79310 - Cost Accounting

Learning outcomes

The course provides students with the main techniques of cost computation for decision-making, i.e. full cost accounting and differential cost accounting. At the end of the course students are able: (a) to know the meaning of the terms cost object, cost center, direct costs, indirect costs, overhead costs, cost allocation, and cost systems; (b) to know the nature of the managerial choices inherent in a full cost accounting system and apply it to real problem; (c) to know and apply the concept of activity-based costing (ABC); (d) to know the nature of the factors that influence changes in cost, including the distinction among fixed, variable, step-function, and semi-variable costs; (e) to know and apply the technique of cost-volume-profit analysis, how to prepare such an analysis, and its uses and limitations; (f) to know and apply the nature of alternative choice decision making, and the types of alternative choice decisions that most organizations make.

Course contents

1. Introduction to cost accounting

2. Cost terms and concepts

3. Job and process Costing

4. Direct and full costing

5. Activity-based Costing

6. Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis

7. Relevant costs and revenues for Decision making

Readings/Bibliography

C.Drury, Cost and Management Accounting, 9th edition, SOUTH-WESTERN CENGAGE EDITION.

Teaching methods

- Lectures and case studies

 

Assessment methods

Written exam made of two exercises. The first one on cost accounting, the second one on cost analysis for supporting the decision making process.

• Sufficient preparation and skills, expressed in substantially correct language: 18-22
• Technically adequate preparation, discrete analytical skills, even if not particularly deep, expressed in a correct language: 23-26;
• In-depth knowledge of the topics, good analytical and critical skills, mastery of specific terminology: 27-29;
• Very in-depth knowledge of the topics, critical analysis and connection skills, mastery of specific terminology: 30-30L.

Teaching tools

E-learning platform.

Office hours

See the website of Franco Visani