The terms accounting and modeling both characterize the theoretical background of core components of corporate environmental management information systems (CEMIS). On the one hand, a CEMIS as a computer-based environmental management accounting system; on the other, we emphasize the role of modeling and calculation. With regard to an analysis of materials and energy flows and stocks of organizations and supply chains, accounting and modeling seem to be synonyms. However, in a software development perspective, accounting and modeling can be interpreted as different design metaphors. The aim of this contribution is to design images for computer-based CEMIS in the two perspectives. As a result, an CEMIS should be both a software tool supporting modeling activities and an information system supporting decision making.