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Nottingham University Business School

Assessment Feedback

Module Title Management Accounting and Decisions I Module Code N11126

Year Semester 2 2014/2015

Teaching Staff Dr. How Shi Min

General Comments:

This is a level 1 module which aims at introducing students to the concepts and techniques of Management Accountingincluding issues such as job order costing, absorption and marginal costing, CVP analysis, budgeting, standard costingand variance analysis, and how these techniques assist in management decision making processes.

This is a 100% exam only paper. There are 3 sections to this paper. The first section consists of 25 compulsory multiple

choice questions (50%), the second section consists of 2 compulsory questions mainly computational (20% each), andthe final section requires students to answer any one out of 3 short essay questions (10%). The design of this paper aimsat giving students the opportunity to demonstrate a good understanding of the syllabus.

Overall, there was clear evidence to suggest good understanding and hard work among students with many good scriptsin general.

Specific Comments on Questions:

Examination:

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (1-25; 50 marks)Students have performed well in this section.

Section B: Computational Question (20 marks each)Question 26This is a variance analysis question. Some students were confused with the formula and/or used the wrong figures whencalculating the answers. It has been stressed many times that all figures used in calculations should be based on the

actual quantity produced. Hopefully in future students would take greater care at this point. Part (d) was the weakest ofall sections. Students were supposed to choose the two largest variances from those calculated, be it favourable or

unfavourable variances.

Question 27Parts (a) and (b) of this question are simple. Majority of the students got these right. Part (c) turns out to be moreproblematic to majority of the students. Many only did the price reduction from £97 to £95. Students should calculate aseries of price reductions (at £2 each) and the respective quantity sold and profit recorded to identify the selling pricewhich generates the highest profit possible, and also the associated quantity sold.

Section C:Questions 28 to 30 are optional questions whereby students need to attempt any one out of the three.Where candidates attempted more than one question only the FIRST question will be graded.

Question 28This question requires students to discuss the advantages of budgeting process and at the same time can also contrastthis with some possible weaknesses. This area has been discussed in the lecture. Many students have attempted thisquestion and generally have done well on this topic.

Question 29For this question, students mainly need to focus on discussing the usefulness of variable costing approach and theaspects where variable costing approach is not helpful. The materials have been discussed in lecture. Those whoattempted this question agreed with the statement and focused on discussing the benefits of absorption costing. This isfine but they should also focus on discussing the benefits of variable costing although it is not suitable to reporting andtax purposes.

Question 30

Students who attempted this question generally did well. The question requires students to compare between FinancialAccounting and Management Accounting and the materials have been provided in lecture slides. This question is fairly

straightforward.

Key Steps to Improvement:

The overall performance is similar to those in previous years. In order to achieve better performance, it is essential to:

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1. Have continuous effort in preparing the topics that are covered in this module

2. Read and understand the recommended readings and explore key concepts and principles3. Be sure to attempt all exercises given at the end of each lecture as well as the tutorial questions4. Ensure good understanding on both numerical and essay requirements to confirm the application of knowledge5. Attend all lectures and tutorials and make good use of the tutorial supports6. Read the questions carefully and provide answers that are relevant to the questions, workings to calculativequestions are important.