Advanced Management Accounting

BU467 (BU687J)
Winter 2022
Course Outline

About this Course Outline

You should read and understand this course outline since it constitutes a contract between you and
your instructor. To ensure equity for all students the course requirements and grading approach
described in this course outline will be applied equally to all students.

The course schedule, evaluation scheme, methodology, assessments, testing and final exam policies
have been planned based on current public health guidelines. Should these guidelines change, any
adjustments will be communicated to students.

Course Instructor

Instructor Section(s) Office Location Email Office Hours

Lane D, E LH4076 dlane@wlu.ca Email me any time. Zoom

sessions by appointment.

Course Purposes

This course has two major purposes:

1. To extend the coverage of management accounting topics begun in BU247 particularly

relating to quantitative tools used in decision making. We apply these tools in different
scenarios including financial planning, costing, and capital budgeting. Please note that we will
not review concepts covered in BU247 as they are assumed knowledge in this course.

2. To introduce new topics relating to uncertainty, cost estimation, data analytics, and resource
allocation to achieve short run objectives.

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Course Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Identify and apply the appropriate management accounting tool(s) to use in making
strategic decisions.

2. Evaluate the insights and limitations of management accounting tools and management
accounting information and draw appropriate conclusions when making a recommendation
on a course of action.

3. Apply common strategy frameworks to focus an organization on improving performance and

delivering sustainable value.

Computing Your Course Grade

Evaluation Items Points

Class Preparation SmartBook Assignments (Best 8 out of 10) 10
Case Summaries (Best 5 out of 6) 10
Group Case Assignments (3 @ 5 points each) 15
Group Case Presentation 5
Participation 5
Midterm Exam 25
Final Exam 30
Total 100

Course Text

Cost Management – A Strategic Emphasis, 9th Edition (Blocher, Stout, Juras, and Smith) is available
via the digital text access program with McGraw-Hill. Please monitor MyLS and your @mylaurier
email address for additional communications during the first few weeks of class.

In addition to the SmartBook assignments, the e-text gives you access to practice questions and
self-study guides. Instructions for accessing the text are posted under “Digital Text Instructions” in
MyLS. Links to the class preparation and individual assignments are also available through MyLS.

Course Website – My Learning Space (MyLS)

Your instructors will use My Learning Space (MyLS) to communicate information to you throughout
the term. On MyLS you will find information about the individual and groups assignments, final exam,
problem solutions, and PowerPoint slides. You will also find grades for SmartBook assignments, group
assignments and participation. The Dropboxes for individual and group case assignments are also
located here.

If you have MyLS related problems contact the MyLS staff (MyLS@wlu.ca) not your instructor, as
your instructor cannot resolve MyLS issues.
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Course Groups

For the three case assignment exercises, you will work in groups of 4 or 5 people. Groups will be
assigned by the instructor during the first week of classes. Please note that all three case
assignments must be submitted for full marks.

We will also be using break-out rooms in Zoom for in-class activities for remote classes and group
activities for in-person classes. These groups will be assigned by the instructor during each class
based on attendance and equipment (e.g., at least one student in each group should have access
to a second screen).

Integrity and Academic Misconduct

You are expected to understand your academic responsibilities regarding course work, attendance,
and academic integrity. For more information and a list of additional offences and sanctions, please
refer to the University calendar section entitled "Academic Privileges and Responsibilities".

As professionals in training, you are expected to behave with integrity. Consequently, any form of
academic misconduct will be dealt with severely. If you engage in academic misconduct you may
receive a grade of zero in the course and a notation of academic dishonesty may be entered on your
transcript.

In this course, academic misconduct includes copying or using unauthorized aids during
examinations. In addition, submitting work generated for another course without prior clearance by
the instructor in this course; submitting work copied from another student; aiding and abetting
another student's dishonesty. Giving false information for the purpose of gaining credit is also
considered academic misconduct.

Class Expectations

Timeliness:

To respect your rights in getting to the next class and the rights of students in the class that follows
ours all classes will start and end promptly.

Classroom Decorum:

Classes are scheduled to take place remotely over Zoom from January 4th to January 30th due to the
COVID-19 pandemic and will then return to in-person classes in LH3060 on January 31st, pending
changes to university policies. Our remote classes will be held during the regularly scheduled time
slots using the Zoom function within MyLS. Our class sessions will NOT be recorded. If you miss
a class, you will have to catch up on your own.

You are expected to behave in a professional manner. Professional behaviour requires punctuality,
courtesy, and the respectful treatment of others. If you are engaging in behaviour, such as gossiping
or other activities unrelated to the course, that are construed as impairing the ability of others to
contribute to, and follow, the class discussion your instructor will ask you to leave the class.

In this course there is no purpose or role for mobile phones. All mobile phones must be
turned off and stored during class.

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For our in-person classes, this course is scheduled to take place in one of the computer labs on
the 3rd floor, where you will have access to a computer. You may use these computers or bring
your own laptop since most class sessions will involve extensive computer use.

For our remote classes you will need to create a WLU Zoom account with your @mylaurier.ca email
address and password. If you have not already done so, please do this prior to our first class and
take a moment to log into Zoom and familiarize yourself with this software before the term begins.
You will need a reliable internet connection and a microphone, speaker, and camera on your laptop,
desktop or phone in order to participate in the class. Dialing in to the class is available but may trigger
long distance charges.

Ground Rules for Zoom Meetings

1. Please treat these meetings as you would any other class and behave in a professional
manner. Professional behaviour requires punctuality, courtesy, and the respectful treatment of
others.

2. The chat function will be available in Zoom to ask questions; however, your instructor may not
be able to immediately address each question. Consequently, your instructor will monitor the
chats after each class, and will respond via email or through a group posting on MyLS.

3. Please note that all chats will be visible to everyone attending class. There will be no peer-to-
peer chatting available (i.e., you cannot have private conversations with other students). Please
keep this in mind when using the chat function, and please keep all conversations professional.

4. Please keep your video camera on and your audio muted unless you are asking a question.
This is standard etiquette for Zoom meetings as it prevents background noise interfering with
the class. You should unmute your microphone in the breakout rooms and when contributing to
class discussions or asking a question.

5. Space in virtual classes is limited. Please attend the Zoom class during the time slot for the
section in which you are registered.

6. Please keep your video turned on during class as it enhances the classroom experience when
your peers and instructors can see you. Sometimes the video can interfere with Zoom if your
connection is unstable or bandwidth limited. Please let your instructor know if you are having
trouble with your Internet connection.

Class Preparation

The course outline identifies the assigned readings for each class. There are ten (10) SmartBook
assignments associated with the readings that must be completed before class. You will be graded on
these assignments, with the best eight (8) counting towards your final grade.

Case Summaries

There are six in-class discussion cases over the course of the semester that will be used to
illustrate course concepts. You are required to submit a one-page case summary before the class
in which the case will be discussed (see the schedule at the end of the course outline).

You are required to submit five out of six case summaries for full marks. You must attend the class
to get the grade for each case summary. Please see the additional instruction sheet for the case
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summaries for details on the specific questions for each case. Case summaries should be single-
spaced and bullet points are permitted.

Group Case Assignments

There are three case assignments in this course. Each case is equally weighted. Your case grade
will be based on the average of the 3 of the case assignments.

You will work on these case assignments in the groups formed during the first week of class. Each
group will post one report on the Dropbox provided for that case on MyLS.

Additional details on each assignment will be provided in class. The submissions must be
submitted in PowerPoint format, even if your group is not presenting that case. The analysis
must be conducted using the CPA Way method discussed in our first class. You must also
submit the Excel file showing the quantitative analysis conducted in your analysis of the issues. The
results of the analysis should be included as an exhibit in your PPT file (cut and past as a picture).
The Dropbox will close at the indicated date and time and late assignments will not be accepted.

