FIGURE 3.15
PC Accounting System Modules
Health are, transportation, and food services. By doing so, these firms forgo the advantages of flexibility to achieve a market niche. The modular design technique is illustrated in Figure 3.15.
The central control program provides the user interface to the system. From this control point, the user makes menu selections to invoke application modules as needed. By selecting the sale module, for instance, the user can enter customer orders in real time. At the end of the day, in batch mode, the user can enter cash receipts, purchases, and payroll transactions.
Commercial system usually have fully integrated modules. This means that data transfer between modules occur automatically. For example, an integrated system will ensure that all transactions captured by the various modules have been balanced and posted to subsidiary and general ledger accounts before the general ledger module produces the financial reports.
PC System Risks and Controls
As previously discussed, the computer operating systems and network control techniques in mainframe and distributes environments provide effective system security. PC accounting systems, however, create unique control problems for accountants that arise from inherent weaknesses in their operating systems and the general PC environment. Indeed, the advanced technology and power of modern PC system stand is sharp contrast to the relatively unsophisticated operational environment in which they exist. Some of the more significant risks and possible control techniques are outlined in the following pages.