Rendell Co.

Case Analysis
Case 3-3: Rendell Company Key Issue: The need for a change in the controller relationship. From a Dotted Line approach to a Solid Line approach Dotted Line: divisional controller reports to the divisional general manager. Some decisions (hiring, compensation) are to be be discussed with the corporate controller Solid Line: divisional controller reports directly to the corporate controller. Manufacturing company: 7 operating divisions, all responsible for the manufacturing and marketing of a distinct product line. (Smallest: $50M Biggest $500M) James Hodgkin: President Fred Bevins: Corporate Controller Old controller organization Corporate Control Organization is responsible for: a) financial accounting b) internal audit c) analysis of capital budget Budget Control System were prepared by each division and submitted to top-management (little analysis) Present controller organization Hodgkin (controller at this time), thought it was essential that corporate control organization played a more active role in establishing budgets and analysing performance o Bevins worked the same way once he was named controller Divisional Controllers reported to Divisional general managers o Corporate controller were consulted when hiring new divisional controllers or increasing divisional controllers salary Budget and performance reports from each division is the responsibility of that divisions general manager (with the assistance of divisional controller) Division general manager reports directly to the corporate controller Bevins believed thats his relationship with divisional controllers was not close enough that he could urge the development and use of new techniques as quickly as he wished. He also believed that he wasnt getting adequate information on what is really happening in each division and that divisional managers might have a better idea, rather than the general managers.

 Bevins was interested in the controller organization of Martex Strengths Provides a training ground in general management o General managers act as CEO of their own division Allows GM to make better production and marketing decisions than headquarter might Weaknesses General managers may not meet goal congruence o Would rather make decisions to make their own division look better instead of the better good of the company o Ie. GM could choose to cut back on training to show better performance or to meet the given budget. However, this could affect the company long term if workers get injured because they were not properly trained. The company will end up paying more than the original training cost. General manager will not provide completely objective report Martex controller organization The corporate controller reports directly to the president and has every divisional controller reporting to him and other accounting, data processing, and analysis group His responsibilities are to establish cost and profit estimates and standards and to ensure these standards are attained Division controllers are not involved in the preparation of their divisions profit and loss statements. Each division uses the same accounting policies, procedures and standards. (more unified flow of information) No divisional general manager Rendells new controller organization I suggest that Rendell adopts the Martex controller function. The divisional controllers know more about the daily operation of his business unit than a general manager would. They will be able to give recommendations to the organizations controller however will not be able to enforce them

 This allows for a more nonbiased information for management and requires the divisional controller to become actively and requires the divisional controller to become actively involved in the local decision making process. Divisional controllers need to ensure that internal control practices conform to corporate policy and procedure (which are the same for each division) Additionally, they need to ensure that the financial information from their own division is accurate Business unit controllers need to act as a spy from head office.