...Does management accounting play role in planning process? Fabio Frezatti a,⁎, Andson B. Aguiar a,b,1, Reinaldo Guerreiro a,2, Maria A. Gouvea a,2 a University of Sao Paulo, School of Economics, Business Administration, and Accounting, Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto 908, FEA3, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo City, 05508-900, State of São Paulo, Brazil b Fucape Business School, Av. Fernando Ferrari, 1358, Boa Vista, Vitória-ES, 29075-505, Brazil a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t This study examines the relationship between management accounting and planning profiles in Brazilian companies. The main goal is to understand the consequences of not including a fully structured management accounting scheme in the planning process. The authors conducted a field research among medium and large-sized companies, using a probabilistic sample from a population of 2281 companies. Using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and statistical cluster analysis, the authors grouped the entities' strategic budget planning processes into five profiles, after which the authors applied statistical tests to assess the five clusters. The study concludes that poor or fully implemented strategic and budget-planning processes relate to the management accounting profiles of the Brazilian organizations studied. © 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc. Article history: Received 1 March 2009 Received in revised form 1 September 2009 Accepted 1 November 2009 Available online xxxx Keywords: Management accounting Strategic...
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...Definition of managerial accounting -- The process of preparing management reports and accounts that provide accurate and timely financial and statistical information required by managers to make day-to-day and short-term decisions. Unlike financial accounting, which produces annual reports mainly for external stakeholders, management accounting generates monthly or weekly reports for an organization's internal audiences such as department managers and the chief executive officer. These reports typically show the amount of available cash, sales revenue generated, amount of orders in hand, state of accounts payable and accounts receivable, outstanding debts, raw material and inventory, and may also include trend charts, variance analysis, and other statistics. Also called managerial accounting. Management accounting is a profession that involves partnering in management decision making, devising planning and performance management systems, and providing expertise in financial reporting and control to assist manage- ment in the formulation and implemen- tation of an organization’s strategy. Management accounting’s essential compo- nent is the formulation and implementation of strategy to help an organization succeed. Role of managerial accounting and the management accountant in a business or organization --- Managerial accountants record financial information for their companies that is used by the organization’s management team to aid in the decision-making process...
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...1 SUSTAINABILITY AND THE ROLE OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING 1 SUSTAINABILITY AND THE ROLE OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING Traci Buxton French Salem International University ABSTRACT: A majority of CEO’s at large international companies consider sustainability efforts to be a high priority development item on corporate agendas, yet less than 30% of companies actively seek new capital investment opportunities in this area (McKinsey, 2010, para. 1). These same executives feel that value from sustainability initiatives is gained through “earned goodwill, improved reputation, cost savings and growth opportunities” (McKinsey, 2010, para. 3). The disconnect between perceived value of sustainability programs and development of these initiatives is partly due to the difficulty of defining measurable parameters to determine progress, quantify results, engage stakeholders and improve corporate profitability. A second issue has been to integrate separate, isolated sustainability efforts into core business practices in order to facilitate long-term change. This effort has resulted in improved customer satisfaction and increased stakeholder engagement. Sustainability in the business realm refers to attainment of business goals that maximize revenue while minimizing the negative impact on society and the environment. In 1981, the UN defined sustainable business development as “policies and procedures that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to...
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...Roles, authority and involvement of the management accounting function: a multiple case-study perspective Caroline Lambert HEC, Paris 1, rue de la Libération 78351 Jouy en Josas Cedex lambert@hec.fr Samuel Sponem Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers GREG-CRC (EA 2430) samuel.sponem@cnam.fr Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to participants at the European Accounting Association Conference 2009, the Accounting department ESSEC seminar, France, and at the seminar of Ecole de Comptabilité de l’Université Laval, Québec, Canada for their constructive comments on earlier drafts of this paper. They also wish to thank and useful suggestions of members of the CriM group, Martin Messner and Juhani Vaivio. We would particularly like to thank Markus Granlund and the two anonymous reviewers for their many helpful comments and suggestions. Both authors thank ‘Fondation HEC’ and ‘Agence Nationale de la Recherche’ for their fundings. Abstract Recent techniques and shifts in the environment are often foreseen as leading management accountants to adopt a business orientation. However, empirical evidence pointing to fundamental shifts in the roles played by management accountants remains relatively scarce. We explore this paradox and give sense to the various roles played by the management accounting function by focusing on how management accountants are involved in and endowed with authority in decision-making situations. Using data we gathered from 73 interviews in ten...
