HA2042 – Accounting Information Systems

Assessment Task 2: Feasibility Study Report

Weighting: 25% of total course grade (20 marks for written report + 5 marks for group presentation)
Due Date: 5:00 PM Friday, Week 11
Submission: Via Blackboard Turnitin (written report) and Blackboard Groups (group evaluation form by Week 12)
Word Count: 2,500–3,000 words (excluding executive summary, tables, references, and appendices)
Format: Business report format, 12pt font, 1.5 line spacing, APA 7th Edition referencing

Assessment Overview

This assessment requires you to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for Pressure Hydraulics, a multi-site hydraulic servicing business seeking to modernise its accounting information systems and operational processes. You will apply the TELOS framework (Technical, Economic, Legal, Operational, and Schedule feasibility) alongside contemporary cloud-based ERP evaluation methodologies to develop evidence-based recommendations for system implementation.

The case study involves a business with three existing service centres (Newcastle, Toronto, and Maitland) planning expansion to Coffs Harbour and Gosford, with future east coast growth ambitions. Your analysis must address critical pain points including manual inventory management, outdated pricing systems, inefficient payroll processing, and lack of real-time financial visibility across distributed locations.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

• LO2: Analyse business processes and identify opportunities for AIS enhancement
• LO3: Evaluate alternative accounting information system solutions using established frameworks
• LO4: Develop feasibility assessments incorporating technical, economic, and operational considerations
• LO5: Communicate professional recommendations supported by evidence-based reasoning

Case Study Context: Pressure Hydraulics

Pressure Hydraulics operates as a decentralised business with independent service centres. Current workflows rely heavily on manual documentation including hard-copy Price Books, handwritten Works Books for scheduling, and paper-based Job Cards. The owner, Allan Taylor, currently spends significant time travelling between sites for monitoring, leaving limited capacity for strategic business development.

Key operational challenges include:

1. Delayed price updates in hard-copy Price Books leading to revenue loss or missed sales opportunities
2. Manual Works Book scheduling causing overbooking, idle capacity, and customer miscommunication
3. Discrepancies between quoted and invoiced amounts due to outdated pricing data
4. Incorrect component selection for mining industry services resulting in costly return trips and client relationship damage
5. Fortnightly manual payroll preparation requiring extensive staff time verification
6. Daily banking reconciliation delays creating cash flow visibility gaps

Allan has identified specific system requirements including centralised stock ordering across all locations, real-time inventory visibility, automated invoice generation, integrated payroll with direct banking, customer relationship tracking for retention marketing, and simultaneous price updates across all service centres.

Your Task

Prepare a professional feasibility study report that evaluates potential accounting information system solutions for Pressure Hydraulics. Your report must demonstrate understanding of SME cloud ERP implementation challenges while addressing the specific technical and operational requirements outlined in the case study.