Updated: February 4, 2010

SYLLABUS

Course Description:

This course builds on the fundamental concepts introduced in financial accounting and examines a variety of tools and techniques used by managers to operate their business. Topics include cost concepts and behaviour, product costing systems, pricing and product-mix decisions, process and activity decisions, capital budgeting, planning and control, and competitive management methods.

Course Objectives:

This course is designed to give an overview of the accounting tools and techniques used by managers in various decision-making tasks as well as the factors that affect the design of management control systems. To achieve these objectives, the course will specifically deal with the following aspects:
• Understanding the general principles underlying managerial accounting and its practical applications in the business world
• Evaluating and allocating the product or service costs of an enterprise, and examining their impact on pricing decisions
• Developing and controlling an enterprise's master budget
• Identifying information needs and the systems available to provide that information in decision-making problems
• Gaining insight into the ethical issues involved with management control systems

Text:

Hilton & Favere-Marchesi: Managerial Accounting, McGraw-Hill-Ryerson, 1st Canadian edition, 2010.

Student Companion Site (Navigate through the student resources via the "Browse by Chapter" option to view material related to specific chapters such as self-study quizzes, Excel templates, and more)

Instructional Methodology:

The course will consist of weekly lectures and tutorial sessions.  You are expected to come to class prepared and participate in the discussions.  Large of amount of materials are covered quickly and each session builds on the previous ones; thus, it is important for you to remain current.  It is also essential to master the basic concepts early in the course in order to grasp the more difficult ones later on in the course.

Office Hours:

Thursdays 11:30am-2:20pm

Evaluation and Grading:

Letter grades will be assigned in accordance with the norms established by the Faculty of Business Administration.

Your grade will be determined by the following:

Presentation:

Students will present (in tutorial) a clear and concise summary of the more interesting or challenging concepts illustrated in the homework questions listed on the course outline (no more than 5 minutes in length). Students must be prepared to answer any of the assigned questions and will be randomly called upon to present. The solutions of the homework questions will be posted on WebCT after each lecture. Hence, the presentation summary should be an analysis and discussion of the question and its solution. Each student will be called upon once during the semester; however, because there will be more questions than students in the class, students will be allowed to volunteer to answer additional questions in order to improve their marks and the highest of the two marks will be counting into the final course marks. Marks will not be revealed until the end of the course. Presentations will start in the second tutorial. There will be no make-up for missed presentations due to absence at the tutorial. Presentations should "add value" and "go beyond the required" rather than concentrate on calculations and getting the "right" answer. Consider:

• Why the information is required (who uses it, and what for?)
• Any assumptions required or choices you made in formatting your solution
• Possible alternatives to your solution
• If you found a part/(s) of the question difficult, so will your classmates, and this is where you should focus most of your presentation

Participation:

This mark will be based on students' contribution to class discussions (e.g., critiques, analysis, thoughtful questions and comments) during the lectures. Emphasis is on the quality of the contribution. Attendance at tutorials is mandatory. Students will be allowed two absences without penalty during the semester. Each absence afterwards will reduce the participation mark by a 1 percentage point.

Exams:

The final exam is cumulative, but greater emphasis will be placed on the materials not previously tested on the midterm exam. The midterm and final exams will consist of multiple-choice questions, problems and essays. NO books, notes or dictionary are allowed. Calculators are permitted provided they are silent calculators with single-line or two-line display. Programmable, graphing or business calculators are not allowed. (Note: Cell phones/PDA are not allowed.) If your calculator does not meet the above standards, you will not be allowed to use it and a substitute calculator will not be provided.

With the exam booklet, you will also find an answer sheet for the multiple choice questions and an answer booklet for the problems and essays. You can write on the exam booklet, but only the answer sheet/booklet will be graded. Failure to hand in all the examination materials before you leave the room will invalidate your exam without the possibility of a make-up exam. In order to minimize disruptions to other students and to be fair to all students, NO questions will be answered during the exams.

COURSE OUTLINE

Note: This course outline is subject to changes at the discretion of the instructor.  All revisions will be posted here. Students are responsible for being familiar with any revisions to the course content.

IMPORTANT: Each student is expected to participate in work assigned during the semester. The marks obtained for work during the semester will be used in determining the final standing for the course. A passing grade in any examination does not ensure a passing grade for the course. Students who miss examinations because of illness or for compassionate reasons are required to obtain a physician's certificate or other supporting documents in order to obtain consideration in the course. Such documents must be filed with the instructor within four days of the date on which the examination was to have been written. If you miss the midterm exam, you will be allowed to change the weight of your final exam to make-up for the missed mark on the midterm exam. If you miss the final exam, a DE notation will be given and you must write a make-up final exam before the fifth day of classes in the semester immediately following the one in which the notation was awarded.