Accounting Techniques and Performance Improvement

This assignment requires the analysis of various accounting techniques and variances to provide an overview of the significance of this concept. Financial information of Airdri Limited is analyzed, showing that it is an underperforming company due to which various techniques and methods should be utilized. Accounting techniques and investment appraisal tools are discussed, providing direction for improving performance.

ADVANCED
MANAGEMENT
ACCOUNTING

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Analysis of purpose and presentation of financial information from the perspective of
different stakeholders..................................................................................................................1
M1 Reasons of developing and appropriately presenting financial information to support
financial planning and decision making......................................................................................5
D1 Evaluation of Financial information.....................................................................................6
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................6
P2 Evaluation of use of different accounting microeconomic techniques in application to
supporting organisational performance.......................................................................................6
M2 Advantages and disadvantages of accounting techniques....................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P3 The concept of variance analysis and its importance for organisational budget control.......8
P4 Analysis of actual and standard costs which helps in control and correct variances.............9
M3 Advantages and disadvantages of different types of variances..........................................10
D2 Application of accounting techniques and variances..........................................................11
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
P5 Impact of external and internal factors upon management accounting...............................11
M4 Impact of different types of decisions made to respond to these changes..........................12
D3 Impact of changes recommendations for future communication........................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Management accounting is a process of preparing managerial accounts and statements
which are prepared by an organisation in order to serve managerial accounting information
information to related stakeholders such as creditors, investors, debtors, customers, employees
and may more. In order to understand the concept of management accounting, an organisation is
selected named Airdri. This company is hand dryer manufacturers which is considered as
underperforming organisation. As a management consultant, various aspects of this branch of
accounting are discussed in this report. Various purposes along with the presentation of financial
information is discussed in this project report in order to evaluate different accounting techniques
and its applications. The concept of budgetary control and variance analysis is also discussed in
detail in this project. External and internal factors which impacts management accounting of the
chosen company is mentioned in this report (Beams, 2017).
TASK 1
P1 Analysis of purpose and presentation of financial information from the perspective of
different stakeholders
Financial information is data related to monetary aspects of an organisation. This
information includes various financial statements and accounts. Any material information which
can affect functioning of a business is included in financial information. Airdri is a hand dryer
manufacturing company which operates in United Kingdom and maintains its financial
statements in order to serve reliable financial information to different stakeholders.
Purpose of financial information:
The primary purpose of financial information is to provide data about actual financial
position and performance of a company. Airdri is a hand dryer manufacturing company which is
facing several issues of intense competition and continuous technology up gradation due to
which they have are experiencing decline in their profitability and growth. Data which is gained
by financial information used by stakeholders of an organisation which includes investors,
employees, creditors, debtors, shareholders, suppliers and many more. Purpose of financial
information from the perspective of stakeholders of Airdri is described below:
Investors – Investors or prospect investors are the parties which invest their money in an
organisation. Investors of Airdri can assess the viability of investing in a company by evaluating
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the financial position of that company by their financial information. These parties interpret the
income statement of an organisation in order to check the income gaining capabilities of the
company so that they can make effective investment decisions (Fischer,2012).
Suppliers – Suppliers are the parties which supply their goods to an organisation so that
those goods can be further processed. From the financial information of Airdri such as cash flow
statement, suppliers can identify cash inflow and outflow of that company in order to determine
whether to supply goods on credit to them or not. Cash flow of an organisation has annual
inflows and outflows of cash from which manager of the company can ascertain liquidation
position of the company.
Government – Regularities and authorities which controls the organisation also needs
financial information of that company so that they can ascertain correctness of thei tax liabilities.
The main purpose of serving reliable financial information by Airdri is government of United
Kingdom and various other authorities.
Employees – All type of financial information is used by employees in order to develop
an understanding about the company where they are working. Employees of Airdri uses this
information for the purpose of identify their future remunerations. For example: By analysing
balance sheet of Airdri, their employees can ascertain if there is a possibility of annual bonus or
not.
Customers – The purpose behind using financial information such as sustainability
report of Airdri by their customers is to assess whether the company has resources to ensure
quality of goods and steady supply of goods or not (Maksy and Scott, 2015).
Presentation of Financial information:
Financial information of an organisation includes various statements and accounts but
some of them requires a certain specific format in which it should be presented so that it can
fulfil the purpose of stakeholders. This professional format is fixed by some international
regularities such as International Accounting Standards Board and others. The main objective
behind these formats is to bring uniformity in financial information of all the companies.
