Use of Accounting Information System for Decision Making: Perception of SME Owners in the Tamale Metropolitan Area

Abstract

The perceptions of individuals about a phenomenon influence their adoption of the same or otherwise. The study was carried out in the Tamale metropolitan area to investigate the perceptions of owners of SMEs on the use of accounting information systems for decision-making. The study used the descriptive research design and the quantitative research approach. A sample size of 100 was used for the study. Structured questionnaires were used in gathering data which were later analyzed using descriptive statistics by the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26. The key findings of the study are that there exists a positive perception regarding the use of accounting information systems on the profitability and subsequent increase in market size, growth potentials, and overall improvement in the delivery of services in their business as well as the use of novel means of doing things and new information about the conduct of business operations. The study further concludes that industry players and owners of SMEs have the perception that a significant number of SMEs use computerized systems in their operations. Although, there is the perception that the nature of their business makes it difficult to employ the use of automation. The majority of industry players share the view that after the implementation of various forms of accounting information systems, they have experienced some improvements in several factors which represents a positive perception about the use of accounting systems. The study recommends that a conscious effort is made to encourage these businesses to adopt automation into their business, the government should put in measures to ensure that conducting business in the digital space becomes less costly through the granting of tax waive subsidies and other incentives to encourage the adoption of accounting information systems.