DA4-Information Technology and Communication

DA4-Information Technology and Communication

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of D4, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the core skills needed to operate a personal computer (PC) in the business environment
2. Use spreadsheets to facilitate the presentation of data
3. Describe the elements of an organisation’s information technology infrastructure
4. Explain how the quality and security of an information system can be protected
5. Explain the principles and process of effective communication
6. Demonstrate appropriate oral communication skills
7. Demonstrate appropriate written communication skills
8. Demonstrate the communication skills expected of an accountant in an organisation

Topic	Weighting
Information technology skills	10%
Spreadsheets	10%
Organisational information infrastructure	15%
Information system quality and security	15%
Principles and process of effective communication	10%
Oral communication	10%
Written communication	20%
Communication in Organisations	10%

Content

1. Information technology skills
   1. Common types of hardware and software used within a business organisation
      1. Describe the common types of computer hardware and software used within a business organisation
      2. Identify the different types of computers using speed and size.
      3. State computer hardware devices as input, output and storage.
   2. Basic skills involved in operating a PC including Microsoft Windows, email and the Internet  
      1. Describe basic skills involved in operating a personal computer (PC) including the tasks and features of Microsoft windows.
      2. Explain access to the internet, the usage of email including searching and downloading information online.
      3. List other common operating systems used in businesses.
   3. Basic skills involved in using application packages
      1. Explain the basics involved in operating word processing and spread sheet software
      2. Distinguish between off-the-shelf applications and written-from-scratch applications.
      3. List other application software that could be used.
   4. Basic computer operations and security
      1. Explain the importance of using passwords and back-ups when operating a Personal Computer.
      2. Describe basic troubleshooting of a standalone computer and other simple computer checks.

2. Spreadsheets (10%)

   1. A Features of spread sheets software (M)
      1. Explain what spread sheet software is and recognise excel as an example of spread sheet software.
      2. Outline the common features of spread sheet software
      3. Explain a macro including its use in spread sheets.
   2. Uses of spread sheet software in the day-to-day work of the accountant (M)
      1. Explain the uses of spread sheet software to the accountant
      2. Explain the use of computer controls to prevent amendments or deletions in spread sheets.
      3. Demonstrate basic skills in formatting a spread sheet.
   3. Spread sheets skills of an accountant (M)
      1. Demonstrate the ability to import csv (comma separated values) and excel files into a spread sheet.
      2. Summarise data on a spread sheet by filtering and sorting data.
      3. Interpret absolute and relative referencing in a spread sheet.
      4. Compute the functions as follows: totals, maximum, minimum, if, sumif, count, counta, and countif.
      5. Explain other methods of presenting information including tables, bar charts, pie charts and line graphs
3. Organisational information infrastructure
   1. Main elements of an organisation’s Information systems (M)
      1. Describe the main elements of an organisation’s information system.
      2. Describe an information system and the different types of information system.
      3. Explain the role of information and information system within an organisation.
   2. Common types of Information technology (IT) network including Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer networks (M)
      1. Explain the common types of IT networks including Client-Server and Peer-toPeer networks.
      2. Classify networks by topology.
      3. Describe area networks with specific reference to Local Area Networks and Wide Area Networks.
   3. Control issues arising from the introduction of a network (M)
      1. Identify control issues arising from the introduction of a network.
      2. Classify the control issues in Client-Server or Peer-to-Peer categories.
4. Accounting Information Systems and Databases
   1. Types of accounting information systems and their roles (M)
      1. Explain the role of accounting information systems in business and how they contribute to the organisation’s value chain.
      2. Comprehend the types of accounting information systems
   2. Role of databases (M)
      1. Explain the roles of databases within an accounting information systems
      2. Recognise the common types of data processing
      3. Outline the role of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
      4. Describe types of data processing; including batch processing and online processing.
      5. Know that real time processing falls under online processing.
      6. Describe data warehousing and data mining.
   3. Ethical implications of accounting information systems (M)
      1. Explain the ethical implications of accounting information systems.
      2. Explain the social issues of accounting information systems.
      3. Describe the importance of ethical and social issues.
5. Information system quality and security
   1. Importance of data quality and security 
      1. Describe the importance of data quality and security
      2. Outline the data quality principles and how to control and apply the principles in an organisation.
      3. Describe procedural controls, technical controls and the control mix.
   2. Common threats to data quality and security
      1. Describe common threats to data quality and security.
      2. Explain the security controls associated with networks.
   3. Types of controls used to counter the threats to data quality and security
      1. Explain the types of controls used to counter the threats to data quality and security.
      2. Explain the success of social networks including the security issues associated with a personal websites.

6. Principles and process of effective communication

   1. Nature and purpose of communication
      1. Explain the nature and purpose of communication
      2. Explain the types of communication
   2. The communication process
      1. Explain the communication process
      2. Explain the factors that affect the choice of medium
   3. Attributes of clear, effective and appropriate communication
      1. Explain the barriers to effective communication
      2. Explain the various strategies to minimise barriers to communications
      3. Explain other effective, clear and appropriate methods of communications such as PASS, KISS and 7Cs concepts. (Explain the attributes of clear, effective and appropriate communication)

7. Communication in Organisations

   1. Channels of communication
      1. Describe the channels of communication in an organisation
   2. Seeking, granting and refusing permission
      1. Explain how to seek, grant and refuse permission in an organisation

8. Written communication

   1. Business letters 
      1. Explain the standard elements and the format of a business letter.
      2. Explain purposes and types of business letters
      3. Explain the structure and style of a business letter
      4. Write appropriate types of letters and curriculum vitae.
   2. Memorandum
      1. Define a memorandum
      2. Explain the standard elements of a memorandum
      3. Explain different types of memo layouts
      4. Explain the structure and style of a Memorandum
      5. Write an appropriate Memorandum
   3. Report writing
      1. Define reports.
      2. Explain different types of reports
      3. Explain the preparation to consider before writing a report
      4. Explain the different types of layout
      5. Explain the different sections of a short formal report
      6. Explain the essentials of a good report.
      7. Write an appropriate short formal report.
   4. Organising meetings 
      1. Explain how to organise business meetings
      2. Explain and write meeting documents such as agenda, notices and minutes

9. Oral communication

   1. A Listening skills
      1. Explain the guidelines to effective Listening skills
   2. Questioning skills
      1. Explain the guidelines to effective questioning skills
   3. Note taking skills
      1. Explain Note taking Techniques
   4. Non-verbal communication
      1. Explain the concepts of non-verbal communication
   5. Public presentation and effective speaking
      1. Explain the preparations needed for Public presentation and effective speaking
      2. Explain the guidelines for an effective delivery of an oral presentation

Format of the exam

Sections	Marks
Section A: Information Technology	5
compulsory multiple choice questions, 2 marks each	10
Any 2 out of 3 questions, 20 marks each	40
Section B: Communication
5 compulsory multiple choice questions, 2 marks each	10
Any 2 out of 3 questions, 20 marks each	40

TOTAL

100

  Time allowed: 3 hours, plus 15 minutes reading time

Recommended reading

1. ZiCA D4 Study Manual
2. Bovee, C L, Thill, J V and Schatzmann, B E, Business communication today, 11th edition, FT Prentice Hall, 2011
3. May, C B and May, G, Effective Writing: A Handbook for Accountants, 8th edition, FT Prentice Hall, 2008