ACC-201: Managerial Accounting

Explore how managers use accounting data for decision-making in this online Managerial Accounting course. Learn costing methods, budgeting, variance analysis, capital investment, and performance evaluation to support organizational strategy and business success.

Course Description

The Managerial Accounting course introduces students to the use of accounting information as a tool for planning, control, and decision-making within organizations. Using Managerial Accounting: The Cornerstone of Business Decision Making, 9th Edition by Maryanne M. Mowen, Don R. Hansen, and Dan L. Heitger, the course focuses on how managers apply cost data and performance measures to support both strategic and day-to-day business decisions.

Students will explore cost behavior, job-order and process costing, activity-based costing, budgeting, variance analysis, performance evaluation, and capital investment decisions. Emphasis is placed on applying cost-volume-profit analysis and relevant cost techniques to solve practical problems, while also incorporating contemporary topics such as emerging managerial practices, cash flow analysis, and financial statement interpretation.

Designed for learners pursuing careers in business, accounting, or finance, this course builds directly on the foundation of financial accounting. By the end, students will understand how managerial accounting techniques support organizational goals, improve resource allocation, and enhance decision-making. The course provides a strong base for careers in management, consulting, and corporate finance, as well as further study in advanced accounting fields.

Textbook: Managerial Accounting: The Cornerstone of Business Decision Making (9th Edition) by Maryanne M. Mowen, Don R. Hansen, Dan L. Heitger

Course Objectives

Explain the role of managerial accounting in planning, control, and decision-making.

Analyze cost behavior and apply cost management methods in different business contexts.

Apply job-order, process, and activity-based costing systems.

Perform cost-volume-profit and relevant cost analyses to support tactical decisions.

Prepare budgets, evaluate variances, and use flexible budgets to assess performance.

Assess decentralization, responsibility centers, and capital investment decisions.

Interpret statements of cash flows and conduct financial statement analysis in a managerial context.

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Course Contents

Introduction to Managerial Accounting

Basic Managerial Accounting Concepts

Cost Behavior and Forecasting

Job-Order Costing and Overhead Application

Activity-Based Costing and Management

Process Costing

Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis

Tactical Decision-Making and Relevant Analysis

Profit Planning and Flexible Budgets

Standard Costing and Variance Analysis

Performance Evaluation and Decentralization

Capital Investment Decisions

Emerging Topics in Managerial Accounting

Statement of Cash Flows

Financial Statement Analysis

Appendix/Reference

Summary of Important Equations

Single Course or Program Option

This course may be purchased individually or as part of the certificate programs listed below.

Recommended Prerequisites

Accreditation You Can Trust

Washington Technical Institute is fully accredited by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)—a regional accrediting agency recognized for setting high standards in education. This accreditation affirms that our programs, operations, and outcomes meet rigorous academic and institutional benchmarks. MSA-CESS accreditation is a mark of quality that ensures our students receive an education that is both credible and respected. It also means WTI is committed to continuous improvement, student success, and accountability at every level.