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4QQMN904 Introduction to Management Accounting

Assessment 1 – Individual Coursework
(30% of total module grade)
Lead Instructor: Vasilis Sarafidis
Instructor’s email: [email protected]
Submission Deadline: via KEATS by 10:00AM on Monday 30 th March 2026.

Submission checklis:

1. File saved as [ModuleCode_CandidateNumber]

2. Word count (1,000 words)

3. File format forsubmission (.docx, Word only)

The Task
Please answer all questions.
Question 1
a) Explain how each of the following methods measures cost behaviour: engineering analysis, account analysis, high-low method, and regression analysis.

b) Compare these methods in terms of (i) data requirements, (ii) reliability, and (iii) ease of use in managerial practice.

[20 marks]
Question 2
SnackPro Services Ltd operates and services snack vending machines located in gyms, office buildings, and colleges in three regions. The machines are leased from the manufacturer. In addition, SnackPro must rent the space occupied by its machines.

The following expense and revenue relationships pertain to a contemplated expansion program of 90 machines.

Fixed monthly expenses

• Machine lease: 90 machines at $24.50 = $2,205
• Space rental: 90 locations at $18.00 = $1,620
• Part time wages to service the additional 90 machines = $650
• Other fixed costs = $225
Total monthly fixed costs = $4,700
Other data

These questions relate to the given data unless otherwise noted. Consider each question independently.
a) What is the monthly break-even point in number of units (snacks)? In dollar sales?
b) If 45,000 units were sold, what would be the company’s net income?
c) If the space rental cost was doubled, what would be the monthly break-even point in number of units? In dollar sales?
d) What do these results imply about the firm’s cost structure and risk? Using the activity level of 45,000 units, would you consider the firm to be operating with high or low operating leverage?
[28 marks]

Question 3

Lena’s ValueTech Ltd uses target costing to aid in the final decision to release new products to production. A new product is being evaluated. Market research estimates that the product’s unique features will generate total demand over the product’s life of 72,000 units at an average selling price of $420 per unit.

The target costing team includes members from market research, design, accounting, and production engineering. The team has also worked closely with key customers and suppliers.

A value analysis of the product using the existing process technology yields the following estimated total costs over the product life:3


Management has a target contribution to profit percentage of 48% of sales. This contribution is intended to cover corporate support costs, taxes, and a reasonable profit.
a) Should the new product be released to production? Explain.
b) Approximately 45% of manufacturing costs for this product consists of materials and parts purchased from suppliers. Key suppliers on the target costing team have suggested process improvements that will reduce supplier cost by 12%. Should the new product be released to production? Explain and show the computations.
c) Even if the product meets the numerical target cost, management may still decide not to launch it. Discuss two managerial or strategic considerations (other than cost) that should be evaluated before making the final decision. Explain briefly how each could affect the decision.
[28 marks]

Question 4

Elena Cruz, operations director of PrecisionWorks Ltd, has requested an analysis of the company’s manufacturing support costs. These costs include supervision, equipment maintenance, and production support activities. Elena would like to understand how much of the support cost is fixed and how much varies with production activity, measured by machine hours.

The following monthly data are the only information currently available:


a) Using the high-low method, estimate the variable support cost per machine hour, and the monthly fixed support cost.

b) Suppose that September data become available showing 2,050 machine hours and support costs of $28,000. Explain how and why your high–low estimates would change, and compute the revised estimates.

c) If Precision Works expects 1,650 machine hours next month, estimate total support costs using:

(i) The original high–low cost function

(ii) The regression cost function from 2.

Briefly comment on any difference.

d) A least-squares regression analysis using the original five months of data produced the following equation:
Y = 9,390 + 7.93X

Based on all your results, what advice would you give management about which cost estimate should be used for planning and control?

[24 marks]

Module Learning Outcomes Assessed

  1. Demonstrate understanding of cost behaviour and costing techniques by explaining and comparing alternative methods used to analyse and model costs in managerial decision-making.
  2. Apply quantitative management accounting tools to real-world business scenarios, including break even analysis, operating leverage, target costing, and cost estimation, and interpret the results to support planning and control.
  3. Evaluate managerial and strategic implications of accounting information by exercising critical judgement beyond numerical results, including assessing risk, cost structure, and non-financial considerations in decision-making.
Assignment Details and Structure
  • All four questions are compulsory.
  • Total marks: 100.
Submit a single Word report via KEATS that meets the following requirements:
  • Maximum length: 5 A4 pages (excluding the front page);
  • Font: Arial, size 12;
  • Line spacing: 1.5;
  • Margins: 2.54cm (1 inch) on all sides.
  • If the submission exceeds the page limit, only the first 5 pages (excluding the front page) will be marked. Any material beyond this limit will not be read or assessed.

The report should present clear reasoning, calculations, and interpretation where required. Answers must be concise, well-structured, and supported by appropriate workings.

General Submission Requirements

Assessment submission instructions:

  1. File saved as [ModuleCode_CandidateNumber]
  2. Word count (1,000 words)
  3. File format for submission (.docx, Word only)
Assessment Support Information

Formative feedback will be provided. Such feedback will help students identify their strengths and weaknesses and help develop revision plans for the assessment. Students are also expected to engage with other feedback provided during tutorials and office hours throughout the semester.

Marking Criteria
Assessment will be based on the following criteria: