Universidad de Jaén

Accounting systems also provide the information found in a firm's income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flow, and performance reports, such as the cost of serving customers or running an advertising campaign. Financial Accounting and Management Accounting have different goals. Financial Accounting focuses on reporting financial information to external parties such as investors, government agencies, banks, and suppliers based on Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Management accounting information and reports do not have to follow set principles or rules. The key questions are always (1) how will this information help managers do their jobs better, and (2) do the benefits of producing this information exceed the costs?. Management accounting is the process of measuring, analysing, and reporting financial and nonfinancial information that helps managers make decisions to fulfil the goals of an organization. Managers use management accounting information to:

1.  Develop, communicate, and implement strategies,

2.  Coordinate product design, production, and marketing decisions and evaluate a company's performance.

Management accountants are increasingly becoming integral members of their company´s decision making teams. Cost accounting is being recognised as a management tool for business strategy and implementation.

Chapter 1. MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING: ORIGIN AND CURRENT APPROACHES.

1. Historical development of Management Accounting.

2. Management Accounting and productive activity.

3. Management Accounting and Financial Accounting: Main differences.

4. Definition and objectives of the Management Accounting.

5. Current approaches to Management Accounting.

Chapter 2. FOUNDATIONS OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING.

1. Basic Concepts.

2. Different approaches to the basic concept of cost calculations.

3. Cost´s classification.

4. General Theory of Costs.

5. Guidelines for cost allocation.

6. Key Steps in the process of cost determination.

   
Chapter 3. RELATIONSHIP OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING.

1. The accounting process in management accounting.

2. Starting point of the analytical accounting process.

3. Methods relationship of Financial Accounting and Management Accounting.

Chapter 4. FULL COSTING MODELS.

1. Conceptual basis and general structure of the full costing models.

2. Differences of incorporation and the elements and extra charges.

3. Activity Centers: cost classes and work units.

4. Indirect cost centres: tables for cost distribution and cost imputation.

Chapter 5. DIRECT COSTING MODELS.

1. Foundations of the direct costing model.

2. The direct costing model and the basic accounting framework.

3. The analytical results of direct costing as an instrument of management.

4. Complete view of simplified direct costing process.

Chapter 6. PREDETERMINED COST MODELS.

1. Cost models as an instrument of default company management.

2. General considerations: Standard cost concept, classes and applications.

3. Requirements for the establishment of standards.

4. Determination of standard production cost.

5. Variance analysis in a standard cost model.

Chapter 7. RELEVANT COSTS FOR DECISION MAKING.

1. The information relevant to decision-making.

2. The decision to leave or not to manufacture a product.

3. The acceptance or rejection of a section of the company.

4. The closure or a section of the company.

5. The alternative of buying or making.

6. The allocation of scarce resources.

Large Group classes:

Theoretical contents and activities:

-Theoretical explanations

-Introductory theoretical activities: test.

-Researching Paper discussion

Practical contents and activities:

- Introductory practical activities

- Individual guided practical cases

- Guided Team works practical cases

- Final Case Group Presentation

Students with special educational needs should contact the Student Attention Service (Servicio de Atención y Ayudas al Estudiante) in order to receive the appropriate academic support

Theoretical instruction will take place to configure the conceptual scheme of the problematic object of this discipline as well as through the study of the references provided to students, which are essential complements. Coordinated and parallel to the theoretical, practical teaching will be developed in response to resolution by students for practical cases.

 Students may choose between two different assessment options, with specific implications for each one:

 Continuous assessment system: Daily and active participation in class activities and autonomous work at home during the semester. This system implies class attendance (theoretical and practical sessions)

Final exam option: The student will sit an exam in the official dates. Sporadic participation and work in class will be graded.