MBAA 517

Managerial Accounting for Decision Making

Online Course Syllabus

Credit Hours: 3
Delivery Method: Online (Internet /Canvas)

Hilton, R. W. (2014). Managerial accounting (10th ed.). New York:

McGraw-Hill Irwin.
ISBN: 9780078025662

Suggested Supplemental Materials:

American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the
American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington,
DC: Author.
ISBN: 978-1-4338-0561-5
(APA website: http://www.apastyle.org/manual/index.aspx)

Course Description
Financial control procedures for a systems approach to program management are presented. Cost
elements in manufacturing, research and development, logistic and support services are explored.
Included will be the introduction of fixed and variable costs; computing and using overhead; process
and job order costing methods; preparation of income statements in the contribution format; ratio
analysis; profit planning and its relationship to cost; budget and overhead analysis; pricing, capital
budgeting and investment decisions.
Course Goals

This syllabus was developed for online learning by [insert name of course developer].
Insert filename for versioning purposes

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Upon completion of the course the student will understand that managerial accounting exists within a
business primarily to facilitate the development and implementation of operations business financial
strategies. With this knowledge, the student will understand that business financial management is a
continuous cycling process of (1) formulating financial strategies, (2) communicating those financial
strategies to the appropriate parts of the organization, (3) developing and carrying out tactics to
implement the financial strategies and (4) developing and implementing controls to monitor the success
of the implementation steps and the ability to successfully meet the business' financial strategic
objectives within an aviation setting.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Evaluate, calculate, and apply managerial accounting terms and concepts.
2. Evaluate, calculate, and apply cost, volume, profit analysis.
3. Analyze and classify the structure, contents, and then assemble a cash or flexible budget.
4. Evaluate, calculate, and apply absorption costing and variable costing.
5. Evaluate, calculate, and apply investment alternatives using net present value or the internal
rate of return.
6. Analyze, calculate, and apply mixed costs.
7. Demonstrate appropriate and effective research skills in managerial accounting (for example,
relevant costs, activity based costing, standard costs, and job order costing) and be able to
communicate the results (written in APA format/oral) in this course.
Grading
These are the major assignments in the course and will be the basis for evaluation according to the
grading scale shown in the table below.
Course Grade Scale

Evaluation Items & Weights

90-100

Case Studies

50%

80-89.99

Discussion Topics

15%

70-79.99

Research Paper

35%

0-69.99

Total

100%

Discussion (In Depth Analysis) Topics

Five modules contain a discussion (In Depth Analysis) topic. These five topics are worth 15% of the
course grade. A thorough discussion of the topic is required. Provide examples, analysis, and
references to support the results or conclusions reached. A post that is equivalent to one to two
typewritten pages normally would be adequate in length, but still subject to the quality of the analysis.

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These posts do not have to be in the current APA format. However, proper grammar, spelling, and
punctuation are required. If bibliography or references sources are consulted/used they must be
properly (current APA Edition) cited and listed in a bibliography/reference section(s) in the posting.
Wikis or Pedias are not accepted as bibliography or reference sources. Some of the discussion topics
require viewing financial or topic related videos. Some of these videos are dated; however, the
concepts and ideas discussed are still relevant to the module topics.
Case Studies
Six modules contain a case study. These six case studies are worth 50% of the course grade. These
case studies will provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to extract financial data
and calculate financial problems. In addition, students will be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills
in analyzing and coming to conclusions about specific financial considerations for a firm. These case
study submissions do not have to be in the current APA format. However, proper grammar, spelling,
and punctuation are required. If bibliography or references sources are consulted/used they must be
properly (current APA Edition) cited and listed in a bibliography/reference section(s) in the posting. For
the case studies, students can complete them on their own or complete them as self-selected groups
(maximum of three students per group.) Each student will submit the group response to the case
studies, but must identify all participating group members in the submission. You may want to go to the
Student Lounge discussion forum to find other students who might want to form a group.
Research Paper
The research paper will be written in the first eight weeks of the course. The research paper will be the
final course product and will be due the final day of the course. The research paper will be graded on
both content (28% of the course grade) and format (7% of the course grade).
A 12-15 page (excluding appendices, table of contents, abstract, reference, and bibliography) research
paper (case study) is required. Students will select a firm operating in the international business
environment. This paper will be prepared consistent with the current APA Manual and will have a
minimum of ten different references (No Wikis or Pedias). Some of the bibliography and references will
most likely come from the firm you have chosen source documents, e.g., annual reports and financial
statements. As such this reduces the need for peer reviewed sources. However, peer reviewed
sources are still important and should be listed in the bibliography/reference section(s) and cited in the
paper as appropriate.
This paper is due the last day of class. In addition, the research paper will be prepared consistent with
the following guidelines:
1. This serves as an introduction to the Research Paper. Provide an overview of the research
design of the paper. Introduce the various topics that will be addressed in the research paper.
Identify the method(s) that will be used to collect the data for the topics and how that data will be
evaluated.
2. There will be a brief discussion of the firm to include its principle goods and services, market
share, geographic locations where it operates, and major competitors.
3. Evaluate and discuss whether the firm could benefit by using Activity Based Costing (ABC). The
discussion should include what factor(s) influenced your decision, the ramifications of
implementing ABC in the international business environment, and how you would structure the
distribution of costs using ABC for your firm.
4. Evaluate and discuss whether the firm could benefit by using standard costs. The discussion
should include what factor(s) influenced your decision, the ramifications of costs, quantity, and

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variances, and the ramifications of using standard costs in the international business
environment.
5. Evaluate and discuss how the firm could benefit by analyzing future projects in terms relevant
costs. This discussion should include the firms future plans, such as, expansion, consolidation,
and downsizing and how relevant costs could be used in the decision making.
6. Summary and conclusion(s). The discussion should provide a brief summary of the previous
sections, and the conclusions you have reached.
Library
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has one of the most complete library collections of aviationrelated resources in the world.

