AIN1501: Accounting Systems at Unisa

• AIN1501 (Accounting Systems in a Computer Environment) is presented by the Department of Management Accounting, in the College of Accounting Sciences (CAS).
• Unisa is a comprehensive open distance e-learning (CODeL) higher education institution.
• Postgraduate programs are fully online with no printed materials.
• Undergraduate programs use blended delivery with printed materials and online learning via myUnisa.
• Unisa's graduate qualities include being independent, resilient, responsible, and caring citizens, having a critical understanding of the African continent, analyzing information, and applying discipline-specific knowledge ethically and creatively to solve real-life problems.
• Use myUnisa to study and complete learning units for the module AIN1501.
• The website displays relevant information for each semester as AIN1501-25-S1 and AIN1501-25-S2.

Module Overview

• Qualifying students will explain information and technology systems, including digital disruption.
• They will outline business applications of Microsoft tools, big data, and systems to assist businesses in increasing productivity.
• Students will explain information technology concepts focusing on communication networks, internet, intranets, and extranets.
• They will describe the threats, control, privacy, ethics, governance, cybersecurity, and ethical risks associated with computer use and the controls to minimize these risks.
• AIN1501 provides a good background in accounting systems in a computer environment, beneficial for students in accounting, auditing, and business analysis.
• Successful completion ensures good background knowledge of accounting systems in a computer environment within an organization.
• The module is a compulsory prerequisite for AIN2601 (Practical Accounting Data Processing).
• Overall, the module offers the knowledge to understand computer principles and concepts related to information.
• Study materials are available on myUnisa.

Module Outcomes

• Specific outcome 1: Explain the basic information system and technology concepts.
• Specific outcome 2: Outline the concepts and use of business applications of Microsoft tools, big data, and systems to assist businesses to increase their productivity and users to perform specific tasks such as providing information for a detailed annual financial report.
• Specific outcome 3: Explain the concepts of information technology by focussing on the components of communication networks, network configurations and the internet, intranets and extranets.
• Specific outcome 4: Describe the risks, threats, control, privacy, ethics, and governance risks associated with the use of computers in a computerised environment and the controls that should be in place to minimise these risks.

Lecturers and Contact Details

• The primary lecturer is Ms. Penina Mabika from the Department of Management Accounting at Nkoana Simon Radipere Room 1-15, telephone 012 429 4437, email [email protected] (1st Semester) and [email protected] (2nd Semester).
• The secondary lecturer is Mr. Hlulani Nshalati from the Department of Management Accounting at Nkoana Simon Radipere Room 1-22, telephone 012 484 1620, email [email protected] (1st Semester) and [email protected] (2nd Semester).
• The Department of Management Accounting can be contacted at 012 429 4211 or [email protected].

Resources

• No prescribed or recommended books are required for this module.

Library Services and Resources

• E-reserves can be downloaded from the library catalogue, with information available at http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/request.
• The Unisa Library offers information services and resources, with guides available at http://libguides.unisa.ac.za.

Student Support Services

• The Study @ Unisa brochure has information and guidelines for successful studies through Unisa and is available on myUnisa at www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies.
• For assistance with the myModules system, contact 0800 00 1870 (option 07) or [email protected] or [email protected].
• Registered Unisa students receive a free myLife email account for important notices and updates.
• After registering at Unisa claim your email account immediately https://www.unisa.ac.za/static/myunisa/Content/Announcements/Documents/Claim-myUnisa-myLife-Nov-2017.pdf.
• The myLife account is the primary email address recorded at Unisa.

Unisa First-Year Experience Programme

• Unisa's First-Year Experience (FYE) Programme has been specially designed to provide you with prompt and helpful information about the services that the institution offers.
• FYE provides prompt information and support services.

Using Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• Registered students can familiarize themselves with the module's learning outcomes and, if they have been exposed to those outcomes for three or more years through work or other involvement, apply for exemption from completing assessments.
• Application requires compiling a portfolio substantiating experience.

How to Study Online

• AIN1501 is a fully online module with study material available online via myUnisa at https://my.unisa.ac.za.

Assessments

• Submit all mandatory assessments to complete the module.
• All information about the weighting, when and where to submit assessments will be made available via the myModules site for your module.
• Assessment due dates are available on myUnisa.
• Unisa uses myUnisa as its virtual campus and offers students access to the myModules site.

Types of Assessments

• All assessments are defined as either mandatory or elective.
• Elective assessments: If not submitted, the student gets no mark for this item; only the best submissions will count.
• Mandatory assessments: If not submitted, the student gets no mark for this item.

Invigilation/Proctoring

• Since 2020, Unisa has conducted all its assessments online.
• In some modules you may encounter the use of proctoring tools: Turnitin, Moodle Proctoring, the Invigilator App and IRIS.
• Students are required to submit typed responses when using Turnitin.

Academic Honesty

• Plagiarism is the act of taking the words, ideas and thoughts of others and presenting them as your own.
• Includes copying and pasting without acknowledgement, not including references, or paraphrasing without acknowledgement
• Cheating includes completing assessments for another student, copying work, using social media to disseminate assessment information, submitting corrupt or irrelevant files, and buying completed answers
• More information on plagiarism: https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Study-@-Unisa/Student-values-and-rules

Students Living with Disabilities

• The Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) provides an opportunity for staff to interact with first-time and returning students with disabilities.