Risks of accounting digitalization by stages of the information systems life cycle

Abstract

The digitalization of socio-economic processes has led to the transformation of accounting. Under the influence of digitalization trends, the methodology and organization of accounting are undergoing significant changes. The digital transformation of accounting is inevitably associated with risks and threats to enterprise operations. In order to avoid and minimize the negative consequences of accounting digitalization, it is necessary to identify and classify risks, taking into account the current level of development of information technologies and systems. Purpose of the article is to identify, classify, and systematize the risks of digitalization of accounting at various stages of implementing enterprise management information systems and to find ways to eliminate the sources of occurrence and minimize the consequences of cyber threats.. The expediency of identifying and systematizing potential risks and threats of accounting digitalization is substantiated through the manifestation of negative trends in the following areas: the functioning of accounting professionals, the organization of accounting, and the use of innovative technologies in the processing of accounting information. The necessity of classifying accounting digitalization risks according to the life-cycle stages of the development and implementation of enterprise management information systems is proven. Digitalization risks in accounting are systematized by stages, namely: the stage of studying the enterprise’s economic activity, system identification, selection and planning; the stage of pre-project assessment; the stage of information system design; the stage of implementation and operation of the information system; the stage of controlling current risks through monitoring of system functioning; and the stage of assessing operating costs and performance efficiency. Consideration of the life cycles of the development and implementation of enterprise management information systems ensures the achievement of comprehensive and maximum effects from the digitalization of accounting information processing without negative consequences for the efficient functioning of the enterprise. At each stage of the development and implementation of enterprise management information systems, specific risks of accounting digitalization arise. Taking into account the negative trends of the digital transformation of accounting in the context of the life-cycle stages of information systems ensures the concentration of attention of accounting and security specialists on particular risks and threats of digitalization. The proposed classification of risks and their consideration in the organization of accounting by individual stages provides the most optimal form of digitalization of accounting processes at the enterprise.