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...Characteristics of Management Accountants Aileen Davey Adrian France* *Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) Tristram Street Private Bag 3036 Hamilton 2020 New Zealand Telephone: (07) 8348800 ext 8519 Fax: (07) 8348802 Email: Adrian.france@wintec.ac.nz Abstract In New Zealand there have been a number of articles about the changing profile of accountants in today’s environment. Recent debate is focusing on the goal congruence of educators and practitioners. Professional accounting bodies are also identifying the changing needs of the accounting professionals’ skill sets as a key area of future focus irrespective of what job title the accounting professionals operates under. This paper seeks to identify the key skills and characteristics of management accountants which are being looked for by employers in today’s market. Situations vacant for management accountants were surveyed. The results indicated that communication skills were advertised the most frequently, marginally ahead of technical skills. Of the Characteristics leadership was most frequently advertised. The survey in this paper confirmed the practitioners actions in situations vacant advertising are congruent with their requirements profiled as essential skills in potential employees, today’s students. Keywords: Skills, characteristics, management accountant, situations vacant, advertising. Advertised Skills and Characteristics of Management Accountants ...
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...ISSN: 2277 – 100X RIJBFA RADIX INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BANKING, FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING DECISION MAKING AND THE ROLE OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING FUNCTION – A REVIEW OF EMPIRICAL LITERATURE Fitsum Kidane (Phd. Research scholar), Lecturer in Accounting and Finance College of Business and Economics Mekelle University Mekelle, Ethiopia Abstract This study examines decision making and the role of management accounting function in a business organization. Using the review of literature, I identify management accountants perform a wide variety of tasks. Only a part of management accounting activity is directed at performance improvement. Some of the activities they perform are related to the statutory reporting requirements of the organization. Some of these are related to the operational requirements of the finance function itself such as processing transactions receiving money and paying bills. Literature foresees new management accounting techniques and changes in organizational and business environments having a huge impact on management accountants’ roles, yet empirical evidence on fundamental shifts in these roles remains relatively scarce. Journal of Radix International Educational and Research Consortium www.rierc.org RIJBFA KEYWORDS Volume 1, Issue 4(April 2012) ISSN: 2277 – 100X Decision making, management accountant, management accounting INTRODUCTION Accounting can be defined as "the process of identifying, measuring and communicating economic...
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...globalization, highs information technology (IT) investments and the rapid pace of technological change. Organizations are responding in different ways and at different rates to the wide range of IT based opportunities and pressures. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the effects of IT related organizational changes on the management accounting function and to contribute to the body of knowledge about to what extent IT affects the ability to solve accounting tasks. The relationship between IT and accounting practices was investigated qualitatively using six case studies and we will measure the impact of IT on accountants’ tasks. The findings suggest a tendency for change and the decentralization of accounting tasks. Index Terms—Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Financial Documents, Information Technology, Management Information System. I. INTRODUCTION Nowadays the business world is changing at a faster and faster pace. The reasons given for this is globalization, highs IT investments and the rapid pace of technological change in combination with escalating costs of research and development (Frishamar, 2002). The role of information technology (IT) has shifted over the last decades (Teng & Calhoun, 1996) to become an important part of how companies manage and control their resources. Organizations are responding in different ways and at different rates to the wide range of IT based opportunities and pressures (Johnson et al., 1986). Decisions...
