. Evaluate the importance of operational budgets for the success of the business.
Coursework Assignment Brief
Semester:
E15
Module Code:
PM201
Module Title:
Management Accounting
Programme:
BA Accounting and Finance
Level:
5
Awarding Body:
University of Plymouth
Module Leader:
Jose Kattady
Format:
Report
Presentation:
No
Any special requirements:
All work should be submitted on the Student Portal along with an acceptable Turnitin Report
This is a group assignment consisting of Two
Word Limit:
2,000 words (with 10% plus or minus leeway)
Deadline date for submission:
20/11/2015, 2PM
Learning outcomes to be examined in this assessment:
The ability to:
Indicate the main purposes of management accounting and its relevance to the management of organisations.
Evaluate the main cost structures of organisations and methods of their calculation.
Determine appropriate methods of calculating break-even, profitability and capital input costs.
Percentage of marks awarded for module:
This assignment is worth 50% of the total marks for the module
Assessment criteria:
Explanatory comments on the assessment criteria
Maximum marks for each section
Content, style, relevance, originality:
Clear demonstration of rigorous research from recognised authoritative sources. Audience focus.
10%
Format, referencing, bibliography:
Harvard
10%
Constructive critical analysis, introduction, conclusion:
Demonstration of a clear understanding of the issues. Use of academic models.
80%
Candidates must clearly label their ID Number on additional separate reference, formula or answer sheets.
Assignment Task:
You have been appointed as a management accountant in a growing business. The board members need to be briefed about the importance of investing in management accounting systems for the future growth of the business.
You are required to:
1. Discuss the importance of management accounting for a healthy business and differentiate between management accounting and financial accounting. (250 Words)
2. Evaluate different classifications of costs (types, behaviour, function and relevance) with examples. (600 words)
3. Analyse the importance of differentiating fixed and variable cost in determining the breakeven point of a business and for planning different levels of business activities. (550 words)
4. Evaluate the importance of operational budgets for the success of the business. (600words)
Total marks for assignment: 100
Marking Scheme:
What is expected within students’ answers
Ability to introduce the report, by including assignment objective
Outlining the importance of management accounting and the differences between management accounting and financial accounting, evaluating the need for classification of costs on the basis of types, functions, behaviour and relevance, calculation of breakeven point in units and sales by differentiating fixed and variable costs and stating the need for preparing operational budgets with examples of operational budgets demonstrating the ability to relate theory to the real world.
Arguments should be clearly summed up to reach a conclusion and recommendation.
Clear, professional evidence of wide research should be provided.
Marks awarded
Introduction 5
Importance of management accounts 5
Differences between management accounts and financial accounts 10
Four classification of the costs, graphs/charts 20
Analysis/comparisons/calculations/ of fixed and variable costs,
and break even points 20
Evaluate the importance of operational budgets 10
Conclusion and Recommendation 10
Content, style, relevance, originality 10
Format, referencing, bibliography 10
Total marks 100
Indicative Grade
UK% marks
Characteristics.
Distinction
70%+
Very high standard of critical analysis using appropriate conceptual frameworks.
Excellent understanding and exposition of relevant issues.
Clearly structured and logically developed arguments.
Good awareness of nuances and complexities.
Substantial evidence of well-executed independent research.
Excellent evaluation and synthesis of source material.
Relevant data and examples, all properly referenced.
Merit
69-60%
High standard of critical analysis using appropriate conceptual frameworks.
Clear awareness and exposition of relevant issues.
Clearly structured and logically developed argument.
Awareness of nuances and complexities.
Evidence of independent research.
Good evaluation and synthesis of source material.
Relevant data and examples, all properly referenced.
Pass
59-50%
Uses appropriate conceptual frameworks.
Attempts analysis but includes some errors and /or omissions.
Shows awareness of issues but no more than to be expected room attendance at classes.
Arguments reasonably clear but underdeveloped.
Insufficient evidence of independent research.
Insufficient evaluation of source material.
Some good use of relevant data and examples but incompletely referenced.
Pass
49-40%
An understanding of appropriate conceptual frameworks.
Answer too descriptive and or any attempt at analysis is superficial containing errors and omission.
Shows limited awareness of issues but also some confusion.
Arguments not particularly clear.
Limited evidence of independent research and reliance on a superficial repeat of class notes.
Relatively superficial use of relevant data sources and examples and poorly referenced.
PASS MARK=40%
E
39-30%
Weak understanding of appropriate conceptual frameworks. Weak analysis and several errors and omissions.
Establishes a few relevant points but superficial and confused exposition of issues.
No evidence of independent research and poor understanding of class notes or no use of relevant data, sources and examples and no references.