1008-1025. Birt, J., Chalmers, K., Maloney, S., Brooks, A., Oliver, J. and Bond, D. (2020), Accounting: Business Reporting for Decision Making, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey. According to Damerji (2020) and Chao and Chandra (2012), the knowledge of accounting software and its adoption are critical, and owner's knowledge of IT was found to be a significant predictor of adoption of traditional IT, as well as IT strategic alignment and Internet know-how, while controlling for differences in organizational attributes (age, size, affiliation industry and strategic attention). (2016), Effect of ICT on accounting information system and organisational performance: the application of information and communication technology on accounting information system, European Journal of Business and Social Sciences, Vol. Jimoh et al. Anderson, D.R., Sweeney, D.J., Williams, T.A., Camm, J.D. 54, pp. 1, pp. Imparting knowledge of the accounting software to the employees will be reinforced so that they use computerized accounting. Yu, X., Zheng, H., Sun, L. and Shan, Y. and Cochran, J.J. (2020), Modern Business Statistics with Microsoft Excel, Cengage Learning, Boston, MA. and Esmero, A. Damak-Ayadi, S., Sassi, N. and Bahri, M. (2020), Cross-country determinants of IFRS for SMEs adoption, Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, Vol. []. Another interviewee mentioned that they did not use any programs in their accounting because business was small. 3, p. 223. (2020), An emissions accounting framework for industrial parks in China, Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 83-101. (2020) and Arcega et al. Jinga, G., Dumitru, M., Dumitrana, M. and Vulpoi, M. (2010), Accounting systems for cost management used in the Romanian economic entities, Accounting and Management Information Systems/Contabilitate si Informatica de Gestiune, Vol. Visit emeraldpublishing.com/platformupdate to discover the latest news and updates, Answers to the most commonly asked questions here, College of Economics Management and Information Systems, Does corporate governance predict firm profitability? (2020) and Everaert et al. Janvrin, D., Bierstaker, J. and Lowe, D.J. When compared to small-scale organizations, large-scale organizations set more weightage on the development of accounting information. Thus, the objectives of this study are to examine the knowledge and use of accounting software among SMEs in Oman. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode. It means that there is a significant and positive relationship between the ICT and the auditing practices of accounting professionals. 907-926. Cadez and Guilding, 2008; Jalaludin et al., 2011) are in agreement with the results of the approach analysis; in the third phase of the discussion with interviewees, the participants were requested to comment on the results regarding the effect of knowledge of accounting software on various accountants who work in SMEs in Oman. Bui, N.T., Le, O.T.T. (2019a), Qualitative analysis on information communication technology and auditing practices of accounting professionals, Journal of Information and Computational Science, Vol. The results have further revealed that the knowledge of customized accounting software or ERP exerts a significant impact on the use or adoption of accounting software in current accounting practices of SMEs. IT helps overcome the challenges of an accounting profession (Rndau, 2017). This method has been applied by selected accountants who work in SMEs in Oman. In addition, this research shows the empirical evidence of knowledge of accounting software effects on the adoption or use of accounting software among SMEs in Oman. 1-8. 433 No. Another prominent interviewee opined that [] do not find a program that suits the level of a commercial project. The same has been mentioned by Birt et al. Nikoli, G., Vitenberg, V. and Karanovi, B. 836-863. 1, pp. 476-482. Damak-Ayadi et al. 8, pp. 2, pp. 5, pp. This leads SMEs not meeting their business goals (Alhatabat, 2020). (2016) have claimed that the usage of computerized accounting system by SMEs has much improved their performance. This study has used qualitative approach. Kumar, P.N. Usually, the result of the semi-structured discussions with respondents was consistent with and validated the qualitative findings presented, which found that all aspects (customized accounting software) had significant impact on practices among accounting professionals in various SMEs. (2014), Factors affecting the performance of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in the post-implementation stage, Behaviour and Information Technology, Vol. and Ivungu, J.A. 12 No. 2, pp. Accordingly, the accounting profession needs strong basic principles of accounting, especially in theoretical knowledge. Ramazani, M., Zanjani, M. and Vali, F. (2012), Accounting software expectation gap based on features of accounting information systems (AISs), Journal of Emerging Trends in Computing and Information Sciences, Vol. Replacing traditional accounting paper records with computer-based records brings many advantages, especially for SMEs. 16-29. 