The Contingency Theory of Management Accounting and Control: PDF

Assessment task 1: Knowledge Questions and
Practical Skills
Information to students:
This assessment task will enable you to demonstrate understanding of skill in managing
priorities at work, organise your own professional management development and
demonstrate your ability to:
 develop a personal development plan and set goals and timelines to develop
management skills gaps
 demonstrate understanding personal self-awareness and identification
 discuss management development opportunities and options for yourself
 describe methods for achieving a healthy work-life balance
 outline organisation’s policies, plans and procedures
 explain types of learning styles and how they relate to the individual
 describe types of work methods and practices that can improve personal performance.
To complete this assessment task you are able to research your answers using books
provided or the Internet but your answers must be in your own words.
At the end of this task your assessor will give you feedback. Your assessor will also check all
your answers; if your answers have been copied from other students from your current or
other classes you will be required to resubmit this task again.
Questions:
Read all discussion points below in class with your colleagues and your trainer and assessor,
and provide answers to each question below.
Answer guide: This assessment task is to be typed up when presenting to your assessor for
marking. In most questions you are expected to answer in approximately 1 to 2 paragraphs
unless advised otherwise
1.1. Organisations use various techniques and management principals to ensure that their
departments work efficiently. Review the following points and explain how each point
assists managers with running their organisations.
(Guide: 3 sentences for each)
a. How do performance measurements assist managers in operating more
efficiently?
The performance measurement allows the manager to align the day to day activities of the employees
It also helps the manager to measure and evaluate the performance of the employee so as to take
particular decision to enhance their performance (Yates et al., 2017).
It also enables the managers to set goals for the employees such that their performance is enhanced.
b. How does identifying
o staff behaviors,
o personality traits, and
o self-awareness contribute to good management?

Identifying the staff behavior contributes to good management as it helps to maintain a strong
relationship between the manager and employee and lead to progress as well as development of the
employee.
The personality traits help in clear understanding of the employee’s perspective and characteristic
which help them adjust according to the organizations and managers could also assist them in a better
way (Cottrell, S., 2015).
Self-awareness helps the employees to act in a proper professional manner that leads to proper
management.
c. How do personal development plans assist managers?
The personal development plans helps the employees to optimize their work and enhance their
performance so as to increase their productivity, hence it assists the managers to perform their work
easily.
d. How does personal goal-setting and time-management assist managers?
Personal goal setting and time management assists the manager as the main target of manager is to
supervise and enhance the performance of the employee’s. The goal setting and time management helps
the manager to supervise the work more abruptly (O'Donnell et al., 2017).
1.2. Case Study
Form small groups and review an organisation you understand well. This
organisation may be one which you are currently or have previously worked for.
Select a management position within the organisation. Complete each activity
point below as advised.
(Guide:Read the instructions and case study below and complete activities below. Although we
encourage you to work in small groups, you must identify and list your own management
development opportunities and options.)
You have been a valued employee for your organisation. The organisation has grown
since you have started working there and management is now looking into
employing new staff members and a new manager to manage them.
The new manager will be required to start working in approximately 6 to 8 weeks
and the new staff members will be employed soon after. The new manager will be
assisting the organisation with the recruitment of a new team.
Naturally the organisation wishes to get someone into the new management
position and employ someone from within the industry so that the new manager
understands current industry processes and trends.
Since you have been a valuable employee and understand the organisation and
industry well you wish to apply.
However, you understand that you may need to obtain some extra management
skills and knowledge to be successful.
Your manager suggested for you to identify your own developmental needs and list
opportunities and options available in the market place, which you can investigate
and discuss them with the management of the organisation.
a. Complete the following table to provide an overview of the organisation including
information about the industry, services and products the organisation provides,
job titles the organisation has in place, and also the job role you are applying for.

