AC107-Management Information

Module Provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: AC110 Introduction to Accounting and AC109 Introduction to Business
Modules excluded: AC106 Introduction to Management Accounting or AC201 Management Accounting
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Maggie Cooper

Email: maggie.cooper@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces management accounting concepts and techniques that assist managers with their organisational decision making, planning, control and performance evaluation. Management accounting provides information which supports business decisions and the course will demonstrate the techniques used by management accountants in the ways that they consider costs and revenues and their measurement; how profit is calculated and what information can be used to inform decisions made over the short and long term. The module also examines the way in which budgets are created and are used within businesses and the techniques used to assess their performance. 

This module is delivered at the University of Reading and the University of Reading Malaysia.

Aims:

The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the techniques, principles and underlying concepts relating to the analysis of management information. The module aims to provide an overview of the techniques used in the examination of costs, revenues and profits. Students will be gain experience of using the types of approaches used in today’s businesses and an understanding of how these fit together to provide an overview of a business’s performance.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

		Programme Level Graduate Attributes/ Learning Objectives
Module Learning Outcomes	Description	Mastery of discipline	Skills in research & enquiry	Personal effectiveness & self-awareness	Global engagement and multi-cultural awareness	Employability
1	Explain the role of management accounting in providing information to managers for decision-making, planning and control.	1	1, 2
2	Describe and discuss the changes taking place in organisations and the business environment and their influence on mangement accounting systems and practices.	1, 2	1, 2
3	Produce effective solutions to practical decision-making, planning and control problems by analysing and interpreting information and evaluating options using management accounting concepts and techniques.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5	1, 2	1, 2, 3	1	1 a)-h)
4	Recognise the qualitative aspects, including behavioural aspects, of decision-making, planning and control. To appraise qualitative aspects in relation to management accounting problems.	1, 2, 3			1
5	Use selected academic and professional literature relevant to management accounting so as to demonstrate the ability to analyse, think critically and synthesise differing perspectives.	4	1, 2
6	Organise and present information clearly, succinctly and in the required format.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5	1, 2	1, 2, 3	1	1 a)-h)

Additional outcomes:

The module aims to encourage the development of oral communication skills and the students’ effectiveness in group situations. Structured activities are designed to develop independent learning, including reflective, adaptive and collaborative learning. Students are encouraged to develop additional IT skills through use of web resources and electronic communication techniques, including Blackboard.

Students will develop their analytical and quantitative skills. The course will develop their time management skills.

Outline content:

• The role and nature of management accounting 

• Understanding cost classification and cost behaviour

• Identifying relevant costs and revenues for decision making

• Applying cost behaviour to inventory valuation and overhead costing

• Using and interpreting cost-volume-profit analysis (break even analysis)

• Limiting factor analysis and marginal costing techniques for short term decision making

• Application of full (absorption) and marginal costing with an introduction to activity- based costing

• Reconciliation of profits under marginal and absorption costing

• Application of marginal, absorption and market-based approaches to pricing decisions and profitability analysis

• Budgeting and forecasting including their impact on employee behaviour

• Preparation of function and master budgets with evaluation of working capital management

• Preparation and interpretation of standard costing information and variance analysis

• Calculation and interpretation of performance management measures including return on investment and residual income

• Application of investment appraisal techniques including NPV, IRR, ARR and payback period in evaluating a project.

Global context:

Collaborative working with international colleagues and an appreciation of the global context within which businesses and management accountant operate.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module is delivered through a combination of interactive lectures which introduce students to topic areas and practical workshops where students will consolidate their understanding through guided question practice and discussion. Students will also be set work and questions for self study.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10	10
Seminars	10	10	4
Guided independent study:
Advance preparation for classes	20	20
Other	15	15
Revision and preparation	20	20	46
Total hours by term	75	75	50
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	80
Class test administered by School	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One 2-hour closed book unseen written exam in the Summer term.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Two 45 minute, closed book unseen, in-class objective tests attempted under exam conditions. The first in-class test will be taken at the end of the Autumn term (week 11). The second in-class test will be taken at the end of the Spring term (week 11). Each in -class test contributes 10% to the total module mark.

Formative assessment methods:

Formative feedback is available throughout the course in lectures and workshops and may take the form of response to questions and activities, feedback from marked independent study and in-class tests. Exam style questions will be practised in workshops and additional material made available for independent study. Marking guides and feedback are provided where appropriate so that students can assess their own performance.

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A minimum mark of 40% is required for a University pass.

This module contributes to the Management Information module of the ACA Professional Stage Knowledge level. In order to apply for ICAEW credit for prior learning, a minimum mark of 50% must be obtained in this module.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment is through exam only in the resit period of the same year. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Required text books: (online / hardback) <£50 - Seal, W. Rohde, C. Garrison, R. and Noreen, E. (2018) Management Accounting, 6th Edition. Pub. Maidenhead, UK. - E-version recommended for access to questions. 

Calculator: £15 - Casio FX-83GTPLUS or Casio FX-85GTPLUS

Last updated: 5 September 2019