Introduction to the use of software in accounting training

As digitalization of the economy is progressing rapidly, the profession of accountant is constantly evolving. All companies are by now using accounting software in their working environment. As in other training areas, teaching of accounting, will be carried out ever more with the aid of modern technologies.

This represents an important change and the following documentation, is a result of years of experience, gained by working closely with many schools around the world on multiple projects and aims to provide an aid to the institutions, schools and teachers who are taking this path.

Introduction

Before getting to the actual topic it may prove useful to add a brief introduction:

• Reasons for technological setbacks in accounting training
  For a long time and in many quarters, it has been pointed out that IT tools are still scarcely used in accounting training. For other subjects, such as that of Graphics or Programming, the use of the most modern technologies has long been part of the training. There are no specific studies on the causes for this setback and this often leads to wrong considerations and approaches.
• 10 criteria for choosing a software suitable for accounting training
  The requirements in the field of school accounting training are not the same as those of companies. The evaluation of the software to be adopted must take into account specific needs.
• The different actors involved in accounting training.
  The success of projects involving the use of software in teaching involves several people.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo Accounting training with Banana Accounting
  The DR Congo wants the training of accounting technicians to be done with modern tools, so that their students are at the forefront when they enter the labour market and can encourage the adoption by companies of digital business management technologies. The Department of Education has chosen Banana Accounting for this purpose and is introducing it successfully and very quickly to all commercial schools in the nation.

Resources for teachers and schools

• Main advantages of using accounting software in teaching
  Using accounting software carries several teaching benefits.
• Complete training software
  Banana Accounting is a professional and comprehensive accounting software based on the double entry accounting system. It provides the typical functionalities of accounting software, but is aimed at use on an individual basis. It therefore lends itself very well for use in training at any level.
• Know and learn Banana Accounting, for teachers
  A list of steps to follow for teachers who wish to approach and use the program in teaching.
• Request a free school license

Use for different training levels

Ideas for use:

• Cash management of an elementary class
  Students manage the cash ledger and learn to organize the vouchers, record and account for the situation.
• Introduction to accounting in elementary schools
  From the age of 12 students use Banana Accounting to learn about the concepts of debit and credit, inserting records and checking that the accounting is correct.
• Training of accounting technicians
  Students follow complete accounting courses and put into practice what they have learned thanks to the help of Banana Accounting.
• Accounting courses in university bachelor programs
  Students are shown screenshots of Banana Accounting with realistic balance sheets during accounting courses. Students can install the program on their computer and try out how to keep accounts for companies.

Typical uses of software in accounting training

• Accounting software presentation
  Banana Accounting is can be used to explain the logic of an accounting software.
• Accounting exercises
  Students put into practice what they have learned using an accounting software.
• Financial planning
  Adopt Banana Accounting to prepare a new company's business plan.

A glance at the future

Technology is evolving rapidly, therefore a look to the future will help to move towards a way of working that is capable of taking into account technological and educational advances.

• Smartphones and tablets in accounting training
  All students have a mobile phones and, over time, they will be ever more performing. Banana Accounting already works on smartphones and tablets, and all students can practice keeping accounts, even without having access to a computer or being connected to the internet.
• Financial planning
  Banana Accounting allows you to prepare financial plans and insert budget movements in double entry accounting. Students can "play" at creating their own startup, produce financial forecasts and at the same time practice accounting, learn the double-entry accounting tools and get used to interpreting the balance sheet and the income statement of their company, so as to understand it's performance and evolution.
• Collaborative training documentation
  Creating and keeping up-to-date material to support accounting teaching is a very demanding activity that can no longer be managed by a single teacher. Thanks to new collaborative tools, teachers can work in groups and produce very effective documentation whilst reducing their workload.