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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2006 - 2007

Module Title	Management Accounting - Decision Making
Module Code	AC320
School	DCUBS
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Dr Ruth Mattimoe	Office Number	Q238
Level	3	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None

Module Aims

To develop an understanding of the role of accounting information in the decision-making processes of an organisation.
To develop an ability to prepare, interpret and communicate accounting information for decision-making purposes.
To develop an understanding of the implications of organisational structure for the decision-making process and for evaluating the outcomes of decisions.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will:

Understand the decision-making process and the role of accounting information in that process.
Be capable of analysing relatively unstructured information in a variety of decision-making situations and of preparing and interpreting relevant information to support the decision-making process.
Understand the implications of organisational structure for decision making and be capable of preparing relevant information to reflect organisational and reporting structures.

Indicative Time Allowances
	Hours
Lectures	24
Tutorials	10
Laboratories	0
Seminars	0
Independent Learning Time	41

Total	75
Placements
Assignments

NOTE

Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.

Indicative Syllabus

Cost Behaviour:Importance for decision making. Linear and non-linear cost behaviour patterns. Approaches to estimating cost functions, including statistical and non-statistical approaches. The learning curve, including the learning curve formula.
Decision Making in its Organisational Context:Models of the decision-making process. The role of accounting information in the decision-making process. Types of decisions in manufacturing, service and not-for-profit organisations.
Relevant Cost Analysis:Relevant and irrelevant costs, opportunity costs, sunk costs. Marginal costing in the management decision process. Preparation and interpretation of information for specific types of decisions. Limiting factors and the application of linear programming, preparation of information using the graphical approach, interpretation of information using the simplex approach. Theory of constraints. External pricing strategies and decisions: cost-based, market-based, special orders. Qualitative factors in decision making.
Uncertainty and Decision Making:The role of decision models. Sensitivity, decision-tree and probability analyses. Expected monetary value and utility value. Buying perfect and imperfect information.
Decentralisation and Performance Evaluation:Reasons for decentralisation. Cost centres, profit centres and investment centres. Measurement of divisional performance, strengths and weaknesses of various measures. Transfer pricing, principles, alternative systems, role of accounting information. International transfer pricing.

Assessment
Continuous Assessment	0%	Examination Weight	100%

Indicative Reading List

Garrison, RH, Noreen, EW and Seal, W, Management Accounting, McGraw-Hill, 2003Drury, C, Management and Cost Accounting, Thomson, 2000Horngren, CT, Foster, G and Datar, S, Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis, Prentice Hall, 2003Blocher, EJ, Chen, KH and Lin, TW, Cost Management. A Strategic Emphasis, Prentice Hall, 2002Johnson, HT and Kaplan, RS, Relevance Lost. The Rise and Fall of Management Accounting, HBS Press, 1987Drury, C, Management Accounting for Business Decisions, Thomson, 1997Kaplan, RS and Atkinson, AA, Advanced Management Accounting, Prentice Hall, 1998Ezzamel, M and Hart, H, Advanced Management Accounting: An Organisational Emphasis, Cassell, 1987Burch, JG, Cost and Management Accounting: A Modern Approach, West, 1994Hirsch, ML, Advanced Management Accounting, Thomson, 2000Relevant journal articles

Programme or List of Programmes

BA in Accounting & Finance

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