Many accounting educators are looking for ways to incorporate more business software into their accounting curriculum without displacing basic accounting instruction. They have tried to accomplish this by creating a stand-alone computer-based course, a lab component course, or by adding business computer software to their regular accounting curriculum. Current texts in this field are very generic in nature, spending little if any time on accounting-specific issues.
Those that do address accounting issues address only worksheet or database issues but not both. Some texts that have a worksheet focus deliver a wide array of financial and managerial topics but lack a natural case flow. Some with a database focus emphasize the creation of accounting systems but do not address how databases are used to support the accounting function.
Moreover, employers expect today’s college students to be computer literate in commercial accounting, worksheets, and database software. The demand for this type of training is growing daily as more and more businesses employ business software to solve real-world problems.
Instructors often want to incorporate business software into the first course but are reluctant to invest the time and effort necessary to accomplish this goal.
Existing materials are often ‘‘preparer’’ driven in that they focus on the creation of worksheets and databases without addressing the effective use of these tools.
Students are often discouraged in their use of computers because of the complicated and confusing manuals that concentrate on using the software without any business or accounting context.
This course responds to all of those needs. It provides a step-by-step environment in which the students use a worksheet (Excel) and a database (Access) to solve real accounting and business problems.
