Accounting For Data Processing Costs

Accounting for Data Processing Costs

The author conducted surveys and performed other analyses of current practice in the allocation and reporting of date processing costs. He found that most companies charge some portion of data processing and systems costs to various departments using the full cost approach. Most also keep about half of their data processing centralized. He compares his findings to the provisions of National Association of Accountants Statement 4F, Allocation of Information Systems Costs. He also provides chapters on software taxation and one covering financial accounting for software costs, which has a comprehesive example of how to amortize capitalized costs in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement no. 86, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed. Software developed for internal use also is covered. This is a useful book, particularly for accountants in industry. Journal of Accountancy This book, based on the author's own original research, brings together a clearly written summary of the current state of accounting for data processing costs. In addition to reporting on EDP accounting practices, one of the most rapidly changing areas of management accounting, Robert McGee offers a comprehensive guide to how such practices might be effectively applied in a variety of situations and organizations.

Accounting for Automatic Data Processing Costs Needs Improvement

Automatic data processing is used extensively throughout the Government, but many problems have been encountered in accounting for related costs. Of 26 Federal data processing organizations reviewed, none had adequate cost information on their automatic data processing assets and operations. Major cost elements such as utilities, space rental, data transmission costs, and military salaries were frequently omitted from reports of total costs. Only about half of the organizations spread the costs of long-lived hardware over its useful life and only a few did so for software. Earlier GAO reviews noted examples of savings that could have resulted if proper cost data were available. GAO and the Office of Management and Budget offered guidance in this area, but it was not effectively followed. Some factors accounting for this were: changes in computer systems which can now serve many users, financing of data processing operation by several different appropriations in some cases, and the fact that data processing costs are only a portion of program costs and thus have not been separately identified. It is essential to have reliable cost data in order to make sound decisions on needs for procurement, to distribute costs properly when multiple users are involved, and to make proper charges for services.

Accounting for Automatic Data Processing Costs Needs Improvement