Management Accounting: Monthly Control Report and Recommendations for Amana Ltd

This report provides a monthly control report for Amana Ltd, including original and flexed budgets and variances. It also offers recommendations for areas of development and advice on whether to set up their own online shop or sell on Amazon.

MANAGEMENT
ACCOUNTING

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART A...........................................................................................................................................3
(i) Preparation of monthly control report showing original budget, flexed budget and variances
.....................................................................................................................................................3
(ii) Presenting report on performance of Amana’s company during the year 2020 using the
control report prepared above......................................................................................................5
(iii) Recommendations to Amana’s CEO on area of development.............................................7
PART B...........................................................................................................................................7
1. Advise to Mr Amana’s on decision either set up their own online shop or sell on Amazon. .7
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Management accounting refer to process of analysing as well as communicating the
financial information to business managers for making informative decisions (Pavlatos and
Kostakis, 2018). It differs from financial accounting as it intends to managerial purposes for
guiding users to make better business decisions. It concerns with cost and sales information of
commodities that are created by firm. Following report present the information related to Amana
ltd a family owned business in England, they usually sell souvenirs to travellers, currently due to
covid pandemic it has imposed challenges for businesses. Where uncertainty in economy has
impacted the growth of firm. This report will cover the monthly control report that will highlight
original, flexed budget. Furthermore, it will also cover the range of recommendation to
improvise services, it will also illustrate the information about whether company should go
online or not.
PART A
(i) Preparation of monthly control report showing original budget, flexed budget and variances
Items Cost per
unit
Original (£) Flexed
(£)
Actual (£) Variance
(Original –
Flexed)
Favourable or
Unfavourable*
Units 100000 80000 80000
Selling price 25 25 20
Revenue 2500000
(25 *
100000)
2000000
(80000 *
25 )
1600000
(80000 *
20)
-400000
(1600000
–
2000000)
Unfavourable
Variable
costs:
Direct
Materials
2.50 250000 200000 280000 80000
(280000 –
200000)
Unfavourable
Direct 4 400000 320000 440000 120000 Unfavourable

Labour (440000 –
320000)
Direct
Overhead
1.50 150000 120000 120000 0
(120000 –
120000)
-
Contributio
n
17 1700000 1360000 760000 600000
(760000 –
1360000)
Unfavourable
Fixed
Overheads:
Warehouse
rental
200000 200000 200000 170000 30000
(170000 –
200000)
Favourable
Insurance 100000 100000 100000 100000 0
(100000 –
100000)
-
Full time
warehouse
Supervisor
Salary
50000 50000 50000 35000 -15000
(35000 –
50000)
Favourable
Profit 1350000 1010000 455000 - 555000
(455000 –
1010000)
Unfavourable
Note* In case, if the actual revenue or income is higher than the expected income or revenue
than this leads to favourable variance. While on the other hand, if actual revenue is lower than
the expected revenue, than this indicate unfavourable variance.
On the other hand, if actual expenses are higher than flexed expenses than this indicate
unfavourable variance and if actual expenses are lower than the flexed expenses than this
indicate favourable variance.

(ii) Presenting report on performance of Amana’s company during the year 2020 using the
control report prepared above
On the basis of monthly control report it is found that revenue statement for the company is
unfavourable as they didn’t get the expected result with their implemented strategies. It is found
that before covid company was making good revenues but after uncertainty in economy due to
pandemic it has imposed potential challenges for growth of business. As their original budget for
the products was £2500000, and flexed budget was £2000000, actual budget £1600000, overall
variance value is seen as negative which specifies that company’s performance is not up to mark.
All conditions are unfavourable for them, therefore for that Amanda ltd firm need to reconsider
their project revenue by making modification in prices, volumes and process. Another way
which firm can proceed to undertake as to enhance their consumer demand by changing product
and increasing marketing budget for it.
Regarding direct materials which calculates the materials that is being purchased in some
duration to fulfil the requirements for production budget (Agustia, Sawarjuwono and Dianawati,
2019). For Amanda ltd this information is also unfavourable as due to improper market research
and other factors has imposed challenge for firm where they are not able to accomplish their
desired goal. Their original budget for direct materials was £250000 and flexed was £200000,
but they didn’t get the result which they have expected before implementation of their project.
Therefore, firm need to look into their strategies and to set it appropriately in order to sustain in
market.
Further, analysing the monthly control report of Amana Ltd. it has been identified that the
direct labour cost is unfavourable. It means the actual direct labour cost is higher than the flexed
cost. This indicate that the performance of company in the year 2020 is poor in term of labour
cost management and controlling. The company fails to manage and reduce the cost of labour in
the year 2020. It further requires the company to do some market research and adopt appropriate
strategy to enhance the performance of company (Rikhardsson and Yigitbasioglu, 2018).
However, on the other hand, it has been also identified from the above control report that there is
no gap or variance between the actual and flexed direct overhead cost. This is indicating the
good performance of Amana Ltd because the company management able to control the
overspending of overheads on the products and services. But the contribution of the company is

