Management Accounting Systems & Techniques

This report examines the concept of management accounting and its application in the context of Italian Continental Stores, a food retailer. It analyzes different management accounting systems, reporting methods, cost calculation techniques, planning tools, and financial problem-solving strategies. The report also compares the implementation of management accounting systems in different organizations.

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
SYSTEMS & TECHNIQUES

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Management accounting and requirement of different accounting systems..........................1
P2 Various reporting methods used in management reporting...................................................5
M1 Benefits of management accounting systems and their application with in organisation....7
D1 Integration between the management accounting system and management accounting
reports..........................................................................................................................................7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
P3 Calculation of cost using appropriate techniques as marginal and absorption......................8
M2 Application of range of management accounting techniques and financial reporting.......10
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
P4 Advantages and disadvantages of various type of planning tools used in budgetary control
process.......................................................................................................................................10
M3 implementation off planning tools for preparing and forecasting budgets.........................11
D3 Planning tools for accounting respond to solve financial problems....................................11
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
P5 Implement of management accounting system to respond financial problems with
comparison................................................................................................................................11
M4 Evaluation of MA systems subject to respond financial problems....................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Management accounting has become an essential element to manage and operate the
functions and operations of business. Effective management and control of operations mainly
helps in determining the policies and plans for analysing opportunities and risk assessment. An
organised and well structured management accounting system deals with different type of
uncertainties and plans for better evaluation and control (Nahar and Yaacob, 2011). Italian
Continental Stores food retailer that supply is the chosen organisation to execute the
management accounting concept.
This report is prepared to analyse the management accounting concept and its
requirements in different organisational context are defined in this report. Profit evaluation by
implementing marginal and absorption costing are considered in this report. Use of various
planning tools are introduced for effective decision making process and evaluating the business
plans. Implementation of management accounting system in terms of determining the financial
problems and challenges and how the system be able to respond these problems in adequate way
are considered in this report.
TASK 1
P1 Management accounting and requirement of different accounting systems
Management Accounting
Management accounting is a process of preparing management reports and provide
accurate accounts on time to help managers for taking day to day and short term decision. These
information may be produced in financial and statistical form. It involves in partnering in
management decision making, devising performance management system and planning and it
assist the management committed to control the functions of business (Maas, Schaltegger and
Crutzen, 2016).
Management accounting analyses information and advise strategies for business strategy
and drive sustainable business success. It is also considered as managerial accounting. It is used
for analysing and recording essential transactions to business activities for company and increase
efficiency and productivity. Objectives of management accounting is to assist in planning,
organising, motivating, coordinating, controlling, communicating and interpreting financial
information.
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Difference between management accounting and financial accounting.
Management accounting Financial accounting
This is an internal part of management and
control which is not mandatory for every
organisation.
It is mandatory for every organisation to follow
rules and regulations of financial accounting.
Scope and criteria of management remains
high in comparison to financial accounting
Financial accounting remains limited up to
preparing financial reports and transactions for
financial reporting.
Different type of management accounting systems
Job costing system – This is the system of managing, controlling and operating the cost
of specific job or cost centre. It reduces complexities while analysing the possibilities and
concepts related to different type of financial problems. Job costing system involves store
information about the cost, specific production and service job. For instance a chair
manufacturing organisation has two specific jobs one is modulating and second is finishing job,
thi system helps to classify the cost among these specific costs (Quinn, 2014). This information
need for contract for repay and also require for in order to submit the cost information to a
customer. This information used for assign inventories cost and de-terming the accuracy of a
company's. Mostly job posting need to three type information
 Direct material – The job costing system track the cost of materials that are used or
scrapped during the course of the job. This system may help to track materials cost of raw
food products and expenses charged for ware house and production area for Italian
Continental Stores. If spare materials returned later to the ware house so cost is subtract
from the job.
 Direct labour – Cost of the labour track by the job costing system on a job. If a job is
relate with services direct to labour cost of Italian Continental stores will be counted
separately through this system.
Price optimizing system
Price optimizing system is a combination of mathematical analysis that provides different
options to decide prices for products and services on which customers will respond. Price
optimization system implemented in different industries industries, banking, retailers, casinos,
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hotels, car rental, cruise lines and insurance industries. Price optimization system objective is
maximizing of operating profit and used for determining the price of Italian Continental stores.
