Identifying and Prioritizing the Effective Factors of the Accounting Information System in the Process of Managers’ Decision Making in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Based on Analytical Hierarchy Process

Different parts of each organization need their own contingency controls in order to be effective and efficient. Using accounting information systemis among such controls that can be effective in professional interaction between accountants and managers in decision-making process of managers. Thus, reciprocal identification of performances and expectations of accounting staff and managers in different levels of the organization from each other would be beneficial in achieving the organization goals and it would result in added value.

This study is applied in terms of it purpose and it is a descriptive-survey research.  The statistical population included 133 people who were namely university Chancellor and their Vice-Chancellors, financial director and their assistants, heads of subsidiary departments, financial experts in charge of offices and branches of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. 62 effective background factors were recognized based on previous studies using experts’ opinions and they were selected in eight indicators. Therefore, the analytical hierarchy process questionnaire was designed and implemented for the pairwise comparison matrices.

"Information and reports quality" and "continuous recovery of information and reports" indicators are more important to the subjects. "Accounting information system qualification in regards with meeting the information needs of managers" and "managers a wareness of the role and qualifications of accounting information system" indicators are less important than other indicators.

"Information and reports quality"and"continuous recovery of informationand reports" indicatorsare the strengths of accounting information system of universities. These indicators require a continuous supervision on providing reports and information and they have considerable complexities because of the nature of medical activities. Also, accounting information system qualification in fulfilling the needs of managers’ accounting information system and their awareness of the role and qualifications of accounting information system is one of its weaknesses. Therefore, evaluating and reinforcing the accounting information system through providing internal controls are essential to meet the managers’ information needs and update their information for raising their awareness of   accounting information system mostly.