11, pp. Fowzia, R. and Nasrin, M. (2011), Appreciation of computerized accounting system in financial Institutions in Bangladesh, World Review of Business Research, Vol. Bakr, S.A. (2020), The Adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium-Sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Doctoral dissertation, Royal Holloway, University of London. (2011), Accounting practices of SMEs in Zimbabwe: an investigative study of record keeping for performance measurement (A case study of Bindura), Journal of accounting and taxation, Vol. 12 No. Further, this study emphasizes the usage and benefits of accounting software by accountants in various SMEs. 97-122. and Bradley, K.P. (2020), The impact of Public Sector Scorecard adoption on the effectiveness of accounting information systems towards the sustainable performance in public sector, Cogent Business and Management, Vol. 1 No. 4 No. This study explores the effect of knowledge of accounting software which leads to adoption of accounting software among SMEs in Oman. Lee, L., Kerler, W. and Ivancevich, D. (2018), Beyond Excel: software tools and the accounting curriculum, AIS Educator Journal, Vol. 1530-1535. 1-21. 244, p. 118712. (2019), Effect of accounting information system on financial performance of firms: a review of literature, Journal of Business and Management, Vol. 2, pp. 7-15. 2, pp. 16 No. 2, pp. (2015), Computerized vs non-computerized accounting system of small and medium enterprises in Lipa City, Philippines: a comparative analysis, Asia Pacific Journal of Academic Research in Business Administration, Vol. 2, pp. As per the limited knowledge of the researcher, there are no previous qualitative study that used and empirically examined the relationship between knowledge and use of accounting software among accounting professionals of SMEs in Oman. 1, pp. and Ahmed, E.R. 226-243. (2020), The doors are opening for the new pedigree: a futuristic view for the effects of blockchain technology on accounting applications, Digital Business Strategies in Block Chain Ecosystems, Springer, Cham, pp. Anderson et al. Accounting software is a major instrument in accounting information systems (AISs), offering timely, accurate and reliable information. (2020), Ibrahim et al. Senft, S., Gallegos, F. and Davis, A. 28, pp. and Copeland, M.K. Rndau, S.M. 1, pp. 121-135. (1998), New forms of assurance services for new forms of information: the global challenge for accounting educators, International Journal of Accounting, Vol. 347-358. Xu, X. 75-98. and Thottoli, M.M. 529-537. (2004), Benefits of computerized accounting information systems on the JIT production systems, ukurova niversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstits Dergisi, Vol. Current professional accountants use a wide range of computer applications to perform their day-to-day operational work (Do et al., 2020; Blankley et al., 2019; Boulianne, 2014). 1-15. 114-131. 158-161. Alhatabat, Z. It is encouraged that continuous effort is required to equip future accountants with necessary IT knowledge and skill as the interconnectedness among IT and accounting functional areas in an organization is invariably important (Turner et al., 2020; Lin et al., 2005; Allen, 1999). 476-488. This research consequently has assessed this phenomenon and analyzed literature in an effort to determine the knowledge and use of accounting software and evaluated the relationship between the accounting practices and SMEs in Oman. 10 No. Lack of use and knowledge of accounting software leads to continued manual accounting that may be very hard for business owners, especially SMEs, to monitor financial health of their businesses. (2019b), Adoption of audit software by audit firms: a qualitative study, Journal of Information and Computational Science,Vol. Mohammed Muneerali Thottoli can be contacted at: https://doi.org/10.1108/JIUC-04-2020-0005, http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode, http://www.FEB.UGent.be/fac/research/WP/Papers/wp_06_403.pdf fromhttp://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=6&did=1194660571&Srch, http://www.collecter.org/archives/2006_December/07.pdf. Chao, C.A. 7 No. 18 No. 7 No. and Nguyen, P.T.T. 9 No. Moreover, it is suggested for future studies to apply quantitative methods such as case studies, specifically moderators, and each of the independent variables to better understand the customized accounting software in SMEs. 1, 1717718, pp. 1-26. 2 No. 21-51. 84-96. (2020) and Rahman et al. Everaert, P., Sarens, G. and Rommel, J. The respondents indicated that these determining aspects, which have been stated, have played a very serious role in determining selection and use of accounting software structure for accounting in various SMEs in Oman, thus enhancing the accounting practices. It is also essential that one should know the benefits of the application of rules in a given business environment. and Phuc, V.K. 13 No. and Besar, N.S.A. Hence, improving the level of accounting policies and other related information of SEMS is essential (Yu et al., 2020; Wen, 2020; Zhou, 2010). Ocampo, L., Alarde, R.M.B., Kilongkilong, D.A. Phyu, K.K. 24, p. 73. Taiwo, J.N. The primary finding increases the importance of ICT knowledge and use or adoption of accounting software by SMEs for accounting literature. 