Outputs

Similar to auditing’s final product, accounting information system generate

outputs after entering inputs that have undergone different processes. This output

summarizes the end product of accounting information system which comprises reports

that serves as the supporting documents of the financial statements.

The researchers adapted the general categories of outputs as laid down by

Leslie Turner (A. Weickgennant, 2013). These are the trading partner documents,

internal documents, internal reports and external reports. The following are categorized

according to their uses and methods of transfer, from the entity to suppliers, creditors

and customers.

Output of accounting information system may be in electronic or paper form.

Checks, invoices and statement are form of trading partner documents. They transfer

from hand to hand whenever the transaction arises within the entity’s normal operating

cycle.

Credit memorandums, receiving reports and production scheduling documents

are outputs that fall under internal documents. These outputs are managed by different

department within the entity. It serves as supporting documents to attest verifiability and

existence of every transaction. Internal control that concerns segregation of duties

focuses on this type of output.

Aside from trading and internal documents, accounting information system also

generate reports that concerns management, taken as a whole – may it be internal or

external. Internal reports are reports that are used by internal users or simply managers,
such as depreciation schedules, schedule of aged accounts receivable, production

schedules, trial balances, and the like. These are classified as specific reports because

they are prepared as to when the management needs it, mostly for approval or review.

On the other hand, external reports are reports used by users outside the entity.

These are general reports, for they are not prepared as to when the need arises. It does

not satisfy a specific need. These are the most important output of the accounting

information system because it concerns the general public. It is comprised by financial

statements, namely, balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows.