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2020/2021  KAN-CASCO1003U  Accounting and Control

English Title
Accounting and Control

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course Second Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for MSc in Economics and Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Ivar Friis - Department of Operations Management (OM)
Main academic disciplines
  • Economics
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 07-12-2020

Relevant links
Learning objectives
The objective of the course is to provide the students with an opportunity to learn to apply qualifications (knowledge and skills) in agency and behavioral theory to control problems in firms.

At the exam the students must be able to:
Understand, describe structure and combine the various concepts, which are used in the course.
Show how these concepts can be used to identify problems concerning the control of firms
Show an ability to look critically on the various proposed solutions to a control problem
Prerequisites for registering for the exam (activities during the teaching period)
Number of compulsory activities which must be approved (see s. 13 of the Programme Regulations): 1
Compulsory home assignments
The student must get 1 out of 2 assignments approved in order to attend the ordinary exam.
The compulsory activities are 2 written assignments of maximum 5 pages made in groups of 4-5 students. 20 minutes oral feedback will be given to each group/assignment.

Students will not have extra opportunities to get the required number of compulsory activities approved prior to the ordinary exam. If a student has not received approval of the required number of compulsory activities or has been ill, the student cannot participate in the ordinary exam. If a student prior to the retake is still missing approval for the required number of compulsory activities and meets the pre-conditions set out in the program regulations, an extra assignment is possible.

The extra assignment is a 10 page home assignment that will cover the required number of compulsory activities. If approved, the student will be able to attend retake.
Examination
Accounting and Control:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Oral exam
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Student will receive the exam questions before hand. At the oral exam students choose at random one of the questions.
Duration 20 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Preparation time No preparation
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

Accounting is seen as an important tool to influence decision making in firms. Accounting carries information of costs and benefits to decentralized decision makers, and thereby provides them with information which ideally helps them make decisions that are aligned with the firm’s interest. The course contains the following core elements:
Introduction to the elements of accounting as a control device
Understand the difference between control and decision making and coordination and motivation.
Transfer pricing.
Responsibility centers (profit centers, cost centers).
Cost allocation.
Budgetting.
Description of the teaching methods
Research and theory based blended dialog lectures are mixed with exercises and cases. The lectures provide the students with the necessary understanding of purpose and content of the different control techniques and the theoretical assumptions they are based on. .

Involvement of the students is an important part of the learning principle. This is done through dialog and exercises (blended).

Development of individual and social skills (competencies)
Through debate and dialog the student will develop oral and presentation skills. Since case preparation and presentation is conducted in teams the students develop cooperative skills.
Feedback during the teaching period
1. Feedback is given on exercises that are conducted during the course.
2. Feedback is given during class room discussions (in class and online).
3. The groups get feedback in the mandatory assignment (see above)
Student workload
preparation for and participation in lectures 166 hours
preparation for exam 40 hours
Expected literature

Zimmerman, J. (2020): ‘Accounting for Decision Making and Control’ McGraw-Hill
Selected articles
Last updated on 07-12-2020