COST ANALYSIS FOR BUSINESS DECISIONS
Syllabus
Updated A.Y. 2022-2023
TEACHING STAFF RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COURSE:
Dott. Gabriele PALOZZI, Ph.D.
Email: palozzi@economia.uniroma2.it
Office Hour: Wednesday 6 PM – 8 PM, or on-line, by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course introduces cost concepts and terminology, inventory control, capital asset selection, and performance measurement. Cost accounting provides key data to managers for planning and controlling, as well as data on costing products, services, and customers. By focusing on basic concepts, analyses, uses, and procedures, we recognize cost accounting as a managerial tool.
AIMS of the COURSE:
1) Learning Skills
- Understanding of cost behaviour and related terminology
- Introduction to significance of “cost” in business decisions
- Definition some skills for cost management
- Introduction of the concept of Managerial Control aimed at Business Planning
2) Applying Knowledge and Understanding
- Identification of direct and indirect cost
- Identification those costs have to be attributed and allocated
- Calculate the break-even point
- Understand those relevant items in cost computation
- Identification of Capital Budget main features
3) Making Judgements
- Comprehension of business internal reports
- Definition the profitability of a particular business segment
- Comprehension of both Variable Cost and Full Cost Reporting
4) Communication Skills
- Discussion of cases study and exercises by using the appropriate terminology
- Providing Cost Accounting Reports aimed at inform business management
TOPICS CONTENT:
I) Managerial vs Financial Accounting
• Concepts of cost & expenses
• Planning & Control Process
• Product Cost and Period Cost
• Examine and solve case studies
II) Fundamentals of Cost Accounting
• Differentiate between direct and indirect costs.
• Cost attribution and cost allocation
• Identify key components and terminology utilized within cost accounting.
• Examine and solve case studies
III) Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP)
• Distinguish among fixed, mixed, and variable costs.
• Calculate a break-even point using the elements of cost-volume-profit (CVP).
• Prepare income statements using both variable and absorption costing.
• Examine and solve case studies
IV) Cost Allocation
• Identify cost drivers for manufacturing and service activities.
• Calculate overhead rates using cost drivers.
• Compute allocation of overhead costs to cost pools, end products, and services.
• Examine and solve case studies
V) Capital Budgeting Decisions
• Capital Budgeting and Planning Investment: basic concepts
• The Net Present Value and the Internal Rate of Return
• Other approaches to capital budgeting decisions
• Examine and solve case studies
COURSE MATERIALS:
- BOOK TITLE: Managerial Accounting - Basics of Cost Analysis; McGraw-Hill Education - CREATE ISBN: 9781308978611
- Slides and research material provided by the lecturer
TEACHING METHODS:
The course will be a combination of lectures, problem-solving, case studies, and interactive class discussions.
CLASSES:
Classes are scheduled from April, 12, 2023 to May, 19, 2023. Classes are in person with the possibility to be followed remotely via Mictosoft Teams. if possible, presence is strongly suggested.
EXAM RULES
The final exam consists in two compulsory parts that usually are held on the same day:
1) a technical exam covering the entire course's material; it concerns with both theoretical questions and practical application. Minimum qualifying grade required to get credit: 18/30.
2) an oral exam.
Analytical Syllabus of lectures:
week | date | time | Room | topic | link to text book | slides |
1 | 12/04/23 | 4 PM - 6 PM | S5 - Teams | Course Introduction, Managerial Accounting vs Financial Accounting | Chapter 1 | Section 1 |
13/04/23 | 11 AM - 1 PM | S5 - Teams | Managerial Accounting vs Financial Accounting + Planning & Control Process | Chapter 1 | Section 1 | |
14/04/23 | 11 AM - 1 PM | S5 - Teams | Practical Applications on Section 1 | Chapter 1 | Section 1 | |
2 | 19/04/23 | 4 PM - 6 PM | S5 - Teams | Cost Behaviour & Operating Leverage | Chapter 2 | Section 2 |
20/04/23 | 11 AM - 1 PM | S5 - Teams | Operating Leverage & Profitability Analysis | Chapter 2 | Section 2 | |
21/04/23 | 11 AM - 1 PM | S5 - Teams | Practical Applications on Section 2 | Chapter 2 | Section 2 | |
3 | 26/04/23 | 4 PM - 6 PM | S5 - Teams | Cost, Volume, Profit Analysis, Pricing | Chapter 3 | Section 3 |
27/04/23 | 11 AM - 1 PM | S5 - Teams | Cost, Volume, Profit Analysis, Pricing | Chapter 3 | Section 3 | |
28/04/23 | 11 AM - 1 PM | S5 - Teams | Practical Applications on Section 3 | Chapter 3 | Section 3 | |
4 | 03/05/23 | 4 PM - 6 PM | S5 - Teams | Cost Accumulation, Tracing and Allocation | Chapter 4 | Section 4 |
04/05/23 | 11 AM - 1 PM | S5 - Teams | Cost Accumulation, Tracing and Allocation | Chapter 4 | Section 4 | |
05/05/23 | 11 AM - 1 PM | S5 - Teams | Allocating Service Center / Dept Cost | Chapter 4 | Section 4 | |
5 | 10/05/23 | 4 PM - 6 PM | S5 - Teams | Practical Applications on Section 4 | Chapter 4 | Section 4 |
11/05/23 | 11 AM - 1 PM | S5 - Teams | Practical Applications on Section 4 | Chapter 4 | Section 4 | |
12/05/23 | 11 AM - 1 PM | S5 - Teams | Capital Investment Decision, How calculate Present Values | Chapter 5/6 | Section 5 | |
6 | 17/05/23 | 4 PM - 6 PM | S5 - Teams | How calculate Present Values Case Study | Chapter 5/6 | Section 5 |
18/05/23 | 11 AM - 1 PM | S5 - Teams | Practical Applications on Section 5 | Chapter 5/6 | Section 5 | |
19/05/23 | 11 AM - 1 PM | S5 - Teams | TECHNICAL TEST | - | - |