A critical review of computerized farm accounting systems in Canada

Summary In this article two computerized farm accounting systems, operated by the Federal Government and the Royal Bank of Canada, respectively, are examined and reviewed critically. Computerized systems have undoubted advantages in respect to ease of and capacity for storing and speedy manipulation of data. However, they present many problems, not the least of which is their high cost of operation; but they also entail problems associated with the initial recording of data and with the credibility, among accountants, advisers and research workers, of the nature, quality and quantity, of the ultimate output fed back to farmers. Evenso, many if not most of their present faults can be corrected with experience and by the adaption of a more positive approach by both their operators and farmers. The existing faults and problems should not be allowed to cloud the tremendous potential of computerized systems for collecting, analysing and storing physical and financial data which render them invaluable to all those involved in advancing the efficiency of the agricultural industry and the well-being of those engaged in it.