9 No. Ashrafi and Murtaza (2008) in their study provided that only a very a smaller number of SMEs in Oman are aware of the available accounting software and its adoption. (2017), Emerging information technologies in accounting and related security riskswhat is the impact on the Romanian accounting profession, Journal of Accounting and Management Information Systems, Vol. The findings revealed that the knowledge of accounting software has a significant effect on the use of accounting software, meaning that there is significant and positive relationship among the knowledge of generalized accounting software and the use of such generalized or customized accounting software by SMEs in Oman. Thottoli, M.M., Thomas, K.V. Most of the organizations now replaced their traditional method (manual accounting system) with computerized accounting systems (Phyu and Vongurai, 2020; Dalci and Tanis, 2004). 3, pp. Pulakanam, V. and Suraweera, T. (2010), Implementing accounting software in small business in New Zealand: an exploratory investigation, Accountancy Business and the Public Interest, Vol. However, it implies that when customized or generalized accounting software is properly implemented, both with theoretical and practical knowledge of accounting in SMEs, the method of recording business transactions will be improved, which, in turn, will prevent outsourcing the accounting works to third parties. According to interviews and literature review, this research identifies the variables to be analyzed, the knowledge of accounting software and use or adoption of accounting software among SMEs accountants. Some of the interviewees, who had sole proprietorship and partnership, based on their experience suggested adopting ERP systems in their organization for recording large and complex transactions. The process of recording accounting transactions requires both theoretical and practical knowledge of accounting principles and accounting software. (2017) and Kapurubandara and Lawson (2006), and was used to analyze and investigate to qualify SMEs for the purpose of the current study. In addition, the researchers can study various other challenges current accounting professionals face in order to invent customized accounting software which can support recording of accounting transactions of SMEs and to generate budget reports and cash flow statements that could manage SMEs financial operations. 2-14. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIUC-04-2020-0005, Copyright 2020, Mohammed Muneerali Thottoli, Published in Journal of Industry-University Collaboration. When we asked them about the theoretical and practical knowledge about accounting software, three of the interviewees (professional accountants in SMEs) conclude that the use of computerized accounting software / ERP is easy since it reduces the work of preparing financial statements, budgets, cash flow statements and so on. Jalaludin, D., Sulaiman, M. and Ahmad, N.N.N. Shaffer, K.J., Gaumer, C.J. Thus, there is a strong relationship between the knowledge of basic accounting (including knowledge of IFRS) and use or adoption of accounting software to record day-to-day accounting transactions. Omani students learn theoretical knowledge of basics of accounting. Most of the accounting software are user-friendly for accountants, which resulted in functioning of accounting tasks on a daily basis, in a timely manner and accurately (Xu, 2020; Fowzia and Nasrin, 2011; Musa and Abu, 2005). 4 No. Also, this existing study may help assist the policymakers, especially by Ministry of Oman, tax authorities in Oman, higher educational institutions and government in particular, to set right and consider policies linked to the knowledge of basics of accounting and knowledge of use of accounting software or ERP. Mishina et al. Over the years, scholars have also found some of the major difficulties faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are incomplete records, lack of finance, staff inexperience, poor power supply, among others (Cpuneanu et al., 2020; Chhabra and Pattanayak, 2014). 7 No. Thus, this improved customized accounting software or ERP in SMEs will definitely improve their proficient way of handling daily recording of business transactions, the approach of accounting practices by SMEs and consequently improve the efficiency and effectiveness of SMEs accountants that will lead to generate automated fair financial statements and other related reports such as cash flow statements and budgetary report. (Eds) (2009), Foundations of Mixed Methods Research: Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches in the Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sage Publications. This is supported by Hernandez (2020) and Ha and Ahn (2014) who pointed that factors such as competent internal ERP team, supportive top management, employees technical training, collaboration between interdepartment and communication, continuous improvement and continuous systems process integration/extension influence adoption of accounting software in SMEs. (2020) and Amoako (2013) in their study found that the majority of SMEs fail to keep complete accounting records. 10, pp. An organization employing between 50 and 250 employees is considered as medium-sized organization or firms.