Price optimization includes operating costs, inventories and historic prices and sales (van der
Steen, 2011). This system used to take control of the prices of resources, deciding the prices of
the multiple products.
Inventory management system
This type of management accounting system is a system helps to manage and control of
inventories with in the organisation. This management system tracking goods through supply
chain. It can be fulfil the management requirements in the form of better reporting and
forecasting capabilities, better organization, improved supplier, vendor and partner relationship,
reduced labour loss and reduction in storage costs (Hiebl, Feldbauer-Durstmüller and Duller,
2013). Through this system Italian Continental stores would be able to achieve efficient and
effective flow of inventory with organization on the point of view of sale. Inventory are managed
in following ways:
 Raw materials – Any material, such as oil, cotton or sugar that are basic substance in its
natural, modified or semi processed state, used for production as input and transformation
into a finished goods.
 Working-in-progress – the stock are yet to be manufacture to finished goods are
considered in WIP stock. Started but not completed and this item will be show in a profit
and loss account.
 Finished goods – These are the goods have been passed through manufacturing process
but which are on hold for delivery and selling.
 Perceptual inventory – Perpetual inventory system describe method of accounting for
inventory that records transactions of sale and purchase through the use of computerized.
This inventory system information related to inventory like changes in inventory, amount
of inventory in stock and level of goods of hand. Modern shipping and receiving
department are the examples of price.
 Periodic inventory – Periodic inventory system method of maintain inventory on a
periodic basis for the valuation for financial reporting purpose. This method at the
beginning keep track of the inventory and record transaction according to assets section
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like purchase, sales. For instance, a retailer record sales and purchase every Saturday and
two weeks for invoice entered into system.
 FIFO – The inventory system of first in first out used to calculate the value of inventory
and this method commonly use for inventory. This method assume that first purchase and
first sold of the inventory. FIFO method giving cost of latest purchase and this method
best for sell and purchase of food, drinks. For example – on 1 march have begging
inventory 68 units @ $15.00 per unit,
on 5 march purchase inventory 120 units @ $16.00 per unit
on 9 march sale inventory of 94 units @ $ 19.00 per unit
It will be counted as 68 units will be sold out @ $19 per units form goods purchased on 5
march and 26 units will be sold out from the goods purchased on 9 march.
 LIFO banned by HMRC – Last in first out method use for inventories and according to
this method the last item purchase that would be first sold. This system was abolished by
HM revenues and customs because this system reduce the value of closing stock and tax
liability to users that was the main reason to avoid the LIO method.
 Just In time – The just in time inventory system of management strategy that match raw
materials orders from suppliers directly with production schedules. This method to
forecast demand accurately according to require procedure further along the production
line. Now it has mean producing with minimum waste. For instance, drop shipping
retailers, fast food restaurant production, auto mobile manufacturing.
Cost accounting system
The cost accounting system is considered framework to determine the cost and
profitability of product and services for organisation. In the analysis is made of organisational
profitability, inventory and cost control (Jansen, 2011). It will help Italian Continental Stores to
determine the cost of particular product like cost of grocery items, cost of packaged goods,
beverages. When the raw materials go for production that time this system immediately record
the use of the materials. These products go through many stages before they can be called
finished goods.
 Actual costing – Actual costing is a cost accounting system that recording of product
cost like actual cost of material, labour and overhead. Key point of this costing system
that they only uses actual cost of product. For example, managers can use this formula to
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calculate the total production costs, so first need find out how many hours it took and
how much company paying and the same is done for materials after that on these
information basis getting actual cost.
 Normal costing – normal costing method using for fast and fairly calculate production
cost. In this method including direct material, direct labour and overhead for calculation.
Example, For calculate to normal cost the company produced 10000 coffee tables and
they used actual material $50 per table and direct cost were $20 per table and
manufacturing overhead $10.00 so company determines cost $80 to produce one coffee
table.
 Standard costing – Standard costing that an accounting method that identify the
differences between actual cost and cost that have occurred (Busco and Scapens, 2011).
For example, managers using two plans for calculation firstly they use them plan for
future and secondly they uses reasonable cost in accounting period. After budgeting
process they getting present cost and actual cost no matching each other so difference
will be come.
P2 Various reporting methods used in management reporting.
Management Accounting Report
Management accounting reporting provides a structure to understand information and
data produced by different management accounting system (Ramljak and Rogošić, 2012).
