SPRING SEMESTER 2014--ACCT 418x
ACCOUNTING FOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONS
Instructor:
Dr Cecil W. Jackson
Office Hours:
W 2:15- 3:30pm
Office Location:
Acc 110
Office Phone:
(213) 740-5020
E-Mail Address:
ceciljac@marshall.usc.edu
Class Section: 14179R
MW 12:00-1:50pm
Class Location: TBD
SECURITY, ALL EMERGENCIES -- (213) 740-4321
USC EMERGENCY Information Hotline (213) 740-9233
USC RADIO 91.5 FM, RADIO-- (213) 743-5872
USC INFORMATION - (213) 740-2311
Course Description
Management Accounting is a way of thinking about financial and non-financial information and how to use
that information most effectively in making business decisions. The management accountant’s role is to
provide relevant, timely and accurate information to assist management in achieving the firm’s goals. This
course is designed to provide an introductory understanding of how management accountants think, how
they prepare accounting data to help solve problems of various complexities, and how to use these data to
make decisions to facilitate the success of an enterprise – manufacturing, service, government, or not-forprofit organizations.
Learning Objectives

Demonstrate an ability to understand which costs are relevant to specific decisions by identifying
and analyzing relevant costs in alternative business strategies

Describe, identify and demonstrate an understanding of the advantages and potential disadvantages
of the use of return on investment and residual income as measures of management performance by
analyzing and discussing a performance evaluation case study.

Demonstrate an understanding of the usefulness of the master budget in planning and coordinating
operating strategies and plans by preparing flexible Excel spreadsheet budgets

Identify and discuss the impact on budgeted profit caused by costs departing from expected
amounts by calculating and explaining variable cost variances.
SECURITY, ALL EMERGENCIES -- (213) 740-4321
USC RADIO at 91.5 FM -- (213) 743-5872
USC EMERGENCY Information Hotline -- (213) 740-9233
USC INFORMATION -- (213) 740-2311

Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of adopting strategies that change a firm’s volume of
output by analyzing and solving cost-volume-profit problems.
Course Format
Core Concepts of Management Accounting is a half-semester, two-credit course. It consists of two
class meetings per week. Regular class meetings will involve a variety of teaching methods including
lecture, class work and discussion of problems.
Typical assignments for each class session include:
Background reading. Each assignment contains readings and references about management
accounting concepts and issues. Readings are to be completed by the due date on the schedule.
Assignments – exercises, problems and cases. You cannot learn accounting simply by
reading; you need to grapple with the issues and the numbers yourself to really understand the
concepts. So, you will have a variety of assignments almost every class. Assignments are
important preparation for the class discussions and possible quizzes, but remember to ASK
QUESTIONS when things are not clear. Some assignments are reasonably straightforward, others
are more challenging. In general, assignments are to be completed by the due date on the
schedule unless clearly communicated otherwise by the instructor.
Course Materials and Resources
The required text for BUAD 418x is:
Managerial Accounting. [14th ed.] 2010. R. H. Garrison, E. W. Noreen and P. C. Brewer. McGrawHill Irwin
Financial Accounting Materials – In some instances, you may find it useful to refer to your prior
financial accounting course materials.
The text’s Online Learning Center www.mhhe.com/garrison14e is very useful. It provides
supporting materials including check figures, quizzes and practice exams.
USC Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.usc.edu
As an enrolled student, you will automatically have access to your courses USC Blackboard. Blackboard
will continue all semester to be a valuable source of information and a means for you to interact with
classmates and your instructor.
Course Grading
Your performance in ACCT 418x will be evaluated based on homework, individual participation and
examinations as shown below:
Midterm:
45%
Final:
45%
Participation& homework: 10%
Letter grades for the course are determined based on your course performance consistent with the
Marshall School of Business grading guidelines.
Homework: Some of the assigned class-by-class homework will be randomly collected and graded.
Participation: This course is more rewarding if everyone is contributing to the learning environment. Your
contribution includes, among other things, participating in class discussions, answering questions,
presenting homework, integrity, attendance and attentiveness, punctuality and possibly quizzes.
Midterm and Final Examinations. The examinations account for 90% of the course points. The primary
content of these exams is from the course text, handouts, lectures and team assignments. The exams will
be a mix of multiple choice and problems. Details about the format will be announced in class near the
exam date.
