AFX4011

Business accounting I: concepts and techniques

Professor Rob Chenhall

6 points
* One 3-hour lecture per week, or equivalent
* First semester
* Multi-campus (1998: Clayton)

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to understand the purposes of information within organisations; understand and evaluate behavioural and organisational theories as they apply to management accounting; evaluate approaches to achieve best-practice within organisational functioning; develop an appreciation of cost concepts from the perspective of providing relevant information for operational and strategic decision making; apply the principles of activity accounting to performance measurement; develop an understanding of the role of profit centres within traditional and contemporary organisational structure.

Synopsis This subject provides a comprehensive coverage of issues concerned with the design and implementation of management accounting systems. These issues are related to the contemporary operating situation of Australian organisations. Particular attention is given to the way in which management accounting assists in integrating operational with strategic considerations. Topics covered include principles of organisations, competitive strategy, social and behavioural aspects, cost management, contemporary elements of best practice and performance measurement.

Assessment Written (3000 words): 30%
* Examination: 70%

Prescribed texts

Smith M New tools for management accountants Longman, 1994
Shank J K and Govindarajan V Strategic cost management Free Press, 1993