Background and Context: Creative Accounting is an accounting consulting and services company established in 2008, with the aim of providing accounting and taxation advice and services to individuals and businesses in Sydney, Australia. The company is based in Sydney CBD and employs a team of approximately 16 accounting professionals managed by two partners. Services cover areas such as business consultation and advice, business planning, tax preparation, BAS preparation, bookkeeping services, financial accounts preparation and reporting, and auditing. For the last few years, the company has been using a custom-built accounting software package that has worked well for delivering companies services. The company has over 50 permanent clients and approximately 10 new clients each year. However, with the advent of new technologies, and with a view to provide mobile accounting and computing solutions to its business clients, the company has increasingly become aware of the need to implement new technological solutions. In particular, the company aims to; Allow their client to submit their financial data and information online Allow clients to access their data anywhere anytime Sharing of reports and data Clients able to have an overview of their business financial position in real-time Increased productivity and security.

With the above aims, the company has set up a project team to investigate and suggest viable solutions. The company requires that; All new projects are based on a business case Project must justify the business needs and benefits Project Manager must approve all the new projects A cost-benefit analysis must justify the new implementation/change Risk must be highlighted and discussed.

At least two proposed solutions with the relevant information must be proposed A preliminary budget must be prepared for the propose change A briefing and training session must be conducted as part of implementation. Accordingly, your team has been given the task to first identify and evaluate business needs for a proposed solution. Note: Your team will be working throughout the unit in the same given role within the above organisational context. Ensure that you plan ahead and maintain an effective record of all team work throughout. Task: You project team (roleplay) has been given the task to; 1) Conduct a meeting with the Project Manager and confirm the scope of the tasks (provide summary meeting points in your report) 2) Prepare a Needs Analysis, which will include; a. Over of company operations and specific operational requirements b. Analysis of current technological environment and future needs c. Technological needs to achieve the aims/goals d. Suggest viable solutions You will need to produce a word-processed needs analysis report that addresses and organises the above information in a logical order. The above areas can be converted into appropriate headings.