Because of our commitment to providing you with adequate feedback and the large numbers of students
taking this course, you should not expect instantaneous grading of your mid-term exam. Grades on your
midterm should be available, however, by two weeks after the midterm date.
Final exams, which must be graded quickly due to the need to report grades to the University, are not
returned to students. Should you have any questions about your final exam grade, request an
appointment with your instructor to review your exam in the first month of the following semester.
Make-up Exam Policy. It is to your advantage to take all exams at their scheduled times. Only in the
case of a well-documented, true emergency should an exam be missed. Please be sure to get your
instructor's prior approval. Exams missed without the prior approval of an instructor or without adequate
documentation of the reason for missing the exam will result in a recorded grade of zero for the missed
exam. All students must take the final exam as scheduled (all sections at the same time) unless an
incomplete contract has previously been approved according to Leventhal School of Accounting
regulations (see School of Accounting standards at the end of this syllabus). A conflict with your travel
plans is not sufficient reason for an incomplete or a request to take an exam at another time.
Students With Disabilities
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with
Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved
accommodations can be obtained from DSP. This notification should be delivered to the instructor as
early in the semester as possible—no later than TWO WEEKS before any examination. DSP is
located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number for
DSP is (213) 740-0776.
Academic Integrity
Ethics and values are very important. We will consider ethical issues in accounting throughout this
course. As an instructor, I will assume, unless there is evidence to the contrary, that you are an ethical
student. To help you fulfill your ethical responsibilities, below are the ethical standards for BUAD 281
students.
In-class examinations: All exams must be the exclusive work of the individual student. No
student may share the exam contents with another student until exam grading has been fully
completed.
If you know that another student is violating these standards: Allowing another student to
obtain course points by deceit contributes to a general lowering of the ethical standards of the
University and contributes to deception of potential employers and other academic institutions.
You and your student colleagues have an obligation to take action when you know another
student is violating the course's academic integrity standards. This is a difficult personal trial
to face, but it is an important part of your ethical obligation as a student. If you know that
another student is violating the standards, it is your responsibility to inform the student's
instructor. See the latest edition of SCAMPUS for a discussion of academic integrity
violations. In this course, academic integrity violations generally will be penalized with a grade
of F for the course.
MARSHALL GUIDELINES
Learning Goals
In this class, emphasis will be placed on the USC Marshall School of Business learning goals as follows:
Goal
1
2
3
Description
Our graduates will have an understanding of the key business areas and their
reciprocity to effectively manage different types of modern enterprise.
Our graduates will have a global mindset demonstrating an understanding of the
interplay of local, regional, and international markets, and economic, social and
cultural issues.
Our graduates will demonstrate critical thinking skills, decision-making, and
problem-solving abilities to strategically navigate complex demands of business
environments.
4
Our graduates will demonstrate leadership skills aspiring to be informed,
sensible, future-oriented leaders and innovators.
5
Our graduates will demonstrate ethical reasoning skills, understand social, civic,
and professional responsibilities and aspire to add value to society.
6
Our graduates will be effective communicators in speaking and writing to
facilitate information flow in organizational, social, and intercultural contexts.
Course
Emphasis
Medium
Low
Medium
Low
Medium
Low
Drops and Adds
Are you thinking about dropping the course? If so, be sure to note the drop dates published in the USC
Catalog and listed below. If you do decide to drop the course, please let your instructor and your team
members know immediately.
MARSHALL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
RETENTION OF GRADED PAPERS POLICY
The following policy is to be followed by all instructors of undergraduate and graduate courses within the School:
Student records for all undergraduate Marshall School of Business and Leventhal School of Accounting courses (all
materials on which grades have been based, *if not returned to students) must be retained by the instructor for a minimum
of one additional semester (**excluding summer semester) following the student’s receipt of a letter grade of A, B, C, D, F,
or C/NC, or P/NP.
Additionally, all professors should retain their grade books for a period of two years in case they need to verify a student’s
attendance and grade received for retroactive changes of program (late adds or drops). If a student appeals a course grade,
the student must retain the student’s paperwork until all levels of the appeals process have concluded. If a student receives
an “incomplete” in a course, the instructor must retain the student’s paperwork until all requirements for the course have
been completed, a grade has been assigned and one additional semester has passed (**excluding summer semester).
