Strategies to Improve Company Performance

The report focuses on the importance of management accounting in improving company performance. It highlights various approaches and tools that can be used to enhance financial reporting, including planning tools for budgetary control. The report also emphasizes the role of financial reporting in achieving long-term goals and objectives for both the company and its stakeholders. Furthermore, it explores the benefits and drawbacks of different management accounting practices, including environmental and social accountability, organizational change, and sustainability.

MANAGEMENT
ACCOUNTING
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1 ...........................................................................................................................................3
P1 Management accounting and its types. .................................................................................3
P2: Different methods of management accounting reporting. ...................................................4
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................6
P3 Techniques of cost analysis to prepare an income statement................................................6
M1 Benefits of management accounting systems......................................................................9
D1 Management accounting system and reporting.....................................................................9
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
P4. Advantages and disadvantage of Planning Tools used for Budgetary Control.................10
M3. Preparation and forecasting of budget...............................................................................12
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................12
P5. Adaption of Management Accounting System during financial problem..........................12
M4: Role of Management Accounting in an organization........................................................13
D3. Accounting tools helpful in fixing financial problems.......................................................14
D2. Role of Financial Report for a Company...........................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................16
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INTRODUCTION
Managerial accounting played an important role on the collection and generation of
various financial information and data form various functional department of the company. It is a
process of planning, analyses, interpretation and controlling all this information which can help
to make various decision making by the manager. There are various decision making at the
different level like strategic level, operational level and tactical level (Baldvinsdottir, Mitchell,
and Nørreklit, 2010). The accounting system is measure the performance of the organization in
an effective manner. The present report is based on the Unicorn grocery which is a cooperative
store in the United Kingdom. They provide a wide range of products to its customers which can
include fruits, breads, packed food items, tea and coffee, fresh juices and other departmental and
grocery products. The cited business unit is owned by democratic members and use a concept of
cooperative model of business. The organization structure of the business in participative which
can help to resolve a complex conflict in an effective manner. Apart from that the report also
provide the firm financial information which can help to make their decision more efficiently.
TASK 1
P1 Management accounting and its types.
Management accounting is the process in which certain management reports and accounts are
required to be made which will provide the organisation with accurate and timely statistical and
financial information. This information’s are required by the managers to take day to day and
short term decisions. These reports are basically prepared on monthly or weekly basis to be
provided to an organisations internal audiences. They show the amount of cash and sales revenue
and raw material and inventory, accounts receivables, outstanding debts and will also include
variance analysis, charts, etc. Management accounting mainly extends to three basic areas which
are strategic management, performance management and risk management (Bennett,Schaltegger,
and Zvezdov, 2013).
Different types of management accounting systems:
Inventory control system: It is essential for a business organization is to maintained efficiency
in the company. The main aim of this system is to reducing time spend of inventory, monitor
time consumption and increase profitability of the company.
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Price optimisation system: - This is one of the most usable modal which helps to calculate the
demand of a product at different price level. The main aim of this approach is to setting up a
price of a product where maximum profit will be gained and demand of such product is to be
maintained. According to the various principles that there is a direct relation between price and
demand for a product. This is essential for a company to set their product price which is not too
much and should be affordable for a consumer with also provide profit out of them.
Cost accounting system: This is one of the most significant tool in the management accounting
related with the recording all operational and production activities. This approach is using in
variety of industries specially in the manufacturing sector. The main aim of this system to
identify cost of a product or services, cost planning and its effective control and record all
information for the managerial decision making. It will help to produce a product through
maximum utilization of organizational resources in order to achieve their targets.
P2: Different methods of management accounting reporting.
The management accounting reporting was prevalent in in the 18 century as well.
This many historian have said about this management accounting report in many different ways
according to their views from time to time .Basically this system of accounting was used by the
different industries in past decade. They did not had the advanced ideas about this management
accounting system. But in today's world this management accounting has evolved into a
dynamic and extremely important .Due to this management accounting on can be able to develop
his carrier in this field (Christ, and Burritt, 2013).The developing business is being able to do his
accounting work more easy and comfortable . The different method used in the management
accounting reporting can be explained as given below.
