Many managers complain about the budgeting process. They claim it takes too long, requires too much management time, encourages managers to "pad the budget" because of uncertainties, and creates unnecessary tension among managers. As a result of these charges, some managers and business leaders have called for an abandonment of traditional budgeting practices. However, regardless of budgeting's failures, it continues to be widely used across all types of businesses and not-for-profit enterprises. One reason for the continued use of budgeting is the belief that a competent management team can plan for, manage, and control in large measure the relevant variables that dominate the life of a business. Managers must grapple with uncertainties regardless of whether or not they have a budget. a. Are the managers' complaints about the budgeting process Realistic or Unrealistic? O Realistic O Unrealistic b. Do these complaints create costs for organizations? O Yes O No

Many managers complain about the budgeting process. They claim it takes too long, requires too much management time, encourages managers to "pad the budget" because of uncertainties, and creates unnecessary tension among managers. As a result of these charges, some managers and business leaders have called for an abandonment of traditional budgeting practices. However, regardless of budgeting's failures, it continues to be widely used across all types of businesses and not-for-profit enterprises. One reason for the continued use of budgeting is the belief that a competent management team can plan for, manage, and control in large measure the relevant variables that dominate the life of a business. Managers must grapple with uncertainties regardless of whether or not they have a budget. a. Are the managers' complaints about the budgeting process Realistic or Unrealistic? O Realistic O Unrealistic b. Do these complaints create costs for organizations? O Yes O No

Principles of Cost Accounting

17th Edition

ISBN:9781305087408

Author:Edward J. Vanderbeck, Maria R. Mitchell

Publisher:Edward J. Vanderbeck, Maria R. Mitchell

Chapter7: The Master Budget And Flexible Budgeting

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1MC: Flexible budgeting, performance measurement, and ethics Montevideo Manufacturing, Inc. produces a...

