73026 - Cost Accounting

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, the student is familiar with managerial accounting and the methodologies for its maintenance. They are capable of calculating both production costs - in various relevant configurations - and profit margins to meet directional informational purposes (both traditional and advanced). The module is characterized by a didactic approach based on case presentations and practical exercises.

Course contents

- The management control system

- Introduction to cost analysis:

* The concept of cost and its classifications

* Cost configurations

* Activity-based costing systems

- Analysis of activities and processes:

* Identification of company activities

* Mapping of company processes

* Activity analysis for cost allocation

- Analytical accounting according to the double accounting system:

* Accounting aspects

* Process aspects

* Technological aspects

- The use of standard costs for cost analysis

- Activity-Based Costing (ABC)

- Cost analysis to support short-term decisions:

* Break-even analysis

* Product mix choices

* Elimination of loss-making productions

Readings/Bibliography

Ray H. Garrison, Eric Noreen, Peter C. Brewer, Marco Agliati, Lino Cinquini, Programmazione e Controllo, 4A ed., 2021, McGraw Hill

Handouts, presentations, business cases provided by the teacher

Teaching methods

The course includes a combination of lectures, classroom discussions, practical exercises, and analysis of business cases. Students will be encouraged to actively participate in discussions and apply the concepts learned through case studies

Assessment methods

The final exam tends to verify the knowledge of the topics covered in class regarding the main analytical accounting models as well as the management methods of corporate information.



A written test will be organized followed by an oral presentation of the case developed in groups during the course. The evaluation will take place out of thirty.

Passing the exam requires the achievement of a score of at least 18/30. The score will be graded according to the following criteria:

- <18: insufficient (the topics are addressed in an inadequate way in terms of content and presentation methods)

- 18-21: sufficient (most of the topics are dealt with adequately but superficially in terms of content; modest reasoning skills demonstrated; substantially correct but modest presentation methods)

- 22-25: fair (adequate knowledge of all the topics addressed; fair reasoning skills; adequate presentation methods)

- 26-28: good (in-depth knowledge of all the topics covered; orderly presentation of each of the topics; good command of specific terminology)

- 29-30: excellent (in-depth and detailed knowledge of all the topics covered; very good reasoning skills and systematic classification of the institutes; accurate presentation of the topics; full mastery of specific terminology)

- 30 cum laude: excellent

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Capodaglio