Performance report: This is important for every organization is to analyse and evaluate their
performance on regular basis. For this, they need to compare their past performance and
established target with the current figures. It will provide the actual position of the company and
they can carry out its work accordingly. For example, after evaluation of historical data manager
found that performance not up the mark. they can easily make corrective actions and improve in
the near future. For performance improvement manager can use variety of tools and helps to
increase staff motivation leads to increase productivity and profitability.
Inventory management report: This report related with the various information which required to
the top management in order to control inventory. The main aim of this report is to maintain a
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minimum level of stock in warehouse which save their cost of acquisition and other operations
cost. If a business organization cannot manage such report they can facing huge loss and
mismanagement of financial resources. With the help of such costing technique EOQ and
activity based accounting can be determined in an appropriate manner.
Variable analyses report: In a production process, there are variety of expenses incurred in a unit.
These cost can be direct, indirect, fixed, variable etc. This report is related with the all variable
expenses of a product. Variable cost is including such variable which are change as per the level
of production in manufacturing a unit. This cost is very on product quantity which includes direct
labour, material cost, power and so on.
Job costing report: There are various business corporation where product and services are
produced on the basis of customer order, their specification. Basically, this involves a variety of
industries such as aircraft, car, ship building companies. A large number of employees working
in a unit which associated with a job and incurred a cost. These all expenses need to be added
and suck cost can be divided among total number of units are produced. This will help to identify
each job and their cost will also be control which leads to increase profit.
Absorption costing: It is a cost accounting approach which include all types of cost associated
with am product and service s such as fixed and variable. This is one of the best approach to
determine all kind of cost material, labour, machinery, overhead and inventory as well. Such
costing method allow a manager to provide the exact picture of cost and profit earned by the
company.
Managerial costing: This is another approach to calculating the profit earn by the business
organization. In this method all kind of variable cost including in the calculation. So that cost of
product will change on the basis of production. Of production of a product increase it will also
increase in the cost. On the other hand, if production is lower it will reduce the cost of a product.
Task 2
P3 Techniques of cost analysis to prepare an income statement.
Cost analyses is essential for each and every business organization in order to evaluate the all
data which can help to make their decision effective. There are various tools and approaches
which can be used by the cited business unit and design and create an income statement which
can be included margin and absorption cost methods in order to calculate net profit of the
company.
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Absorption costing: This is one of the important method which is related with the calculating the
net profit of the cited business unit. In this method all fixed and variable cost can be using
observation rates. This financial statement is help to ensure that all cost which are incurred in to
goods and services in the market can be easily recovered. There is various major cost which are
related with the material and labour (Qian,Burritt, and Monroe, 2011). The cited business entity
makes such statement and use all these cost like production cost, employee charges,
transportation cost, rent, insurance etc.
Income statement of the Unicorn grocery
Sr. Particulars Cost(£)
1. Selling cost of the product 35
2. Unit cost of the product
3. Direct labour cost 5
4. Direct Material cost 6
5. Variable cost overhead 1
6. Variable production cost 2
7. Budgeted production for 600 units.
Fixed cost for a month:
There is various cost involved in the cost sheet. These are
Administration cost: This cost is related with the management of the Unicorn grocery. In the
context of this case study the budgeted administration cost is £800 and the actual cost is £700.
Production cost: This cost is related with the production process of the cited business unit. The
budgeted cost is £1800 and the actual cost is £2000.
Selling cost: It can involves selling and distribution overhead of the company. According to the
case study the budgeted selling cost is £400 and the actual cost is £600.
