亨格瑞管理会计英文第15版练习答案01(13)

查尔斯亨格瑞 管理会计 英文版第15版 北京大学出版社 练习答案01

This problem can form the basis of an introductory discussion of the entire field of management accounting. Text Exhibit 1-1 provides more details.

1. The focus of management accounting is on helping internal users make better

decisions, whereas the focus of financial accounting is on helping external users make better decisions. Management accounting helps in making a host of

decisions, including pricing, product choices, investments in equipment, making or buying goods and services, and manager rewards.

2. Generally accepted accounting principles constrain financial accounting but not

management accounting. For example, if for internal purposes an organization wants to account for assets on the basis of replacement costs, no outside agency can prohibit such accounting. Of course, this means that the organizations may set up an additional system to keep track of this cost. There is nothing immoral or unethical about having multiple accounting systems, but there is a cost.

Accounting data are commodities, just like butter or eggs, and an additional

internal accounting system must meet the same cost-benefit test as other

commodities. That is, the perceived increases in benefits from the commodity must exceed the perceived increases in costs. Ultimately, benefits are measured by whether managers make better decisions that result in increased net profits.

3. Budgets, the formal expressions of management’s plans, are a major feature of

management accounting, whereas they are not as prominent in financial

accounting. Budgets are major devices for compelling and disciplining

management planning.

4. An important use of management accounting information is the evaluation of

performance, providing incentives, and feedback to improve future decisions.

5. Accounting systems have an enormous influence on the behavior of individuals

affected by them. Management accounting is more concerned with the likely

behavioral effects of various accounting alternatives than is financial accounting.