SOLUTIONS MANUAL
Fundamentals of Cost Accounting
WILLIAM N. LANEN, SHANNON ANDERSON, MICHAEL W. MAHER
7th Edition
,SOLUTION MANUAL FOR
Fundamentals of Cost Accounting 7th Edition William Lanen
1. Cost Accounting: Information for Decision
Making
Solutions to Review Questions
1-1.
Among the goals of an organization, a central one is to create and increase value. Cost
accounting systems are designed to provide information to decision makers in the organization
with the information they need to accomplish this goal. Therefore, the designers of the cost
accounting system need to understand how value is created in the organization to design
systems for their organization.
1-2.
Financial accounting is designed to provide information about the firm to external users.
External users include investors, creditors, government authorities, regulators, customers,
competitors, suppliers, labor unions, and so on. Cost accounting systems are designed to
provide information to internal users (managers).
This difference is important, because it affects the design of the systems. Financial accounting
systems are based on standards or rules. This allows the user to compare the results of different
firms. Managerial accounting systems do not require rules. Each firm is free to develop
managerial accounting systems that best serve the needs of the decision makers (managers).
1-3.
B Providing cost information for financial reporting A
Identifying the best store in a chain
Solutions Manual, Chapter 4 1
© McGraw Hill LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior
written consent of McGraw Hill LLC.
,C Determining which plant to use for production
1-4.
The value chain is the set of activities that transforms raw resources into the goods and services
end users purchase and consume. The supply chain includes the set of firms and individuals that
sells goods and services to the firm. The distribution chain is the set of firms and individuals that
buys and distributes goods and services from the firm.
1-5.
The customers of cost accounting are managers, from plant managers to the CEO.
1-6.
Value-added activities are activities that customers perceive as adding utility to the goods or
services they purchase. Nonvalue-added activities do not add value to the goods or services.
By classifying costs this way, the cost accounting system can help the manager identify areas
(processes) that can be improved, lowering costs and adding value to the organization.
1-7.
Answers will vary, but should include some of the following:
Title Major Responsibilities and Major Duties
Chief financial officer (CFO) .... Manages entire finance and accounting function
Treasurer................................. Manages liquid assets
Conducts business with banks and other
financial institutions
Oversees public issues of stock and debt
Controller................................. Plans and designs information and incentive
systems
Internal auditor ........................ Ensures compliance with laws, regulations, and
company policies and procedures
Provides consulting and auditing services within the
firm
Cost accountant ...................... Records, measures, estimates, and analyzes costs
Works with financial and operational manager to
2 Fundamentals of Cost Accounting, 7e
© McGraw Hill LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior
written consent of McGraw Hill LLC.
, provide relevant information for decisions
1-8.
The four questions of the critical thinking framework are:
1. What are the relevant questions (what decisions do I need to make)?
2. What are the data relevant to the analysis and where do I find them?
3. What are the appropriate tools for analyzing data?
4. How can I effectively and persuasively communicate the results of my analysis?
1-9.
No. Sarbanes-Oxley is a law and violations of it are legal issues. Codes of ethics are necessary to
help accountants and managers identify situations that might develop into ethical conflicts,
understand what they could do in these situations, and to learn what to do when they believe
that an ethical violation has occurred.
Solutions to Critical Analysis and Discussion Questions
1-10.
The role of cost accountants is to help manage the organization. Part of that role is to report
results. Another part is to design systems that assist other managers in making decisions to
improve performance. This role requires that accountants understand how value is created in
their organizations. Identifying and reporting how the decisions managers make affect value
creation lead to better decisions.
1-11.
Yes, you should be interested in the efficiency of your customers. The consumer (the customer
of the retailers) is interested in receiving the most value. If one of the links in the supply chain is
inefficient, the customer may choose to buy from a different retailer (who might use a different
wholesaler).
1-12.
Costs that you could ask to be reimbursed might include the fuel, a share of the maintenance
costs, ―wear and tear,‖ or depreciation, and insurance. To avoid disagreements, it would be
necessary to negotiate an agreement (even if only informally) between you and your friend
considering all factors. For example, you might agree that she should pay for the gas and any
other supplies (e.g., oil) needed on the trip.
Solutions Manual, Chapter 4 3
© McGraw Hill LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior
written consent of McGraw Hill LLC.
