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There are 4 modules in this course
Build practical skills in managerial and cost accounting to support stronger business decisions. In this course, you’ll learn how organizations use internal accounting information to plan operations, control costs, evaluate performance, and guide strategy. You’ll explore core managerial accounting concepts, compare managerial and financial accounting, examine the value chain, and work with budgeting, cost allocation, cost objects, and manufacturing costs. You’ll also study cost accounting tools such as cost behavior analysis, cost-volume-profit analysis, and job costing versus process costing.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to interpret key managerial and cost accounting concepts and apply them to realistic business scenarios. You’ll practice analyzing how accounting information supports pricing, planning, production, and operational decisions made by managers and business leaders. This course is designed for learners who want a practical foundation in internal decision-making tools used across accounting, finance, and management roles. Its emphasis on real-world application makes it especially useful for aspiring accountants, business professionals, and learners preparing for more advanced accounting study.
In this module, you’ll explore the major ways businesses utilize internal accountants for making business decisions and why those choices matter. You’ll examine the basics of managerial accounting and how it differs from financial accounting's GAAP focus. By the end of the module, you’ll be prepared to recognize the key features of managerial accounting, along with necessary competencies and understand why these distinctions are foundational for accountants and internal business managers.
What's included
5 videos3 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 26 minutes
Instructor Introduction and Course Overview•3 minutes
Managerial Accounting Overview•6 minutes
Comparing Managerial to Financial Accounting•6 minutes
Managerial Accounting Competencies•6 minutes
Value Chain•6 minutes
3 readings•Total 45 minutes
Course Outline•5 minutes
Managerial Accounting Vs. Financial Accounting•20 minutes
The Value Chain•20 minutes
2 assignments•Total 30 minutes
Practice Assessment: Managerial Accounting Overview•10 minutes
Graded Assessment: Module 1•20 minutes
Decision-Making Concepts
Module 2•1 hour to complete
Module details
In this module, you’ll explore the common areas in managerial accounting that drive decisions and why those choices matter. You’ll examine how costs are allocated, how costs are assigned to cost objects, budgeting concepts, and the basics of manufacturing costs. By the end of the module, you’ll be prepared to recognize the key decision-making methods as they relate to costs and understand why these distinctions are foundational for accountants and management.
What's included
4 videos2 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 33 minutes
Allocating Costs•8 minutes
Budgeting Concepts•8 minutes
Assigning Costs to Cost Objects•9 minutes
Manufacturing Costs•8 minutes
2 readings•Total 35 minutes
Cost Allocations•20 minutes
Manufacturing Costs•15 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
Practice Assessment: Module 2•20 minutes
Cost Accounting Concepts
Module 3•1 hour to complete
Module details
In this module, you’ll explore the primary concepts behind cost accounting. You’ll examine how cost accounting differs from some of the broader features of managerial accounting, common cost behaviors, different types of cost structures and how cost-volume-profit analysis is utilized. By the end of the module, you’ll be prepared to and understand why these distinctions are foundational for accountants and business advisors.
What's included
4 videos2 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 28 minutes
Cost Accounting Overview•7 minutes
Cost Behaviors•8 minutes
Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) Analysis•6 minutes
Job Costing Vs. Process Costing•7 minutes
2 readings•Total 30 minutes
Exploring Cost Behaviors•15 minutes
Costing Structures•15 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
Practice Assessment: Module 3•20 minutes
Applying Managerial and Cost Accounting Concepts
Module 4•1 hour to complete
Module details
This final module brings everything together. You’ll review key concepts from the course and apply what you’ve learned to real-world business situations. By stepping back and looking managerial and cost accounting concepts, you’ll strengthen your ability to analyze how managerial and cost accounting influence the quality of decisions made by business leaders—skills that are essential for accountants and business professionals alike.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 3 minutes
Course Wrap-Up•3 minutes
2 readings•Total 6 minutes
Review: Course Concepts•5 minutes
Congratulations and What's Next•1 minute
1 assignment•Total 40 minutes
Graded Assessment: Course•40 minutes
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The University of California, Santa Barbara is a leading public research university known for academic excellence, interdisciplinary scholarship, and innovation. As part of the University of California system, UCSB advances teaching, research, and public service to address local and global challenges.
This course is part of a CPA Licensure Preparation series and is designed to support learning and exam readiness. Completing this course does not by itself qualify you for CPA licensure or guarantee eligibility to sit for the CPA Exam. CPA licensure requirements vary by state and are determined by individual state boards of accountancy. Learners should consult their state board to confirm education and exam requirements.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.