On closer inspection, these results are in line with the
research provided by Joseph et al. (1996), who find not
only strong evidence of integration within data capture
systems and reporting but also managers still relying on
internal accounting information for decision-making and
control. If we link the sub-indices planning and budgeting
as well as performance measurement to the latter result, and
the sub-indices reporting, accounting information technology
design and administration of the controlling function to
the first, managers’ need for consistency in financial language
explains both.
First, as internal and external financial reports provide,
at least to some extent, views on the same objects in the
same reporting periods, any inconsistencies become evident
immediately. Therefore, managements’ perceptions
on a consistent financial language and the evaluation of
controllership output quality as well as controllership impact
on management decisions are mainly driven by the integration
of reporting processes. To achieve this integration,
auxiliary tasks like integrating accounting information
technology or integration at the administrative level, e.g.,
close cooperation of controllers with the financial accounting
department, are paramount, so integration within these
tasks should be drivers of controllership effectiveness as
well.