* Returned paperwork such as quizzes completed, if unclaimed by a student, will be discarded after four weeks.
**For grades received in spring or summer--retain paperwork until end of finals in following December; for grades
received in fall--retain paperwork until end of finals in following May.
___________________________________________________________________________________
LEVENTHAL SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTING
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Leventhal School of Accounting adheres strictly to the grading standards of the University and the School of Business
Administration. Additionally, the Leventhal School of Accounting has supplemented those standards with certain others. For
students' convenience, and to prevent misunderstanding, these additional standards are summarized below.
GRADING STANDARDS
The following grades are used: A - excellent; B - good; C - fair; D - minimum passing; F - failure. The grade of F is awarded
for failing work at the end of the semester. The assignment of minuses and pluses when earned is required.
The grade of W (Withdraw) is assigned if the student officially withdraws after the third week but before the end of the twelfth
week of the semester. No withdrawals will be permitted after the end of the twelfth week except by student petition to the
University's Committee on Academic Policies and Procedures.
Students may elect to audit courses during the first three weeks of the semester. A course taken for audit (V) will be assessed at
the current tuition rate. A course taken for audit (V) will not receive credit and will not appear on the USC transcript or grade
report. Under no circumstances will the University allow a change in the registration status of a course from letter grade or
credit to audit (V) or vice versa after the third week of a given semester.
The grade of IN (Incomplete, i.e., work not completed because of documented illness or some other emergency occurring after
the twelfth week of the semester) is reserved for those highly unusual cases where, due to circumstances judged fit by the Dean
of the Leventhal School of Accounting, the student is unable to complete a specified single item of the course requirements by
the time final grades are submitted.
IN grades can be removed only by the student completing the missing requirements of the course to the satisfaction of the
instructor.
Marks of IN in courses numbered below 500 must be removed by the end of the semester following the one in which the mark of
IN was assigned. If not removed within the specified time limit, marks of IN automatically become marks of IX (expired
incomplete), with the exception of thesis and dissertation, and compute in the GPA as an F. A student may remove the IN only
by completing the work not finished as a result of illness or emergency. It is not possible to remove an incomplete by registering
for the course again. Previously graded work may not be repeated for credit.
G.P.A. PREREQUISITES FOR UNDERGRADUATE ACCOUNTING COURSES
The following are grade point average prerequisites for any undergraduate student enrolled in any accounting course. Individual
instructors may not waive these standards: (1) an average grade of B or better in BUAD 250a and 281 or BUAD 280 and 281
with neither grade lower than a B-. If applicable, transfer students are required to meet an average grade of B in the two
transferred accounting courses and BUAD 305x (with neither grade lower than a B-).
In meeting the B (3.0) average required for admission to the Leventhal School of Accounting, only one of the courses may be
repeated. If the repeated course grade is higher, that grade will be considered in determining whether the student meets the B
average for admission, and the original course grade will be disregarded by the Leventhal School. See Repeated Course Work at
USC, USC Catalogue, for further restrictions on including grades in repeated classes in the overall grade point average
computation.
In computing grade point average prerequisites, BUAD 250ab, 280, 281, 302T and 305x will be considered accounting courses.
Grades in accounting courses taken at other institutions will not be included in the computation of the cumulative accounting
grade point average. Exception: transfer students taking BUAD 305x and seeking admission to the School of Accounting.
When a student's cumulative accounting grade point average falls below 2.5, the student is placed on probation. If a student on
probation does not regain a minimum accounting cumulative GPA of 2.5 after completing the next 12 semester hours in all
courses (including accounting courses) attempted within the University, that student will not be permitted to continue as an
accounting major in the Leventhal School of Accounting. Exceptions to this policy may be granted only in unusual
circumstances by the Academic Standards Committee of the Leventhal School of Accounting. Decisions of the Academic
Standards Committee are final.
To be removed from probationary status, a student may elect either to take another accounting course or courses for which
prerequisites are met or to repeat an accounting course or courses in an attempt to earn a higher grade. Regardless of the course
of action taken, all courses completed will be counted in computing the cumulative accounting grade point average.
