Study information

Introduction to Management Accounting

Module titleIntroduction to Management Accounting
Module codeINT1009
Academic year2025/6
Credits15
Module staff

Corinne Tuck (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

0

12

12

Number students taking module (anticipated)

115

Module description

Management accounting is an important tool for decision making within an organisation. This module illustrates the application of accounting techniques using case studies and real-life examples.  This module is designed for those who want to study an accounting degree.  At the end of this course students will have a good understanding of the basic techniques of management accounting and their application along with an understanding of both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of internal business decision making.

This module is the equivalent of BEA1009.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to provide students with a good understanding of the key topics covered in management accounting.  The numerical and technical information given is not too complex, which will allow students to apply the techniques and skills learnt more easily.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Describe the purpose and role of cost management accounting
  • 2. Identify different cost behaviours and costing systems
  • 3. Apply the different techniques used in accounting for materials, labour and production overheads
  • 4. Describe job and batch costing and prepare accounts in job costing situations
  • 5. Apply management accounting information for short-run decision making e.g. marginal costing and its use in cost-volume-profit analysis
  • 6. Apply management accounting information for long-run decision making, employing basic investment appraisal techniques
  • 7. Explain the role of budgeting in financial planning and control, and explain different budget types
  • 8. Prepare budgets for sales, production materials (usage and purchases), labour and overheads
  • 9. Explain and prepare fixed, flexible and flexed budgets
  • 10. Explain the purpose and principles of standard costing
  • 11. Calculate and interpret variances for: sales, materials, labour, variable overheads and fixed overheads

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 12. Demonstrate how managers use accounting information to aid decision making, planning and control
  • 13. Apply management accounting concepts and practices to analyse business problems
  • 14. Identify and present appropriate information to assist management with controlling the business and taking financial decisions

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 15. Demonstrate basic problem solving skills

Syllabus plan

 

  • Introduction to management accounting 

 

Costing  

  • Cost classification and costing situations 

  • Accounting for materials,labour and overheads 

  • Activity-based costing 

  • Absorption vs. marginal costing 

  • Job costing  

  • Other costing methods e.g. Target costing 

 

Decision making 

  • Short term decision making: CVP, breakeven analysis, limiting factor analysis 

  • Long term decision making, investment appraisal  

  • Qualitative factors in decision making 

 

Planning and Control 

  • Budgeting 

  • Standard costing and variance analysis 

  • Working capital management 

 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
40110

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
On- Campus Lectures10On-campus practical lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities30Seminars will be teacher led. You should prepare for each seminar based on the related lecture and will spend your time on case studies, problem solving activities and short essays
Self-Study Lectures30Pre-recorded lectures and activities to be watched before the seminar
Formative assessed activities40Work on case studies, MCQs, problem solving activities, short essays with in-class feedback
Guided Independent Study 20Reading and Research
Guided Independent Study 20Practice of Techniques

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Mock Exam – Mid Term1.5 hour exam 2,5, 7-15Verbal and written feedback and answers on ELE
Mock Exam - Final2 hour exam1,3,4,6, 12-15Verbal and written feedback and answers on ELE

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
01000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Mid Term Exam401.5 hours2,5,7-15Mark scheme available on ELE Performance outcome
Written exam 602 hours1-3,4,6,12-15Mark scheme available on ELE Performance outcome

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Mid Term ExamMid Term Exam 1.5 hours (Deferral)2,5,7-15Next assessment opportunity
Written ExamWritten exam (Deferral), 2 hours1-15Next assessment opportunity
Written ExamWritten exam (Referral), 2 hours 1-15Next assessment opportunity

Re-assessment notes

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES:

 

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for reasons judged legitimate by the Mitigation Committee, the applicable assessment will normally be deferred. See ‘Details of re-assessment’ for the form that assessment usually takes. When deferral occurs, there is ordinarily no change to the overall weighting of that assessment. 

 

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e., a final overall mark of less than 40% achieved) you will be required to take a referral exam. Only your performance in this exam will count towards your final module grade. A grade of 40% will be awarded if the examination is passed. 

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading: Schemes of work are given to students at the beginning of the module with suggested text as .   preparatory reading. 

 

  • Attrill & McLaney (2015). Management Accounting for Business Decisions Ed.10. Harlow: Pearson. Textbook and online resources ( My Accounting Lab) 

  • ELE resources: (Lecture worksheets and recorded lectures, PowerPoint presentations, workbooks and relevant articles from the media)   

  • Students can use the discussion forum posted on ELE, in addition to other resources (online quizzes).  

  • Other resources: Textbooks from the INTO resource centre 

Key words search

Management accounting; costing; Cost classification;  materials; labour; overheads; activity-based costing; Absorption; marginal; Job costs; stock valuation; short term decision making; CVP; breakeven analysis; limiting factor analysis; long term decision making; investment appraisal; planning; control; budgeting; standard costing; variance analysis; balanced scorecard.

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

4

Available as distance learning?

Yes

Origin date

July 2011

Last revision date

09/06/2025