Learning objectives
Objectives of the course (preferably expressed in terms of learning outcomes and competences): The course explores topics relating to the structure and operation of accounting systems for business decisions. In particular, the aim of the course is to give advanced tools to solve problems of accounting, classification, aggregation and analysis of costs and their movements in relation to various management issues, together with references pertaining to methods of cost management
Prerequisites
No
Course unit content
The course sets out to explore the following topics: the characteristics and structure of decision-making processes. The relevance of costs for company decisions. General and management accounting: characteristics and purposes. The concept of cost and its possible applications. Reference to a number of key concepts: cost classification, variability and allocation. Critical aspects in the calculation and allocation of cost items. Cost accounting systems from direct costing to full costing. Cost configurations. Break-even analysis. Product cost calculation systems. Cost-centre accounting explored. Cost calculation starting from a company’s “activities”: analysis and in-depth examination of ABC (activity-based costing). Activity-based and cost-centre accounting: actual results concerning “hybrid” systems. Advanced cost management tools: cost objects and configurations for cost management. Activity-based management (ABM) and business management in lean environments (lean accounting). Target costing
Full programme
Contents
The course sets out to explore the following topics: the characteristics and structure of decision-making processes. The relevance of costs for company decisions. General and management accounting: characteristics and purposes. The concept of cost and its possible applications. Reference to a number of key concepts: cost classification, variability and allocation. Critical aspects in the calculation and allocation of cost items. Cost accounting systems from direct costing to full costing. Cost configurations. Break-even analysis. Product cost calculation systems. Cost-centre accounting explored. Cost calculation starting from a company’s “activities”: analysis and in-depth examination of ABC (activity-based costing). Activity-based and cost-centre accounting: actual results concerning “hybrid” systems. Advanced cost management tools: cost objects and configurations for cost management. Activity-based management (ABM) and business management in lean environments (lean accounting). Target costing.
Objectives
Objectives of the course (preferably expressed in terms of learning outcomes and competences): The course explores topics relating to the structure and operation of accounting systems for business decisions. In particular, the aim of the course is to give advanced tools to solve problems of accounting, classification, aggregation and analysis of costs and their movements in relation to various management issues, together with references pertaining to methods of cost management.
Bibliography
MIOLO VITALI P. (a cura di), Strumenti per l’analisi dei costi – Approfondimenti di Cost Accounting, Vol. II, Torino, Giappichelli, 2009.
MIOLO VITALI P. (a cura di), Strumenti per l’analisi dei costi – Percorsi di Cost Management, Vol. III, Torino, Giappichelli, 2009.
Teaching methods
Lectures and tutorials
Assessment methods and criteria
Written exam
Other information
No
