Some individuals argue that accountants should focus on producing financial statements and leave the design and production of managerial reports to information systems specialists. What are the advantages and disadvantages of following this advice? To what extent should accountants be involved in producing reports that include more than just financial measures of performance? Why?

Taylor Speedy has prepared the following list of statements about managerial accounting, financial accounting, and the functions of management. Identify each statement as true or false. Financial accounting centers on providing information to internal users. Staff positions are directly involved in the companys primary revenue-generating activities. Preparation of budgets is part of financial accounting. Managerial accounting applies only to merchandising and manufacturing companies. Both managerial accounting and financial accounting deal with many of the same economic events.

Who are the primary users of the information gathered by managerial accountants?

Which of the following skills/attributes is not a primary skill for accountants to possess? A. written communication B. verbal communication C. ability to work independently D. analytical thinking E. extensive computer programing background

Which of the following statements is incorrect? The practice of management accounting is fairly flexible. The information gathered from management accounting is not required by law. Management accounting focuses mainly on the internal user. Reports produced using management accounting must follow GAAP.

Briefly explain the practice of enterprise risk management and the role that can be played by managerial accountants in enterprise risk management.

Identify the following as True or False: Managerial accounting reports must comply with the rules set in place by the FASB. Financial accounting reports are typically general-purpose reports. Financial accounting reports pertain to the entity as a whole, whereas managerial accounting focuses more on subunits of the organization. The main users of the financial accounting information are the internal users. Managerial reports are prepared on an as-needed basis. Financial accounting reports often must be audited at least annually by an independent auditor.

What should an organization do if performance measures change? A. Make sure that the manager being evaluated is aware of the measurement change, as this may affect his or her decision-making. B. Make sure that the manager benefits without the corporation also benefitting. C. Make sure that there are significant overriding opportunities for each manager, if the manager is unaware of the change. D. Obtain customer surveys on the change before communicating the change to the manager.

Is there a way to prevent managers from focusing on accounting measures as performance measures?

All of the following are examples of managerial accounting activities except ________. A. preparing external financial statements in compliance with GAAP B. deciding whether or not to use automation C. making equipment repair or replacement decisions D. deciding whether or not to use automation