emerging trends in AIS
  • SAP ERP user interface and navigation
  • Managing day-to-day transactions in accounting in an ERP system
  • Closing transactions and financial reporting in an ERPs
  • Extended accounting/enterprise integration:
    • financial accounting and purchasing/material management
    • financial accounting and sales and distribution

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Online assessment (Individual)*

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

2, 3 and 4

Weight: 25%
Length:

20 - 30 minutes
Criteria:

*Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and awarded a mark of zero.

Students who do not attend one half of the total number of faculty based quizzes will have the weighting of that assessment added to the final examination conditional on the students submitting, receiving approval and complying with the requirements of special consideration in accordance with the UTS rules. If the composite mark for the final exam totals more than 50 percent and the student is in the final subject of their degree, the UTS rules on borderline result (range of 45-49) shall apply whereby students will be allowed to undertake a supplementary final examination. Where a student completes and passes a supplementary examination, the maximum mark awarded for the subject will be 50 Pass.

Assessment task 2: Project (Group)

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 3 and 4

Weight: 25%
Length:

Progress Report: 300 - 400 words

Final Report: 1,500 - 2,500 words

Assessment task 3: Final exam (Individual)

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2, 3 and 4

Weight: 50%
Length:

2 hours, no reading time

Minimum requirements

A total mark of 50% or more must be achieved.

Required texts

  • Wieder, B. (2018): Accounting with SAP ERP, Sydney, 4th Edition (available via link in CANVAS).
  • Wieder, B. (2019): Supplementary text on SCM (1 + 2) (available at CANVAS).
  • Lecture Notes (slides and supplementary materials) for 22759 (at CANVAS).
  • Faculty of Business (current version), Guide to Writing Assignments, Faculty of Business, University of Technology Sydney (available online).

Recommended texts

There are no further readings required for this subject. However, students may look for additional resources to either dig deeper in an area of interest, or to clarify topics they did not fully understand by consulting the required resources. The UTS-Library has acquired a substantial number of SAP-books (including the indicative "references" above), which can be queried through the Library Catalogue using keyword SAP. Those books offered in the SAP knowledge shop also tend to undergo reasonable quality control: http://www.sap-press.com

References

  • Arif, N. (2008), SAP ERP financials configuration and design, Bonn, Galileo Press.
  • Burns, D. (2018), Financial Accounting in SAP ERP, 2nd Ed., Rheinwerk Publishing, Quincy, US.
  • Forsthuber, H. (2010), SAP ERP Financials User Guide, Bonn, Galileo Press.
  • Gelinas, U.J., Dull, R.B., Wheeler, P. (2018), Accounting Information Systems, 11th ed., Mason, Cengage Learning.
  • Jones, Peter (2009), Configuring SAP ERP financial and controlling, Indianapolis, Wiley.
  • Patel, M. (2010), Maximising SAP ERP Accounts Receivable, Bonn, Galileo Press.
  • Patel, M. (2012), Discover SAP ERP Financials, 2nd Ed., Bonn, Galileo Press.
  • SAP (2009), SAP ERP financial accounting: the complete resource, SAP Press.
  • Schulz, O. (2017), Using SAP: An Introduction for Beginners and Business Users, 3rd Ed., Rheinwerk Publishing, Quincy, US.
  • Sopracolle, V. (2010), Quick Reference Guide: Financial Accounting with SAP, Bonn, Galileo Press.
  • Ullmann, M. (2009), Maximising SAP ERP Accounts Payable, Bonn, Galileo Press.
  • Veeriah, N. (2015), Configuring Financial Accounting in SAP, 2nd Ed., Rheinwerk Publishing, Quincy, US.

Other resources

Online Resources:

A) 'Welcome' Page Content and Links in CANVAS

B) Other Course Information etc. in CANVAS, including free SAP training course at http://open.sap.com/courses (Optional)

C) Videos/Screencasts in CANVAS (most linked to YouTube Channel). (Optional)

Specific University Resources:

MAIN TEACHING LAB (CB08.02.01)

The main teaching lab in the new Dr Chau Chak Wing building has been designed for teaching hands-on subjects such as 22579 Accounting and ERP. It is located on the ground floor (Level 2) of Building 8. Special lab rules apply which are displayed inside the lab. Failure to comply with those rules might result in the application of the procedures lined out in the Acceptable Use of IT - Policy and other UTS-Policies related to the use of UTS equipment.

Note that the use of mobile phones and non-UTS websites in class is unacceptable!

Other ITD-labs:

Many general-purpose ITD-labs at UTS can be accessed 24 hours a day (unless otherwise indicated) and the SAP GUI (see below) is installed in all of these labs.

SAP Frontend Server (SAP GUI):

Students are provided with the relevant release of the SAP Frontend-Server (SAP GUI) software for Windows and for Mac, which allows them to access the UTS SAP systems from home for practicing purposes and in order to complete their case study assignments. It is important to note that international copyright law protects the SAP GUI, and copyright belongs to SAP SE.

Please note that:

  • This software is to be used by UTS students only.
  • The use of this software is restricted to accessing UTS SAP Systems (no others).
  • The installation files are available at CANVAS.
  • Information on how to install the SAP GUI for Windows or Mac is provided in CANVAS.

SAP Systems at UTS:

SAP systems are integrated systems differing in many ways from other educational software applications installed at UTS. The most important difference is at the same time the most important aspect of this subject: Integration. SAP solutions are one-database real-time systems, shared by all users of an organisation and shared by all students of a subject.There are, of course, restrictions in place with regards to authorisation, but UTS-students will in general enjoy high degrees of freedom in terms of systems authorisation. The reason for this is that comprehensive authorisation enables students to study integration aspects across modules and gives them the opportunity to really understand the system. One of the consequences is that students have to use the systems with a high level of responsibility and care, and they have to strictly adhere to the rules outlined in this Outline and elsewhere (incl. announcements made by the lecturer in class or through CANVAS).

The SAP systems installed at the UTS Business School are very valuable and very costly resources provided to students. Any action taken by a student aiming at reducing the value of the resources will be sanctioned under UTS rules or even State and Commonwealth Rules. Misuse of University equipment includes — but is not limited to — the following:

  • Logon to the SAP-systems outside scheduled teaching and training times.
  • Logon to any SAP-system using more than one user name.
  • Logon to any SAP-system using the user name of another student.
  • Disclosing the individual logon and password to other people.
  • NOT Disclosing the individual Logon ('user') to the lecturer or co-ordinator.
  • Using any SAP-system for purposes other than prescribed by the course materials.
  • Deliberately deleting or modifying data of other users.
  • Deliberately modifying data in the system with the objective that the system does not work properly any more.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE IN CASE OF TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WITH SAP ERP

In the case of technical problems with the system, i.e. if the system is down, students are asked to contact UTS service desk: http://service-connect.uts.edu.au. The Enterprise Systems team at UTS will try to solve technical problems within a short period of time.
These procedures refer to SAP-system downtimes ONLY. Please do not contact UTS if you are experiencing problems with your home PC or local ISP (and network-connection).