Introduction to Microsoft Great Plains 8.0

Chapter One — Introduction & Software Interface

 

This Chapter provides an introduction for the manual along with an overview of the Great Plains Software Interface and modules.  

 

All readers:

¨  Install the Student Version of Great Plains ver.8.0

¨  Back up and restore the company database

¨  Become familiar with the Series installed with the Student Version

 

Level One

¨  Menu Navigation

¨  Field lookups

¨  Record Drill down from Summary to Transaction detail

 

Level Two

¨  Identify how mid-market and smaller general ledger packages are sold

¨  Discuss modular design of mid-market general ledger packages and compare this to smaller packages

¨  Identify the intricacies involved with evaluating the purchase of a general ledger package, particularly as it relates to the company’s needs for internal control features, reporting, and scalability 

¨  Discuss software licensing and “rights of use”.

 

Chapter Two — Sample Company

 

Chapter Two introduces the student to the sample company.  The type of company, inventory items, etc are explained.

 

Level One

¨  Chart of Accounts

¨  Departments

¨  Inventory Items

¨  Trial Balance

 

Level Two

¨  Create/Maintain General Ledger Accounts

¨  Account Format

¨  Fiscal Periods

¨  Payment Terms

 

 

Chapter Three — Database

 

This Chapter is designed for Level Two students to provide insight to the database aspect of Great Plains.

After reading this Chapter, the student will understand:

¨  The relationship between the DBMS and Great Plains

¨  Understand Series Integration

¨  Recognize Master Records versus Transaction Records

¨  Appreciate the importance of proper error correction procedures

 

 

Chapter Four — System Administration: Security & Internal Controls

This Chapter is designed for Level Two Students.  It explores System Administration from the aspects of security & internal controls.  After reading, student will understand:

¨  The System Manager Series

¨  System Security

¨  System Internal Controls

¨  Activity Tracking

¨  Posting Setup

¨  Audit Trail

¨  Reporting on System Security & Activities

 

 

Chapter Five — Sales Cycle & Great PlainsSales Series

 

This chapter focuses on transaction processing and reporting pertaining to a company’s sales activities.

 

Level One

¨  Customers

¨  Transaction Processing

¨  Reporting

¨  Inquiries

¨  Error Correction

 

Level Two

¨  Sales Series Setup & Internal Controls

¨  Reconciliations

¨  Month and Year End Closing Procedures

 

 

Chapter Six — Expenditure Cycle & Great Plains Purchase Series

This chapter covers using the Great Plains Purchasing Series to capture, process, and report on transactions originating in the expenditure cycle. The chapter breaks down as follows:

 

Level One presents topics on:

          A.  Vendors

B.      Transaction Processing

C.     Reporting

D.     Inquiries

E.      Error Correction

 

Level Two presents topics on:

A.     Purchasing Series Setup & Internal Controls

B.      Reconciliations

C.     Month and Year End Closing Procedures

 

Chapter Seven — Payroll Cycle & Great Plains Payroll

This chapter covers use of the Great Plains Payroll Series to capture, process, and report on transactions originating in the payroll cycle. The chapter breaks down as follows:

 

Level One presents topics on:

          A.  Employees

F.      Transaction Processing

G.     Reporting

H.     Inquiries

I.       Error Correction

 

Level Two presents topics on:

D.     Payroll Series & Taxes Setup, & Internal Controls

E.      Reconciliations

Monthly and Year End Closing Procedures

 

Chapter Eight — General Ledger & Great Plains Financial Series

This chapter covers use of the Great Plains Financial Series to record adjusting, recurring, and allocation entries and reporting. The chapter breaks down as follows:

 

Level One presents topics on:

          A.  Financial Cards

J.       Adjusting Entries & Allocations

K.      Reporting

L.      Inquiries

M.    Error Correction

 

Level Two presents topics on:

F.      Financial Series Setup, & Internal Controls

G.     Reconciliations

Monthly and Year End Closing Procedures

 

Appendix — Data Protection & Error Recovery/Correction

¨  Backup/Restore procedures

¨  Error Correction

¨  Batch Recovery