Presentation of few financial statements of Airdri is depicted below:
Income statements -
Income statements of a company shows revenues and expenses of a business. All
revenues and profits are recorded at the left or debit side of the statements and all the losses or
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expenses are recorded at the right or credit side of the statement. Income statement for Airdri for
two years are mentioned below which usually used by investors:
Balance sheet -
Balance sheet of a company is prepared in vertical format in which first all the assets are
recorded and then all the liabilities are recorded in order to determine net financial assets, equity
and surplus of an organisation. Balance sheet for Airdri for two years are mentioned below
which usually used by governmental authorities:
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Cash flow statements – This statement is typically classified into three categories and
that is operating, investing and financing activities. Inflows and outflows from these activities
are recorded in order to determine change in cash and cash equivalents. Cash flows from Airdri
for two years are mentioned below which usually used by creditors, suppliers and debtors:
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M1 Reasons of developing and appropriately presenting financial information to support
financial planning and decision making
Financial information of a company is developed and presented with an objective of
serving that data to different stakeholders so that their trust can be gained. By interpreting this
information all the stakeholders such as investors can be benefited in the process of making
effective investing decisions. This information can help in develop records for organisation's
profits and debts. In this case financial data of Airdri can help in financial planning and effective
decision making. In order to attain above advantages, financial information of Airdri is presented
using various statements such as balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement and
several other accounts (Burkhard, 2010).
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D1 Evaluation of Financial information
According to Maria José da Silva Faria, financial information of an organisation holds
individual interests of various stakeholders. The core of this information is to create value for
group of stakeholders, not just individuals. This information is even more significant when the
position of an organisation is not sound. Financial information is different from managerial data
because it also records monetary transaction and follows quantitative approach rather than
qualitative approach.
TASK 2
P2 Evaluation of use of different accounting microeconomic techniques in application to
supporting organisational performance
Micro economic techniques of managerial accounting are the methods which are
concerned with micro economic issues of an organisation such as cost ascertainment, balance
between volume and profit and many more. The main aim of these techniques is to support
organisational performance. Types of these managerial accounting techniques along with their
uses are discussed below:
Cost volume profit analysis – This micro economic technique is used by organisations
like Airdri to determine the affect of changes of their costs and volume on company's operating
income and net income. This technique measures all the costs involved in all operations of the
company such as manufacturing, packaging, distributing and may more. The aim behind
measuring these costs is to analyse organisational current performance.
Cost variances analysis – This microeconomic technique is a performance evaluation
tool which evaluates cost center. This analysis is related with comparing actual costs to standard
costs in order to determine the variances and evaluate reasons of those changes. By conducting
this analysis, management of Airdri can ascertain what are the key reasons due to which situation
of variance has occurred. Airdri is a under performing organisation and this can be said by above
presented financial information, due to which analysis is most significant for them as they can
determine the reasons of their declining performance (Neubauer and Wood, 2013).
Flexible budgeting - This accounting microeconomic technique allows an organisation
to develop a cost measuring and tracking record which is prepared at the starting of an
accounting period but changes be change according to the unexpected expenses. Financial
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performance of an organisation can also be ascertained by developing this record as it transacts
all budgeted and unexpected costs. For example, management of Airdri prepares this record in
order to identify variations between actual and budgeted costs which are usually unexpected
which helps to determine their actual financial performance.
Cost behaviour – In this technique of microeconomic managerial accounting, behaviour
of cost involvement is analysed in order to track and measure changes in incurred costs of an
organisation. Analysis of cost behaviour is a process in which changes and variances of costs are
measured and recorded in order to evaluate reasons of increase of organisational expenses due to
costs. For example: Airdri Limited uses this technique to look after their cost involvement in
their operations and activities so that they can ascertain their financial position.
Activity based costing – This technique of microeconomic accounting is important for
an organisation as it allows to determine costs involved in numerous activities of an organisation.
This ascertainment can help an organisation to identify which operation needs maximum costs
and the reasons of those high requirements. For example, Manager of Airdri can determine costs
involved in their all the operations in order to ascertain efficiency in their financial performance.
Above techniques are managerial accounting microeconomic techniques which are used
by Airdri to improve financial performance of their organisation. Costing techniques such as
marginal and standard costing helps an organisation to ascertain their cost involvement in
business operations. This cost involvement is classified as marginal and fixed cost which can
assist an organisation to maintain their performance as they can determine in which operation
costs needs to be reduced (Chen, 2012).