Management accounting reports helps to understand performance of business by evaluating
supplied information and also assist in planning, regulating and decision making process. These
reports are made according to requirements, as these can be made at the end of accounting year
or on quarterly basis. Importance can be understood as sometimes many critical and crucial
future operation decisions are dependent on results of these reports, useful for managers, owners
and shareholders. Various types of management accounting reports are:
Budget Report: It is a fundamental internal report, prepared by every organization
whether big or small to estimate costs. Budget is made keeping in mind all the sources of
earnings and expenditures, earlier performance, previous experiences, goals, mission, objectives
of business (Senftlechner and Hiebl, 2015). It is used to compare actual performance at
beginning to budgeted performance, and then finding variances. Format of budget is somehow
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similar to income statement. For example, flexible budget, overhead budget will help to
understand the budget requirements for Italian continental stores.
Inventory Management Report: Inventory management refers to the management of
raw materials, components and finished goods. These reports includes inventory waste, labour
costs, per-unit overhead cost etc. used for efficient management process. Strategies of inventory
management are very important for business and varies according to size of organization. Good
inventory management system allows smoother delivery of orders and communication. For
example, Italian continental Stores will be able to deliver inventory, inventory by warehouse,
expiring inventory, inventory in stock and track details of received inventory ( Endenich,
Brandau and Hoffjan, 2011).
Financial Report: Financial reporting system is an important part of Accounting and
Report system of an organization. These reports discloses financial status to various stakeholders
such as management, investors and government and can be static or dynamic. All the important
aspects of financial and accounting department are recorded and analysed. These can be prepared
on quarterly and annually basis. Purpose for preparing financial reports are effective managerial
decision making and improving company's overall financial health. For example, balance sheet,
income statements, cash flow statements, statement of shareholder's equity etc.
Account Receivable Report: This type of report prepared when a business is heavily
involved in lending activities and lists customers according to overdue credit balances. This
helps in aligning customers with their repayment capabilities, estimating bad debts and creating
provisions for doubtful debts. It helps Italian continental stores limited in building good customer
relationship through the way of giving them long-term credit options, also in keeping cash flow
healthy (Kokubu and Kitada, 2015).
Account Payable Report: These reports are prepared with intention to record invoices of
overdue payment. Time factor is very important because it depends on the frequency of business
owner to pay debts and need to be updated monthly. These reports calculate an organisation's
total expenditure and payments of various departments but for a small business these are used to
verify bill payments. For example, reconciliation of accounts, Voucher activity report, history of
payments. it will help Italian continental stores limited in managing cash flows and record of
timely payments. Company can identify suppliers to be paid soon and those to whom it can pay
later.
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M1 Benefits of management accounting systems and their application with in organisation
Job costing system: Instead of keeping eye on short-term goals, management accounting
system focuses on long-term perspectives. This system can be implemented by analysing short
term and long term perspective of Italian continental stores.
Inventory management: Implementation of this accounting system mainly based upon
the inventories nature in which Italian continental stores deals. It would be beneficial for
company to categorise stocks and inventories.
Costing system: It is required to determine the cost of raw material and manufacturing
cost of different products of Italian continental stores.
Price optimisation: This can be implemented by evaluating the nature and interest of
customers and price is determined accordingly (Nielsen, Mitchell and Nørreklit, 2015).
D1 Integration between the management accounting system and management accounting reports
Budget report:- With the help of these reports, Italian Continental Stores limited can
keep track of expenses and incomes which is necessary in this type of retail industry. Budget
helps in optimally utilising limited resources because needs are unlimited and these helps
organisation to know areas where money can be saved. Another benefit from budget report is
that they can be used to determine restraints and obstructs.
Inventory management report:- these reports remains directly linked with the inventory
management systems. helps in It helps in reducing inventory holding cost because with the help
of these reports problem of unsold stock and stock-out resolves. Reduces time and cost of
maintaining inventory results to increase in profits. Sales will also increase due to the
improvement in delivery performance. Italian continental stores limited maintains level of EOQ
(Economic Order Quantity) with the help of these reports.
Financial report:- These reports helps Italian continental stores limited in preparing
budgets, keeping track of financial information and transactions, assists in performing
comparative study of different accounting years to predict future growth.
Account receivable report:- Accounts receivable report keeps record of outstanding
payment for goods sold. It helps Italian continental stores limited in building good customer
relationship through the way of giving them long-term credit options, also in keeping cash flow
healthy (Klychova, Faskhutdinova and Sadrieva, 2014).
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Account payable report:- Account payable report is record of creditors to whom
company owes money and it will help Italian continental stores limited in managing cash flows
and record of timely payments. Company can identify suppliers to be paid soon and those to
whom it can pay later.
TASK 2
P3 Calculation of cost using appropriate techniques as marginal and absorption
Marginal costing – marginal costing is a costing technique that ascertainment, by
differentiating between fixed costs and variable cost. Variable cost changes effect on profit of the
volume and output, and for understanding to proper marginal cost so require to understand
various classes of costs. Marginal cost mainly divided into two parts fixed cost and variable coat.
Absorption costing – Absorption costing means that it's a method of calculation the cost
of inventories. It absorbs all the costs of manufacturing and product including fixed and variable
costs. It means all costing including direct and indirect material cost, overhead cost and price of
inventory.
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Break even point – Break even analysis based on the revenue collected and associated
cost. This analysis imply the calculation of the point at which revenues equal to expenses and
there are fixed cost not change but variable cost changes and output also get change (Gates,
Nicolas and Walker, 2012). This analysis profitable for a new product or services that need for
least lower costs. .
Marginal of safety – Margin of safety is a based on investing principle, when investor
purchase securities and market price is below their intrinsic value. That mean when market price
of security is below to estimation of it's intrinsic value, the difference is the margin of safety. In
accounting difference between actual sales and break even sales is margin of safety.
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M2 Application of range of management accounting techniques and financial reporting
There is an evaluation of profit done by using marginal and absorption costing, it is
determined that the profit form marginal costing was calculated £17500 and profit form
absorption was calculated as £15675. Break even point shows the following results in terms of
sale price and volume subsequently 500 units and £20000 in sales. Margin of safety was
evaluated as 37.5 units to maintain minimum level of stocks in organisation.
TASK 3
P4 Advantages and disadvantages of various type of planning tools used in budgetary control
process
Planning Tool Advantages Disadvantages
Cash Budget
 cash receipts
 cash payment
This helps in analysing the
requirement of cash in the
business.
It is time taking process.
Operating budget
 Sales
 Production
 Mat purchase
 Mat usage
 Labour
 Overheads
It is beneficial to assess the
basic information and details
to deliver the task and
formation as per the
determined budget.
Managers have to
analyse different budgets
that creates problems to
consolidate at single
point.
Capital budget
 Planned expenditure on
acquisition of assets and
improvement of the assets
Required amount and
resources would be able to
consolidate with the help of
capital budget.
The main drawback of
this budgetary control is
to define categorise
different information
regarding different
assets.
Variance Analysis It is beneficial to determine
the difference between
actual results and budgeted
results
The exact figures and
relation become difficult
in terms of delivering the
project in various form.
Master budget It reduce the extra cost by It is a time raking
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 Income statement
 Balance sheets
abolishing the non financial
factors.
process.
M3 implementation off planning tools for preparing and forecasting budgets
Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan
Receipts £ £ £ £ £
Cash sales 250 350 255 380 450
Credit sale receipts from
debtors 320 150 100 120 220
Other income received 415 430 320 215 330
Total receipts (a) 985 930 675 715 1000
Payments
Purchases 215 260 290 330 415
Wages- Labour and
overheads 115 90 180 210 150
Fixed costs 200 200 200 200 200
Capital expenditure - Plant 650
Advertising 20 35 55 75 90
Total Payments (b) 1200 585 725 815 855
Surplus/Deficit (a) – (b) -215 345 -50 -100 145
D3 Planning tools for accounting respond to solve financial problems
Cash budget, master budget, operating budget, capital budget and operating budget to
analyse the relevancy for better budgetary control process. It is calculated that the total receipts
were counted as £985, £930, £675, £715 and £1000 subsequently for Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec and
Jan. surplus and deficit also calculated as -£215, £345, -£50, -£100, £145 subsequently for Sep,
Oct, Nov, Dec and Jan.
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TASK 4
P5 Implement of management accounting system to respond financial problems with comparison
Balance Scorecard
Balance scorecard is used to set performance targets to achieve strategic goals. It
measures performance in quantitative terms then give feedback to Italian Continental Stores
Limited. Managers interpret results from it and ensures better-decision making. Four
perspectives of balance scorecard are:
Financial analysis: Financial data includes sales, expenditures, net incomes and how
these add value to Italian Continental Store's growth (Arjaliès and Mundy, 2013).
Customer analysis: It measures satisfaction, retention, profitability, acquisition, market share of
Italian Continental Store's customers.
Internal process analysis: This analysis helps Italian Continental Store's managers to
provide information of time, cost and productivity of business processes
Learning and growth analysis: It assesses employee satisfaction, retention and productivity of
Italian continental stores limited.
KPI's (Key Performance Indicators)
KPI business metrics are useful for Italian continental stores to identify key areas of
business process which are most important for growth. These differ from organization to
organization depends on priorities. For example, revenue improvement, cost reduction, cycle
time from order to delivery, number of customer complaints, number of employees, number of
reminders, customer rating for services, number of agents, time allotted for training, number of
human and process errors (Theriou and Aggelidis, 2014).
Ratio Analysis
Ratio analysis shows relationship between two variables through fundamental and
quantitative analysis. It evaluates performance of different aspects of Italian continental stores
limited such as liquidity, solvency, profitability and efficiency. In ratio analysis, financial ratios
are calculated on the basis of financial statements of Italian continental stores limited. Actual
performance is then compared with past performance to assess financial health and taking
corrective actions if found any variances. Ratio analysis can be done in two ways that are
univariate analysis in which only single ratio is considered and multivariate analysis which
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considers several ratios. Some ratios are current ratio, quick ratio, debt to equity ratio, return on
equity, return on capital employed, gross profit ratio, net margin ratio etc.
Benchmarking
Benchmarking is a performance metrics process in which performance of Italian
continental stores limited is compared with another business in same industry which generally
comprises time, quality and cost of business processes. Different types of benchmarking includes
best practices, peer benchmarking, SWOT, collaborative benchmarking. Benchmarking study
can only be conducted on quantitative data. It helps to identify problem areas, increasing
employee understanding, and this requires planning and research of our as well as peer business
activities. There are many types of benchmarking such as process benchmarking, financial
benchmarking, product benchmarking.
Common financial problems of Italian continental stores limited are cash flow, economic
cycles, expansion plans, funding etc. Particularly in these type of businesses which involved in
the sale of foods and beverages, agents are involved for retail sales where it becomes difficult to
maintain accounts receivable. Also problem related to expansion as it requires a huge
investment. So with the help of management accounting approaches such as balance scorecard,
KPI's, benchmarking and ratio analysis, Italian continental stores limited can set quantitative
performance targets, collect financial data, keep check on key areas of business and also get
informed about its peers.
Comparison between organisation subject to implement management accounting system
Italian continental stores limited Unibond International
This company is a part of retail industry so
inventory management reduces its inventory
holding cost and categorizing different
products according to availability and
importance.
Management accounting technique of job
costing is used by this company in which
material cost, labour cost, overhead costs are
accumulated for manufacturing and packaging.
Benchmarking helps to improve their
operations and profitability by comparing
historical data, budgets with peer company and
conducting financial surveys through
KPI's should be taken care in different
dimensions of business such as financial
perspective, customer perspective etc. and key
areas of this company are production and
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collecting information. packaging.
Common financial problems of Italian continental stores limited are cash flow, economic
cycles, expansion plans, funding etc. Particularly in these type of businesses which involved in
the sale of foods and beverages, agents are involved for retail sales where it becomes difficult to
maintain accounts receivable. Also problem related to expansion as it requires a huge
investment. So with the help of management accounting approaches such as balance scorecard,
KPI's, benchmarking and ratio analysis, Italian continental stores limited can set quantitative
performance targets, collect financial data, keep check on key areas of business and also get
informed about its peers.
M4 Evaluation of MA systems subject to respond financial problems
Job costing and inventory management planning tools of Italian continental stores limited
helped in classifying costs of ordering and delivering goods. Inventory management is complex
and time consuming but it is useful in keeping track of goods availability to consumer and sold
so that retailer never face problem of stock-out (Theriou and Aggelidis, 2014).
CONCLUSION
This report summarise the meaning of management accounting and requirement of
different management accounting system in organisation. It is demonstrated that management
accounting reports are plays a communicating role to management accounting system and senior
managers to make decision making and planning strategies. Different type of planning are
summarised to make budgetary control process more effective and smooth. The implementation
of different type of management accounting system in terms of resolving the financial problems
are summarised and compared between different organisations.
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