The Impact of Digital Transformation on Improving the Efficiency of the Unified Accounting System / An Applied Study at the Presidency of the University of Karbala / Higher Education Fund

Abstract

This research aims to demonstrate the impact of digital transformation on improving the efficiency of the unified accounting system. This research involves conducting a quantitative comparison between two time periods representing two different approaches to implementing the unified accounting system within a governmental economic unit, namely the Higher Education Fund Division in the Financial Affairs Department of the University of Karbala Presidency. The Higher Education Fund Division relied on the traditional paper-based system to complete its accounting operations until the end of the first half of 2024. Starting from the beginning of the second half of the same year, an electronic accounting program was implemented.

The impact of digital transformation was demonstrated through five main indicators measuring the efficiency of implementing the unified accounting system: the first indicator is time (the number of accounting operations and the time required to complete them); the second indicator is accuracy (the number of accounting errors); the third indicator is transparency (the number of reports and statements submitted); the fourth indicator is the analytical capacity of the unified accounting system (the number of financial indicators extracted); and the fifth and final indicator is the operating cost of each system. The study relied on a descriptive-analytical approach to test the main hypothesis, which states, "There is a statistically significant relationship between the trend toward digital transformation and improving the efficiency of the unified accounting system." The results showed a clear and significant improvement in all efficiency indicators adopted in the study after the implementation of the electronic system. This enhances the unified accounting system's ability to keep pace with the requirements of e-governance and financial reform in Iraqi governmental economic units. The study recommends the necessity of implementing the digital transformation experience in governmental economic units, as well as providing the necessary technological and legal infrastructure to ensure the success of this transformation.