unfavourable. The company required to focus on their internal control system to meet the
expected standard of the budget.
Further, it has been also analysed from the monthly control report that in the year 2020
warehouse rental overheads are favourable. It means the actual expenses regarding the
warehouse rental of company is lower than the flexed expenses. This indicate the good
performance of company during the year 2020. It might be because the warehouse rental is a
fixed expense which remain constant over the period of year. So, the company get the chance to
adopt appropriate strategy to reduce the warehouse rental expenses of the company. This also
helps the company to manage the overall profitability of business. The insurance is also one of
the fixed expenses that company need to pay each year to protect the company profit or stock
from any natural disaster. After preparing and analysing the control report, it has been identified
that there is no gap or difference between the actual and flexed budget. This state that the
performance of company in term of managing overhead cost is good of Amana Ltd. However,
the company have earned profit during the year but the actual profit is lower than what they
expected or identified as per flexed budget (Johnstone, 2020).
Hence, on this basis, it is recommended to the company that they should adopt suitable
strategies to reduce the expenses and increase the sales revenue. To eliminate the gap or
variance, it is first important that company its impact on the performance of company properly.
For example, on the basis of the control report, it is identified that the actual supervisor salary of
company is lower during the year 2020 is lower as compared to flexed or budgeted amount. It
might be arising because of the increase in the wages and salary of warehouse supervisor. The
demand of supervisor has increased because of the other job opportunity (Alabdullah, 2022).
Hence, it is significant for the company to analyse each and every element of the budget which
are creating variance. After than the company able to adopt the appropriate strategies or ways to
reduce or eliminate the same.
The major reason of variance between the actual and budgeted is Covid-19 situation.
Uncertainties are the part of global pandemic which have created major difficulties of the
company to analyse and predict what is going to happen in future. Hence, this leads to variance
between actual and budgeted.

(iii) Recommendations to Amana’s CEO on area of development
The major areas that require development in particular are mainly the budget
development as well as budget management in particular. For the reason of development as well
as enhancement in the future of the company in particular. Firstly, the company is required to
conduct training programs for the employees of the company in particular. Training programs or
training sessions mainly will help or support the new as well as the existing employees of the
company to learn and develop skills that will enhance their calibre to prepare the most suitable
and most appropriate budgets for the operations that are to be conducted by the company. And
also, these budgets or the financial resources that are specified by the company for certain tasks
or activities need to be used in a optimum way and not be wasted at all.
The company should also start preparing flexible budget rather than preparing static
budget in particular (Oyadomari. And et.al., 2018). The flexible budget will enable the company
to pursue better and new opportunities present in the external environment which will positively
impact the growth of the company. This will also allow in the procedure of mitigation of risks in
particular. The flexible budgeting technique will also reflect the situation or the state of the
finances and financial transactions of the business more accurately. Further it will also support in
profit, costs and sales calculation at various levels of the operating capacity in particular.
Whereas, static budgeting will not support such things.
The company should also, come in forward contracts to make the amount of direct
materials favourable. This means, the company should decide an amount which is to be given to
the supplier in return to the supplies and continue to give the same amount to the supplier, even
if there is change in the market price of the goods supplied.
PART B
1. Advise to Mr Amana’s on decision either set up their own online shop or sell on Amazon
Before making any decision for Amana, firstly it is important to look at the cost the company
will incur in both the option.
First option: Setting up own online shop
Particulars Amount in £
No of units will be sold by company
(Guaranteed)
£2000000
(100000 * £20)

Less: Relevant costs associated with option
setting up own online shop:
Cost of setting up delivery network -150000
Cost of upgrading current website to handle
large volume of sales
-50000
Salary of fulltime programmer -35000
Profit generate from setting up own online
shop
1765000
Note: It is assumed that the selling price of the goods will remain same that is £20.
Second option: Sell on Amazon
Particulars Amount in £
Guaranteed sales of 65000 units 1300000
(650000 * 20)
Less: Relevant cost associated with option
sell on Amazon:
Amazon fulfilment fees -50000
Profit generate from sell on Amazon option 1250000
On the basis of the above comparison analysis table, it is identified that if Mr Amana opt for
the option of set up own online shop, then they will earn profit of £1765000. But, on the other
hand, if Amana Ltd go for the option sell on Amazon, in that case, they will earn profit of
£1250000. This indicate that option “setting up own website” is more profitable for Amana Ltd
as compared to option sell on Amazon (Möller, Schäffer and Verbeeten, 2020). Hence, on this
basis, it is advisable to Amana Ltd that they should opt for the first option that is setting up their
own online shopping channel. It is because of the following factors or reasons:
Advantage of setting up own online shop:
 Directs and personalized communication with the customer: This is one of the benefit
which justify that Amana Ltd should opt for the first option. Through own online shop,

