Syllabus

This course is concerned with how Cost accounting information is used internally within a firm. The focus of this course is on understanding how such information is used in (a) planning and evaluation, (b) decision support, and (c) cost management and control. We will begin each topic by reviewing the basic accounting procedures, and proceed by analyzing how such procedures can be usefully employed by management. Much more emphasis will be placed on the use of information than on its preparation.
Course materials
Textbook: Introduction to Management Accounting, Chapters 1-14, 15th edition by Horngren, Sundem, Stratton, Schatzberg and Burgstahler
(Publisher: Prentice Hall)
Textpac: Made available via study.net
Grading
• Take-home Group Assignments - 20%
• In-class Quizzes (closed book and notes) - 30%
• In-class Mid-term examination (closed book and notes) - 25%
• Final examination (closed book and notes) - 25%
Acknowledgements
The notes and reading material for this class borrow from Anil Arya, Ron Dye and Michael Maher. Many readings, including the ones pertaining to compensation design and reciprocal cost allocation, were prepared by Anil Arya for his students at Ohio State University. Several of the nice illustrations on Cost Allocation were written by Ron Dye for his students at Northwestern University. Michael Maher’s inputs, especially on Activity
Based Costing, have contributed greatly in developing the material for this course. I gratefully acknowledge my colleagues for their valuable inputs.

Date
Apr 3

Lecture
Introduction / Opportunity costs
Case: Denver Sporting Goods

Apr 10

Quiz 1: Opportunity costs
CVP Analysis
Case: Roseville Brew Pub
Decision Making – Introduction
Case: It aint just about peanuts
Case: Liquid Chemicals*

Apr 17

Apr 24
May 1
May 8
May 15
May 22

Quiz 2 : CVP Analysis
Decision Making contd...
Case: Tashtego*
Compensation design
Case: Jones Ironworks*
Mid Term Exam
Overheads and