ERP implementations and their impact upon management accountants

This paper considers the impact of ERP implementations upon the role of management accountants, upon management accounting in general, and upon business processes. It does so in the context of the perceived success of the ERP implementation. A postal questionnaire was circulated to almost 700 management accountants working in large UK-based organisations. It finds that under successful ERP implementations, management accountants have time for other, less mundane activities and their role becomes more enriching. In contrast, when the implementation is unsuccessful, the role of the management accountant increases: the ERP system deficiencies require increased activity on their part without any noticeable reduction in the tasks they traditionally perform.