ACT 277 Managerial Accounting Topics

Syllabus

 

A more accurate description of the course could be “Managerial Decision Making in the Context of Managerial Accounting ”. We will learn how managers make decisions, and evaluate firm performance using the information. Hopefully, you will become better Accountants, or, better Managers, or, both because of this class.

 

Professor: Tim Nygaard

 

E-MAIL: Tim.Nygaard@kctcs.edu

 

FALL 2008 OFFICE HOURS:

 

Central Time

 

(rm 265, JHG)
M - R 1:00 – 2:15;
M - R 3:45 - 4:00;
W 5:30– 5:50 Muhlenburg;

by appointment or almost anytime not in class

 

W (270) 821-2250

H (270) 322-8737

 

DESCRIPTION

Managerial Accounting Topics and management decisions are studied.

PREREQUISITES

 

ACC 202 or concurrent

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

Managerial Accounting Topics emphasizes the determination and control of costs. It is of primary importance to management. Current emphasis is on the cost of manufacturing processes and manufactured products, however, many of the same concepts may be applied in a service environment.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Describe cost behavior and classification in a manufacturing environment;
  2. Use current costing techniques;
  3. Describe emerging costing techniques;
  4. Perform Cost-Volume-Profit analysis and other decision analysis techniques;
  5. Use budgeting and other performance evaluation tools;
  6. Prepare absorption and variable costing income statements; and
  7. Demonstrate appropriate computerized applications of cost accounting.

 

USP STATEMENT

 

This course satisfies an elective requirement for the Bus-Tech degree, and is required for the Bus-Tech Accounting option. This course transfers as an elective to the University of Kentucky, Murray & Western. For specific transferability questions, please contact the school that you will be attending.

This course is the second or third accounting course in a series. ACC 201 teaches the fundamentals of financial accounting (reporting external to the organization). ACC 202 teaches the fundamentals of managerial (internal) reporting. This course expands, enhances and enriches ACC 202.

 

MATERIALS AND TEXT

 

Managerial Accounting, Needles, Crosson, 2005e, Houghton Mifflin 2002 (with CD), ISBN: 0-618-50871-6

I can also accomodate the 2008 text.

 

Computer, modem, browser, access to WWW, access to a spreadsheet program (Excel). All schools within the KCTCS system have computer labs with Excel installed.

 

Your browser may need some Plug-Ins, but they are provided in this course.

 

A fine mind with which to study.

 

METHODS

All Internet and computer based.  No face-to-face meetings.

COMPUTERS

Although I'm convinced that computers are just another passing fad, you probably should know something about them within an accounting environment. I will ask you to turn in assignments using Excel and Notepad.

EXAMS

There will be two exams, and a final, each worth 100 points. The questions may include definitions, problems, and short essays on each test. I try to design our tests to be familiar to the homework. Please notice that the emphasis is on homework in this course. Tests only constitute 21.58% of your grade. This means you could do all of the homework, actually skip the tests

MISSED EXAMS

There will be no make-up exams.You will have at least one weekend and a several days of the week to take the tests.

I try to design enough flexibility so there should be no reason to miss an exam. If you need other accomodations, please e-mail me.

HOMEWORK

All homework must be turned in as listed on the assignment sheet. Please notice that homework constitutes 56.83% of your grade.

INCOMPLETES

I will offer you one when I visit you in intensive care.

ASSIGNMENTS

Assignments and instructions for assignments are listed elsewhere.

A SUGGESTED APPROACH FOR COMPLETING ASSIGNMENTS

1.     First, some students say they don't have to "attend class" in an internet class.  This not true. You DO have to "attend class".  The difference is that you may arrange the class to "meet" at any time you desire. If I were taking this class, I would choose a regular time and place for my “class”.  Since you do not need to be at a particular place at a particular time, distance courses are VERY EASY to put off. Thursday night, when the kids are at Scouts and the spouse is gone with them. Saturday afternoon when everyone is at the matinee, Sunday evening when everything is quiet .... you get the idea.   There’s ALWAYS something more important.  Discipline yourself NOW. 

2.     Second, when it’s “class” time, have your book on your lap while viewing the PowerPoint slides.  Review the book and the slides at the same time. Go back and forth between the book and the slides to be sure you understand the material. Bookmark places where calculations are performed. You will want to refer to them as you are doing exercises and problems. Please DO look at the PowerPoints, even if you just scan them. Sometimes there are important hints in there that may not be directly in the text. Or it may give you that extra "twist" that helps you solve a problem.

3.     Third, look at the problems on the assignments page and select the ones you are going to attempt (SOME are mandatory).

4.     Fourth, attempt the problems you have chosen.  Problems must be given a VALIANT ATTEMPT.  What does this mean?  It means you must put effort into solving the problem correctly.  It DOES NOT mean the problem must be solved PERFECTLY in order to obtain full credit. It DOES mean that problems must be given a VALIANT ATTEMPT. ~(:-)