Podcast
Questions and Answers
Explain the primary focus and requirements of financial accounting in contrast to managerial accounting.
Financial accounting has a primary focus on companywide reports, must follow GAAP/IFRS and prescribed formats, and is mandatory for external reports. Managerial accounting focuses on segment reports, is not bound by GAAP/IFRS or any prescribed format, and is not mandatory.
What are the key activities involved in managerial accounting and how do they differ from financial accounting?
Managerial accounting involves planning, controlling, and decision-making activities, such as establishing goals, developing budgets, and making selections among competing alternatives. Financial accounting is focused on external persons making financial decisions, with a historical perspective and emphasis on objectivity and verifiability.
What are the professional opportunities and requirements for becoming a Certified Management Accountant (CMA)?
To become a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), membership in the Institute of Management Accountants, a bachelor's degree, two years of relevant professional experience, and passage of the CMA exam are required.
Describe the content covered in the CMA exam and the requirements for the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation.
Signup and view all the answers
What skills are employers in the accounting field looking for in candidates?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the estimated percentage of professional accountants working in non-public accounting environments in the U.S.?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain the concept of break-even quantity and provide the formula for determining it.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the degree of operating leverage (DOL) and how is it calculated?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the assumptions made by managers in cost-volume-profit (CVP) calculations?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain the concept of contribution margin and its significance in CVP analysis.
Signup and view all the answers
How can the contribution format income statement be expressed in an equation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of the margin of safety in cost-volume-profit analysis?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain the difference between financial accounting and managerial accounting.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the purposes of cost classification?
Signup and view all the answers
How are direct costs different from indirect costs?
Signup and view all the answers
What are common costs and how are they associated with cost objects?
Signup and view all the answers
Define product costs and explain their relevance for financial statements.
Signup and view all the answers
How are direct materials costs accounted for in the manufacturing process?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain the difference between period costs and product costs in managerial accounting.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the difference between variable costs and fixed costs in managerial accounting?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the characteristics of committed fixed costs and discretionary fixed costs?
Signup and view all the answers
Define relevant costs and irrelevant costs in the context of decision-making.
Signup and view all the answers
What is opportunity cost in managerial accounting?
Signup and view all the answers
Why should sunk costs be ignored when making decisions in managerial accounting?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main difference between managerial accounting and financial accounting?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is the audience for managerial accounting information?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of information does managerial accounting provide to the management?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the scope of managerial accounting differ from financial accounting?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the key tasks involved in managerial accounting?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the differences in the format of information presentation between managerial accounting and financial accounting?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Managerial Accounting Concepts and Principles
- Direct labor and manufacturing overhead costs are added to work in process for converting direct materials into finished goods.
- Once units of product are completed, their costs are transferred from work in process to finished goods.
- When a manufacturer sells its finished goods to customers, the costs are transferred from finished goods to cost of goods sold.
- Period costs include all selling and administrative costs and are assigned to the period when the cost is incurred.
- Product costs have two options to show up: in the income statement through cost of goods sold and in the balance sheet as cost of inventory.
- Variable costs vary in direct proportion to changes in the level of activity, while fixed costs remain constant regardless of changes in activity.
- Committed fixed costs are long-term and cannot be significantly reduced in the short term, while discretionary fixed costs may be altered in the short term by current managerial decisions.
- Relevant costs and irrelevant costs depend on the decision-making setting, and decisions involve choosing between alternatives.
- Differential costs are the difference in cost between any two alternatives and are always relevant to decisions.
- Opportunity cost is the potential benefit given up when one alternative is selected over another and should be explicitly considered in every decision.
- Sunk costs have already been incurred and cannot be changed now or in the future, and should be ignored when making decisions.
- The traditional format for income statements is used for external reporting purposes, while the contribution format is used primarily for managerial purposes.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge of managerial accounting concepts and principles with this quiz. Explore topics such as direct labor, manufacturing overhead costs, product costs, variable costs, relevant costs, and the traditional format for income statements. See how well you understand the fundamental principles of managerial accounting.