M2 Advantages and disadvantages of accounting techniques
The above discussed microeconomic managerial accounting techniques such as Activity
based costing, Cost volume profit analysis, Cost variances analysis has various advantages and
disadvantages which are mentioned below:
Advantages – These techniques helps in ascertaining cost occurred in organisational
operations and activities. These techniques can help in measuring financial performance of a
company and it also assists in controlling costs.
Disadvantages – Managerial accounting techniques requires certain skills and
knowledge which are not present in small scale organisations. Also organisations like Airdri has
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to employ much costs in order to use these techniques. The process of analysis requires ample of
time and money (Cory, 2011).
TASK 3
P3 The concept of variance analysis and its importance for organisational budget control
The term variance refers to the deviation between actual costs and standard costs of an
organisation. Variance analysis is a process of calculating the deviation between actual costs
which has incurred while manufacturing a product and standard costs which are budgeted by the
management that can be incurred by an organisation. The aim main of variance analysis is to
interpret the deviations in order to identify causes and reasons of variances. This process helps in
ascertaining magnitude of each variance and causes. In order to benefit the organisation from
budgetary control, various variances which can be ascertained are material, labour, overheads
and sales. Airdri Limited is a hand dryer manufacturer which uses variance analysis to look after
their budgetary control. Budgetary function of an organisation is the process in which
management of that company prepares several budgets using trend analyses in order to determine
the predicted costs (Siegel, 2010).
Importance of variance analysis for organisational budgetary control:
Budgetary control refers to the process of monitoring and controlling all the costs which
are incurred by an organisation in operations and activities. This process is for managers which
can get benefited by setting performance goals and budgets.
Variance analysis is a process which assist the managers of companies like Airdri to
control organisational budgets. This analysis is important as it manages budgets by controlling
budgeted versus actual costs. Aspects in which variance analysis helps in organisational
budgetary control are mentioned below:
Materiality – This aspect is related with material value which is ascertained while
calculating the variances and deviations. Materiality in the variance helps in controlling the
budgetary process. For example: Management of Airdri Limited has developed budget of cost
and by ascertaining variance they can analyse the reason behind the deviation. Variance is the
difference between actual and standard cost which can help organisation to ascertain reasons of
that deviations of that management of company can bring efficiency in their operations.
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Relationships – In this case of budgetary control, relationships are the relation between
actual and standard variables which are sometimes shoes deviations. In order to ascertain the
causes behind the variation between budgets and actual variables it is important to ascertain
relationship between those variables. For example: Airdri Limited is facing various issues in
recent years due to which they are considered as under performing company. Cost budgets of this
company are way lower than the actual costs and in order to improve their operations, this
company has to find reasons for deviation.
Forecasting – This is a technique in budgetary control in which organisation predicts
costs and expenses which can be occurred in future. Variance analysis is a procedure of
ascertaining deviations between actual and budgeted. In order to ascertain budgeted costs and
expenses for future, forecasting is the most important aspect (Daoud and Triki, 2013).
Range of techniques for decision making and investment:
NPV – Net present value is a measurement of profit which considers all future cash
flows. This method helps in making reliable decisions about investments as it helps in determine
which investment proposal is more profitable.
ARR - Accounting rate of return is also known as the simple or average rate of return,
measures the amount of profit, or return, expected on an investment. It divides the average profit
by the initial investment to derive the ratio or return that can be expected. ARR does not consider
the time value of money or cash flows, which can be an integral part of maintaining a business.
IRR – Internal rate of return is used in capital budgeting to determine profitability of
potential investments. This rate is a discounted rate that makes NPV of all cash flows from a
particular project equals to zero.
P4 Analysis of actual and standard costs which helps in control and correct variances
Actual and standard costs are the two variables which are used in ascertaining variances
of an organisation. These costs are determined from the financial information of an organisation.
Airdri is an organisation which uses these costs to control and correct their variances. Variances
are the deviations which occurred from the differences between actual and standard costs.
Actual costs – These costs are the expenses which are occurred from organisational
operations and activities. These costs are ascertained at the end of an accounting period when all
the expenses are already incurred. These costs are compared from standard costs in order to
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determine variations. Actual costs can help in control variances as it can lead to the cause due to
which actual costs are different from standard costs.
Standard costs – These costs are the budgeted costs which are fixed by the management
of an organisation in order to set standards. These costs predicted from the past experiences and
trend analysis. Trend analysis is a process in which trends are examined and studied in order to
ascertain future aspects. These costs helps in correct and control variances as these costs can be
set in such a way that there is less chances of variances. In the case of Airdri Limited, these costs
are fixed by their managers in such a way that all unexpected costs can be covered and there are
less chances of variances (James, 2011).
