Pedagogy and the PC: Trends in the AIS Curriculum

The author investigated the array of course topics in accounting information systems (AIS), as course syllabi embody. The author (a) used exploratory data analysis to determine the topics that AIS courses most frequently offered and (b) used descriptive statistics and econometric analysis to trace the diversity of course topics through time, complementing previous literature on the topic by providing an alternative research methodology. The results indicate an increase in topical diversity and an emphasis on data modeling and AIS design and development, evident in both the course topics offered and the choice of software in these AIS courses. These findings (a) provide a reference for faculty whom administrators have tasked with designing AIS curricula and (b) serve as a basis for considering the state of accounting education, the relevance of information systems, and the evolving role of the accountant.