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...Contingency theory is perceived by some scholars as a fragmentation of various ideals patched together into a theory of management accounting, nevertheless, it should be recognised that it provides a wealth of knowledge into contemporary management accounting practices. Contingency theory provides enhanced information to the individual which ultimately improves decision making and assists in achieving organisational objectives (Hamas and Lääts, 2002, p. 379). This theory has invaluably provided research evidence that are attributable to contemporary management accounting knowledge and designs. It has provided a profound method to adjust to ever changing external environments and the need for changes in internal factors (Otley, 1980, p. 413). Strengths of contingency theory style research Challenging the criticisms of contingency theory for being fragmentary and contradictory due to its methodological limitations, it is the failure of critiques in realising the many different forms of management accounting designs under the contingency approach and the relationships between those design which have perpetuated this idea (Gerdin and Greves, 2004, p.303). Attention should be shifted to the concepts under which contingency theory has been applied. Contingency theory in its simplest form highlights that an organisation’s structure is conditional upon contextual factors such as environment, strategy and size. One of its key strengths is a congruence approach that it represents...
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...Chapter 01 The Changing Role of Managerial Accounting in a Dynamic Business Environment True / False Questions 1. Controlling involves the coordination of daily business functions within an organization. True False 2. Measuring the performance of managers and subunits is not an objective of managerial accounting. True False 3. Middle-level managers would likely be considered internal users of accounting information rather than external users. True False 4. A controller is normally involved with preparing financial statements. True False 5. The upper limit on the production of goods and services if everything works perfectly is known as practical capacity. True False Multiple Choice Questions 6. Which of the following statements about managerial accountants is false? A. Managerial accountants more and more are considered "business partners." B. Managerial accountants often are part of cross-functional teams. C. An increasing number of organizations are segregating managerial accountants in separate managerial-accounting departments. D. In a number of companies, managerial accountants make significant business decisions and resolve operating problems. E. The role of managerial accountants has changed considerably over the past decade. 7. The day-to-day work of management teams will typically comprise all of the following activities except: A. decision making. B. planning...
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...Skills, Responsibilities and Roles of the Management Accountant Today's Management Accountant Skills, Responsibilities and Roles in Today's Global Economy Jennifer Dosch, CMA Metropolitan State University Chapter Goal: To demonstrate the skills necessary for management accountants in today's business environment. To identify and explain the responsibilities and roles for today's management accountant. Learning Objectives Demonstrate the differences between management and financial accounting. Describe important skills needed for today's management accountant. Examine responsibilities of the management accountant. Examine the roles required of today's management accountant. Summarize IMA's Code of Ethics for management accountants. Jennifer.Dosch@metrostate.edu Page 1 Skills, Responsibilities and Roles of the Management Accountant I. Overview of Accounting The two primary accounting roles in an organization are “financial” and “management” accounting. The recording of transactions and preparing financial reports is the financial accounting role. Financial accounting deals with historical results, the recording and reporting of transactions that have occurred. For example, paying cash for salaries expenses incurred or recording the purchase of raw materials. The recording of transactions and preparation of financial statements are currently guided by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). GAAP consists of standards and...
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...1.0 ABSTRACT Managerial Accounting is tools for business decision making. The use of management accounting information is a key for organizational success. This essay will explain on the importance of managerial accounting process in organization to successfully carrying out the day to day as well as long term activities and goals. First, it describes how the evolution and change in managerial accounting. Second, the essay looks at the role of managerial accountants. Third, it explains several function of managerial accounting that tend to contribute the adds value to organization. 2.0 INTRODUCTION According to the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants ( CIMA ), Management Accounting is defined as the process of identification, measurement, accumulation, analysis, preparation, interpretation and communication of information for both financial and operating used by management to plan, evaluate and control within an organization and to assure use of and accountability for its resources. The Institute of Management Accountants ( IMA ) defined Management Accounting is a profession that involves partnering in management decision making, devising planning and performance management system and providing expertise in financial reporting and control to assist management in the formulation and implementation of an organization’s strategy. Managerial accounting applies to all types of business such as service, merchandise and manufacturing. It also applies to all forms...
