Accounting 250: Accounting for Managers focuses primarily on how to provide managers with the management information they need for making informed decisions and introduces the role accounting plays in providing reports to external bodies such as the federal government, banks, and other lenders of money.
The course emphasizes the importance of using advanced information systems such as the use of accounting software for small businesses and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems for large companies in managerial accounting and decision making. Managerial accounting uses both financial and non-financial information; the financial accounting topics included in this course include basic financial accounting concepts and analysis of financial reports using online, interactive tools to facilitate learning.
A distinction is made between external and internal reports. External reports are for information users who are external to the organization. Large corporations must prepare and file such reports for governmental and other organizations such as stock markets. An important feature of external reports is that they have a similar format, and those who prepare these reports must follow specific rules when compiling them. Internal reports, on the other hand, help managers make informed decisions in areas such as planning and controlling the organization’s resources. These reports are prepared according to the managers’ needs, and there are no set rules concerning their preparation. However, there is a set of principles that should be followed to ensure that these reports provide meaningful information.
Outline
Lesson 1: Introduction to Accounting
Lesson 2: Cost Behaviour and Analysis
Lesson 3: Cost Management Systems
Lesson 4: Relevant Information and Special Decision Making
Lesson 5: Basic Principles of Financial Accounting
Lesson 6: Interpreting Financial Statements
Lesson 7: The Budgeting Process and Standard Cost System
Lesson 8: Capital Investments and Capital Budgeting
Lesson 9: Performance Evaluation and the Balanced Scorecard
Evaluation
To receive credit for ACCT 250, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent) and a grade of at least 50 percent on the Final Examination. The following chart describes the credit weight associated with each course requirement. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
Activity
Weight
15 Quizzes (3% each)
45%
Final Exam
55%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Managerial Accounting (3rd Custom Ed. for Athabasca University). (2021). Pearson Canada Inc. ISBN: 9780137571338 (eText)
All other learning resources will be available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the ACCT 250 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.