Measures which can control and correct variances:
 From these costs and the variations, Airdri Limited can take corrective actions which are
closer to alignment with the expected costs. This information of variations and deviations
are further communicated to the top level management of an organisation which helps in
developing future costs.
 Material variances helps an organisation to ascertain that in what amount raw material is
used to prepare a particular product and what amount of raw material should be used.
This measurement can help companies like Airdri to correct the variance in the situation
of error.
 Actual and standard variables helps in ascertaining the deviations which are occurred due
to labour which is employed in an organisation. For example: Airdri is an organisation
which is manufactures hand dryers and for that they has employed numerous labourers.
Reasons of high labour costs than expected can be ascertained by comparing actual and
standard labour costs (Black, 2011).
Actual and standard costs can control and correct variances and this concept is depicted
below by presentation data of Airdri Limited:
Particular Standard costs Actual costs Variance Decision
Sales 62 63.54 1.54 Favourable
Direct material 20 19.8 0.2 Favourable
Direct labour 22 22.72 -0.77 Adverse
Fixed overhead 6 5.8 0.18 Favourable
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Profit/loss 14 15 1.21
From the above variance analysis which is determined from the actual and standard costs
of Airdri Limited it can be said that costs which are incurred by the organisations can help in
controlling and correct the variances which are calculated in this variance analysis.
M3 Advantages and disadvantages of different types of variances
Variances are the deviations and differences between actual and standard costs. These
variances can be categorised as material, labour and overhead which has few advantages and
disadvantages.
Advantages – Variances such as material and labour helps in ascertaining extra costs
which has occurred by the company while employing labours and materials for their production.
Airdri Limited is benefited by these variations as they can now ascertain that what are their
actual costs occurrence. Overhead variances helps an organisation to identify difference between
their actual and standard costs occurrence.
Disadvantages – All these variances such as material, labour and overhead also few
disadvantages. These variances does bot provide accurate and reliable results. Another demerit is
that these variances needs proper forecasting and planning tools.
D2 Application of accounting techniques and variances
Accounting techniques and variances are used by numerous organisations such as Airdri
to ascertain the reasons behind the differences between their actual and standard costs. Another
applications of these techniques are that these helps in determining costs which are incurred by
an organisation in an accounting period. Techniques such as cost behaviour are used by Airdri to
look after all the costs of a company.
TASK 4
P5 Impact of external and internal factors upon management accounting
In a company, every action of the management body is influenced by the environment.
Airdri, management accounting have been impacted by external and internal factor of business
environment. These external and internal factor are explained below:
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Internal factor: These factors can include internal parties such as members and directors
which are a part of business environment but influence management accounting and the
organisation. Director are the controllers of an organisation which are considered as top level
staff of the company. In the case of Airdri Limited, directors develop business stretgies which
includes several management accounting techniques. These strategies influences the organisation
as well as process of management accounting of that company.
External factors: These factors are related with external surroundings of an organisation
such as PESTLE factors. For example, Technological factors are the major influencers of Airdri
Limited. This company operates in manufacturing hand dryers and due to rapid technological
changes in United Kingdom, the cost of technology up gradation is really high due to which this
company has to face high cost.
Another factor which influences Airdri is Environmental factors which are also the part
of external factors. These influencers includes natural disasters and atmospheric changes in can
affect the functioning of operations of Airdri (Maditinos, and et, al., 2011).
M4 Impact of different types of decisions made to respond to these changes
Decisions which are made with the assistance of management accounting can impact the
changes occurred in an organisation. Changes in policies and strategies will also effect the
decisions of an organisation. Organisations such as Airdri respond to these changes due to which
their profitability is also affected.
D3 Impact of changes recommendations for future communication
Changes in the functioning of an organisation which occurs due to strategies and policies
affects the performance of an organisation. When significant organizational change is first
realized it is common for those affected to feel shock. It’s not uncommon, for example, to
physically see the effects of shock in the faces and body language of those persons. The reason
for the shock is a personal fear of how the change might impact the status quo. It’s important for
leaders and managers implementing change to be aware that initial fear of the event is common
because it is a natural reaction.
CONCLUSION
From the above project report, it can be concluded that management accounting is the
most important aspect of accounting. Advanced management accounting includes numerous
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accounting techniques and variances which are determined in this report to provide an overview
of significance of this concept. Financial information of Airdri Limited is analysed which shows
that it is an under performing company due to which various techniques and methods should be
utilised. Accounting techniques and investment appraisal tools are discussed which shows
direction to improve performance of a company.
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script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-39512017000700534>
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