You can access the case assignments on the course website. The due date and time for each case
assignment are as follows:

1. Case Assignment 1 – 4 PM (ET), Friday January 21st

2. Case Assignment 2 – 4 PM (ET), Friday February 18th
3. Case Assignment 3 – 4 PM (ET), Friday March 11th

Group Case Presentations

Each group will be required to present one of the three cases to the class. Presentations are limited to 5
minutes each with an additional 2 minutes allocated for a Q&A by a designated panel comprising one of
the groups not presenting. Two other groups will be assigned to complete a peer review of the
presentation. An additional schedule will be provided for these activities in the second week of class.

Midterm Exam

The midterm examination will be a 120-minute (2.0 hours) examination. The examination is
scheduled to be written in-person on Saturday February 5th from 10 AM to 12 PM. The midterm
examination will cover the materials included in Week 1 – 4 inclusive. Additional details about the
content and form of the exam will be provided in class, but will comprise multiple-choice and short
answer questions. Part of the exam will be written on your laptop.

Final Exam

The final examination will be a 150-minute (2.5 hours) examination. The Registrar’s office will
schedule the examination in the December examination period. The final examination is scheduled to
be written in-person. The final examination will cover the material in the entire course but will be
weighted approximately 1/3 on topics covered before the midterm examination and 2/3 on topics
covered after the midterm examination. Additional details about the content and form of the exam will
be provided in class, but will comprise multiple-choice and short answer questions. Part of the exam
will be written on your laptop.

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Deferred Final Examination

Students unable to write the final examination at the scheduled time must petition for deferred
examination privileges with the Petitions Coordinator for the School of Business and Economics (see
Eileen Morouney in LH2058). The undergraduate calendar specifies exam period dates and it is your
responsibility to be available during the entire exam period.

Intellectual Property

The educational materials developed for this course, including, but not limited to, lecture notes and
slides, handout materials, examinations and assignments, and any materials posted to My Learning
Space, are the intellectual property of the course instructor. These materials have been developed for
student use only and they are not intended for wider dissemination and/or communication outside of a
given course. Posting or providing unauthorized audio, video, or textual material of lecture content to
third-party websites violates an instructor’s intellectual property rights, and the Canadian Copyright
Act. Recording lectures in any way is prohibited in this course unless specific permission has been
granted by the instructor. Failure to follow these instructions may be in contravention of the university’s
Code of Student Conduct and/or Code of Academic Conduct, and will result in appropriate penalties.
Participation in this course constitutes an agreement by all parties to abide by the relevant University
Policies, and to respect the intellectual property of others during and after their association with Wilfrid
Laurier University.

Accessible Learning Services

The Accessible Learning office helps students with disabilities to reach their full academic potential.
By offering a variety of services and resources, delivered in a respectful, confidential, and
professional manner, they are available to support and encourage students’ independence and self-
determination.

The Accessible Learning office staff is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities have equal
access and support services for programs, facilities, and services in the university community.

These disabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Sight
• Hearing
• Medical
• Learning, including ADHD
• Chronic pain
• Acquired brain injuries
• Mobility
• Psychological/psychiatric conditions

The Accessible Learning office is located on the first floor of the Arts building. If you wish to ask about
or access their services, you can reach them at 519-883-0710 x3086 (TDD 519-883-1141) or at
Accessible_Learning@wlu.ca.

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Campus Safety and Security

Security personnel are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. Special
Constables will respond to all calls for service and are dispatched on a priority basis through their
office located in the Student Services Building. If you need help or want to report a crime, please call
this office at 519-884-3333, or internally at extension 3333. All payphones on campus allow for a
free call to the security office, or you may use an emergency pole located throughout campus if you
require immediate emergency assistance.

In addition, the Foot Patrol service helps to ensure that all members of the Laurier community arrive
home safely. Foot Patrol operates daily from sunset until 2:30AM on bar nights and until 1:30AM on
all other evenings. Footers provide walks to anyone who needs to get somewhere and stress, "No
walk is too short and no walk is too long!" To reach the Foot Patrol office, dial 885-FOOT. This line
contacts dispatchers while Foot Patrol is operating. During hours when Foot Patrol is not active,
leave a message and a volunteer will reply promptly.

