IT News Commentary Assignment - Accounting Information Systems

IT NEWS COMMENTARY ASSIGNMENT

Accounting Information Systems

IT News Commentary Assignment. This assignment requires students to research and comment on an emerging/prevailing information technology (IT) issue relevant to accounting practice. Required Submission: Each student will be required to submit a short write-up AND deliver a short informal presentation during class. Write-ups (not to exceed 1-2 pages) must be properly prepared, formatted, and submitted in accordance with instructions in the “Assignment Policies” documents posted on Blackboard. Write-ups must be submitted to Blackboard via the appropriate assignment link before 10:00 AM on the date you are scheduled to present.

REQUIREMENTS

1. IT News Commentary Research. Identify a recent IT news item of interest (e.g., article, issue, report, or event) to serve as the focus for your news commentary. The news item must be recent in occurrence[footnoteRef:1] and address an information systems (IS) related technology topic of direct relevance to accounting practice and/or course content.[footnoteRef:2] Conduct supporting research to synthesize a sound understanding of the selected news item and IT topic(s) to which it relates. Supporting research is required and may be conducted using print, media, and/or online sources. Note : Research must include a minimum of 3 distinct outside sources. [1: The news item must have occurred within the last 6 months; older items are only appropriate if more recent items (i.e., recent items that follow-up on or update the selected item) can be integrated into your commentary.] [2: There are numerous IT topics relevant to accounting practice/course content. See the AICPA Information Technology Resource page https://www.aicpa.org/interestareas/informationtechnology.html and/or Cybersecurity Resource Center https://www.aicpa.org/interestareas/frc/assuranceadvisoryservices/cyber-security-resource-center.html for examples of relevant IT topics.]

2. IT News Commentary Write-Up. Prepare a concise, properly formatted write-up (1-2 pages including written responses, illustrations, references). Write-ups must

a. Include the title and original source of the recent news item (1 line).

b. Include a discussion of the IT topics(s) (e.g., background/concepts/issues) to which the news item relates (1 paragraph)

c. Include a discussion of the key point(s) of the news item (1 paragraph).

d. Include a commentary on the relevance of the news item to accounting practice and/or course content[footnote

Ref:3] AND a statement re the personal value of the knowledge you acquired while completing this assignment[footnoteRef:4] (1 paragraph). [3: Consider the topics(s)/issue(s) to which the news item relates and comment on relevance to course content.] [4: Consider what you learned while completing this assignment and comment on the personal importance of such knowledge to you, how such knowledge furthered your understanding, and/or how such knowledge offers value to you as an aspiring accounting professional.]

e. Include a properly formatted reference section containing a minimum of 3 distinct outside sources (e.g., articles, news reports, websites) used to support your news commentary.[footnoteRef:5] [5: The course text, course notes, and other assigned course materials may be referenced but will NOT count as outside sources. Moreover, Wikipedia is NOT a legitimate reference for the purposes of this assignment.]

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