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The accounting profession is changing rapidly. Noor Azizi Ismail, in his article:
Information Technology & Accounting: Issues and Challenges, gives a brief history of
Information Technology as it applies to accounting.
The term accounting system had been used before the introduction of the computer. In the
early 1950s and 1960s, known as the *ƒ²*ƒ"€š?machine accounting era IT was mainly
implemented to support the clerical aspects of accounting functions such as payroll,
accounts receivable and accounts payable*ƒ²*ƒ"€š*ƒ‚¦However, as accountants were busy
with the technical accounting issues such as the format of financial statements they started
to hire technical assistants, known at that time as *ƒ²*ƒ"€š?machine accountants to operate
the technology. (Ismail, 2003, p.2)
Times have definitely changed. Now accountants must be able to operate the technology
on their own. One of the new technologies that accountants must master are tax software
programs such as Turbo Tax. Using one of these programs allows the preparer to enter
information and either print out a return or file it electronically. (Moscove, Simkin, and
Bagranoff, 2003, p.17) Tax preparers are not the only people who must change with the
times. Those conducting audits must also adjust. Companies are increasingly moving away
from paper documentation. Information is now being stored in electronic formats such as
computer disks. (Moscove et al., 2003, p. 17).
The internet has changed the way accountants do business as well. Now, instead of mailing
an envelope containing a tax return to the Internal Revenue Service, the return can be
electronically filed. Also, Information may now be exchanged by different branches of one
