Learning objectives
a. Knowledge and understanding students will acquire knowledge and understanding of advanced costing methodologies, decision-making and planning in contexts characterized by first-best conditions and business risk, and eventually of business performance analysis.
b. The ability to apply the acquired knowledge and understanding to prepare an analysis of production costs or, more generally, to determine the value of a 'cost object' using costing systems such as Activity-Based Costing. Besides students will be able to apply and understand budgeting systems, and performance evaluation. Likewise, students will have acquired the ability to apply and use some software (M Excel/Solver, and Wolfram Alpha).
c. Autonomy of judgment: the student will be able to profitably deal with the interpretative logic of alternative costing systems, business programs (including flexible ones), and modern reporting systems, also through the acquisition of an interpretative model suitable for a possible in-depth study of the subject.
d. Communication skills: at the end of the course, students will acquire the ability to analyze problems (problem-solving skills), interpersonal skills, and communication skills in written and oral form in an effective way, using an appropriate language to discuss those issues with different stakeholders.
e. Learning skills: the course aims to support students learning through a correct approach to individual study and through the development of classroom exercises.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The course “Fundamentals and Control Budgeting” 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 following topics will be studied:
1. Budgeting and Linear programming.
2. Costing Systems, e.g., Activity-Based Costing and Traditional Costing Systems.
3. Performance Measurement.
Softwares, e.g., Solver (add-in di MS-Excel) e Wolfram Alpha (Wolfram Mathematica) will be used.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Introduction to Management Accounting Global Edition, 16th Edition
Charles T. Horngren, Edmund W. Littlefield Professor Emeritus of Accounting at Stanford University
Gary L. Sundem, University of Washington
William O. Stratton
Dave Burgstahler, University of Washington
Jeff O. Schatzberg, The University of Arizona
©2013 Pearson
Teaching methods
Acquisition of knowledge: lectures.
Acquisition of the ability to apply knowledge: exercises.
Acquisition of judgment: exercises and classroom discussions.
Acquisition of learning skills: development of guided exercises and case studies.
Acquisition of technical language: The meaning of commonly used terms is explained, and classroom discussions aim to encourage the correct use of terminology.
The teaching material will be enriched with video recording of the lessons or with other material to be made available on the Elly page of the course.
Assessment methods and criteria
The verification of learning will be carried out by means of an examination held in written form, with the possibility of an oral examination for all or part of the participating students if the results of the written test do not permit an effective assessment of individual preparation. The written exam consists of two parts. The first relates to the theoretical part in Management Accounting and consists of two open questions (for which a broad answer is required; rating 10 points each) and twelve short questions (unit rating, 1 point; MCQ, F&TQ, Short Essays). The second is practical in nature and consists of two calculation relating to costing, budgeting and performance analysis (15 points each).
The duration for the exam is 90 minutes.
Knowledge and ability to understand (a) will be ascertained through the broad questions that are intended to assess the student's knowledge of the topics and ability to make connections between them; the short questions cover a wider range of content and are intended to test knowledge of all topics covered in the syllabus. The ability to apply knowledge and understanding (b), autonomy of judgment (c), and the ability to learn (e) will be ascertained both through open-ended questions formulated in such a way as to require the student to make connections between topics and through exercises that require the application of accounting concepts with reference to costing, budgeting and performance analysis. Communication skills (d) will be ascertained both through open-ended questions for which appropriate language is required and through specific (short essay) questions designed to verify correct understanding and appropriate use of the terminology employed.
The two parts will be evaluated in 30/30, the final mark will be the average of the single evaluations obtained in the two parts. 18/30 is needed in both parts of the exam. Laude will be given to those particularly deserving students who, in addition to having complied with the requirements necessary to obtain a full assessment, in carrying out the exam have demonstrated an overall appreciable systematic knowledge of the subject, an excellent ability to apply the knowledge acquired to the specific problem in question, a significant autonomy of judgement, as well as special care in the formal drafting of the report.
Moreover, the assessment of learning skills will consider the incurrence of intermediate tests during the course.
The results will be communicated via the Esse3 platform. Any further information will be provided through the Elly platform.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
This course contributes to the achievement of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals. Specifically the objectives coded # 4, 5 and 10
