Learning objectives
The course introduces students to the fields of cost analysis, budgeting & planning, and business decision making.
With the successful completion of the course students will have mastered:
a) as far as knowledge and understanding are concerned, the Managerial Accounting System, the introduction of Management Science (i.e. of Quantitative Approaches to Decision Making) based on MA information, the different Costing Methods, and Techniques.
In addition, students will have acquired knowledge and understanding about the diverse methods and techniques of programming and planning, as well as about the Softwares supporting company decisions (MSExcel and Solver).
b) the ability to apply knowledge and understanding within the Planning and Control Department. Students will be capable to assist and support Management Accountants in determining the costs of products, services, and other Cost Objects, as well as in the preparation of Budgets and Capital Budgets, and in the process of Decision Making.
the ability to apply knowledge and understanding assumes a working placement period, possibly a university organized internship.
c) the potential of Making judgments, to evaluate almost independently the issues and opportunities related to the many and varied methods of costing, budgeting, and planning in business environments characterized also by risk. Almost autonomously S/he will assist or support the controller in the definition of the economic and financial consequences arising from the use of different MA methodologies.
d) Communication skills consisting of the use of an appropriated technical language used to relate with those involved in the management and financial accounting. The students will have improved their problem-solving skills.
e) Learning skills, specifically the ability to undertake more advanced studies with a degree of autonomy, particularly with reference to the courses of Advanced Management Accounting of the Second Cycle Degree.
Prerequisites
It is assumed in this course that students have an appreciation and good understanding of Financial Accounting, Quantitative Finance and Statistical Methods. Hence, suggested prerequisites are the courses of Accounting Theory, Financial Accounting, Financial Mathematics and Statistics.
Course unit content
The course of management accounting emphasizes the internal business-building role of accounting and finance professionals who design, implement, and manage internal systems that support effective decisions, plan, and control the organization's value-creating operations.
The course explores cardinal topics of management accounting in single- and multiple-period business settings also under market and company conditions characterized by risk.
The course covers the following topics:
1) management decision making;
2) managerial accounting and financial accounting;
3) ERP, Enterprise Resources Planning, and Business Intelligence;
4) managerial accounting and cost concepts;
5) Cost-Volume-Profit Relationship;
6) relevant information for decision making. A focus on pricing and operational decisions;
7) cost management systems;
8) master budget and performance analysis.
Full programme
1) Management decision making;
2) managerial accounting and financial accounting;
3) ERP, Enterprise Resources Planning, and Business Intelligence;
4) managerial accounting and cost concepts;
5) Cost-Volume-Profit Relationship;
6) relevant information for decision making. A focus on pricing and operational decisions;
7) cost management systems;
8) master budget and performance analysis.
Bibliography
Prof. Andrea CILLONI
Programmazione e Controllo. La logica decisionale.
McGraw-Hill Education CREATE, Ed. 2021
Teaching methods
Acquisition of knowledge: mixed method, with streaming lessons, video-recorded lessons, and face-to-face lessons
Acquisition of capability in applying knowledge: calculations
Acquisition of autonomy in judgment: calculations
Acquisition of learning skills: lectures developed in mixed-method and seminars will present problematic situations and stimulate the focus on critical issues and propose appropriate solutions.
Acquisition of technical language: during the course will be illustrated the main accounting words
The slides used to support the lessons are loaded weekly on Elly; the same for integrative documents, in particular related to the exercises. To unload the slides the registration is necessary for the course online. For good preparation of the examination, it is fundamental the use and the study of the text of reference; the slides are used only as a support for the lessons and they don't replace the text.
Assessment methods and criteria
Written exam.
Verification of learning is carried out with a written test of 30 minutes with 8 questions and 8 multiple choice exercises:
- 8 questions related to theoretical aspects of the program; each question has three possible answers;
- 8 exercises related to practical aspects; each exercise has three possible answers.
Questions and exercises have the same weight on the final evaluation.
The 8 questions assign 2 points each in case of the correct answer, 1 point in case of the partially correct answer, and 0 points in case of the wrong answer, for a maximum total of 16 points
The 8 exercises assign 2 points each for each correct answer, 0 points in case of wrong or missing answer, for a maximum total of 16 points.
The rating scale is 0-32; the student who reaches the evaluation of 31 and 32 achieves the evaluation of 30 and “lode”.
The questions aim to measure the level of knowledge acquired, communication skills, adequacy in the use of technical language and
the autonomy of judgment.
The exercises aim to measure the applicative skills of knowledge.
The use of a calculator is allowed during the test.
The program for attending and non-attending students is the same.
The possibility of taking a final exam at the end of the cycle of lessons, before the ordinary session, may be evaluated.
The test results are published on the ESSE3 portal.
Other information
Disability Support: any student with a documented disability condition (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations should contact me as soon as possible at the beginning of the semester. Students with special needs should also contact Disability Support Services on campus.
