Friday, April 18, 2008

MS-01 Question 2

Explain the concept of Management Information System. Describe various control processes being used in your organization or any organization you are familiar with. Assess the effectiveness of these controls and highlight critical deviations.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMMIS is an integrated information system, which is used to providemanagement with needed information on a regular basis .The term system in MIS implies ORDER, ARRANGEMENT, and PURPOSE.The information can be used for various purposes,-strategic planning-delivering increased productivity-reducing service cycles-reducing product development cycles-reducing marketing life cycles-increasing the understanding of customers' needs-facilitating business and process re-engineering.MIS can also be used across the organization as an informationutility to-support policy making-meet regulatory and legislative requirements-support research and development-support consistent and rapid decision making-enable effective and efficient utilization of resources-provide evidence of business transactions-identify and manage risks-evaluate and document quality, performance and achievements.
MAKING INFORMATION AVAILABLE
The availability of information is fundamental to the decision makingprocess. Decisions are made within the organization at
-STRATEGIC-OPERATIONAL
-PROGRAMMES
-ACTIVITY LEVEL.
The information needs and decision making activities of the various levels of management
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Strategic business direction-information for strategically positioning the organization-competitive analysis and performance evaluation,-strategic planning and policy,-external factors that influence the directionetc
MID LEVEL MANAGEMENT
Organizational and operational functions-information for coordination of work units-information for delivery programmes-evaluation of resources usage-budget control-problem solving-operational planningetc
MID LEVEL MANAGEMENT
Programme management within units-information for implementing programmes-information for managing programmes-management of resources usage-project scheduling-problem solving-operational planningetc
LINE MANAGEMENTActivity management -information for routine decision making-information for problem solving-information for service deliveryetc.
MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS
The management oriented support systems provide supportto various levels of management. Executive Information Systems allow executives to see where aproblem or opportunity exists.Decision Support Systems are used by mid-level management to support the solution of problems that require judgementby the problem solver.Line Managers use Management Reporting Systems for routine operational information.
FUNCTIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS
These include-Accounting Information Systems-Marketing Information Systems-Enterprise Information Systems-Decision Support Information Systems-Executive Information Systems-Quality Management Information Systems-Manufacturing Information Systems-Financial Information Systems-Human resource Information Systems=================================================
THE CONTROLS FOR MY ORGANIZATION ARE THE FOLLOWING-EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE-MANAGEMENT CONTROLS AT ALL LEVELS*MARKETING MANAGEMENT*SALES MANAGEMENT*SUPPLY MANAGEMENT*DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENTETC ETC-BUDGETORY CONTROLS-AUTHORIZATIONS CONTROLS-INVENTORY CONTROLS--RAW MATERIALS-INVENTORY CONTROLS --FINISHED PRODUCTS-QUALITY CONTROLS-PROCUREMENT CONTROLS-DEBT CONTROLS-SALES/ MARKETING EXPENSES CONTROL-PERSONNEL CONTROL-MONTHLY PERFORMANCE REVIEW AGAINST BUDGET-HALF YEARLY BUSINESS AUDITING
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IN THIS ORGANIZATION , WE HAVE INTEGRATED THE CONTROL SYSTEMS INTO PLANNING, SO THAT IT HELPS -TO MEASURE THE DEVIATIONS-TO STUDY THE VARIANCES-TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS.
Management planning and control process"
P .PLANNING-----------------C.
CONTROL [ c1.establish standards]p1.establishing objectives.p2.determine detailed activities.p3.delegationp4.schedule tasksp5.allocate resourcesp6.communication and coordinationp7.provide incentivesc2.measure and compare.c3.evaluate results.c4.feedback and coachc5.take corrective action.The above schematic shows the important interrelationships between planning and control. As you can see, the control process does not begin after the entire planning process ends, as most managers believe.After objectives are set in the first step of the planning process, appropriate standards should be developed for them. Standards are units of measurement established to serve as a reference base and are useful in determining time lines, sequences of activities, scheduling, and allocation of resources.For example, if objectives are set and work is planned for 18 people on an assembly line, standards or reasonable expectations of performance from each person then need to be clearly established.The second significant interaction between planning and control occurs with the final step of the control process-taking corrective action. This can take several forms, but two of the most effective are to change the objectives or alter the plan.Managers dislike doing either; but if a positive motivational climate is to be established, these ought to be the first two corrective actions attempted. Objectives and standards are based on assumptions, but if these assumptions prove inaccurate, then objectives and standards require alteration. Thus sales quotas assigned on the premise of a booming economy can certainly be altered if, as is often the case, the economy turns sour.Likewise, if the assumptions are accurate and objectives and standards have not been met, then it is possible that the plan developed was inadequate and needs to be changed.
