Main Content

Lesson 1: Information Systems Overview

Functional Areas

Within each organization, different units are responsible for different tasks. Tasks are grouped into different functional areas. In each functional area, employees are trained to execute relevant activities. For example, at Penn State and most other organizations and businesses, the human resources (HR) department is a functional area that deals with all employee-related matters, such as hiring, training, firing, and retirement.

The eight images below represent the main functional areas of business. Click on each image to learn about the role, as well as sample jobs for each functional area.

  • Accounting

    Accounting Role: Manages the financial assets and liabilities of the business.
    Sample Accounting Jobs: auditor, bookkeeper, certified public accountant (CPA), tax specialist.

  • Finance

    Finance Role: Forecasts the future performance of the business.
    Sample Finance Jobs: financial analyst, billing analyst, controller, risk manager, chief financial officer (CFO).

  • Marketing

    Marketing Role: Distributes information about a company's products and services with the intent to sell.
    Sample Marketing Jobs: director of advertising, web marketing manager, communications director.

  • Sales

    Sales Role: Sells the company's products and services.
    Sample Sales Jobs: sales representative, cashier, sales manager, retail manager.

  • Operations

    Operations Role: Obtains and converts resources into products and services for the business.
    Sample Operations Jobs: operations manager, operations assistant, operations analyst, compliance officer.

  • Customer Service

    Customer Service Role: Manages the relationship between the business and its customers.
    Sample Customer Service Jobs: customer service representative, call service supervisor, dispatcher, customer care agent, client support manager.

  • ITC: Information, Technology, and Communications

    ITC Role: Develops, tests, and maintains the technology infrastructure for the business.
    Sample ITC Jobs: IT support staff, help desk manager, consultant, chief information officer (CIO), network security engineer.

  • Human Resources

    Human Resources Role: Conducts the hiring, retention, training, dismissal and many other employee-related activities of the business.
    Sample Human Resources Jobs: HR manager, recruiter, benefits specialist, employee relations manager, talent acquisition coordinator.

 


Top of page