Seminar in Managerial Accounting

BMBC 629                                                                                                    Room A-217
Spring 2000                                                                                                 W 6:00pm-8:30pm

Prerequisite: Undergraduate Cost Accounting (AT LEAST one senior level course)

Suggested Reading:

1.  Behavioral Research in Accounting

    Accounting, Organizations and Society

    Journal of Cost Management

These research journals are particularly relevant to the course. Although they are not available in "hard copy" at Ramapo, electronic databases (e.g. ABI Inform) provide access to the abstracts and full-text articles can be obtained via interlibrary loans.

2. "Strategic Finance" (formerly Management Accounting).

This is a practitioner publication published by the Institute of Management Accountants. It is widely available.

3. The Costing Heritage: Studies in Honor of S. Paul Garner (available in the professor's office).

    This edited book includes a series of articles chronicling the history of cost accounting.

 4. Diana Hacker, A Writer's Reference, St. Martin's Press.

    Clair May, "Good writing counts", Journal of Accountancy, July 1993, p.77.

This class includes written assignments. The above references are two (of many) available resources available to assist you in presenting a clear and concise report.

Course Description:

Advanced concepts of cost analysis and managerial control will be examined. Theoretical and behavioral aspects of cost accounting as well as practice orientations will be explored. The course will be case oriented (student's will be provided with a format for case completion). The topics addressed in each case will be discussed using the following resources:

Course Objectives:

1. To define and describe the management activities of planning and decision making, performance evaluation and control, cost management, and cost determination.

Basic understanding of cost accounting is a prerequisite for this class. For the purpose of establishing a common denominator of knowledge, each topic will be briefly overviewed before it is elaborated on.

2. To introduce traditional and alternative perspectives on cost accounting topics in order to refine the student's critical thinking skills associated with planning and controlling limited resources of an organization.

The textbook selected is somewhat non-traditional. It will challenge you to develop your own opinion regarding a particular concept or process rather than just accepting verbatim what you learned in basic undergraduate courses. The "readings" will also help accomplish this objective by providing you with additional information to construct and effectively defend your opinion.

3. To extend the student's knowledge of cost accounting topics via application of theory to management decision making.

The course includes integrated case assignments to meet this objective.

Grading:

Class Project:

Each student is required to choose a cost accounting topic of interest and complete an extensive literature review and analysis on the subject. Research outcomes include a summary of the literature reviewed, analysis of the literature reviewed, practical implications, an executive summary (distributed to the class) and an annotated bibliography. A minimum of 15 journal articles should be thoroughly reviewed. Practitioner and research articles must be included. The professor will approve the preliminary bibliography, which is DUE MARCH 15^th. Project grading will be based on both the oral and written presentations.

No test "makeup's". No extensions on case or assignment due dates. If you will be absent on a "due date", arrangements must be made with the professor in advance. Depending on the circumstances, a grade reduction may result. If prior arrangements are not made, a grade reduction will result.

Anyone caught cheating on, or plagiarizing, a class assignment will receive a failing grade (F/"0") on that assignment. Cheating on a test will result in an F/"0" on that test. In addition, the professor is required to refer any students suspected of cheating or plagiarizing to the Dean of Student Affairs. Please see 'Study Groups" below.

Study Group Format:

Research indicates that student learning is enhanced when small group formats, facilitated by the professor, are used in homework discussion. This class will use the group format in addition to traditional presentation of homework solutions. In addition, I encourage you to form study groups outside the classroom for the purpose of discussion.

Attendance:

Class attendance is an important component of this course. Students learn from one another as well as from the professor. Promptness is also important because late arrivals are disruptive to the class as a whole. Attendance will be taken and absences/late arrivals will affect your grade. Communication is key. Please discuss anticipated absences/late arrivals with the professor in advance of the class whenever possible.

 Class "Preparedness":

Class Preparedness is defined as:

Reading the text and assigned readings prior to the class lecture.

Completing all assignments prior to class discussion

 Class Participation:

Class Participation is defined as:

Informed active (voluntary) participation will be the basis for this grade.

If you need adaptations or accommodations because of a documented disability, please make an appointment during my office hours. 

The following outline is subject to revision at the professor's discretion.