Methods of absorption costing
Particulars Amount
Sales value (35*600)
(-)
Cost of production
6+5+2
Closing Stock
21000
(-)9100
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100*13
Variable cost
Contribution
Less
Variable sales expenses
600-1
Fixed Cost
Admin. & Selling
(700+600)
Total
(-)1300
(-)7800
13200
(-) 600
(-) 2000
(-)1300
9300
Net profit by using absorption costing
Particulars Amount
Sales
35*600
(-)
Cost of Production
Gross Profit
(-)
Cost (Fixed and variable)
Variable sales expenses
600*1
Adm. And Selling expenses
700+600
(-)
Over absorption fixed production overhead
21000
9600
11400
600
1300
(-) 100 (-)1800
9600
Marginal costing: This is another approach which is used by the various organizations in order to
differentiating between different cost such as fixed cost, variable cost, marginal cost and try to
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analyses and evaluate profit which can be affected by the change in volume. In this method there
are various variable cost which are considered production cost. These cost can be direct material,
labor, variable overheads etc. the fixed cost of the product are related with the cost which are
directly related with cost of production.
Marginal costing:
This is important for a business organization is that if marginal cost of product is more which is
good for a business unit.
Income statement (Marginal costing)
Particulars Cost (£)
Direct material cost 6
Direct labor cost 5
Variable production (O/H) 3
Production cost (variable) 14
Calculation of actual value of stock and manufacturing
Particulars Cost (£)
Opening stock Manufacturing Closing stock
Nil 700X14=9800 100X14=1400
Calculation of net profit through marginal costing
Particulars Cost (£) Cost (£)
Sales
(-) Variable cost
Opening inventory
Production cost
Closing inventory
Variable sales
Input
(-) Fixed cost
Production overhead (Fixed)
Administrative cost
Selling cost
Net profit
Nil
9800
(-)1400
2000
700
600
21000
(-) 8400
(-) 1800
10800
3300
7500
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M1 Benefits of management accounting systems
Enhances profitability: Engagement accounting exercises budgetary control and capital
budgeting which enables it to reduce the cost and increase the profitability.
Makes company more efficient: Management accounting is used as it evaluate company actual
performance with set performance and finds out the variance. There are specific budgetary
tools available to reduce or remove those variances hence making it more efficient.
Decision making simplified: Managerial decision making regarding financial statements is
simplified as management accounting provides weekly and monthly reports which enables
the managers in understanding about the available finance and the extra cost (Christ, and
Burritt,2013).
Enables control over fluctuation: Management accounting provides extra control over any future
fluctuation in market or financial resources. As it has provision of emergency funds and also
it studies fund flow in detail.
Enhances Cost transparency: Company is able to analyse the total cost and expenditure in all the
weekly and monthly reports and this helps in getting cost transparency.
D1 Management accounting system and reporting.
Management Accounting System collect the financial data from operation department of the
organization or company's such as the sales cost, row marital and cost resources, cost then
converting that data into information and analysis this report. It helps in making the decision
making, planning of goals and objective other efficiency. Reporting is done for or analysing
the current conditions company. It is done for analysing the the creditors and investors and
for maintaining them for financing more creditor and investor in market. Basically they both
help the company for economic level and manages the finical conditions.
TASK 3
P4. Advantages and disadvantage of Planning Tools used for Budgetary Control.
Every organisation wants to get the work done in the minimum investment while getting
maximum results and for this the managers of company have the tool of budgetary control.
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Budgetary Control is a process of setting financial and performance goals with budgets, compare
the actual results and push performance to even higher standard. The whole process is to be
done by the manager, as its him who has to find the most efficient way to getting things done.
Budgetary control is one of the best tool to reduce cost to the optimum levels. Basically
managers prepares different types of budgets under budgetary control. Usually there are few
purpose which are served by the budgets-
 In setting standard for all process
 Co-ordination of resources
 Provides basis for evaluation of different units.
 Provides clarity about all available resources
Mostly, organisations use 3 types of budgets- Financial budgets, Operating budgets and Non-
Monetary budgets. Financial Budgets provide overview about the possible sources of income and
where the money will be spent. It embraces the impact of all financial decisions of the firm,
Some sources of cash include- Sales revenue, the sale of assets, issuance of stocks and debtors
payment of loans with interest. On the other hand cash is used to pay debts, dividends, loans,
expenses. Financial budget include Cash budget and balance sheet budget (Shah, Malik, and
Malik, , 2011).
