The aim of the module is to introduce students to the basic techniques, language and principles of management accounting. The module provides students with an insight into the role of management accounting as a provider of information supporting the financial decision making process of an organisation.

The syllabus covers fundamental issues including basic cost terms, concepts, and definitions before introducing costing systems such as full costing and Activity Based Costing. In addition to preparing basic budgets, the difficulties that are inherent within any budgeting system are presented. Students learn to analyse and explain the major causes of differences between budget and actual performance, including basic standard costs and variances. The relationship between accounting information and managers decisions in a competitive environment is demonstrated. Students learn to conduct a financial analysis to support a range of business decisions such as pricing, make v buy, limiting factor of production, discontinuation of product line, customer or market etc. Strategic management accounting is introduced. Techniques such as target costing, value chain analysis and total life-cycle costing are discussed in addition to tools for measuring performance such as the balanced scorecard.

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: Recognise the basic techniques, language and principles of management accounting; Describe the role of management accounting as a collaborative process with an organisations internal and external stakeholders; Apply costing systems such as full costing and Activity Based Costing; Prepare basic budgets, analysing and articulating the major causes of differences between budget and actual performance, including basic standard costs and variances; Demonstrate the relationship between accounting information and managers decisions in a competitive environment; Conduct a financial analysis to support a range of business decisions such as pricing, make v buy, limiting factor of production, discontinuation of product line, customer or market etc. Discuss the basic elements of techniques such as target costing, value chain analysis and total life-cycle costing in addition to tools for measuring performance such as the balanced scorecard

Demonstrate an awareness of various stakeholder values and relate this to future work place contexts in a responsible way.

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The module is delivered through weekly lectures(2) and tutorials(1). The interactive tutorial sessions allow students to articulate their understanding of the course material. Collaborative skills are enhanced through the use of problem based learning within the tutorial setting. Students knowledge is enhanced through the use of online study supports. Current research relevant to the discipline informs the content specifically, Beyond Budgeting, Activity Based Costing and Strategic Management Accounting