(Guide: This activity can be handwritten or typed up):
Organisation’s name: West and Co.
Industry sector: Fishing
Employee numbers: 50
List the job roles:
(e.g. you may be able to
develop and supply an
organisation chart)
Fishing boat captain, Fishermen, Sea food processing job, fish and sea food
brokers.
Management
position you are
applying for:
Marketing manager
General job
description and task
requirements of the
position:
(e.g. a job description)
The marketing manager serves the duty of marketing the products and
developing the marketing strategy for the company such as to improve and
manage the marketing standards of the organization. It also helps in measuring
the sales of the organization.
b. Use the space below to describe your current skills which are required by the new
position you are applying for and use the table below to list the skill you will need
to develop for the position.
(Guide: complete the following table)
Current Skills Skills I need
Good communication skills.
Proper understanding of the current
marketing strategy.
Good knowledge about the marketing
condition of the company
Analytical skills
Proficiency in budget management
Decision making skills.
Ability to identify the trends and challenges within the
company
c. Select the skills from your table (above – 1.2b), which you believe you will need to
develop. Use the table below to prioritise these skills.
(Guide: complete the table – most important on the top – bottom least important)
Priority number and skill Improvement needed
1. Understanding the current marketing
strategy of the company
More detailed information of the marketing strategy
is required.
2. Analytical skills Deeper insights of the sales data and deeper
analysis skills in order to analyze them properly
3. Decision making skills Better decision making strategies should be
incorporated
4. Budget management skill Proper budgeting details should be implemented by
the manager
d. Select two skills you listed (above -1.2 c) and research some ideas, courses and
units of competency study so you can demonstrate how you can gain these skills.
Your assessor will advise you to use your own electronic / internet devises or
utilise one of the SBTA computers to assist you with your research.
(Guide: complete the following table)
Skill 1 Skill 2
Analytical Skills
There are numerous courses such as Analytical
Skills Development course to enhance the analytical
skills.
Moreover, the other option is to enhance the
mathematical skills, statistics, algebra and calculus
as all utilize logic and analysis. These options can
be considered as the best options for the
development of the Analytical skills.
Decision making skills
The decision making skills can be developed by
completing a course on the Business and
management. Moreover, the decision making
skills can also be enhanced by eliminating ego
and emotion, consultation with the expert can
also lead to the enhancement of the skill,
reviewing the data and planning for the future
also helps in enhancing the decision making
skills of the manager.

1.3. Role-play 1
Read instructions for each role-play carefully and complete each point as indicated
by guides. Speak to your trainer / assessor if you need clarification prior to starting
each role-play. Your assessor will advise you when to start each role-play and with
whom.
(Role-play guide: Refer to Scenario 1 and complete this activity with a colleague or your
assessor - the role-play should take approximately 20 minutes)
Hold a meeting with your manager to discuss management and professional
development opportunities and options for yourself. During the meeting refer to
the job description – refer to your answers for question 1.2 (above). The aim
Remember to list good selling points and arguments, which will assist you to gain
approval to attend your chosen management and professional development
activities.
a. During the meeting you will be required to explain to your manager how:
 you can fulfil the role of the new manager and explain your current existing
skills and the skills you need to have to be a successful manager
 the management and professional development opportunities e.g. coaching,
training and other, will assist you in the skills development
 the organisation will benefit from approving these opportunities for you to
attend
 you can learn these skills and discuss your preferred learning style
 some work methods and practices you have researched which you can adapt
and learn can improve your own personal management performance that are
suitable for your personal needs and personality
 why you believe that participating in work networks (at your workplace or out
of the workplace) to will assist you with gaining required management
knowledge and skills
Prior to participating in the role-play you must use the space below and design an
agenda or a list of steps and arguments, which will demonstrate how you have
prepared for the meeting. When you have finished your meeting swap your roles.
Your assessor will provide you feedback once your role-plays are completed.
(Guide: provide an overview, agenda and the list of discussion points in the space below)
The meeting would comprise for 30 minutes. It would be held between two members, the appointed
manager and the manager from within the company. The main discussion would be held on the
marketing standards and strategy of the company. It would also be based on showcasing the current
skill posed by the contender for the post of marketing manager. There would also be a discussion on
the skills that are further required and to be developed in future. The details of the course and
techniques for the development of the skills would also be described. It would also be mentioned
that developing mathematical skills as in algebra and calculus would also enhance the skills.
Moreover, prior to the meeting the current marketing analysis of the company was done that
provided the deeper knowledge of the changes required. The data of the past revenue collection in
the previous years. The activity update is also to be provided. The meeting would also provide the
details of the various skills development techniques.
Feedback of the assessor:
The purpose of the meeting was clear; the content was properly explained. The analytical study of
the revenue collection and the current marketing strategy was also clearly explained. Moreover, the
techniques stated for the future development of the skills were rather impressive.