Course Objective

This course provides an overview of the main issues that financial
controllers will face in their daily work. In
the course we use both a set of quantitative methods and study academic
papers to analyze how management accounting information will be used for
decision making and evaluation (Bridging theory and practice - knowledge
and application; Broadening your horizon - IT). Finally, this course
discusses several issues
where financial controllers face opposing forces to make decisions in
their work (broadnening your horizon - responsibility).

After following the course, you should be able to:

- use quantitative methods (e.g., regression, linear programming,
financial modelling), to assess the value of additional information,
analyze the impact of uncertainty on profitability, analyze bottlenecks,
and analyze cost behavior;
- read and understand academic papers and be able to formulate why
results of these papers are informative for practical decisions;
- understand why the need for management accounting information has
grown over time;
- recognize that financial controllers play a key role in decision
making and performance evaluation;
- discuss and evaluate opposing forces that influence decisions
that financial controller make (e.g, the watchdog role versus
information supplier role of controllers).

Course Content

Since management accounting information is not subject to a set of
external regulations, other principles will guide which accounting
information firms need. These principles are often based on cost-benefit
reasoning, and on understanding the set of incentives that different
layers of managers have.

In the course we analyze the value of management accounting devices
based on these principles.

Teaching Methods

Lectures supported by slidecast lectures (slides and voiceover).

Method of Assessment

Written exam
Optional assignments yielding a maximum of 5 bonus points (out of 100
for final grade)

Literature

Groot, T., & Selto, F. (2013), Advanced Management Accounting, Pearson
Education, London. ISBN: 978-0-273-73018-7.

A selection of academic papers, to be published on Canvas.

Recommended background knowledge

The course assumes an understanding of management accounting at
intermediate level.