Introduction to Financial Information Flashcards
Define information
Data that has been processed in such a way that it is meaningful to the person who receives it
What are the purposes of information?
- Planning
- Controlling
- Recording
- Performance measurement
- Decision making
What are the qualities of good information?
ACCURATE
- Accurate
- Complete
- Cost-effective
- User-targeted
- Relevant
- Authoritative
- Timely
- Easy to use
What are examples of internal data sources?
- Accounting records
- HR records
- Payroll records
- Machine logs
- Computer systems
- Timesheets
- Communication with staff
What are examples of formally gathered external information?
- Marketing research
- Research and development
- Tax and accounting specialists
- Legal specialist
What are the issues related to the effective processing of data into information?
CATIVA
- Completeness
- Accurate
- Timeliness
- Inalterability
- Verifiability
- Assessability
Define completeness
All relevant data is processed
Define accurate
All processing ensures data remains true to source and error-free
Define timeliness
Processing matches data availability and needs
Define inalterability
Data cannot be tampered with by unauthorised persons
Define verifiability
Clear audit trail from the data source to information
Define accessibility
Information produced can be challenged, ensuring the quality of the system
Define transaction processing systems
Systems that perform and record routine transactions
What are examples of transaction processing systems?
- Finance systems
- Accounting systems
- HR systems
- Manufacturing systems
- Production systems
- Sales systems
- Marketing systems
Define management information systems
Systems to produce information allowing managers to make effective decisions
What are examples of management information systems?
- Executive support systems
- Executive information systems
- Decision support systems
- Expert systems
- Knowledge work systems
- Office automation systems
Define executive support/information systems
A database that pools data from internal and external sources providing easy-to-use information to help senior managers make strategic decisions