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Controls are to be an integral part of any organization's financial and business policies and procedures. Controls consists of all the measures taken by the organization for the purpose of; (1) protecting its resources against waste, fraud, and inefficiency; (2) ensuring accuracy and reliability in accounting and operating data; (3) securing compliance with the policies of the organization; and (4) evaluating the level of performance in all organizational units of the organization. Controls are simply good business practices.1.Responsibility Everyone within the COMPANY has some role in controls. The roles vary depending upon the level of responsibility and the nature of involvement by the individual. The Board of President and senior executives establish the presence of integrity, ethics, competence and a positive control environment. The department heads have oversight responsibility for controls within their units. Managers and supervisory personnel are responsible for executing control policies and procedures at the detail level within their specific unit. Each individual within a unit is to be cognizant of proper internal control procedures associated with their specific job responsibilities. The Internal Audit role is to examine the adequacy and effectiveness of the company internal controls and make recommendations where control improvements are needed. Since Internal Auditing is to remain independent and objective, the Internal Audit Office does not have the primary responsibility for establishing or maintaining internal controls. However, the effectiveness of the internal controls are enhanced through the reviews performed and recommendations made by Internal Auditing.2.Elements of Internal Control Internal control systems operate at different levels of effectiveness. Determining whether a particular internal control system is effective is a judgement resulting from an assessment of whether the five components - Control Environment, Risk Assessment, Control Activities, Information and Communication, and Monitoring - are present and functioning. Effective controls provide reasonable assurance regarding the accomplishment of established objectives.A. Control Environment The control environment, as established by the organization's administration, sets the tone of THE COMPANY and influences the control consciousness of its people. MANAGERS of each department, area or activity establish a local control environment. This is the foundation for all other components of internal control, providing discipline and structure. Control environment factors include: Integrity and ethical values; The commitment to competence; Leadership philosophy and operating style; The way management assigns authority and responsibility, and organizes and develops its people; Policies and procedures. B. Risk Assessment Every entity faces a variety of risks from external and internal sources that must be assessed. A precondition to risk assessment is establishment of objectives, linked at different levels and internally consistent. Risk assessment is the identification and analysis of relevant risks to achievement of the objectives, forming a basis for determining how the risks should be managed. Because economics, regulatory and operating conditions will continue to change, mechanisms are needed to identify and deal with the special risks associated with change. Objectives must be established before MANAGERS can identify and take necessary steps to manage risks. Operations objectives relate to effectiveness and efficiency of the operations, including performance and financial goals and safeguarding resources against loss. Financial reporting objectives pertain to the preparation of reliable published financial statements, including prevention of fraudulent financial reporting. Compliance objectives pertain to laws and regulations which establish minimum standards of behavior.The process of identifying and analyzing risk is an ongoing process and is a critical component of an effective internal control system. Attention must be focused on risks at all levels and necessary actions must be taken to manage. Risks can pertain to internal and external factors. After risks have been identified they must be evaluated. Managing change requires a constant assessment of risk and the impact on internal controls. Economic, industry and regulatory environments change and entities' activities evolve. Mechanisms are needed to identify and react to changing conditions.C. Control Activities Control activities are the policies and procedures that help ensure management directives are carried out. They help ensure that necessary actions are taken to address risks to achievement of the entity's objectives. Control activities occur throughout the organization, at all levels, and in all functions. They include a range of activities as diverse as approvals, authorizations, verifications, reconciliations, reviews of operating performance, security of assets and segregation of duties.Control activities usually involve two elements: a policy establishing what should be done and procedures to effect the policy. All policies must be implemented thoughtfully, conscientiously and consistently.D.Information and Communication Pertinent information must be identified, captured and communicated in a form and time frame that enables people to carry out their responsibilities. Effective communication must occur in a broad sense, flowing down, across and up the organization. All personnel must receive a clear message from top management that control responsibilities must be taken seriously. They must understand their own role in the internal control system, as well as how individual activities relate to the work of others. They must have a means of communicating significant information upstream. E.Monitoring Control systems need to be monitored - a process that assesses the quality of the system's performance over time. Ongoing monitoring occurs in the ordinary course of operations, and includes regular management and supervisory activities, and other actions personnel take in performing their duties that assess the quality of internal control system performance.The scope and frequency of separate evaluations depend primarily on an assessment of risks and the effectiveness of ongoing monitoring procedures. Internal control deficiencies should be reported upstream, with serious matters reported immediately to top administration and governing boards.Control systems change over time. The way controls are applied may evolve. Once effective procedures can become less effective due to the arrival of new personnel, varying effectiveness of training and supervision, time and resources constraints, or additional pressures. Furthermore, circumstances for which the internal control system was originally designed also may change. Because of changing conditions, management needs to determine whether the internal control system continues to be relevant and able to address new risks.Components of the Control Activity 1.Internal controls rely on the principle of checks and balances in the workplace. The following components focus on the control activity:2.Personnel need to be competent and trustworthy, with clearly established lines of authority and responsibility documented in written job descriptions and procedures manuals. Organizational charts provide a visual presentation of lines of authority and periodic updates of job descriptions ensures that employees are aware of the duties they are expected to perform.3.Authorization Procedures need to include a thorough review of supporting information to verify the propriety and validity of transactions. Approval authority is to be commensurate with the nature and significance of the transactions and in compliance with COMPANY policy.4.Segregation of Duties reduce the likelihood of errors and irregularities. An individual is not to have responsibility for more than one of the three transaction components: authorization, custody, and record keeping. When the work of one employee is checked by another, and when the responsibility for custody for assets is separate from the responsibility for maintaining the records relating to those assets, there is appropriate segregation of duties. This helps detect errors in a timely manner and deter improper activities; and at the same time, it should be devised to prompt operational efficiency and allow for effective communications.5.Physical Restrictions are the most important type of protective measures for safeguarding COMPANY assets, processes and data.6.Documentation and Record Retention is to provide reasonable assurance that all information and transactions of value are accurately recorded and retained. Records are to be maintained and controlled in accordance with the established retention period and properly disposed of in accordance with established procedures.7.Monitoring Operations is essential to verify that controls are operating properly. Reconciliations, confirmations, and exception reports can provide this type of information.
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