This assignment solution provides a comprehensive overview of variance analysis, a crucial management accounting concept. It explains the concept itself, illustrating how it's used in workplaces through examples like sales budget variance, and outlining its advantages (e.g., indicating departures from standards, controlling expenditure) and disadvantages (e.g., time-consuming investigations, cost for small businesses). The solution also discusses the future of variance analysis, predicting its continued relevance in business decision-making. Furthermore, the assignment includes calculations for cost of goods manufactured, cost of goods sold, and operating income. Finally, it presents a balanced scorecard for Canadian National Railway, analyzing its financial performance and strategic goals, incorporating details from the company's annual report.