Operating budgets are associated with the estimation of income and expenses based on
forecasted sales revenue during given period of time. It have sub budgets, such as- the sales and
revenue budget, the expense budget, the project budget. Non-monetary budgets are expressed in
non-financial sales or revenue and expenses. If the profits are too low then steps are needed to be
taken by either cutting expenses or increasing sales budget. There are certain advantages and
disadvantages of different types of tools of Budgetary Control-
Advantages:
 Well defined planning: Budgets are based on well defined plans which enable different
departments about what is to be done. They have their own budgets and they have to
make sure to keep the ratio of income and expenditure maintained.
 Increased effectiveness and efficiency: Budgeting is the most efficient and effective
way to reducing over expenditure and helps in maintaining the cost at optimum level.
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 Strengthen the over all control system: Budgeting is the best way to make sure that the
organisation keeps its proper control over income and expenditure ratio. It also reduces
the variance between the actual and standard performance.
 Enhances co-ordination: Budgets make sure that all the department co-ordinate while
they are free for their own expenses and income. But if the need arise proper sharing of
resources is done.
 Attempts to delegate more authority: Budgeting provides encouragement to delegation
of authority. It also set the limit on the use of delegated authority usage.
Dis-advantages
 Based on estimation: estimations are prediction which are not fixed. If in any case
estimation are wrong then company will suffer big losses.
 Time and resource consuming: Budgetary control is a best tool but it consumes a lot of
time and also consumes resources, as experts are hired. which turns into its disadvantage
 Budgets Revision: With the change in scenario Budgets are revised which leads to more
resource consumptions and increases administration cost.
 Constraint for managerial initiative: managers try to keep the cost as low as possible to
achieve the budgetary figures and when this happens they are not able to exercise their
managerial innovations (Contrafatto, . and Burns,2013).
Develops Conflicts: Every line manager wants more resource for his department in while
M3. Preparation and forecasting of budget.
It is essential for a company is that they make their budget in an effective way. It required
pre planning and there are various factors involved which can be influenced such budget. As a
manager of the firm they required to study all these factors carefully which can help to evaluate
budget in an effective manner. It is systematic process where the income and expenditure
calculated. In the next stage they frame the target which are related with the income and
expenditure. The cited business unit is required that to forecast all factors and elements so that
they can make their budget and attain its desired goals and objectives (van 2011).
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Task 4
P5. Adaption of Management Accounting System during financial problem.
A management accounting system is basically the process in which all the financial data from the
business operations which includes changes in raw material cost, or shifts in inventory, etc. is
being collected and then converted to analyse reports and helps the managers to take productive
decisions. After collection of the required information it is being checked by managers who will
understand the given matter and the accounts and will then send all of it to the organisation. All
the data send to the organisation will help the management in improving their performance
(Albelda,2011.). To select management accounting system is always considered as an intelligent
business decision as it integrates with the financial accounting system of a company. This system
is generally used to prepare budgets and also in planning various functions by the managers.
Budgets for the various periods are made and then the budgets of the past are compared with the
current period budgets and are analysed and through this a comparison of information which
shows data related to sales revenue and all other expenses will required to be done. In
management accounting data is accurate, is also arranged in a sequential order and the most
important always ensures timely information. Due to all these features of management
accounting system a business has an advantage of cutting excessive costs, streamlining
operations procedure and also helps in building capital for future business expansion. It should
be flexible and fast so that data can be easily accessible to the authority and also any change in
companies external or internal factors can be made while practising it. Various financial
problems are faced by an organisation but very few of them know that these problems can be
solved by adapting their business design, policies and strategies. They all usually fail in adapting
the management accounting systems. To solve these problems every company has its own ways
and tools.
UNICORN GROCERY BEANIES WHOLEFOODS
Variance analysis is a tool in which difference
in planned budget and actual budget is
analysed and investigated. This and such other
In order to get good results beanies holding is
using various tools of management accounting.
Various products are being manufactured by
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tools are being used by unicorn. An example
for this can be that expenses were estimated in
budget to be 6000$ but the actual expenses
turn out to be 8000$ so there is a difference of
2000$. so due to this the profits of the
company are marginalised.
utilising the funds and hence controlling price
of the product.
It uses those tools and technologies which are
more useful and less expensive and due to this
their budgets are regulated. And also their flow
of revenues will be controlled due to this and
those funds can be used in future so that their
turnover can be increased.
Budgets are also being prepared by them which
are turning out to be very useful for
management as they are assisting them in
deciding that in what all areas investments can
be made by them which wood help them in
earning better returns.
They use all these budgeting techniques so that
they can gain more and more capital
infrastructure and by this without disturbing
any financial techniques they can provide
efficient return to them (Pitkänen, and Lukka,
2011).
Benchmarking: This is one of the too, to determine performance of a company which helps to
meet compare themselves to another company. There are various tools and techniques can be
used by the cited firm to set their target which provide them future direction.
Financial governance: This is related with the providing all information and data and present this
information for their stakeholder to adopt all legislative requirement and create an ideal
corporation in the market. In the context of cited firm, this is responsibility of the company to
provide the relevant data and maintain its financial position according to the government
guidelines.
Key performance Indicators: These are set target where a company needs to evaluate their
performance on regular basis. The main aim of KPI is to measure firm target and make
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correction accordingly. KPI are provide the future direction and helps to analysis the current
position of the company with their desired and expected targets in an appropriate manner.
M4: Role of Management Accounting in an organization.
It is one of the important tool which can help to provide a long term success. There are various
roles and responsibilities which performed by the management accountants. They make sure the
financial security of the company which can help to make long term strategies and business plan.
The main aim of management accounting is to collecting, managing and provide relevant
financial information to the various functional organization in order to make operational decision
making. They also coordinate with these departments and assign budget to them so that they can
perform their jobs in an effective way (Bennett, Schaltegger,and Zvezdov,2013).
D3. Accounting tools helpful in fixing financial problems.
There are various financial problems which can be faced by the each and every business
organization. Management accounting help to providing different tools and techniques so that
they can improve business performance in the near future. It can involved control over the cash
flow of the company and try to regulate all their investment in an effective manner. They can
also make sure that their financial performance can not influenced by any external factors. For
this they can also use various strategies in order to attain their short and long term targets
effectively.
M2. Management Accounting Techniques.
Managerial accounting is the new technique which is used to reduce the cost over expenditure
and increase the sources of income and profits. It have some techniques which are used by to
control the cost and management process. Those techniques are as follows- Financial Accounting
and policing, Standard Costing, Budgetary control, Marginal Costing, Funds flow statement,
cash flow statement, statistical and graphical techniques, evaluating accounting, Historical cost
accounting and Analysis of various financial statements. All these techniques are use by the
managers for the identification of variance and their correction to achieve the most efficient cost
(Baldvinsdottir, Mitchell,and Nørreklit, 2010).
D2. Role of Financial Report for a Company.
Financial report have to give knowledge about current positing of the company. It have to show
the company financial need. It have to shows how are creditor in the market and how are the
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inverter in the market. This will help to set the goals and objectives company. It shows which
creditor or inverter have how much power in the market. It shows the economical resources to
the which are needed and which are consuming more economy in the company. It give the
results about the company performance and show what we have to performer now.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report it has been concluded that management accounting played
significant role in order to maintain financial discipline in the organization. There are various
tools and techniques which can be used by the cited business unit so that they can improve
company performance. This report is discussed about the management accounting and its
different types, various approaches which can help in the accounting reporting. Apart from that
this report also explained about the benefits and disadvantages of planning tools which are used
in the budgetary control with the business organization. The report also concluded that the role of
financial reporting for the company and its stakeholder. So that they can attain their long term
goals and objectives in an effective way.
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REFERENCES
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contingent variables for adoption. Journal of Cleaner Production. 41. pp.163-173.
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van der Steen, M., 2011. The emergence and change of management accounting
routines. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal. 24(4). pp.502-547.
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Albelda, E., 2011. The role of management accounting practices as facilitators of the
environmental management: Evidence from EMAS organisations. Sustainability
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