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...diffusion of management accounting systems Ran Tao Introduction Accounting is the process of identifying, measuring and communicating financial information about an entity to permit informed judgments and decisions by users of the information. (Weetman, 2010) Management accounting is a specialist branch of accounting which has developed to serve the particular needs of management. It helps companies to formulate business strategies and make right business decisions. Many different kinds of management accounting systems are available, some include cost-accounting system, job-costing system and inventory management system. In order to make a smart business decision, it is important to select an appropriate management accounting system that integrates with the company’ financial accounting system. Management accounting innovations and origins An innovation is the successful introduction of an idea perceived as new into a given social system, management accounting innovations involve a set of design characteristics. (Hopper, 2007) The innovation aspects consist of for example types of cost objects, financial or non-financial data and allocation bases. If a proposed system leads to better decisions than the existing system, and the expected benefits from the proposed system exceed the cost of implementation, the new system is adopted. (Feltham, 1972; Demski, 1980) In this case, innovative management accounting system is adopted in many businesses. Management accounting change...
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...Standardization of Management Accounting Li-qun Pang Department of accounting, Jilin Business and Technology College 130062, Changchun, China pangliqun1965@126.com Abstract. In order to solve the apparent lack of standardization problem of management accounting theory, because this problem is not only restricted the management accounting application and promotion in China's enterprises, but also hindered their own theory the depth development and research efficiency. This paper describes the standardization of management accounting principles, this paper discusses the basic theory that the standardization of management accounting, Analysis of building management accounting theoretical framework the various elements and the logical relationship between them, and select the appropriate logical starting point as a starting point to build the foundation of management accounting theoretical framework. Keywords: management accounting, standardization, basic principles, basic theoretical system, theoretical framework. 1 Introduction Management accounting as one of the two branches of modern accounting, after decades of development, both in theory and practice have made some development, its important role of business management has gradually been of concern to the community, and follow-up is considered the accounting industry development. But in general, Management accounting in China there are still many problems, as opposed to the development of more sophisticated financial accounting, management...
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...Financial accounting refers to accounting and oversight of the companies have completed a comprehensive system of campaign funds, that the external economic stakes of investors, creditors and the government departments concerned and enterprises to provide economic information of the financial position and profitability as the main target carry out economic activities. Financial Accounting is an important foundation work of modern enterprises, through a series of accounting procedures, provided useful information for decision-making, and actively participate in management decisions, improve the economic efficiency of enterprises, service in the healthy and orderly development of the market economy. Management accounting, also known as "internal report accounting", it means: to present and future campaign funds, to enhance economic efficiency for the purpose of internal managers provide the scientific basis for management decision-making as the goal of economic management activities. Popular financial accounting is the total company accounting processes, cost accounting is the part of management accounting is a financial accounting calculation based on future projections of the company. In economic management, accounting work is an important part of one is closely linked to the effective operation of economic and accounting work. Comparison of management accounting and financial accounting for the study of accounting work in-depth research and analysis. Overview of management...
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...© 1998 American Accounting Association Accounting Horizons Vol. 12 No. 4 December 1998 pp. 363–373 Financial Information and Quality Management—Is There a Role for Accountants? Leif M. Sjoblom Leif M. Sjoblom is a Professor at the International Institute for Management Development. SYNOPSIS: Different opinions exist with respect to the usefulness of financial information for operational decision making. While academics encourage the provision of accounting information on quality, few companies provide it. This article explores the usefulness (or lack thereof) of Cost of Quality (COQ) and quality-related financial information through the use of a survey and informal discussions and interviews with quality managers. Financial information can be used to flag quality problems, to select and prioritize quality improvement projects and to choose corrective action. The results suggest that financial information has a limited role in supporting these operational decisions. The limitations of current COQ systems, and the lack of relevant, reliable and timely financial information, are among the reasons cited for not using COQ. However, there is a perceived need for additional financial reporting in order to attract the attention of top management and to motivate managers. In order to make COQ more relevant to practitioners, future research must not only focus on improving and disseminating best practices, but also on the multi-disciplinary implementation process. Data Availability:...
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