Course Title: Manage budgets and forecasts

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2008

Course Code: ACCT5200C

Course Title: Manage budgets and forecasts

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5178 - Diploma of Accounting

Course Contact : Ian Nash

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5733

Course Contact Email:ian.nash@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

This Unit of Competency is taught in conjunction with:

FNSACCT507A Provide management accounting information [ACCT 5200C]

Course Description

This unit covers the competency to prepare and manage budgets and forecasts.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

FNSACCT503A Manage budgets and forecasts

Element:

Document budget

Performance Criteria:

Data is presented in a format that is easily understood and appropriate to budget reporting
Reports are completed within timelines and distributed for specified periods and projects
Trends, issues and comparisons are identified and reported in a structured format to ensure transparency and validity of analysis
Feasibility is identified by comparison of projections with market growth and development

Element:

Forecast estimates

Performance Criteria:

Estimates of future cash flow, costs and revenues are realistic and attainable and supported by verifiable evidence and source documentation

Relevant data for forecasts are identified and changes in circumstances anticipated

Assumptions and parameters are established and reviewed for accuracy, relevance and compliance with organisational procedures and policies
Financial risks are identified and protection strategies initiated in accordance with organisational procedures and policies

Element:

Monitor budget outcomes

Performance Criteria:

Budget variances are analysed
Recommendations based on the analysis are made to client/designated person
Budget processes are reviewed and implemented as required

Element:

Prepare budgets

Performance Criteria:

Cash, expenditure and revenue items are clearly defined and relevant to identified objectives of the budget
Budget objectives are clear and consistent with organisational aims and projects
Discussions and negotiations with stakeholders are conducted in a manner that promotes understanding, goodwill and ongoing cooperation
Milestones and performance indicators are identified and included in budgets to monitor financial performance
Annual budgets are broken down into seasonal periods in accordance with operating trends


Learning Outcomes


Please refer to Elements of Competency.


Details of Learning Activities

Students will be expected to complete the practical exercises selected from their text book and supplementary exercises provided, in class time and also devote time for completion of these exercises at home. Guideline notes covering key concepts for each element of competency will be provided on the DLS for student access. Students will be expected to read the prescribed text references in order to consolidate an understanding of WHY they are likely to use a particular costing method and not just HOW to calculate using that method.


Teaching Schedule

1 Feb 11 Topic 1. Introduction to course including review of Provide Job Costing Information, course guide, weekly program and assessment guide and use of the DLS.
2 Feb 18 Topic 2. Assigning costs for a manufacturing organisation Topic 3. Variable costing
3 Feb 25 Topic 4. Absorption costing Topic 5. Standard costing
4 Mar 3 Topic 5. Standard costing Topic 6. Activity based costing (ABC)
5 Mar 10 (Labour day Monday Mar 10) Topic 6. Activity based costing (ABC)
6 Mar 17 (Easter vacation March 20-26) Topic 6. Activity based costing (ABC)
6 Mar 24 (Easter vacation March 20-26) Topic 7. Integrated budgets for both manufacturing and service organisations
7 Mar 31 Topic 7. Integrated budgets for both manufacturing and service organisations.

8 Apr 7 ASSESSMENT WEEK

9 Apr 14 Topic 8. Responsibility accounting

10 Apr 21 (Anzac day Friday April 25) Topic 8. Responsibility accounting
11 Apr 28 Topic 8. Responsibility accounting

12 May 5 Topic 9. Cost/Volume/Profit (Break Even)

13 May 12 Topic 10. Differential accounting

14 May 19 Topic 10. Differential Accounting

15 May 26 Topic 11. Performance Measurement using a Balanced Scorecard
16 June 2 Topic 12. Triple bottom Line Accounting (TBL)

17 June 9 (Queens Birthday Monday June 9) Topic 13. Performance Management
18 June 16 Feedback- Course Retests


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Management Accounting Principles and Applications (Hart and Wilson) 3rd Edition


References

Relevant learning resources will be placed on the learning hub (DLS) progressively throughout the semester. Students will need to access this site on a weekly basis, print the materials and bring them to class. COPIES OF MATERIALS WILL NOT BE HANDED OUT IN CLASS


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

The student must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of a particular competency to be deemed competent. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.
Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including technical requirements documentation, homework and in class exercises, written tests, practical problem solving exercises, presentations and practical tests. Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

The written tests will focus on the student’s practical ability to solve problems and provide meaningful solutions to a set of questions asked of them for the work completed up to the time of the test. The exam is a test of the students overall understanding of and competency in the material presented and as such, to some extent, is an opportunity for students to demonstrate competency that may not have been initially shown in the two written tests.


Assessment Tasks

The student must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of a particular competency to be deemed competent. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.
Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including technical requirements documentation, homework and in class exercises, written tests, practical problem solving exercises, assignments and practical tests . Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

This program will also incorporate elements of Employability Skills. Various skills may include communication, problem solving, initiative and enterprise, planning and organising, self management, learning and technology.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview