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Glossary
| Term (EN) | Definition | Exam Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Computerized Accounting | Use of hardware and software to process financial transactions automatically, following double-entry principles | Core definition |
| Hardware | Physical components of computing system — computers, servers, printers, scanners | Component 1 of CAS |
| Software | Programs that run accounting processes — Tally, SAP, QuickBooks | Component 2 of CAS |
| RDBMS | Relational Database Management System — stores data in structured tables (MySQL, Oracle DB, MS SQL Server) | Database backend of accounting software |
| Tally Prime | India's most widely used SME accounting software — GST compliant, inventory, payroll — Tally Solutions, Bangalore, 1986 | Specific named example |
| SAP | Systems, Applications & Products — world's largest ERP vendor; founded 1972, Germany | Global ERP standard |
| ERP | Enterprise Resource Planning — integrates all business functions into one database | Distinction from standalone |
| Standalone Software | Accounting-only software (Tally, QuickBooks) — does not integrate HR, procurement, production | Comparison with ERP |
| Cloud Accounting | Accounting software delivered via internet (SaaS) — data on remote servers, no local installation | Emerging trend |
| SaaS | Software as a Service — subscription-based internet-delivered software (Zoho Books, QuickBooks Online) | Cloud model |
| PFMS | Public Financial Management System — CGA/MoF — tracks government fund flows from Union to beneficiaries | India-specific govt ERP |
| GSTN | Goods and Services Tax Network — government's IT backbone for GST accounting and returns filing | Tax accounting platform |
| Audit Trail | Automatic, immutable log of every accounting entry — who entered, what was changed, when | Internal control |
| CAATs | Computer-Assisted Audit Techniques — tools for auditing computerized systems (ACL, IDEA, test data) | Auditing intersection |
| Test Data Method | Auditor inputs dummy transactions into live system to verify controls work correctly | CAAT technique 1 |
| Parallel Simulation | Auditor re-processes actual transactions with own program — compares output with entity's output | CAAT technique 2 |
| Password Control | User-level access restriction — role-based permissions in accounting software | Internal control mechanism |
| Encryption | Converting data to coded form (SSL/TLS) to prevent unauthorized reading during transmission | Data security |
| Firewall | Network security system blocking unauthorized access to accounting server | Cybersecurity control |
| Backup | Automatic copy of accounting data stored separately — prevents loss from hardware failure | Disaster recovery |
| Chart of Accounts | Master list of all ledger accounts used in accounting software — structured by type | Database master data |
| Multi-currency Accounting | Ability to record transactions in multiple currencies with automatic exchange rate conversion | Tally Prime / SAP feature |
| MCA21 | Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal — corporate filing and accounting records of registered companies | Government digital platform |
| DigiLocker | Government digital storage platform for financial and official documents | Digital document management |
| Zoho Books | Indian cloud accounting software by Zoho Corporation — GST compliant, affordable SaaS | Cloud accounting example |