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The management of Hess, Inc., is developing a flexible budget for the upcoming year. It was not pleased with the small amount of net income the budget showed at all sales levels and Is contemplating using a less expensive material. This action reduces direct material cost by $1 per unit. What would be the effects on financial statements and a flexible budget if management takes this approach? Are there other factors that need to be considered?
Consider the following conversation between Gary Means, manager of a division that produces industrial machinery, and his controller, Donna Simpson, a certified management accountant and certified public accountant: Gary: Donna, we have a real problem. Our operating cash is too low, and we are in desperate need of a loan. As you know, our financial position is marginal, and we need to show as much income as possibleand our assets need bolstering as well. Donna: I understand the problem, but I dont see what can be done at this point. This is the last week of the fiscal year, and it looks like well report income just slightly above breakeven. Gary: I know all this. What we need is some creative accounting. I have an idea that might help us, and I wanted to see if you would go along with it. We have 200 partially finished machines in process, about 20% complete. That compares with the 1,000 units that we completed and sold during the year. When you computed the per-unit cost, you used 1,040 equivalent units, giving us a manufacturing cost of 1,500 per unit. That per-unit cost gives us cost of goods sold equal to 1.5 million and ending work in process worth 60,000. The presence of the work in process gives us a chance to improve our financial position. If we report the units in work in process as 80% complete, this will increase our equivalent units to 1,160. This, in turn, will decrease our unit cost to about 1,345 and cost of goods sold to 1.345 million. The value of our work in process will increase to 215,200. With those financial stats, the loan would be a cinch. Donna: Gary, I dont know. What youre suggesting is risky. It wouldnt take much auditing skill to catch this one. Gary: You dont have to worry about that. The auditors wont be here for at least 6 to 8 more weeks. By that time, we can have those partially completed units completed and sold. I can bury the labor cost by having some of our more loyal workers work overtime for some bonuses. The overtime will never be reported. And, as you know, bonuses come out of the corporate budget and are assigned to overheadnext years overhead. Donna, this will work. If we look good and get the loan to boot, corporate headquarters will treat us well. If we dont do this, we could lose our jobs. Required: 1. Should Donna agree to Garys proposal? Why or why not? To assist in deciding, review the corporate code of ethics standards described in Chapter 1. Do any apply? 2. Assume that Donna refuses to cooperate and that Gary accepts this decision and drops the matter. Does Donna have any obligation to report the divisional managers behavior to a superior? Explain. 3. Assume that Donna refuses to cooperate; however, Gary insists that the changes be made. Now what should she do? What would you do? 4. Suppose that Donna is 63 and that the prospects for employment elsewhere are bleak. Assume again that Gary insists that the changes be made. Donna also knows that his supervisor, the owner of the company, is his father-in-law. Under these circumstances, would your recommendations for Donna differ?
Is it important for a company to follow a strict budget even though they may be experiencing phenomenal profits? Do you think that there will be a bias towards greed when creating the budget for this company? Explain. How does management greed influence budget decisions? Please consider each of the questions separately in this post. It is important for you to understand the value of the budget as a blueprint for the business – even in times of exceptional “good news”. It is also important to consider the role of greed within the budgeting process of the firm. Perhaps you might want to think about the budget as a communication to employees about what ownership and management believes is its focus. You might even want to see if any other of the exceptional “bad boys” in the business world were reflecting their greed even within their budgeting documents.
The budgeting process is an essential component of management control systems, as it provides a system of planning, coordination and control for management. It is often an arduous process, however, and often strikes dread in the hearts of those involved in budget preparation.In the public sector, the budgeting process can be even more difficult, since the objectives of the organization are more difficult to define in a quantifiable way than the objectives of a private company. For example, a private company's objectives may be to maximize profit. The meeting of this objective can then be set out in the budget by aiming for a percentage increase in sales and perhaps the cutting of various costs. If, on the other hand, you are budgeting for a public sector organization such as a hospital, then the objectives may be largely qualitative, such as ensuring that all outpatients are given an appointment within eight weeks of being referred to the hospital. This is difficult to define in a…
Budgets need to be fair and attainable for employees to consider the budget important in their normal daily activities. Which of the following is not considered a human behavior problem? Allowing employees the opportunity to be a part of the budget process Allowing goals to be so low that employees develop a "spend it or lose it" attitude Setting goals too tightly making it difficult to meet performance expectation Setting goals among managers that conflict with one another
Which one of the following is not considered to be a benefit of participative budgeting? When managers set the final targets for the budget, top management need not be concerned with the overall profitability of current operations. Managers are more motivated to reach the budget goals because they participated in setting them. Individuals at all organizational levels are recognized as being part of the team; this results in greater support of the organization. The budget estimates are prepared by those in direct contact with various activities.
Describe how and why managers of companies use budgets. In doing so, cite three advantages of using budgets to manage businesses. Additionally, cite three mistakes that are often made by companies in setting their budgetary goals or standards. Provide an example of how each of these three mistakes can negatively impact the business.
Efficient and effective use of limited resources is the key to success in today’s economy. Assisting in the budget planning process is a major task for managerial accountants. All organizations have limited resources, but whom in the organization should be involved in the budgeting process?
A budget is most likely to be effective if it is not used to evaluate a manager's performance. employees and managers at the lower levels do not get involved in the budgeting process. it is used to assess blame when things do not occur according to plans. it has top management support.
Budgets need to be fair and attainable for employees to consider the budget important in their normal daily activities. Which of the following situations will likely lead to human behavior problems? a. allowing employees the opportunity to be a part of the budget process b. setting goals too loosely, creating a budgetary slack c. setting goals that are consistent across the firm d. setting goals that are reasonable and attainable
Efficient and effective use of limited resources is the key to success in today’s economy. Assisting in the budget planning process is a major task for managerial accountants. Discuss the pros and cons of the two basic philosophies that organizations should follow to plan and develop their budgets.
R.M. Lilly Security, Inc. offers security services to professional athletes and entertainers. Each type of service offered is considered to be a separate department. Anita Lilly, the vice president of operations and daughter of the owner, is compensated partially on the basis of departmental performance. Performance is measured by whether the departments are able to operate within their respective budgets. She often revises operations in order to allow the departments to stay within budget. Says Anita, "I will not go over budget even if it means slightly compromising the level and quality of service we provide. These are minor compromises that don't significantly affect the safety of my clients, at least not in the short term." What is R.M. Lilly Securities, Inc.'s ethical responsibility in offering professional security services?