WGU D217 – Accounting Information
Systems UPDATED NOTE VERSION- (Latest
2025/2026) Study Guide
Course Overview
Accounting Information Systems (AIS for short) introduces students to AIS, with particular emphasis on the
accountant’s role in management and financial reporting systems. Topics include transaction cycles and related
information technology (IT) controls, data management, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and e-commerce systems,
systems development and acquisition, documentation, and IT auditing. D103 Intermediate Accounting I and D104
Intermediate Accounting II are the prerequisites to this course.
GREEN HIGHLIGHTS – STUDY GUIDE OBJECTIVES PER MODULE – note: the textbook info has been chosen for you
Course Overall Strategy
Work through each unit in Cengage/MindTap per the study guide instructions detailed by unit below.
Complete the chapter quizzes as you work through each unit.
There are 2 versions of the unit tests. Course instructors recommend taking one version as you work through
each module. Going back through the Cengage/MindTap content will be necessary for some units. Based on
your unit test results, consider adding an additional layer of detail to your student notes or progress to the
next unit if you are satisfied with your level of competency.
Once you have been through all 6 units; take the second version of the Unit tests in one sitting to assess your PA
readiness. Re-review Cengage/MindTap content and student notes as necessary.
Attempt the PA. Your CI will offer feedback on your PA results. Review feedback before progressing to OA.
Attempt the OA.
*Before I attempted the OA and after I did the PA:
- I reviewed the module that I was weak on and studied the areas using these notes AND the module quizzes.
- then I skimmed through the notes and module quizzes one more time, and watched cohort videos 1 more time.
Note: I felt like the 4th video wasn’t sufficient before I even took the OA so I recommend reading Unit 6 and
getting to know it.
UNIT 2: (Competency Weight 20%)
Overview of Accounting Information Systems – Complete the following activities:
Read/Listen to all the module content.
Take detailed notes for each learning objective below. You can copy and paste directly from Cengage/MindTap
into Microsoft word.
Watch the cohort recording for An Accountant’s Perspective: Accounting Information Systems - An Accountant's
Perspective. The videos are not all inclusive and are meant to supplement (not replace) the readings.
Competency: The graduate analyzes system components and transaction processes, using an accounting information
system.
Module 1: You should be able to answer the following questions after studying this module: The student analyzes the
components of information systems and their importance to accounting.
Recognize the primary information flows within the business environment.
, WGU D217 – Accounting Information
Systems UPDATED NOTE VERSION- (Latest
2025/2026) Study Guide
Specific information objectives will differ from firm to firm as specific user
needs vary. Three fundamental objectives are, however, common to all
organizations:
1. To support the firm’s day-to-day operations. Operations personnel use
information to assist them in the efficient and effective discharge of
their daily tasks.
2. To support management decision making. Managers use information
to assist them in planning and control decisions related to their areas of
responsibility.
3. To support the stewardship function of management. Stewardship
refers to managers’ responsibility to properly manage the resources of
the firm and to report on their activities. External users receive
stewardship information through traditional financial statements and
other mandated reports. Internally, managers receive stewardship
information from various responsibility reports.
Differential between accounting information systems (AIS) and management information systems (MIS)
** Memorize AIS structure
, WGU D217 – Accounting Information
Systems UPDATED NOTE VERSION- (Latest
2025/2026) Study Guide
Differential between financial transactions and nonfinancial transactions . ***KNOW
The distinction between AIS and MIS centers on the concept of a transaction. The information
system accepts inputs, called transactions, which are converted through various processes into
output information that goes to users. Transactions fall into two classes: financial transactions
and nonfinancial transactions.
(AIS) processes financial transaction: an economic event that affects the assets and equities of
the organization, is reflected in its accounts, and is measured in monetary terms.
, WGU D217 – Accounting Information
Systems UPDATED NOTE VERSION- (Latest
2025/2026) Study Guide
(MIS) processes Nonfinancial transactions: events that do not meet the narrow
definition of a financial transaction. For example, adding a new supplier of raw
materials to the list of valid suppliers is an event that may be processed by the
enterprise’s information system as a transaction.
Identify the principal components of the general model for accounting information systems. ***KNOW
This is a general model because it applies to all AIS, regardless of their underlying technologies.
