Louisiana Tech University Managerial Cost Accounting (ACCT 308) Spring 2011 Instructor: Dr. Andrea R.

Drake Office: 125A College of Business Office Hours: MW: 12:30 2:00 pm and 4:00 5:15 pm; T: 1:00 5:30 pm Office Phone: (318) 257-4378 E-mail: adrake@latech.edu Class Time and Location: MW 2:00 3:50 pm in 218 BUS (COB) Moodle Website: ACCT 308 001 Spring 2011 Textbook (required): Cost Management: Measuring, Monitoring and Motivating Performance, by Leslie G. Eldenburg and Susan K. Wolcott. 2005. John Wiley and Sons. Ramblewood Practice set (required): PKL Software, Inc. http://www.pklsoftware.com Simple, non-programmable calculator is required for exams Course Objectives and Content This primary focus of this course is on the use of internally generated information to operate, monitor and control business processes. Students will learn specific techniques for analyzing financial and non-financial accounting information to make effective decisions in a variety of settings. Topics covered include advanced costvolume-profit analysis, non-routine operating decisions, and the development of cost estimation functions. We will also discuss how to implement and analyze various costing methods, including job-order, variable, absorption, and activity based cost systems. Throughout the course, the development of critical thinking skills will be fostered by having students apply problem solving techniques in increasingly complex contexts. In particular, we will focus on situations involving uncertainty, ethical dilemmas, and the absence of one correct answer. Class Sessions Each class session will consist of an integration of lecture, problem solving and class discussion. You do not need to bring the textbook to regular class sessions, but you may want to have it on days when in-class group problem sets are scheduled. Please print out and bring the course notes for each chapter contained on the Moodle site under course notes. The attached outline lists the chapter(s) we will cover each week. During most class sessions you will have an opportunity to solve problems on your own or in a small group to which you will be assigned. These problems are intended to help you do homework assignments and to give you examples of potential exam questions.

Please feel free to ask questions at any time during class! Everyone benefits from lively class discussions - please participate! The use of cell phones or other communication devices is prohibited during class time. Class lectures and activities may not be electronically recorded in any format. Grading: Your course grade will depend on your total score for the following items. The point distribution is as follows: Maximum points possible In-class group problems 80 points Ramblewood Assignments 105 points Midterm Exam 1 Monday, March 28 150 points Midterm Exam 2 Wednesday, April 20 150 points Midterm Exam 3 Monday, May 16 150 points Total 635 points Final course grades will be determined based on the percentage of total points earned. The following scale will be applied. 90% and above: 80% - 89%: 70% - 79%: 60% - 69%: Below 60%: Group Problems There will be five 20 point problem sets given in class throughout the term, and your four highest scores will count toward your grade. You will be randomly assigned to a group that you will work with throughout the term. On selected class days, you will work with your assigned group to answer questions and complete problems related to recently covered material. The format will be a set of questions similar to what you might expect on the midterms. Each group will turn in one solution, and all group members who were present will receive the same number of points for that set. If you are absent for a group problem set, you will not receive credit for it. Also, if you are more than 10 minutes late on group problem days, you will not receive credit. The purpose of these problems is to help ALL group members learn the material. If you are confident that you understand how to do a particular problem, help your fellow group members understand it as well. Similarly, if you dont understand how to do something on a group problem, ask for help. A B C D F

The dates of the group problems are as follows: Group Problem 1 Group Problem 2 Group Problem 3 Group Problem 4 Group Problem 5 Homework Reading and textbook homework problem assignments are contained in the attached course outline. Homework will not be collected, but it is suggested that you complete the assigned problems by the end of the week in which they are assigned or soon after we cover the related material in class. Students should use Microsoft Excel whenever possible and hints on how to develop and use spreadsheets effectively will be given throughout the course. Using Excel to solve relevant homework problems will significantly increase your proficiency in the use of spreadsheet software, which is a critical skill in todays job market. As time permits, we will go over questions related to assigned homework problems. Detailed solutions to the homework problems will be posted to the Blackboard website. Use the solutions as a learning tool by trying the problems on your own first, and then referring to the solutions when you get stuck or to check your answer. Please DO NOT simply read over the solutions and/or copy them. This will hinder your learning how to solve problems on your own without hints. In general, homework problems are for your benefit and doing them on your own (or in a small group) will greatly improve your exam scores. Wednesday, March 23 Monday, April 11 Monday, April 18 Monday, May 2 Wednesday, May 11

Ramblewood Practice Set Throughout the term we will be working with a comprehensive, web-based practice set that can be purchased through PKL software. Follow the directions on the handout entitled To Purchase the Ramblewood Practice Set to purchase and obtain a registration code. The cost is $19.95. There will be seven assignments, each worth 15 points. Specific instructions and hints for each assignment will be discussed in class. The due dates are as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Module 1 (Week 1): Wednesday, March 23 Module 2 (Week 2): Wednesday, March 30 Mid-project evaluation: Wednesday, April 6 Module 3 (Week 3): Wednesday, April 13 Module 4 (Week 4): Wednesday, April 27 Module 5: Wednesday, May 4 Final Project Evaluation: Wednesday, May 11