Hunt Library Worldwide: Information, Services, Help

o
o
o

Worldwide Library: Basic Training

Worldwide Library: Ask-a-Librarian
Reference: Research Request

Contact Information

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Telephone: 1-800-678-9428 or 386-226-6947
Email: library@erau.edu

RefWorks
RefWorks is an online database tool that can manage references and citations from almost any source.
It provides specific guidance in how to collect and use references, create bibliographies, and write
research papers.
You may access it through this ERAU organizational login link when signed in to ERNIE or directly
from the RefWorks website (http://www.refworks.com). A different link must be used for off-campus
access (see these instructions). RefWorks requires users to create a RefWorks-specific username
and password. Please contact the Hunt Library if you have any questions.
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
Embry-Riddle is committed to maintaining and upholding intellectual integrity. All students, faculty, and
staff have obligations to prevent violations of academic integrity and take corrective action when they
occur. The adjudication process will involve imposing sanctions which may include, but are not limited
to, a failing grade on the assignment, a failing grade in a course, suspension or dismissal from the
University, upon students who commit the following academic violations:
1. Plagiarism: Presenting the ideas, words, or products of another as ones own. Plagiarism
includes use of any source to complete academic assignments without proper acknowledgement
of the source. Reuse or resubmission of a students own coursework if previously used or

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submitted in another course, is considered self-plagiarism, and is also not allowed under
University policy.
2. Cheating: A broad term that includes, but is not limited to, the following:
a. Giving or receiving help from unauthorized persons or materials during examinations.
b. The unauthorized communication of examination questions prior to, during, or following
administration of the examination.
c. Collaboration on examinations or assignments expected to be, or presented as, individual
work.
d. Fraud and deceit, that include knowingly furnishing false or misleading information or failing
to furnish appropriate information when requested, such as when applying for admission to
the University.
Note: The Instructor reserves the right to use any form of digital method for checking plagiarism.
Several electronic systems are available and other methods may be used at the Instructors discretion.
Online Learning
This course is offered through Embry-Riddle Online (Canvas) and runs nine (9) weeks. The first week
begins the first day of the term and ends at midnight EDT/EST (as applicable) seven days later.
Success in this course requires in-depth study of each module as assigned, timely completion of
assignments, and regular participation in forum discussions.
Late work should be the exception and not the rule and may be downgraded at the discretion of the
Instructor, if accepted at all. Unless all work is submitted, the student could receive a failing grade for
the course. Extensions may be granted for extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the Instructor
and only for the length of time the Instructor deems appropriate. The most important element of
success in an online course is to communicate with your Instructor throughout the term.
Conventions of online etiquette, which include courtesy to all users, will be observed. Students should
use the Send Email function in Canvas for private messages to the Instructor and other students. The
class Discussion Board forums are for public messages.
It is highly recommended that students keep electronic copies of all materials submitted as
assignments, discussion board posts and emails, until after the end of the term and a final grade is
received. When posting responses in a discussion forum, please confirm that the responses have
actually been posted after you submit them.

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Course Schedule
Module

Topics

Introduction to
Managerial
Accounting

Cost Terms and

Concepts

Inventory and
Activity Based
Costing

Mixed Cost

Cost, Volume,
Profit Analysis

Absorption and
Variable Costing

Cash Budget

Capital Budget

Activities
1.1

Discussion: Introduce Yourself

1.2

Assignment: Readings

1.3

Exercise: Debits and Credits

1.4

Assignment: Identify Research Firm

1.5

Review: Research Paper Related Video

2.1

Assignment: Readings

2.2

Topic 1: Managerial Accounting

2.3

Discussion (In-depth Analysis) Topic 1: Managerial

Accounting

2.4

Case Study 1: Cost Terms and Concepts

3.1

Assignment: Readings

3.2

Topic 2: Inside American Airlines

3.3

Discussion (In-depth Analysis) Topic 2: Inside American

Airlines

4.1

Assignment: Readings

4.2

Discussion (In-depth Analysis) Topic 3: Mixed Costs

4.3

Video Topic 1: Classifying Costs

4.4

Case Study 2: Classifying Costs

5.1

Assignment: Readings

5.2

Video Topic 2: Cost, Volume, and Profit

5.3

Case Study 3: Cost, Volume, Profit Analysis

6.1

Assignment: Readings

6.2

Topic 4: Variable and Absorption Costing

6.3

Discussion: (In-depth Analysis) Topic 4: Absorption and

Variable Costing

6.4

Case Study 4: Absorption and Variable Costing

7.1

Assignment: Readings

7.2

Video Topic 3: Budgeting

7.3

Case Study 5: The Cash Budget

8.1

Assignment: Readings

8.2

Video Topic 4: The Capital Budget

8.3

Case Study 6: Capital Budget

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The SarbanesOxley Act, Internal

Controls, and
Ethical Behavior

9.1

Assignment: Readings

9.2

Topic 5: Ethics

9.3

Discussion (In-depth Analysis Topic 5: Ethics

9.4

Research Paper Submission