The grade of "W" in an accounting course taken while a student is on probation will not extend probation. The probation period
ends at the end of that semester during which the student completes a cumulative total of 12 semester hours of courses in any
subject(s) at the university. Under no conditions will the student be permitted more than two successive semesters, including the
summer semester, to complete the 12 semester hours of courses.
Students must attain a minimum 2.5 cumulative accounting grade point average to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in
Accounting degree.
OTHER ACADEMIC STANDARDS
1.
The ability of students to write clearly and concisely is a necessary prerequisite to success in accounting work.
Accordingly, students will be required to demonstrate writing capability in all accounting courses. This is
accomplished through the inclusion of essay-type questions on course examinations and/or through written,
individual case assignments.
2.
No unregistered students are permitted to attend accounting classes regularly.
Important Dates for Spring 2014
USC Leventhal School of Accounting
Important Dates
Spring 2014
First Day of Class
Monday, January 13
New Student Orientation – ACCT-370 lab time
Friday, January 17, 10am
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, University Holiday
Monday, January 20
Last Day to Add or Drop first half ACCT courses w/out a “W”, Session
431
Tuesday, January 21
USC Career Fest
Monday, January 27 - Friday, January 31
Resumes for Spring Resume Book due
Thursday, January 30 at 8am
Last Day to Add or Drop w/out a “W” (Regular Session)
Friday, January 31
Summer Leadership Info Session (Beta Alpha Psi)
Tuesday, February 4, 6pm
USC Career Day
Thursday, February 6
Meet the Firms – California Science Center (Accounting Society)
Tuesday, February 11, 6-9pm
Presidents' Day, University Holiday
Monday, February 17
Last Day to Drop first half ACCT courses with a "W", (Session 431)
Tuesday, February 18
LSOA Scholarship Applications Due
Monday, February 24 8am
Final Exams for first half ACCT courses, Session 431
Monday, March 3 - Friday, March 7th
First Day of Classes for second half ACCT courses, Session 442
Monday, March 10
Spring Break
Monday, March 17 - Friday, March 21
Last Day to Add or Drop second half ACCT courses w/out a “W”,
Session 442
Monday, March 24
Deadline to register for Commencement
Friday, March 28
Last Day to Drop with a “W” for regular session (001) classes
Friday, April 11
LSOA Annual Scholarship Dinner
Thursday, April 24
Last Day to Drop ACCT courses, Session 442, with a “W”
Monday, April 28
Last Class Meeting for Regular (001) and 442 sessions
Friday, May 2
Study Days
Monday & Tuesday, May 5 & 6
Final Exams for ACCT courses, Regular (001) and 442 sessions
Wed., May 7 – Wed., May 14
Commencement
Friday, May 16
BUAD 418x Spring 2014
Class and Assignment Schedule
Session
DATES
M/W
TOPICS
READINGS
Homework
1
M: Mar 10
Managerial Accounting
Overview
Chs.1&2
-
2
W: Mar 12
Cost-Volume-Profit
Relationships
Ch.5
E5-5; E5-7; P5-23
M:Mar 17M: Mar 21
Spring Break
3
M: Mar 24
Cost-Volume-Profit;
Variable & Absorption
Costing
Ch.5;
Ch. 6A
P5-25; P5-30;
E6-12; E6-13
4
W: Mar 26
Flexible Budgets &
Performance Analysis
Ch.9
E9-1; E9-4; P9-20
5
M: Mar 31
Standard Costs and
Variances
Ch.10
E10-4; E10-5; E10-8
6
W: Apr 2
Standard Costs;
Balanced Scorecard
Ch.10;
Ch. 11B
P10-10; P10-14; P11-17
7
M: Apr 7
Mid-Term
8
W: Apr 9
Profit Planning
Ch.8
E8-7; E8-13; P8-16
9
M: Apr 14
Profit Planning
Ch.8
E8-14; P8-17; P8-18
10
W: Apr 16
Decentralization &
Performance Measurement
Ch.11A
P11-14; 11-15; 11-18
11
M: Apr 21
Segmented Reporting
Ch.6B
E6-11; E6-14
12
W: Apr 23
Relevant Costs for
Decision Making
Ch.12
E12-10; E12-11; E12-14
13
M: Apr 28
Relevant Costs for
Decision Making
Ch.12
P12-19; P12-25; P 12-28
14
15
W: Apr 30
Review
F: May 9
Final Exam 11am-1pm