Decision Making with Managerial Accounting (MA)

Decision Making with Managerial Accounting

Due to varying business characteristics, the managerial accounting techniques applied in each business may differ.  For example, a business in the start-up phase may rely heavily upon budgeting and capital investment techniques; whereas, a business in the mature/maintaining phase may rely heavily upon cost management and quality control. Ultimately, the techniques used by management should assist the business in achieving its short-term and long-term goals through effective decision-making.

For your Final Paper, you will analyze the role of managerial accounting in two parts. Part I will provide a general overview of managerial accounting. Part II will provide examples of how managerial accounting theories and principles are applied in the business world.  You may find it helpful to reflect upon your own professional experiences for examples.

Part I (three to four double-spaced pages, excluding the title and reference pages)
Present the following:

• Define managerial accounting
• Describe the role of managerial accounting and the management accountant in a business or organization
• Describes ethical issues/concerns for the management accountant
• Describes at least three managerial accounting techniques available and their application within a business or organization

Part II (Four to six double-spaced pages, excluding the title and reference pages)
Select at least three of the five topics identified below:

• Cost Management Techniques
• Costing Methods
• Capital Investment Decision Techniques
• Budgeting
• Quality Control

For each topic selected, present real world examples of the application of managerial accounting techniques within a business or organization. Examples may be gathered from your own professional experiences or from case studies obtained from credible sources (excluding textbook examples explored in previous weeks). Presentation of each example should include how a managerial accounting technique was applied in the business or organization’s decision-making model. Be sure to support your example with calculations when applicable.

Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:

• Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a title page with the following:
  • Title of paper
  • Student’s name
  • Course name and number
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date submitted
• Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
• Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
• Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
• Must use at least five scholarly sources.
• Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.) for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.

 

Defines Managerial Accounting

Total: 2.00

Distinguished – Accurately and fully defines managerial accounting.

Proficient – Defines managerial accounting, but the definition is slightly underdeveloped or inaccurate.

Basic – Defines managerial accounting, but the definition is underdeveloped and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations – Attempts to define managerial accounting, but the definition is significantly underdeveloped and inaccurate.

Non-Performance – Does not attempt to define managerial accounting.

 

Describes the Role of Managerial Accounting and the Management Accountant in a Business or Organization

Total: 4.00

Distinguished – Accurately and thoroughly describes the role of managerial accounting and the management accountant in a business or organization.

Proficient – Describes the role of managerial accounting and the management accountant in a business or organization. The description is slightly underdeveloped or inaccurate.

Basic – Partially describes the role of managerial accounting and the management accountant in a business or organization. The description is underdeveloped and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations – Attempts to describe the role of managerial accounting and the management accountant in a business or organization; however, the description is significantly underdeveloped and inaccurate.

Non-Performance – Does not attempt to describe the role of managerial accounting and the management accountant in a business or organization.

 

Describes the Ethical Issues/Concerns for the Management Accountant

Total: 4.00

Distinguished – Accurately and thoroughly describes the ethical issues/concerns for the management accountant.

Proficient – Describes the ethical issues/concerns for the management accountant. The description is slightly underdeveloped or inaccurate.

Basic – Partially describes the ethical issues/concerns for the management accountant. The description is underdeveloped and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations – Attempts to describe the ethical issues/concerns for the management accountant; however, the description is significantly underdeveloped and inaccurate.

Non-Performance – Does not attempt to describe the ethical issues/concerns for the management accountant.

 

Describes at Least Three Managerial Accounting Techniques Available and Their Application Within a Business or Organization

Total: 4.00

Distinguished – Accurately and thoroughly describes at least three managerial accounting techniques available and their application within a business or organization.

Proficient – Describes at least three managerial accounting techniques available and their application within a business or organization. The description is slightly underdeveloped or inaccurate.

Basic – Partially describes three managerial accounting techniques available and their application within a business or organization. The description is underdeveloped and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations – Attempts to describe three managerial accounting techniques available and their application within a business or organization; however, fewer than three techniques are described and/or the description is significantly underdeveloped and inaccurate.

Non-Performance – Does not attempt to describe managerial accounting techniques available and their application within a business or organization.

 

For Each of the Three Topics Selected, Present Real World Examples of the Application of Managerial Accounting Techniques Within a Business or Organization

Total: 9.00

Distinguished – Presents fully relevant real world examples of the application of managerial accounting techniques within a business or organization for each of the three topics selected.

Proficient – Presents real world examples of the application of managerial accounting techniques within a business or organization for each of the three topics selected, but one of the examples is irrelevant.

Basic – Presents real world examples of the application of managerial accounting techniques within a business or organization for each of the three topics selected, but two of the examples are irrelevant.

Below Expectations – Attempts to present real world examples of the application of managerial accounting techniques within a business or organization for each of the three topics selected, but presents fewer than three examples and/or the examples are all irrelevant.

Non-Performance – Does not attempt to present real world examples of the application of managerial accounting techniques within a business or organization for each of the three topics selected.

 

Critical Thinking: Explanation of Issues

Total: 1.00

Distinguished – Clearly and comprehensively explains the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient – Clearly explains the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic – Briefly explains the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations – Briefly explains the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

Non-Performance – The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

 

Written Communication: Control of Syntax and Mechanics

Total: 2.00

Distinguished – Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient – Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic – Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations – Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance – The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.