Understanding and Auditing It Systems, Volume 2

This book discusses a variety of issues relevant to the development of the application systems in the context of the traditional structured approaches, the relational database systems and the ERP systems for an understanding of the optimized functionality of the applications in the diversified IT systems environment. The fourth generation languages for the ERP systems are introduced in-depth, along with the other ERP system features, for the understanding of the application development and processing features in the ERP systems environment. The development environments of the SAP R/3, JD Edwards and PeopleSoft Enterprise systems are discussed. This book addresses most of the major business cycle processes in the IT systems environment for an in-depth understanding and audits of the operational as well as the financial processes. By introducing the key information and application processing requirements in the respective cycle processes, the discussions enable the identification of the critical processes and the major exposures and hence the effective control and audits of the business and financial reporting processes. This book presents a new paradigm for categorization of the control objectives in the IT systems environment for both the general operational and financial control perspectives for the effective coverage of the vulnerability exposures in these two areas. These discussions are particularly useful in the implementation of the regulatory requirements such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the US and for compliance with GAAP in the IT systems environment. Key Highlight Areas in This Book; The extensive coverage of the application development issues including the traditional structured development approach, the relational database systems and the development of the ERP system applications. The extensive coverage of the internal control issues and SOA requirements in both the manual and IT systems environment with particular stresses on the financial controls for external reporting. The extensive coverage of major business cycle processes in the IT systems environment in terms of the key information and application processing requirements incl. the revenue, purchasing, conversion, payroll, treasury and general accounting cycles. The references to the major ERP system features for discussions on the major business cycle processes incl. SAP R/3, JD Edwards and PeopleSoft Enterprise systems.