Caroline's Candy Shop: An In-Class Role-Play of the Revenue Cycle

Abstract

Recently, Bain et al. (2002) emphasized the critical importance of the transaction-processing cycles and internal control topics to undergraduates in an Accounting Information Systems (AIS) course. The current article outlines an in-class, roleplay exercise designed to provide students with a working understanding of the revenue cycle and its related key documents. Additionally, the exercise encourages students to consider risk exposures, internal controls, and technological opportunities to improve business processes. A pre-/post-test reveals that the in-class role-play is a successful learning exercise that significantly increases students' understanding of the revenue cycle. The test also indicates that students enjoy the experience.