Chapter 27 A Comprehensive Framework for Accounting 4.0: Implications of Industry 4.0 in Digital Era

Abstract

The fourth industrial revolution, namely “Industry 4.0” refers to a new digital industrial technology, digital transformation and the fourth phase of technological advancement promoting the industrial production of the future. Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and the Internet of things (IoT) are the main forces of industry 4.0 which are improving the manufacturing systems and business processes by leading-edge innovations. Industry 4.0 with integrated production and logistics processes, growing interaction between robots and human and data flows within global value chains will have a significant impact on all business processes. In this context, accounting systems, which have a very important function for businesses, need to adapt to industry 4.0 by redefining the whole accounting system, as well as redesigned strategies. Industry 4.0 offers a new potential for the transformation of the accounting process through digitalization and application of new tools of industry 4.0 such as big data analytics, networking, system integration. The main objective of this chapter is to offer a conceptual framework for a newly designed accounting process in terms of procedures, technology and accounting professionals.