In line with the learning objectives of the degree course in Economics and Business Management, this course aims to provide a sound knowledge of the following basics:
- the nature, uses and purposes of cost accounting;
- the main classifications and cost configurations and their uses;
- the main analytical tools related to different cost configurations, their formulas and meanings;
-the analysis of profitability, cost-benefit analysis and choice between alternatives.
At the end of the course, students will be able to select and apply the main cost accounting tools to support decision-making processes. In particular:
- be able to identify, in different contexts, decision-making problems or specific analytical issues (e.g. profitability analysis, choice between alternatives, etc.);
- being able to identify, for each specific decisional problem or analytical issue, the most appropriate cost configuration for the analysis;
- know how to apply the most appropriate analysis tools, with the relevant formulas, from time to time;
- know how to solve simple problems related to choices of economic convenience.
Finally, the student must have the ability to express reasoned assessments of the information benefits or support for business decisions that cost accounting tools can give in different contexts.
- the nature, uses and purposes of cost accounting;
- the main classifications and cost configurations and their uses;
- the main analytical tools related to different cost configurations, their formulas and meanings;
-the analysis of profitability, cost-benefit analysis and choice between alternatives.
At the end of the course, students will be able to select and apply the main cost accounting tools to support decision-making processes. In particular:
- be able to identify, in different contexts, decision-making problems or specific analytical issues (e.g. profitability analysis, choice between alternatives, etc.);
- being able to identify, for each specific decisional problem or analytical issue, the most appropriate cost configuration for the analysis;
- know how to apply the most appropriate analysis tools, with the relevant formulas, from time to time;
- know how to solve simple problems related to choices of economic convenience.
Finally, the student must have the ability to express reasoned assessments of the information benefits or support for business decisions that cost accounting tools can give in different contexts.
teacher profile teaching materials
1.1. Cost accounting within the management accounting system
1.2. The classification of costs and the different cost configurations
1.3. The determination of costs according to the full costing technique
1.4. The determination of costs according to the simple and evolved direct costing technique
2. Cost centre accounting
2.1. Creation of a cost centre map and allocation of business costs
2.2. Operation of a cost centre accounting system and its limitations
3. Costs and business decisions
3.1. The typology of production processes
3.2. The cost-volume-results analysis
3.3. The use of the contribution margin in business decisions (product mix, make or buy, pricing and profitability assessments, differential analysis, etc.)
4. Overview of innovative cost analysis and management issues
4.1. Cost accounting in the Anglo-Saxon tradition
4.2. Changes in organisational and management architectures and cost analysis
4.2. Costing from business processes and activities: activity-based costing
5. Notes on accounting systems
5.1 Single integrated system
5.2 Dual accounting system
Case-studies
- Anthony R. Hawkins D. Kenneth A.: Accounting: texts and cases, Mc Graw Hill Companies, 12th edition 2013
Programme
1. Cost recognition and calculation methodologies1.1. Cost accounting within the management accounting system
1.2. The classification of costs and the different cost configurations
1.3. The determination of costs according to the full costing technique
1.4. The determination of costs according to the simple and evolved direct costing technique
2. Cost centre accounting
2.1. Creation of a cost centre map and allocation of business costs
2.2. Operation of a cost centre accounting system and its limitations
3. Costs and business decisions
3.1. The typology of production processes
3.2. The cost-volume-results analysis
3.3. The use of the contribution margin in business decisions (product mix, make or buy, pricing and profitability assessments, differential analysis, etc.)
4. Overview of innovative cost analysis and management issues
4.1. Cost accounting in the Anglo-Saxon tradition
4.2. Changes in organisational and management architectures and cost analysis
4.2. Costing from business processes and activities: activity-based costing
5. Notes on accounting systems
5.1 Single integrated system
5.2 Dual accounting system
Case-studies
Core Documentation
– Datar S. Rajan M.: Cost Accounting, Pearson Education 2017- Anthony R. Hawkins D. Kenneth A.: Accounting: texts and cases, Mc Graw Hill Companies, 12th edition 2013
Reference Bibliography
- Agrawal M.L. - Gupta K.L.: Cost Accounting, Sahita Bhawan Publications - Bhimani A. Horngren C.T. Management and Cost Accounting, Pearson Education - 6th edition - Jawahar Lal - Seema Srivastav: cost Accounting:Text, Problems and Cases, Mc Grow Hill 2019Type of delivery of the course
Teaching activities include: face-to-face lessons lasting two hours three times a week, for a total of 60 hours. The days assigned to the exercises will be communicated by the teacher during the lessons. Lectures are usually in-class (in the light of the Pandemic emergency, they may happen online) and are held three times a week. Each lesson lasts two hours. The lectures per week are dedicated to explaining the theoretical concepts and practical applications of cost accounting tools.Attendance
Recommended but not compulsoryType of evaluation
Written exam with exercises and theoretical/practical questions