Everyone will be responsible for completing their own Ramblewood project modules and evaluations. However, you will be assigned to a group so you can help each other. All group members will receive the average score of the group, after dropping the lowest score within the group. For example, if a group of four students has scores of 10, 15, 12, & 14 on Module 1, all four group members would receive a score of 13.67( (15 + 14 + 12)/3). NOTE: You must correct any mistakes in previous modules before you can move on to subsequent modules. If your check figures are not correct, print out your journal and work with your team to identify the error, reverse any incorrect entries and make corrections. Exams All exams will consist of a mix of problems, true/false, multiple-choice and essay questions. There will be a combination of both conceptual and calculation type questions. Essay questions will comprise 10 20% of all exams such that at least 10% of your overall grade will be based on effective writing skills. Note: Midterm exam 1 will cover all material covered through Wednesday, March 23. Midterm 2 will include primarily material covered from March 30 through April 18. However, selected topics from the first part of the course may be included and you will be informed of these topics at least one week prior to the exam. Similarly, Midterm 3 will include primarily material covered from April 25 through May 11, plus selected topics from earlier in the course. Students will not be allowed to use notes or other class materials during any of the exams. A basic calculator and pencil(s) are the only materials you may use during exams. Note: no cell phones, PDAs or programmable calculators will be allowed during exams. If you have a problem with any of the exam dates, please see me as soon as possible. In general, I do not give make-up exams. However, serious (and

documented) emergencies will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Note: Vacations, interviews, and work schedule conflicts do not count as "emergencies." Cheating, in any form, on any examination will result in a grade of F for the course. In accordance with the Academic Honor Code, students pledge the following: Being a student of higher standards, I pledge to embody the principles of academic integrity. Students needing testing or classroom accommodations based on a disability are encouraged to discuss those needs with me as soon as possible. Class Continuance During Emergency Closure of the University In the unlikely occurrence of a major natural disaster or other catastrophic event, we will continue to conduct class via Moodle. You will need to find a location where you have computer access, and we will continue with our class through this media. Go to the website: http://www.moodle.latech.edu for instructions should a catastrophic event occur. The last day to drop with a W is Thursday, April 21.

Managerial Cost Accounting Spring 2011 Course Outline Listed below are the reading and problem assignments for each week. We will cover chapters roughly in the order listed. It is recommended that you do the reading before class and the related homework problems soon after we cover the topic in class. NOTE: this outline is subject to change. Any content additions or deletions will be announced in class and posted to the Moodle website. Week Reading Assignment Homework Problems, Group Problems, Ramblewood and Exam Schedule 1.13, 1.30 Article questions for discussion on Monday, March 14 2.12, 2.17, 2.21, 2.22 2.24, 2.27, 3.19, 3.20 Bring the introduction and module 1 for Ramblewood on Wednesday, 3/16 3.25, 3.30 Group Problem 1 Wednesday, 3/23 Rwood Mod. 1 Wednesday, 3/23 Textbook: Chapter 4, p. 128 153, including Appendix 4A) Textbook: Chapter 5, p. 174 - 198 Midterm 1 Monday, March 28 Rwood Mod. 2 Wednesday, 3/30 4.13, 4.16, 4.19, 4.29 Rwood Mid-project eval. Wed. 4/6 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, 5.20, 5.21

Week 1 March 2 Chapter 1 Week 2 March 14 - 16 Chapters 2 and 3

Textbook: Chapter 1, p. 2 23 Iridium article Ethics articles Textbook: Chapter 2, p. 36 63 Textbook: Chapter 3, p. 86-108

Week 3 March 21 - 23 Chapters 3 and 4 Week 4 March 28 30 Chapter 4 Week 5 April 4 6 Chapter 5

Group problem 2 Monday, 4/11 Week 6 April 11 - 13 Chapter 7 Textbook: Chapter 8, p. 296-323 7.16, 7.19, 7.20, 7.33 Q8.1, Q8.2, Q8.7, Q8.13 E8.17, E8.18, E8.21 Group problem 3 Monday, 4/18 Week 7 April 18 - 20 Chapter 8 No class Monday, 4/25 Week 8 April 25- 27 Textbook: Chapter 9, p. 338-358 Rwood Mod. 4 Wednesday, 4/27 Q9.3, Q9.14, E9.19, E9.21, E9.22 Midterm 2 Wednesday, 4/20 Textbook: Chapter 7, p. 256-280 Rwood Mod. 3 Wednesday, 4/13

Week 9 May 2 May 4 Chapters 9 & 10

Textbook: Chapter 10, p. 370-396

Q10.3, Q10.4, E10.14, E10.16, E10.19 Group Problem 4 Monday, 5/2 Rwood Mod 5 Wednesday, 5/4

Week 10 May 9 - 11 Chapters 11 & 14

Textbook: Chapter 11, p. 414-447 Chapter 14, p. 548573

E11.14, E11.15 E14.13, E14.15 Group Problem 5 Wednesday, 5/11 Rwood Final eval Wednesday, 5/11 Midterm Exam 3 Monday, 5/16 Course Wrap-up Wednesday 5/18

Week 11 May 16 18