Skip to main content

An Events Accounting Foundation for DSS Implementation

  • Conference paper

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NATO ASI F,volume 31))

Abstract

This paper describes an implementation of an events accounting system which was specifically designed to facilitate the use of its disaggregated data in support of various intelligence, design, and choice decisions in a manufacturing environment. The system also models the processing of normal accounting data and reports, but it does so by materializing chart of account classifications exclusively with procedures (as opposed to conventional general ledger systems which rely primarily on declarative features). The particular implementation described herein uses a relational data base foundation, and its decision support is effected with a variety of microcomputer facilities, such as spreadsheets and graphics. The paper concentrates first on describing the derivation of data-modelled relations in accordance with an REA accounting framework. It then proceeds with a description of the DSS framework used and the correspondence of various components of this implementation with elements of that framework. The paper concludes with an assessment of problems encountered and an enumeration of future plans for more complete integration of accounting systems with marketing, materials, and logistics planning systems.

Support for the computer implementation described in this paper was provided by The Touche Ross Foundation through its Aid to Accounting Education Program.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Alter, S. (1980). Decision Support Systems: Current Practice and Continuing Challenges, Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Accounting Association (1969). “Report of Committee on Managerial Decision Models,” The Accounting Review (Supplement 1969 ), pp. 43–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Accounting Association (1971). “Report of the Committee on Non-Financial Measures of Effectiveness,” The Accounting Review (Supplement 1971 ), pp. 164–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armitage, H.M. (1983). “Toward an Improved Distribution Accounting Information System Through an Entity-Relationship Modeling Approach,” Ph.D. Dissertation, Michigan State University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atzeni, P., Batini, C., Lenzerini, M. and Villanelli, F. (1983). “INCOD: A System for Conceptual Design of Data and Transactions in the Entity-Relationship Model,” in Entity- Relationship Approach to Information Modeling and Analysis, P. Chen (ed.), North-Holland, pp. 379–414.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonczek, R., Holsapple, C.W. and Whinston, A.B. (1981). Foundations of Decision Support Systems, Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borgida, A., Mylopoulos, J. and Wong, H.K.T. (1984). “Generalization/Specialization as a Basis for Software Specification,” in On Conceptual Modelling, M. Brodie, J. Mylopoulos and J. Schmidt (eds.), Springer-Verlag, pp. 87–114.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Brodie, M.L., Mylopoulos, J. and Schmidt, J.W. (eds.) (1984). On Conceptual Modelling, Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buckley, J.W. and Lightner, K.M. (1973). Accounting: An Information Systems Approach, Dickenson Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, P.P. (1976). “The Entity-Relationship Model - Toward a Unified View of Data,” ACM Transactions on Database Systems, March, pp. 9–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, G.B. and Olson, M. (1985). Management Information Systems, McGraw-Hill, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Date, C.J. (1981). An Introduction to Database Systems, 3rd ed., Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Demarco, T. (1979). Structured Analysis and System Specification, Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Denna, E.L. and McCarthy, W.E. (1985). “An Events Accounting Foundation for DSS Implementation,” Working Paper, Department of Accounting, Michigan State University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eswaran, K.P. (1976). “Aspects of a Trigger Subsystem in an Integrated Database System,” Proceedings of Second International Conference on Software Engineering, IEEE, pp. 243–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Financial Accounting Standards Board (1980). Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts No. 3: Elements of Financial Statements of Business Enterprises, FASB.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gal, G. and McCarthy, W.E. (1983). “Declarative and Procedural Features of a CODASYL Accounting System,” in Entity-Relationship Approach to Information Modeling and Analysis, P. Chen (ed.), North-Holland, pp. 197–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gal, G. and McCarthy, W.E. (1985a). “Operation of a Relational Accounting System,” Advances in Accounting, forthcoming.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gal, G. and McCarthy, W.E. (1985b). “Specification of Internal Accounting Controls in a Database Environment,” Computers and Security, March, pp. 23–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gal, G. and McCarthy, W.E. (1985c). “An Artificial Intelligence Framework for Conceptual Specification and Evaluation of Internal Control,” Paper presented at National TIMS-ORSA Meeting, April.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammer, M. and McLeod, D. (1981). “Database Description with SDM: A Semantic Database Model,” ACM Transactions of Database Systems, September, pp. 351–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holsapple, C.W. and Whinston, A.B. (eds.) (1983). Data Base Management: Theory and Applications, D. Reidel Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holsapple, C.W. and Whinston, A.B. (1984). “Building Blocks for Decision Support Systems,” Proceedings of the NYU Symposium: New Directions for Database Systems, New York, NY, pp. 121–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howe, D.R. (1983). Data Analysis for Data Base Design, Edward Arnold.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ijiri, Y. (1975). Theory of Accounting Measurement, American Accounting Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keen, P.G.W. (1976). “Interactive1 Computer Systems for Managers: A Modest Proposal,” Sloan Management Review, Fall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kent, W. (1978). Data and Reality, North-Holland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kotler, P. (1984). Marketing Management: Analysis, Planning and Control, Fifth Edition, Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lerch, F.J. and Mantei, M. (1983). “A Framework for Computer Support in Managerial Decision Making,” in Proceedings of the Fifth Conference on Information Systems, L. Maggi, J. King and K. Kraemer (eds.), ICIS, pp. 129–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lum, V., Ghosh, S., Schkolnick, M., Jefferson, D., Su, S., Fry, J., Teorey, T. and Yao, B. (1979). “1978 New Orleans Data Base Design Workshop Report,” Research Report RJ2554, IBM Research Laboratories, San Jose.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, J. (1982). Strategic Data-Planning Methodologies, Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, J. (1983). Managing the Data-Base Environment, Prentice- Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattessich, R. (1964). Accounting and Analytical Methods, Richard D. Irwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, W.E. (1979). “An Entity-Relationship View of Accounting Models,” The Accounting Review, October, pp. 667–686.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, W.E. (1981). “Multidimensional and Disaggregate Accounting Systems: A Review of the ‘Events’ Accounting Literature,” MAS Communication, July, pp. 7–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, W.E. (1982). “The REA Accounting Model: A Generalized Framework for Accounting Systems in a Shared Data Environment,” The Accounting Review, July, pp. 554–578.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, W.E. (1984). “Materialization of Account Balances in the REA Accounting Model,” Invited Presentation to the British Accounting Association, Norwich, England, April.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, S. and Kirpalani, V. (1984). Marketing Effectiveness: Insights from Accounting and Finance, Allyn and Bacon, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, H.A. (1960). The New Science of Management Decision, Harper and Brothers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J.M. and Smith, D.C.P. (1977). “Database Abstractions: Aggregation and Generalization,” ACM Transactions on Database Systems, June, pp. 105–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorter, G.H. (1969). “An‘Events’ Approach to Basic Accounting Theory,” The Accounting Review, January, pp. 12–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sowa, J.F. (1984). Conceptual Structures: Information Processing in Mind and Machine, Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sprague, R. and Carlson, E. (1982). Building Effective Decision Support Systems, Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsichritzis, D.C. and Lochovsky, F.H. (1982). Data Models, Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winograd, T. (1975). “Frame Representations and the Declarative- Procedural Controversy,” in Representation and Understanding, D.G. Bobrow and A. Collins (eds. ), Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1987 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Denna, E.L., McCarthy, W.E. (1987). An Events Accounting Foundation for DSS Implementation. In: Holsapple, C.W., Whinston, A.B. (eds) Decision Support Systems: Theory and Application. NATO ASI Series, vol 31. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-83088-4_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-83088-4_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-83090-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-83088-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics