Management Accounting Systems, Costing, and Budgetary Control Report

This report examines management accounting principles and their application within Cream Limited, a UK-based food company. It begins by defining management accounting and exploring various systems like inventory management, job order costing, price optimization, and cost accounting. ...Read More

Management
Accounting

Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Explanation of different types of systems of management accounting along with their
essential requirements..................................................................................................................1
P2 Explanation of various methods that are used for reporting of management accounting......3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P3 Calculation of costs using cost analysis techniques and formulating of income statement
under absorption and marginal costing........................................................................................4
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
P4 Explanation of budgetary control along with description of planning tools and advantages
and disadvantages of all of them...............................................................................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................13
P5 Comparison of organisations on the basis of use of management accounting to respond
financial issues...........................................................................................................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Management accounting is a wider concept which is required to be understood by all the
managers so that they can improve performance of company in which they are working. It is a
technique which helps internal stakeholders to determine that the entity is performing
appropriately or not. All the information regarding business execution is recorded with the help
of it. In order to reach all the predetermined goals and objectives it is essential for all the
enterprises to make sure that they are paying attention towards it (Christ and Burritt, 2017).
Maim aim of this report is to understand concept of management accounting and its use within
the organization to carry out operations systematically. This project is based upon Cream
Limited which is one of the medium sized companies of United Kingdom. The entity is selling
different types of food items in the market. Some of them are waffles, ice creams and doughnuts.
This assignment covers various topics such as understanding of management accounting, its
systems and reports, application of various cost analysis techniques to formulate income
statement of the organization. Apart from this, various types of planning tools that are used in
budgetary control and comparison of organizations on the basis of use of management
accounting are also covered in this report.
TASK 1
P1 Explanation of different types of systems of management accounting along with their
essential requirements
In all the organisations a specific technique is used by the managers for the purpose of
analysing that the efforts that are made by them to enhance performance of business are resulting
positively or negatively. It is known as management accounting which helps all the internal
stakeholders to analyse performance of the company (Cooper, Ezzamel and Qu, 2017). In Cream
Limited management accounting is used to assist the board of directors to analyse actual progress
of the entity. With the help of it, employees also determine that the organisation in which they
are working will provide them growth in future or not. While planning to achieve all the long-
term business goals it is very important for the managers to make sure that they are using it as it
will guide them to monitor and control the performance of business.
Most of the business entities are using different types of management accounting systems
to make sure that the planned activities are performed in systematic manner or not. In order to
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conduct all the operations properly it is essential for managers to use different types of systems.
Management in Cream Limited are paying attention towards various types of them such as cost
accounting, price optimisation, inventory management and job order costing (Granlund and
Lukka, 2017). With the help of all of them internal records are generated by managers to analyse
actual performance of organisations. All of them are described below in detail in context of
Cream Limited:
Inventory management system: In most of the companies it is used by managers to
keep detailed information of all the items that are used by them to produce products which are
sold to clients. In Creams Limited it is implemented to make sure that all the items that are
required by customers are made according to their choices by keeping all the ingredients. It helps
managers to make sure that they are having all the goods to make ice creams, waffles, doughnuts
etc. according to requirement of consumers. There are various types of inventory management
systems which could be used by the organisation to manage goods. Description of all of them is
as follows:
 AVCO (Average Cost Method): In this method of inventory management all the goods
are used or production by taking average cost as a basis (Hall, 2016).
 FIFO (First in First Out): While using FIFO all the entities use previously undertaken
stocks for performing operational activities.
 LIFO (Last in First Out): Under this method of inventory management system newly
bought items are used for manufacturing products.
From all the above described methods of inventory management systems FIFO is used in
Creams Limited so that the managers can utilise all the ingredients properly before they
become expired.
Essential requirements: It is very important for the organisation because it helps to perform
all the operations properly by managing the goods in systematic manner. It also helps to make
sure that all the ingredients are kept by the entity to meet requirements of customers (Hopper and
Bui, 2016).
Job order costing system: It is one of the main systems which is used in all the
companies that are performing different types of activities. Main purpose of it is to record
information of all the operations separately. In Creams Limited it is used to record requirements
of all the customers distinctly so that all their demand could be made. With the help of it,
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organisation meet its long-term goals such as higher satisfaction level of clients. It guides the
managers to make sure that they are able to perform all the activities according to specification
of consumers.
Essential requirements: Job order costing system is very important for Creams Limited
because with the help of it all the expectations of clients could be met properly. Apart from this,
it will be also beneficial to achieve business goals such as higher profits and highly satisfied
consumers (Hirsch, Seubert, and Sohn, 2015).
Price optimisation system: This management accounting system is mainly focused with
setting right price for all the items that are sold by an organisation. Managers of Creams Limited
are using it to analyse that the price which is set by them for all their products are able to attract
large number of customers. It is beneficial for the organisation to determine responses of
consumers upon the prices that are decided by them to set for all the stuff that are sold by it to
them.
Essential requirements: It is required by Creams Limited because by using it the
managers will be able to enhance sales by setting right price for all the items that are sold by it.
This system can also help the enterprise to analyse that it will be able to meet all its goals by
deciding right rates for all the items that are sold by it.
Cost accounting system: It is the last management accounting system which is mainly
used for the purpose of analysing cost of each and every activity which is performed by an
organisation to meet all its business objectives (Järvenpää and Länsiluoto, 2016). In Creams
Limited it is used by managers to analyse all the expenses that are required to be met by it to
achieve all the predetermined goals. By using it the management get aware of all the costs that
are taking place which executing operations.
Essential requirements: Cost accounting system is vital to be used by Creams Limited as
it can help the managers to determine actual cost of all the operations that are performed by it.
P2 Explanation of various methods that are used for reporting of management accounting
In most of the entities specific procedure is followed to generate internal records and reports
which is known as management accounting reporting (Kaplan and Atkinson, 2015). In order to
determine that organisation performing favourably or adversely it is required to be focused. In
Creams Limited it is also taken in to consideration by the managers to make sure that they meet
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all the business objectives. There are various methods that are used for reporting management
accounting information. All of them are described below:
Account receivable report: It is mainly related to the record of the details of such clients
who will make payment in future and bought goods on credit. In Creams Limited it is used by
management to keep detailed information of owed amount which will be recovered from the
customers in future on a due date. It is beneficial for the entity because it can help to analyse
actual outstanding that will be received in future (Maas, Schaltegger and Crutzen, 2016).
Inventory management report: It is related to the recording information of all the
goods that are used by an organisation to perform all the operational activities. In Creams
Limited this report is created by managers to analyse that they are having sufficient ingredients
to offer different items to the customers according to their requirements. It is advantageous for
the entity as it can help to order goods on time so that possibility of unsatisfied clients could be
ignored.
Performance report: In most of the companies this report is generated for the purpose of
analysing actual performance of whole entity and the employees who are working within it.
Manager of Creams Limited are also formulating it so that they can analyse the progress of entity
and determine that staff members are making appropriate efforts to contribute in growth of
business. It is beneficial for the organisation because it can help the management to allow
bonuses and compensation to all the employees according to their performance (Malina, 2017).
Budget report: It is mainly related to the records that are made by organisations to
allocate funding to all the divisions according to their requirements so that they can perform all
their operations. Creams Limited is also using this report to make sure that all the planned
activities are performed in the specific budget which was decided for them previously. It is
beneficial for the entity as with the help of it appropriate funding could be assigned to the
departments so that they are perform all their duties.
TASK 2
P3 Calculation of costs using cost analysis techniques and formulating of income statement
under absorption and marginal costing
Marginal costing: It can be defined as a costing technique which is used by companies to
determine cost of each and every additional unit which is made by the organisation along with
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the predetermined production units. In Creams Limited it is used by managers to analyse cost of
all the additional items that are made by it according to the requirements of customers (Malmi,
2016). All the calculation of it are as follows:
From the above calculations it has been determined that while calculating profits from
marginal costing the entity will generate profits of 50000 for January month and loss of 10000
for February month.
Absorption costing: This costing technique is mainly related to the absorption of cost of
all the produced items from the revenues that are generated by selling them (Messner, 2016). In
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Creams Limited management is using it to assure that all the costs that have taken place which
making different items will be absorbed from sales of them. Calculation of it is as follows:
The above calculation of absorption costing is showing that when it will be used by the
organisation then the total amount of under absorption will be around 51000 in February and the
net profits will be same as marginal costing.
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Calculation of variances:
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From the above calculations of variances, it has been determined that labour rate and
quantity variances for the organisation will be 3638 (a) and 6428 (a). Material cost and quality
variance for the organisation will be 900 (f) and 2000 (f).
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TASK 3
P4 Explanation of budgetary control along with description of planning tools and advantages and
disadvantages of all of them
Budgetary control is referred as the process through which organizations prepare budget
for future and compare that budget from actual performance in order to find out the variances, if
any exist. By comparing the budgeted figures with actual ones, the management of an
organisation enable to find out variances and accordingly take corrective actions immediately
without any delay (Nitzl, 2016). It is the mechanism through which senior managers of Creams
Limited make sure that the spending limits are appropriate. This control is crucial as spending
excesses have an adverse influence on corporate profits. Budgetary control is used as a system in
organisation to control cost that includes development of budget, coordinating different
departments and establishing responsibilities and duties, comparison of performance with
budgeted and act upon outcomes to accomplish the maximum beneficial or profitable.
The main objective of using budgetary control in Creams Limited is that it is an effective
system that plays vital role in success of business entity. This helps in improving efficiency and
effectiveness of company. In planning and controlling, budgeting plays crucial role as it supports
in directing the resources which are restricted in quantity to the most productive utilization and
therefore, ensure efficiency within firm. An effective budgetary control system facilitates in
planning different activities and make sure smooth and systematic working in organisation. It
also combines the ideas of different management levels in preparation of budget as well as
facilitate coordination among various departments (Otley, 2016). As budgetary control system is
an effective means of planning, thus make sure enough availability of working capital as well as
other resources within firm.
There are some conditions required for good budgetary control system. These conditions
include support from upper level management, creation of responsibility center, quantification of
goal of an organisation, realistic targets, state of organizational goals, participation of employees,
coverage of all areas of organisation, good accounting system etc. In budgetary control within
Creams Limited, different types of planning tools are required (Quattrone, 2016). Some of the
planning tools are mentioned below along with their advantages and disadvantages:
Cost budget: It is defined as a financial plan regarding identified expenses of company for
the next period. It details all the expenses related to activities and operations of business. It is the
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anticipated future expense that an organisation in expected to incur in upcoming future. It is the
most effective tool that will help management of Creams Limited to manage inflow and outflow
of cash within firm. There are some advantages and disadvantages of cost budgeting which are
mentioned below:
Advantages:
 Cost budgeting provides management with valuable means to control incoming expenses
of business (Šiška, 2016).
 It supports in directing capital as well as other resources into the profitable channels.
 Use of cost budgeting within Creams Limited develop cost consciousness attitude,
stimulates the proper use of resources and develops prophet mindedness environment all
over the organisation.
 It encourages productive competition, administer incentive to conduct business activities
efficiently and provides a sense of purpose to each employee in an organisation.
Disadvantages:
 In the process of establishment of cost budget, it takes time so it is a time consuming
process. Also, sometimes management expected too much from budget and if these
expectations are not fulfilled then the whole blame put on the budget.
 Cost budgeting is only a tool which means it neither eliminate, nor takes management
place. It cannot be substituted for administration but must only be utilized by them for
attaining managerial functions.
 The utilization and success of cost budgeting rely on participation and cooperation of all
the management members.
Zero based budgeting: it is the budgeting method in which all the expenditures should be
justified every new period. Its process initiates from zero base, and each organisational function
is analyzed for its requirements and cost. In this budgeting approach, management of Creams
Limited requires to justify each expenditure before including it to actual budget (van Helden, and
Uddin, 2016). Main objective of this budgeting is minimization of unnecessary cost by taking
into consideration the areas where cost can be cut. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of
using zero based budgeting for Creams Limited are mentioned below:
Advantages:
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 Zero based budgeting is an efficient method that supports businesses in proper allocation
of resources as it doesn't look at past budget numbers, rather considered actual numbers.
 This budgeting method administers better communication and coordination within the
departments and motivate employees by including them in process of decision making
(Kaplan and Atkinson, 2015).
 It helps in identifying more cost-efficient ways and optimum opportunities by eliminating
unproductive or redundant activities.
Disadvantages:
 It is highly time intensive approach for organisation to do yearly in opposition to
incremental budgeting approach or method which is far easier.
 Providing justification for every cost and each line item is a problematic task and it needs
training for administrators.
 Preparation of zero based budget requires involvement of more number of employees and
some departments may not have enough human resource as well is time for it.
Capital budgeting: It is defined as the process that are used by organisation in order to
identify which proposed purchases of fixed asset it must accept and which must be declined
(Weetman, 2019). For developing quantitative view of every proposed fixed asset investment,
capital budgeting is utilized, thereby provide rational basis of making judgement. It helps
management of Creams Limited in evaluating potential major investments or projects. Some of
the advantages and disadvantages for company of making use of capital budgeting are mentioned
below:
Advantages:
 Capital budgeting helps Creams Limited to estimate which option of investment would
generate best possible return.
 It helps management to make informed decisions regarding an investment by considering
all the possible options.
Disadvantages:
 The decisions taken in capital budgeting are irreversible in nature and are for long-term.
 A wrong decision taken regarding capital budgeting can impact long term durability of
organisation.
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TASK 4
P5 Comparison of organisations on the basis of use of management accounting to respond
financial issues
In current competitive business environment, organisations are facing various financial
issues. Some of common issues that are facing by Creams limited are mentioned below:
 Inventory management: as the changes takes place in market very frequently, it creates
difficulties for organisations. Due to increased competition, customers are becoming
more demanding and require exceptional services. This creates the challenge for
company in managing its inventory (Maas, Schaltegger and Crutzen, 2016).
 Lack of liquidity: Unexpected withdrawals, poor asset quality, excessive lending, poor
earnings, commitments, decrease in asset values, failure of assets to mature, deposit
concentration etc. are the causes due to which firm face issues maintain liquidity.
Comparison of 2 organisations based on use of management accounting system:
Basis Creams Limited Harvey Water Softeners
Issue face by
company
The company is facing issue in
managing its inventory in proper
way. Due to ineffective
communication and poor decision
making, management of firm is
facing issues in maintaining its
inventory.
The is facing issue associate to
lack of liquidity. It does not have
adequate funds to run its
activities and operations in an
effective and efficient way.
Management
accounting System
In order to overcome the issue related
to inventory, inventory management
system is appropriate. Application of
this system helps in achieving
efficiency and productivity in
activities and operations (Weetman,
2019). This also supports in
minimising cost of inventory as well
as maximizing sales and profits. It
automates the manual tasks and helps
In order to manage the issue of
lack of liquidity, cash
management system is most
appropriate management system.
This helps in maintaining level
of liquidity in company by
maintaining its timing of activity,
margins, cash balances, as well
as short term strategies of
investment. It helps in managing
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in making the customers satisfied by
meeting their demands effectively.
all the inflows and outflows of
cash within firm. This helps
company in maintaining
optimum cash levels which
ensures smooth running of
activities and operations of
business.
Technique For managing inventory and
improving performance, application
of key performance indicators will be
helpful for management of business
entity (Maas, Schaltegger and
Crutzen, 2016).
Financial governance is the most
effective technique that helps in
collecting, managing, monitoring
and controlling all the financial
information of company through
which it becomes easy for
management to manage all the
financial transactions so that
appropriate liquidity can be
maintain within firm.
CONCLUSION
From the above project report it has been concluded that management accounting is
utilised by most of the organisations to keep track record of progress of all the efforts that are
made by them to enhance performance. There are different types of management accounting
reports and systems which are used by companies to analyse actual position of business.
Different cost analysis techniques such as marginal and absorption are also used by entities to
make sure that they are generating profits or loss. Various planning tools are also used by
companies in budgetary control to forecast and prepare budgets. Techniques such as
benchmarking, KPI and financial governance are used by companies to identify and resolve all
the financial challenges.
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REFERENCES
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1025.
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