Fundamentals of Cost Accounting
WILLIAM N. LANEN, SHANNON ANDERSON, MICHAEL W. MAHER
7th Edition
,SOLUTION MANUAL FOR
Fundamentals of Cost Accounting 7th Edition William Lanen
1. Cost Accounting: Information for Decision
Making
Solutions to Review Questions
1-1.
Among the goals of an organization, a central one is to create and increase value. Cost
accounting systems are designed to provide information to decision makers in the organization
with the information they need to accomplish this goal. Therefore, the designers of the cost
accounting system need to understand how value is created in the organization to design
systems for their organization.
1-2.
Financial accounting is designed to provide information about the firm to external users.
External users include investors, creditors, government authorities, regulators, customers,
competitors, suppliers, labor unions, and so on. Cost accounting systems are designed to
provide information to internal users (managers).
This difference is important, because it affects the design of the systems. Financial accounting
systems are based on standards or rules. This allows the user to compare the results of different
firms. Managerial accounting systems do not require rules. Each firm is free to develop
managerial accounting systems that best serve the needs of the decision makers (managers).
1-3.
B Providing cost information for financial reporting A
Identifying the best store in a chain
Solutions Manual, Chapter 4 1
© McGraw Hill LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior
written consent of McGraw Hill LLC.
,C Determining which plant to use for production
1-4.
The value chain is the set of activities that transforms raw resources into the goods and services
end users purchase and consume. The supply chain includes the set of firms and individuals that
sells goods and services to the firm. The distribution chain is the set of firms and individuals that
buys and distributes goods and services from the firm.
1-5.
The customers of cost accounting are managers, from plant managers to the CEO.
1-6.
Value-added activities are activities that customers perceive as adding utility to the goods or
services they purchase. Nonvalue-added activities do not add value to the goods or services.
By classifying costs this way, the cost accounting system can help the manager identify areas
(processes) that can be improved, lowering costs and adding value to the organization.
1-7.
Answers will vary, but should include some of the following:
Title Major Responsibilities and Major Duties
Chief financial officer (CFO) .... Manages entire finance and accounting function
Treasurer................................. Manages liquid assets
Conducts business with banks and other
financial institutions
Oversees public issues of stock and debt
Controller................................. Plans and designs information and incentive
systems
Internal auditor ........................ Ensures compliance with laws, regulations, and
company policies and procedures
Provides consulting and auditing services within the
firm
Cost accountant ...................... Records, measures, estimates, and analyzes costs
Works with financial and operational manager to
2 Fundamentals of Cost Accounting, 7e
© McGraw Hill LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior
written consent of McGraw Hill LLC.
, provide relevant information for decisions
1-8.
The four questions of the critical thinking framework are:
1. What are the relevant questions (what decisions do I need to make)?
2. What are the data relevant to the analysis and where do I find them?
3. What are the appropriate tools for analyzing data?
4. How can I effectively and persuasively communicate the results of my analysis?
1-9.
No. Sarbanes-Oxley is a law and violations of it are legal issues. Codes of ethics are necessary to
help accountants and managers identify situations that might develop into ethical conflicts,
understand what they could do in these situations, and to learn what to do when they believe
that an ethical violation has occurred.
Solutions to Critical Analysis and Discussion Questions
1-10.
The role of cost accountants is to help manage the organization. Part of that role is to report
results. Another part is to design systems that assist other managers in making decisions to
improve performance. This role requires that accountants understand how value is created in
their organizations. Identifying and reporting how the decisions managers make affect value
creation lead to better decisions.
1-11.
Yes, you should be interested in the efficiency of your customers. The consumer (the customer
of the retailers) is interested in receiving the most value. If one of the links in the supply chain is
inefficient, the customer may choose to buy from a different retailer (who might use a different
wholesaler).
1-12.
Costs that you could ask to be reimbursed might include the fuel, a share of the maintenance
costs, ―wear and tear,‖ or depreciation, and insurance. To avoid disagreements, it would be
necessary to negotiate an agreement (even if only informally) between you and your friend
considering all factors. For example, you might agree that she should pay for the gas and any
other supplies (e.g., oil) needed on the trip.
Solutions Manual, Chapter 4 3
© McGraw Hill LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior
written consent of McGraw Hill LLC.
