Writing Assignment

Managing in a global, digital society requires accountants to pay close attention about information. One of the reasons accountants have to pay close attention to information is because the information presented by accountants will be used by management for making crucial decisions. Also, accountants must have the correct skills in order to perform this and other key functions. Your response will address this in these areas

Part I - Information Management Today

Roughly 50 years ago, Russell Ackoff wrote about the importance, or lack of importance, of information that management needs in "Ackoff's Management Information System" (see attachment). You will read this article and answer the following:

- Does each of the assumptions (individually) apply today? Whether you agree or disagree, you will need to explain why and provide examples to support your stance.

Part II - Ackoff Revisited

- Since this the article was written over 50 years ago, the assumptions should be updated to reflect today. Revise each of the 5 assumptions to reflect a global, digital society and provide a quick summary of each summary.

Part III - Framework for Information Management - CPA Vision Project

- Now, do some research on the CPA Vision Project of 2025 (http://www.aicpa.org/Research/CPAHorizons2025/CPAvisionProject/Pages/CPAVisionProject.aspx). Explain how the framework can help accountants to provide their managers with the right information at the right time in the right format.

Part IV - Skills Needed for Accountants to Produce the Right Information

- Identify the necessary skills that an accountant should have that will allow them to provide their managers with the right information at the right time in the right format.

Your response should not generally exceed eight pages (doubled-spaced) or four pages single- spaced. Your page count does not include such items as cover page, reference page, and appendix, if provided. You will need to include at least two references and at least two in-text citations to support your paper. These references must be related directly to the topics covered in the paper. Other formatting specifics regarding this paper include:

- Headings: You will need to use headings (short, brief, and centered) to separate each area of your paper. Your headings should have an appropriate title such as CPA Vision Project instead of Part III.

- Margins & Font Sizes: Use standard margins (minimum .5"; maximum 1.5") and standard font size (minimum 10 point; maximum 12 point) in your paper.

- Writing Style: APA is the preferred writing style, but you can choose any appropriate writing style (e.g. MLA), except that all references are to be formatted via APA. Please consult the UMUC Effective Writing Center (http://www.umuc.edu/writingcenter/index.cfm) for assistance regarding choice of styles and formatting of references via APA.

Case: Ackoff's Management Misinformation Systems.