Abstract: The present invention relates to a data processing system capable of creating and maintaining the balances necessary for effective accounting of financial transactions by using a computed balance maintenance approach as opposed to the current standard event-driven, daily cycling approach. In particular, the data processing system creates nominal balances based on the life-to-date value of the instruments traded, then compares those nominal balances with the historic balances, and finally, creates the journal entries necessary to account for the differences between them, as opposed to the traditional approach of having daily entries drive accounting journals, which are then used as a foundation for subsequent account balance maintenance procedures.

Abstract: A software database access control system for providing a flexible method of designating areas of access and functions within the areas of access within a database system for users comprising: a user profile possessed by an authorized user, the user profile comprising permitted areas of access within a database system, and the permitted areas of the database system being accessible when certain predetermined conditions are met by the user profile; a firewall around the database system such that the database is accessible if the user profile allows access; and a virtual user being a logical entity and having sole authorization to alter the database system at the direction of the authorized user. An embodiment of the present invention also having audit trail capabilities for the tracking of requested changes to the database system, or actual changes performed to the database system.