Finance

Question

Do you believe knowledge in Accounting is essential for developing a complete- Accounting package? Is it good to have some feed back or a good suggestion even from a data entry operator? Is it worth to have a discussion in this matter? Finance linked with operations, harness; explore maximum results!!! No way of keeping finance separate from operations. I have seen a lot of programs in accounts which are developed by ‘Code-Gurus’, but it can never be treated as what is expected! I have recently seen a package which is developed using VB and back end-Access 2000. The forms and reports looked nice; but a false logic was used. The package does not derive correct profit and loss & Balance Sheet. Even trial balance, Ageing analysis every thing figured a differently. Let me say one error in the logic = > Say as of 1-Jan-2005 Company A has raised an invoice to a customer-A amounting Dhs10, 000.00 and a receipt booked against this invoice as of 05-Feb-2005. After posting the receipt, an ageing of the customer has taken as of 05-Feb-2005’; it showed a nil balance, which is perfect. But when ageing for the customer has taken as of 31-Jan-2005, it has given again a nil balance, which is incorrect. Same problem was there in other report such as summarized ageing, overdue analysis etc. But the balance in trial balance was pretty good since it used simple logic (taken account of date). I wonder since we have databases like Sql-Server, Oracle etc; GUI like VS.net, and strong reports from crystal reports; then what was wrong. It is very important to design the underlying database as per requirement. Once it is designed you may modify the front-end and reports. Recently I have started to develop a package using VB.net and back-end as Access 2000. I ‘m using Stored procedures to update tables. So I hope I would easily migrate my database in to Sql-server when required. Believe me; it has taken hours of surfing on the net for me to get a code for changing the column width of a datagrid which is connected to a datatable. . I believe sharing knowledge would be beneficial for each of us and should I ask support of codes from ‘Code-Gurus’ During my experience as an Accountant coupled with my knowledge in programming, I have got a number of chances to implement good packages in the companies where I worked with. It was a different experience in sharing the experience and to have a detailed discussion on the subject etc. Rather than boring you by literature it would be O.K for you if I would be writing some thing about balance sheet, Profit and loss account. Professionals in accounts please excuse; I would be writing this in a simple way rather than using technical words as it is intend for Application developers. In my next discussion I would be writing about, 1) Trial Balance 2) Profit and loss account 3) Balance Sheet 4) Accounts General ledger, Sub ledger ( Movements of accounts ) 5) Tree level accounts 6) Grouping of accounts ( I would be providing a sample chart of accounts) 7) Ageing analysis 8) Financial reports 9) Cash flow 10) Account analysis 11) Transaction types 12) Vouchers ( Screen dumps) Code Gurus and Developers, may I request your extended patronage from code to share codes and views. Bijil Varghese