Robotic Process Automation in Action : A Use Case in Accounting Task

Abstract

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) allow people focus on meaningful tasks rather than transferrable recurring and non-value-added ones. Whereas it provides an opportunity to foster agility and productivity, RPA is also perceived to put accountants at risk as many repetitive processes clinging to the profession can be substituted by the technology. As there is little study on how RPA is immersed into play this research aims to fill this spot by designing RPA solution for typical accounting taks in telecommunication entity. Design science methodology (DSR) was employed to guide the process of artifact development. Building on the initial as-is process model, RPA-oriented process model was then produced and then processed according to DSR method into an instantiation. The accounting task design result shows substantive progress in average throughput time from pre-RPA task 02:41 minutes to post-RPA of 19 seconds with no error conceded, thus creating 7 times faster processing. The current research is an important breakthrough for organizations to foster adaptive business process, especially in accounting domain.