b. (1) routine internal reporting
c. (3) external reporting to investors and other outside parties d. (1) routine internal reporting
Diff: 3 Objective: 1
AACSB: Application of knowledge
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35) Describe management accounting and financial accounting.
Answer: Management accounting provides information to internal decision makers of the business such as top executives, managers, sales representatives, and production supervisors. Its purpose is to help managers predict and evaluate future results. Reports are generated often and usually broken down into smaller reporting divisions such as department or product line. There are no rules to be complied with since these reports are for internal use only. Management accounting embraces more extensively such topics as the development and implementation of strategies and policies, budgeting, special studies and forecasts, influence on employee behavior, and nonfinancial as well as financial information.
Financial accounting, by contrast, provides information to external decision makers such as investors and creditors. Its purpose is to present a fair picture of the financial condition of the company. Reports are generated quarterly or annually and report on the company as a whole. The financial statements must comply with GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles). A CPA audits, or verifies, that GAAP is being followed.
Diff: 3 Objective: 1
AACSB: Analytical thinking
36) Cost accounting provides information for both management accounting and financial accounting professionals. Explain.
Answer: Cost accounting is the process of measuring, analyzing, and reporting financial and nonfinancial information related to the costs of acquiring or using resources in an organization. For example, calculating the cost of a product is a cost accounting function that meets both the financial accountant's inventory-valuation needs and the management accountant's decision-making needs such as deciding how to price products and choosing which products to promote.
Diff: 3 Objective: 1
AACSB: Analytical thinking
37) Is it possible to have an active cost management program without an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System?
Answer: Yes, an active cost management program can occur without an Enterprise
Resource Planning (ERP) System. Cost management is a philosophy that guides management in their short-run and long-run planning and control decisions that increase value for customers and lower costs of products and services. Cost management is not dependent on any particular system or database, but it is rather an overall philosophy of operation.
Diff: 2 Objective: 1
AACSB: Analytical thinking
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38) What competitive advantage could a company obtain from a successful cost management program?
Answer: There are three broad outcomes from a successful cost management program: 1) costs are reduced with no loss in customer value. In this scenario, a company might gain a competitive advantage by lowering its price with no loss in profit, or maintain the same price and increase profit; 2) customer value is increased with no change in costs. This scenario might increase customer satisfaction resulting in increased customer loyalty and perhaps increase the overall demand for the product; 3) customer value might be increased while costs are reduced simultaneously. This scenario would result in the benefits described in both 1) and 2).
Diff: 3 Objective: 1
AACSB: Analytical thinking
Objective 1.2
1) Which of the following statements concerning an organization's strategy is true?
A) Strategy specifies how an organization matches its own capabilities with the opportunities in the marketplace to accomplish its objectives.
B) Cost accountants formulate strategy in an organization since they have more inputs about costs.
C) A good strategy will always overcome poor implementation.
D) Businesses usually follow one of two broad strategies: offering a quality product at a high price, or offering a unique product or service priced lower than the competition. Answer: A
Diff: 2 Objective: 2
AACSB: Analytical thinking
2) Strategy specifies ________.
A) how an organization matches its own capabilities with the opportunities in the marketplace
B) standard procedures to ensure quality products C) incremental changes for improved performance D) the demand created for products and services Answer: A
Diff: 2 Objective: 2
AACSB: Analytical thinking
3) Which of the following is not a concern for management accountants in formulating a strategy?
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A) identifying the most important warehouse location for the distribution of goods B) substituting products that exist in the marketplace
C) strategizing compliance with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) D) maintaining adequate fixed assets available to implement the strategy Answer: C
Explanation: C) This is more of a concern of financial accountants than of management accountants.
Diff: 2 Objective: 2
AACSB: Analytical thinking
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4) Strategy is formulated ________.
A) by identifying the most important customers
B) by forecasting the composition of adequate fixed assets C) based on the qualified opinion of external auditors D) by eliminating sunk costs Answer: A
Diff: 2 Objective: 2
AACSB: Analytical thinking
5) In designing strategy, a company must match its opportunities in the marketplace with ________.
A) environment friendly goals B) its resources and capabilities C) branding opportunities
D) the requirements of credit rating agencies Answer: B
Diff: 2 Objective: 2
AACSB: Analytical thinking
6) Which of the following statements about customer value is true? A) Customer value is shown in a corporation's balance sheet.
B) Creating value for customers is an important part of planning and implementing strategy. C) Customer value is the only focus that helps managers to formulate strategies. D) Customer value is lost with increase in costs of the product. Answer: B
Diff: 2 Objective: 2
AACSB: Analytical thinking
7) A company's strategy specifies how an organization matches its capabilities with the opportunities in the marketplace. Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Objective: 2
AACSB: Analytical thinking
8) The two broad strategies that companies follow are cost leadership strategy and product differentiation strategy. Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Objective: 2
AACSB: Analytical thinking
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