ISBN#
   978–0–912503–19–6

   Suggested Selling Price
   to Students:


  $59.00



Computerized Managerial Accounting Projects
Using Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics
1st Edition (2002)
Stacy E. Kovar


A computerized managerial accounting practice set that includes and uses a full operating version of Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics, Version 6.0 (commercially available accounting software for mid–size companies).


Included in the Package:

  • Instructions and assignments developed by the author to teach students how to use Dynamics and complete each project.
  • The same commercially available Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics software purchased by businesses. Version 6.0 is used. (Not compatible with Mac.)
  • All data files.
  • Instructor′s Guide and Solutions (available to instructors only).

Objectives:

  • Expose students to a working computerized management accounting information system.
  • Reinforce key managerial accounting concepts using a realistic, active learning case.
  • Teach students to use Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics.

Estimated completion time: Approximately 20 hours to complete all projects if none are omitted by the instructor.

 

Project Descriptions:


  • Introduction
    This portion of the project must be completed by all students and walks students through installing Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics, introduces them to the basics of using the software and teaches them to create reports.
    Estimated completion time: 3 hours.
  • Job Order Costing
    Students record transactions to
    • Order raw materials,
    • Set up a bill of materials,
    • Record manufacture of components and finished goods,
    • Compute and dispose of over/under applied overhead at the end of the period.

    Throughout the process, students investigate the effects of transactions on the bill of materials, inventory, accounts payable and the general ledger data.
    Estimated completion time: 2½ hours.

  • Activity–Based Costing
    The two–staged process of ABC is illustrated. Students export data about resource cost from Dynamics to Microsoft Excel, assign resource costs to activities and compute activity costs. ABC data is then entered into Dynamics and students must compare ABC cost to cost computed before ABC, evaluating the effect on decisions made by the company.
    Estimated completion time: 3½ hours.
  • Process Costing
    In the short version of this project, students enter all transactions in a weighted average process costing system with two departments and five cost categories. Students must follow the flow of costs through both general ledger and detailed inventory accounts from the purchase of raw materials to the sale of finished goods. In a lengthened version, students perform all of the process costing computations and enter transactions for an additional month.
    Estimated completion time: 2½ to 4 hours.
  • Cost Behavior
    The regression method for analyzing cost behavior is illustrated. Students create a report to output 12 months′ worth of cost and cost driver data from Dynamics. This information is exported to Microsoft Excel and combined with additional data to construct cost equations for key costs. Students use relevant statistics to evaluate each cost equation and compare alternative cost drivers.
    Estimated completion time: 2½ hours.
  • Standard Costs and Variance Analysis
    This project illustrates variance analysis for materials, labor and variable overhead for individual production jobs. The source of individual variances is emphasized through recording of the transactions that give rise to the variances. Price variances are illustrated using both units purchased and units manufactured. Students compute variances as described in most cost accounting texts, and then compare these variances with those provided in standard Dynamics reports.
    Estimated completion time: 2 hours.
  • Performance Measurement using ROI and Residual Income
    Students compute ROI and residual income, comparing different product segments and analyzing a new investment. The usefulness of each of these measures for different purposes, as well as issues related to the allocation of costs and assets for performance measurement are addressed.
    Estimated completion time: 2½ hours.


With Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics′ hands–on experience, students:

  • enter transactions into Dynamics;
  • extract data from existing data files;
  • export data from Dynamics and analyze it using Microsoft Excel;
  • are taught to critically evaluate and interpret the information.

Six projects are provided that can be assigned independently or omitted at the instructor′s preference:

  • Job Order Costing
  • Activity–Based Costing
  • Cost Behavior
  • Standard Costs and Variance Analysis
  • Performance measurement using ROI and Residual Income

Depending on the focus, these projects can be used in any managerial accounting course. The projects were designed primarily for junior or senior level managerial accounting courses and accounting information systems courses with a managerial focus. They have also been used successfully in MBA and Masters of Accountancy courses. They can also be used in a focused introductory managerial course.



There is No Comparison

Because there is no comparable product on the market, a price comparison is not possible. There are other accounting supplements available to students that are somewhat similar in length, but they do not include Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics software.

Many managerial accounting educators want students to be exposed to a working computerized management accounting information system to reinforce key managerial accounting concepts using a realistic, active learning case, and teach students to use Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics. This supplement does that.



About Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics

  • Highly respected computerized accounting software for medium–sized businesses. Great Plains was purchased by Microsoft in 2001.
  • More sophisticated than most accounting software for small businesses. A typical application costs several thousand dollars installed.
  • Relevant for accounting majors who will be working in industry or a CPA firm.
  • Easy for students to learn and use. Instructions are provided with materials.

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