ACC 315 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a client recommendation that includes flowcharts, diagrams, tables, narrative, and an executive summary
presentation. The final product represents an authentic demonstration of competency because you will analyze a real-world scenario with the goal of making
recommendations for an accounting information system. The project is divided into two milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the
course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three and Five. The final product will be
submitted in Module Seven.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
ACC-315-01: Explain how accounting information systems function in today’s business environment in small, medium, and large enterprises
ACC-315-02: Diagram key elements of typical business processes and their associated transactions in a computerized accounting environment
ACC-315-03: Identify internal controls and sources of internal control guidance as related to accounting systems, and how to document system-related
internal controls
ACC-315-04: Illustrate features found in accounting application software (vendor and customer management, general ledger, financial statement
preparation, payments and cash receipts, etc.)
ACC-315-05: Describe critical elements of databases used in typical computerized accounting systems
Prompt
For this project, you will assume the role of a consultant responsible for assessing a client’s business operations and making recommendations for an accounting
information system. To complete this project, review the Final Project Scenario document.
Specifically, you must address the critical elements listed below. Most of the critical elements align with a particular course outcome (shown in brackets).
I. Client Recommendation: Prepare a written recommendation for the automation of a client’s accounting system. Address the following elements in
detail:
a) Describe the current accounting environment and the stakeholders of a business. [ACC-315-01]
b) Map one accounting cycle (sales, accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory, or payroll) using a data-flow diagram and system flowchart.
[ACC-315-02]
c) Use an REA diagram to identify the pertinent resources, events, and agents within the chosen accounting cycle. [ACC-315-02]
d) Create a table that identifies weaknesses and potential threats to a business and potential internal controls to address the weaknesses and
threats found in the chosen cycle. [ACC-315-03]
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e) For the chosen cycle, describe the data elements that need to be captured in the accounting information system (AIS), and organize that data
into relational database tables. Include the data type, structures, and whether the data element is a primary or foreign key. [ACC-315-05]
II. Executive Summary Presentation: Prepare a presentation as a visual accompaniment to the recommendation.
a) Explain your findings. Describe the business’s strengths and weaknesses and what the results indicate about the business’s ability to be
successful. [ACC-315-01]
b) Describe how and why an automated AIS would benefit the business. Explain the attributes and advantages of an automated AIS and the
specific ways an automated AIS would benefit the business. [ACC-315-01]
c) Recommend accounting application software that would help the business. Explain the features of accounting application software along with
your rationale for the chosen software. [ACC-315-04]
Milestones
Milestone One: Client Recommendation Part 1
In Module Three, you will create a data-flow diagram, system flowchart, entity-relation diagram, and a brief paper describing the accounting environment. This
milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Client Recommendation Part 2
In Module Five, you will create a table that identifies weaknesses, potential threats, and potential internal controls, along with a brief paper describing the
required data elements and the resulting relational database tables. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.
Final Project Submission: Client Recommendation and Executive Summary Presentation
In Module Seven, you will submit your final project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product, along
with supporting diagrams, charts, and tables. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. A presentation will accompany the
report. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.
Final Project Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Your client recommendation should be 6 to 9 pages in length (plus a cover page and references) and must adhere to APA format. Use
double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Include at least two references cited in APA format. Your executive summary
presentation should be 5 to 8 content slides, plus a title slide and speaker notes.
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Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Client
Recommendation:
Accounting
Environment and
Stakeholders
[ACC-315-01]
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates a nuanced
understanding of the
environment
Accurately describes the
accounting environment and
the stakeholders of a business
Describes the accounting
environment and the
stakeholders of a business, but
description contains
inaccuracies or lacks detail
Doesn’t describe the
accounting environment or
the stakeholders of a business
13
Client
Recommendation:
Map Accounting Cycle
[ACC-315-02]
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
shows a complex grasp of data
and system flowcharting
Accurately maps one of the
accounting cycles using a
data-flow diagram and system
flowchart
Maps one of the accounting
cycles using a data-flow diagram
and system flowchart, but the
mapping lacks detail or contains
inaccuracies
Doesn’t map one of the
accounting cycles using a
data-flow diagram and system
flowchart
13
Client
Recommendation: REA
Diagram
[ACC-315-02]
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
masterfully demonstrates
knowledge of pertinent elements
Uses an REA diagram to
correctly identify the
pertinent resources, agents,
and entities within the chosen
cycle
Uses an REA diagram to identify
the pertinent elements within
the selected cycle, but diagram
contains inaccuracies
Doesn’t use an REA diagram
to correctly identify the
pertinent resources, agents,
and entities within the chosen
cycle
13
Client
Recommendation:
Weaknesses, Threats,
and Internal Controls
[ACC-315-03]
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
shows keen insight into
weaknesses, potential threats,
and potential internal controls
Accurately creates a table that
identifies weaknesses and
potential threats to a business
and potential internal controls
to address the weaknesses
and threats found in the
chosen cycle
Creates a table that identifies
weaknesses and potential
threats to a business and
potential internal controls, but
table lacks detail or contains
inaccuracies
Doesn’t create a table that
identifies weaknesses and
potential threats to a business
and any potential internal
controls
13
Client
Recommendation:
Data Elements in
Relational Database
Tables
[ACC-315-05]
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates a complex grasp of
data elements and their
relational organization
Accurately describes the data
elements that need to be
captured in the AIS and
organizes that data into
relational database tables,
including the data type,
structures, and whether the
data element is a primary or
foreign key
Describes the data elements
that need to be captured in the
AIS and organizes that data into
relational database tables, but
description or tables lack
required detail or contain
inaccuracies
Doesn’t describe the data
elements that need to be
captured in the AIS or
organize that data into
relational database tables
13
3
Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Executive Summary
Presentation: Findings
[ACC-315-01]
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
makes cogent connections
between the business’s strengths
and weaknesses and what the
results indicate about the
business’s ability to be successful
Accurately explains findings,
including the business’s
strengths and weaknesses and
what the results indicate
about the business’s ability to
be successful
Explains findings, including the
business’s strengths and
weaknesses and what the
results indicate about the
business’s ability to be
successful, but the response
lacks detail or speaker notes or
contains inaccuracies
Doesn’t explain findings or
what the results indicate
about the business’s ability to
be successful
10
Executive Summary
Presentation:
Automated AIS
Benefits
[ACC-315-01]
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
shows in-depth knowledge of
how automated AIS would
benefit the business
Accurately describes how and
why an automated AIS would
be beneficial to the business,
explaining the attributes and
advantages of an automated
AIS and the specific ways an
automated AIS would benefit
the business
Describes how and why an
automated AIS would be
beneficial to the business,
explaining the attributes and
advantages of an automated AIS
and the specific ways an
automated AIS would benefit
the business, but the description
lacks detail or speaker notes or
contains inaccuracies
Doesn’t describe how and
why an automated AIS would
be beneficial to the business
10
Executive Summary
Presentation:
Accounting Application
Software
[ACC-315-04]
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
explanation shows a nuanced
understanding of how the chosen
software will help the business
Recommends accounting
application software that
would help the business and
accurately, explains the
features of the accounting
application software, and
provides a rationale for the
chosen software
Recommends accounting
application software that would
help the business, explains the
features of the accounting
application software, and
provides a rationale for the
chosen software, but response
lacks detail or speaker notes or
contains inaccuracies
Doesn’t recommend
accounting application
software, explain the features
of the accounting application
software, or provide a
rationale for the chosen
software
10
Articulation of
Response
Submission is free of errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, and organization
and is presented in a professional
and easy-to-read format
Submission has no major
errors related to citations,
grammar, spelling, syntax, or
organization
Submission has major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that negatively impact
readability and articulation of
main ideas
Submission has critical errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or
organization that prevent
understanding of ideas
5
Total 100%
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