BMGT 321 Managerial Accounting

Fall 2015 (0201, 0301, 0401)

COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Prof. Michael L. Finch, Ph.D., CPA

Office:
Phone:

VMH 4333M
301-776-7697 (Home)
301-405-4072 ( Dept.)

Office Hours: MW 12:30 3:15 pm

and by appointment
Email: mfinch@rhsmith.umd.edu

REQUIRED MATERIALS
Text

Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis, 15th edition

Horngren, Datar, Rajan; Pearson 2015, ISBN No. 978-0-13-342870-4 (Hardcover),
ISBN No. 978-0-13-342885-8 (Loose-leaf)

Calculator
OPTIONAL
MyAccountingLab: Online homework tool with all exercises hyperlinked to the relevant section of the
e-Text for homework assignments.
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
Managerial accounting is concerned with the generation and use of information that managers use to
make decisions within organizations. The focus is on planning, decision-making, and control by
organizations and on the accounting and information systems that managers have to assist them in their
decisions about operations, resource allocation and performance evaluation. Key principles of
management accounting are 1) that costs do not just happen, but are caused by management decisions;
and 2) different decisions require different costs.
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Academic Integriity
The Universitys Code of Academic Integrity is designed to ensure that the principles of academic honesty
and integrity are upheld. All students are expected to adhere to this Code. The Smith School does not
tolerate academic dishonesty. All acts of academic dishonesty will be dealt with in accordance with the
provisions of this Code. Please visit the following website for more information on the Universitys Code
of Academic Integrity: http://www.studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/code.html. On each exam or
assignment you will be asked to write out and sign the following pledge: I pledge on my honor that I
have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this exam. For purposes of this course
unauthorized assistance includes, but is not limited to, any classroom materials not provided by the
instructor and the Homework Solutions Manual.
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GRADES:
Your course grade will be determined based on the weighted average of your scores on four exams.
The weights used in computing your class average are:
Course
Letter
Exam Weighting
Average
Grade
Exam 1
Lowest Exam
20 %
87
A
Exam 2
Middle Exam
30
74
B
Exam 3
Highest Exam
35
60
C
Final exam
15
50
D
100 %
< 50
F

When determining final course grades, scores that fall within the top twenty percent and the bottom ten
percent of each grade range will receive + or designations in the final course grade.
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Exam Dates

The exam dates are specified on the accompanying Course Schedule.

Exam attendance
Except for the final exam, exams are scheduled during regular class time and will consist of problems,
short essay, and multiple-choice questions. You are expected to be present for each exam.
Except in the case of documentable incapacity, failure to take an exam as scheduled
without being excused IN ADVANCE by the instructor will result in an exam grade of
zero. If the instructor excuses a missed exam, a makeup exam may be administered, at the
instructors discretion. Otherwise, missed exams will result in a grade of zero.
The following are examples of excuses that are NOT acceptable reasons for missing an exam: lack of
sleep, oversleeping, fear of not doing well, fraternity/sorority pledging, another test on the same day, not
enough time to study, or any other excuse generally unacceptable in the professional business world.
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Class Attendance
Regular and prompt attendance is expected. The University policy of excused absences for certain
religious observances and other circumstances will be followed, although an excused absence does not
relieve you of the responsibility for learning all of the assigned material. It is the students responsibility
to inform the instructor in advance of any intended absences. Please consult the University calendar for
withdrawal dates.
Participation/Contribution
There is no formal grade for participation in this course. Class participation provides a context for your
overall experience in the course. Experience shows that regularly attending classes and actively
participating is positively associated with academic performance (e.g. higher grades), and that learning is
enhanced through informed and cooperative participation. Participation includes, but is not limited to:
responding to questions (either from me or from a classmate); asking a question that leads to a useful
discussion.
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Reading Assignments
In order to enhance the effectiveness of the learning process, you need to come to class prepared.
Bring your book to class every day. You should read the assigned material before we go over it in
class. The benefit you derive from class time depends on the extent and quality of your preparation
before each class. You are responsible for all the material in the text (even if it is not specifically
covered in class) unless directed by the instructor to omit the material.
Problem assignments
Assigned homework problems are listed on the accompanying course schedule. These are to be completed
for in-class work. Assigned homework problems may be collected occasionally, and they will be used as
the basis for much of the discussion in class. It is critical to your success in this course to do these
assignments, preferably by the date assigned. Additional assignments may be made periodically during
the semester.
MyAccountingLab
Participation in MyAccountingLab assignments is optional. Assignments will be posted for each chapter,
but completion of these assignments will not be part of your final grade calculation.
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Professionalism
You are expected to act in a professional manner. This means behaving in a way that is respectful of your
classmates and the instructor. As with any business meeting, you are expected to arrive on time, come
prepared, participate by asking or answering questions, and stay to the end of each session.
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Students with special academic needs
Any student with special academic needs should bring this to the attention of the instructor as soon as
possible, but not later than the second week of class.
Cell phones
Please turn off your cell phone before class begins. If the need arises to make a call, please leave the
room and return when youre finished. The cell phone dance rule is in effect.
Other Lighten up and have some fun!