Data Collection: first operational stage in Information system
Data Sources: financial transactions that enter the info systems from internal or external sources
Data Processing: group that manages the computer resources used to perform day to day processing of transactions
Database Management:
Data Attribute collection of attributes = record collection of record = file
Information Generation
Information generation is the process of compiling, arranging, formatting, and presenting information
to users. Information can be an operational document such as a sales order, a structured report, or a
Systems UPDATED NOTE VERSION- (Latest
2025/2026) Study Guide
Course Overview
Accounting Information Systems (AIS for short) introduces students to AIS, with particular emphasis on the
accountant’s role in management and financial reporting systems. Topics include transaction cycles and related
information technology (IT) controls, data management, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and e-commerce systems,
systems development and acquisition, documentation, and IT auditing. D103 Intermediate Accounting I and D104
Intermediate Accounting II are the prerequisites to this course.
GREEN HIGHLIGHTS – STUDY GUIDE OBJECTIVES PER MODULE – note: the textbook info has been chosen for you
Course Overall Strategy
Work through each unit in Cengage/MindTap per the study guide instructions detailed by unit below.
Complete the chapter quizzes as you work through each unit.
There are 2 versions of the unit tests. Course instructors recommend taking one version as you work through
each module. Going back through the Cengage/MindTap content will be necessary for some units. Based on
your unit test results, consider adding an additional layer of detail to your student notes or progress to the
next unit if you are satisfied with your level of competency.
Once you have been through all 6 units; take the second version of the Unit tests in one sitting to assess your PA
readiness. Re-review Cengage/MindTap content and student notes as necessary.
Attempt the PA. Your CI will offer feedback on your PA results. Review feedback before progressing to OA.
Attempt the OA.
*Before I attempted the OA and after I did the PA:
- I reviewed the module that I was weak on and studied the areas using these notes AND the module quizzes.
- then I skimmed through the notes and module quizzes one more time, and watched cohort videos 1 more time.
Note: I felt like the 4th video wasn’t sufficient before I even took the OA so I recommend reading Unit 6 and
getting to know it.
UNIT 2: (Competency Weight 20%)
Overview of Accounting Information Systems – Complete the following activities:
Read/Listen to all the module content.
Take detailed notes for each learning objective below. You can copy and paste directly from Cengage/MindTap
into Microsoft word.
Watch the cohort recording for An Accountant’s Perspective: Accounting Information Systems - An Accountant's
Perspective. The videos are not all inclusive and are meant to supplement (not replace) the readings.
Competency: The graduate analyzes system components and transaction processes, using an accounting information
system.
Module 1: You should be able to answer the following questions after studying this module: The student analyzes the
components of information systems and their importance to accounting.
Recognize the primary information flows within the business environment.
, WGU D217 – Accounting Information
Systems UPDATED NOTE VERSION- (Latest
2025/2026) Study Guide
Specific information objectives will differ from firm to firm as specific user
needs vary. Three fundamental objectives are, however, common to all
organizations:
1. To support the firm’s day-to-day operations. Operations personnel use
information to assist them in the efficient and effective discharge of
their daily tasks.
2. To support management decision making. Managers use information
to assist them in planning and control decisions related to their areas of
responsibility.
3. To support the stewardship function of management. Stewardship
refers to managers’ responsibility to properly manage the resources of
the firm and to report on their activities. External users receive
stewardship information through traditional financial statements and
other mandated reports. Internally, managers receive stewardship
information from various responsibility reports.
Differential between accounting information systems (AIS) and management information systems (MIS)
** Memorize AIS structure
, WGU D217 – Accounting Information
Systems UPDATED NOTE VERSION- (Latest
2025/2026) Study Guide
Differential between financial transactions and nonfinancial transactions . ***KNOW
The distinction between AIS and MIS centers on the concept of a transaction. The information
system accepts inputs, called transactions, which are converted through various processes into
output information that goes to users. Transactions fall into two classes: financial transactions
and nonfinancial transactions.
(AIS) processes financial transaction: an economic event that affects the assets and equities of
the organization, is reflected in its accounts, and is measured in monetary terms.
, WGU D217 – Accounting Information
Systems UPDATED NOTE VERSION- (Latest
2025/2026) Study Guide
(MIS) processes Nonfinancial transactions: events that do not meet the narrow
definition of a financial transaction. For example, adding a new supplier of raw
materials to the list of valid suppliers is an event that may be processed by the
enterprise’s information system as a transaction.
Identify the principal components of the general model for accounting information systems. ***KNOW
This is a general model because it applies to all AIS, regardless of their underlying technologies.
Data Collection: first operational stage in Information system
Data Sources: financial transactions that enter the info systems from internal or external sources
Data Processing: group that manages the computer resources used to perform day to day processing of transactions
Database Management:
Data Attribute collection of attributes = record collection of record = file
Information Generation
Information generation is the process of compiling, arranging, formatting, and presenting information
to users. Information can be an operational document such as a sales order, a structured report, or a