the company able to communicate with the customer directly and identify the issues they
are facing. After identification of customer concerns, the management of Amana Ltd able
to adopt appropriate strategies to solve customer issues. This is not possible in case of sell
through Amazon platform.
 Improved customer loyalty and retention: If the company wants to improve their
customer loyalty and customer retention rate, in that case company should start selling
goods and service through own online shopping channel or application. The company
able to provide appropriate discounts and benefits to its customer which they unable to
provide through other online channels (Endenich and Trapp, 2020).
 Full access to customer information: This is also one of the benefit of setting up own
online channel which indicate that through own online shop, Amana Ltd able to get
access to its customer information. This information is further used by the company to
personalized the products and service of its company as per the needs and expectation of
customers.
 Faster dispute solutions: As compared to sell on Amazon option, the management team
of Amana Ltd able to solve the disputes of customer through own online shop quickly
and easily (Korhonen and et.al., 2020). The customers want immediate response
regarding their issue from its supplier which is only possible in case of first option.
Hence, it is recommended to Amana Ltd that they should opt for the first option such as
setting up own online shop.
However, on the other hand, it is also significant for Amana Ltd to understand that setting up
own online shop is quite time consuming and costly process. In case if appropriate benefits is not
returned from this option than it may leads to heavy loss to company. Hence, before adopting
this decision proper customer survey should be conducted to assess the market demand and
expectations of customer (Gunarathne, Lee and Hitigala Kaluarachchilage, 2021).
Cons of using other methods:
Online selling is one of the most challenging task in the business, company need to have
budget, online knowledge and certain other type of factors to ensure success. Amana Ltd is
planning to introduce their own online platform which can be used as means of online shop.

However, if they are planning to consider other methods these may include certain type of
disadvantages, these are:
Costly: Affiliating with E-commerce and other platform is costly, company need to provide
commission and other charges to sell products on these platform. Amana Ltd need to
prefer their own online shop or platform which can be reached by every audience, they
need to avoid E-commerce platform to save their marginal cost. Affiliation may include
certain type of charges, if Amana Ltd is planning to discount their products then they will
unable to over extra cost, it is better to start an online shop which is far better for future
growth as well.
Competition: This is one of the most common but important factor in which company face
competition from similar range products, E-commerce platform like Amazon welcome
every business organization to list and sell their product, which means competitors will
be active on these platform and will impact firms online performance. However, it
completely depends on type of marketing adopted by the business organization while
considering E-commerce platform. Competition arrive when this E-commerce platform
provide opportunity to competitors. For example; if competitor increase the rate of
commission then E-commerce platform will increase their visibility on the platform.

CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that having proper management accounting
helps the businesses to make growth decisions and with this firms could easily view their actual
performance versus their future goals and objectives. Above report has illustrated the discussion
about requirement of management accounting, it also discussed the case study where firm is
looking for to get back their position in market again which is affected by covid pandemic. It has
illustrated the Information regarding monthly control report for firm that highlighted flexed
budget and variances, furthermore have discussed recommendations for business. Report lastly
concluded with the description about analysis of decision to go online, it also illustrated the
suggestions whether to establish own shop or to sell product through Amazon.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
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Johnstone, L., 2020. A systematic analysis of environmental management systems in SMEs:
Possible research directions from a management accounting and control stance. Journal
of Cleaner Production. 244. p.118802.
Alabdullah, T. T. Y., 2022. Management accounting insight via a new perspective on risk
management-companies' profitability relationship. International Journal of Intelligent
Enterprise. 9(2). pp.244-257.
Möller, K., Schäffer, U. and Verbeeten, F., 2020. Digitalization in management accounting and
control: an editorial. Journal of Management Control. 31(1). pp.1-8.
Endenich, C. and Trapp, R., 2020. Ethical implications of management accounting and control:
A systematic review of the contributions from the Journal of Business Ethics. Journal of
Business Ethics. 163(2). pp.309-328.
Korhonen, T. and et.al., 2020. Exploring the programmability of management accounting work
for increasing automation: an interventionist case study. Accounting, Auditing &
Accountability Journal.
Gunarathne, A. N., Lee, K. H. and Hitigala Kaluarachchilage, P. K., 2021. Institutional
pressures, environmental management strategy, and organizational performance: The role
of environmental management accounting. Business Strategy and the Environment. 30(2).
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Oyadomari, J.C.T. And et.al., 2018. Flexible budgeting influence on organizational inertia and
flexibility. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management.
Agustia, D., Sawarjuwono, T. and Dianawati, W., 2019. The mediating effect of environmental
management accounting on green innovation-Firm value relationship. International
Journal of Energy Economics and Policy. 9(2). pp.299-306.
Pavlatos, O. and Kostakis, X., 2018. The impact of top management team characteristics and
historical financial performance on strategic management accounting. Journal of
Accounting & organizational change.
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