Syllabus aims

To develop the ability to use a computer system safely and effectively and to understand the need for data and information to be kept confidential and secure. To develop knowledge and an understanding of how organisations provide basic management information for decision-making, planning and control.
Objectives

On completion of this paper, candidates should be able to:
  • carry out simple visual safety checks on hardware and follow appropriate powering up and shutting down procedures
  • understand the purpose of passwords
  • access, amend, save and print documents and other files and exit from the relevant software
  • use appropriate computer file and folder names
  • follow procedures for taking back-up copies of computer files
  • understand different types of risk including viruses and hacking
  • understand relevant security and legal regulations covering data protection, copyright, health and safety and record retention
  • seek assistance when difficulties occur when working with computers
  • recognise the need for management information
  • identify different elements of cost
  • identify different sources of income and expenditure
  • code and extract income and expenditure correctly
  • deal with problems / errors correctly
  • provide comparisons on costs and income
  • use relevant software applications to access, analyse, present and communicate information (accounting package, spreadsheet, word processing, e-mail)
  • handle confidential information in the correct manner
  • present information using house style.