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Class Schedule and Agenda
Date by Section
Week D (Tue) E (Wed) Topic Reading Class Preparation In-Class Activity
1 04-Jan 05-Jan Course Introduction Case Analysis Intro (MyLS)
Cost Management and Strategy Chapter 1 CPA Case

2 11-Jan 12-Jan Cost Volume Profit (CVP) Analysis Chapter 9 SmartBook Assignment 1 Q9.50

3 18-Jan 19-Jan Cost Estimation Chapter 8 (excl. Appendix) SmartBook Assignment 2 Western Retailers
(Ignore relevant range for high-low) Summary -Western Retailers

4 25-Jan 26-Jan Strategic Decision Making Chapter 11 (excl. Appendix) SmartBook Assignment 3 Q11.48 (Solver)
Case 1 Presentations

5 01-Feb 02-Feb Cost Allocation: Departments, Chapter 7 (incl. Appendix) SmartBook Assignment 4 Q7.34 (Solver)
Joint Products, and By-Products Q7.43

6 08-Feb 09-Feb Process Costing (FIFO & Spoilage) Chapter 6 (incl. Appendix) SmartBook Assignment 5 A Votre Sante
(excl. Weighted Average p. 191-195) Summary - A Votre Sante

7 15-Feb 16-Feb Strategy and the Master Budget Chapter 10 SmartBook Assignment 6 Denim Products
Summary - Denim Products

8 01-Mar 02-Mar Data Analytics - Introduction Install Tableau Software Huskie Motor Corp.
Case 2 Presentations

9 08-Mar 09-Mar Operational Performance Measurement: Chapter 14 (excl. Standard SmartBook Assignment 7 Speedy Tire
Sales, Direct Costs & Non-Financial PMs Costs p. 595-601) Summary - Speedy Tire

10 15-Mar 16-Mar Operational Performance Measurement: Chapter 16 (excl. Productivity SmartBook Assignment 8 Speedy Tire (cont.)
Productivity and Sales Analysis p. 678-687) Case 3 - Presentations

11 22-Mar 23-Mar Implementing Strategy: The Value Chain, Chapter 2 SmartBook Assignment 9 Kilgour's Wine
The BSC and Strategy Map Summary - Kilgour's Wine

12 29-Mar 30-Mar Capital Budgeting Chapter 12 (excl. Appendices) Smartbook Assignment 10 Kilgrour's Wine Debrief
CASE: Capital Budgeting Ignore MACRS (Exhibit 12.3) Summary - Moulder Company Moulder Company

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Practice Questions and Supplemental Material

Date by Section
Week D (Tue) E (Wed) Practice Questions Excel Supplemental Videos (MyLS)
1 04-Jan 05-Jan 1.45, 1.50, 1.52, 1.63 N/A

2 11-Jan 12-Jan 9.30, 9.31, 9.34, 9.44, 9.49 Goal Seek

3 18-Jan 19-Jan 8.28, 8.45, 8.56, 8.57 and 8.59 Regression Analysis
(Time Series and Cross Sectional)

4 25-Jan 26-Jan 11.29, 11.39, 11.40, 11.41 Solver: Optimization

Multiple Constraints

5 01-Feb 02-Feb 7.36, 7.37, 7.39, 7.44, 7.45, 7.49 Solver: Reciprocal Cost Allocations

6 08-Feb 09-Feb 6.46, 6.49, 6.51 N/A

7 15-Feb 16-Feb 10.50, 10.53, 10.54, 10.57 Scenario Analysis

Forecast Function

8 01-Mar 02-Mar N/A Tableau Introduction

9 08-Mar 09-Mar 14.44, 14.47, 14.50, 14.52 N/A

10 15-Mar 16-Mar 16.49, 16.50, 16.52, 16.54, 16.56 N/A

11 22-Mar 23-Mar 2.51, 2.52, 2.53, 2.54, 2.76 N/A

12 29-Mar 30-Mar 12.38, 12.49, 12.50, 12.52 CCA for Capital Budgeting
Data Tables

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