Cost Accounting

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Layla Nasser (Assistant Professor of Accounting)
• Email: lnasser@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Tidewell Hall 308
• Office Hours:
  • Monday & Friday: 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (In person, Tidewell Hall 308)
  • Tuesday: 2:00–3:00 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

Product costing systems, activity-based costing, joint and by-product costs, standard costing and variance analysis, performance measurement, transfer pricing, and cost data for strategic decisions. ACCT 330 develops quantitative models and analytical frameworks for measuring, analyzing, and managing product and service costs in modern manufacturing and service organizations. Students examine job-order and process costing systems, design multi-stage activity-based costing (ABC) models, and conduct standard costing with detailed variance analysis across direct materials, direct labor, and manufacturing overhead. The course emphasizes managerial decision-making, exploring cost-volume-profit relationships, customer profitability, transfer pricing in decentralized divisions, and the strategic alignment of performance measurement systems using the Balanced Scorecard.

Prerequisites

ACCT 202.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of ACCT 330, students will be able to:

1. Distinguish and Classify Cost Structures: Differentiate direct, indirect, fixed, variable, and mixed costs, and analyze cost behavior for operational planning and cost control.
2. Design Product Costing Systems: Calculate product costs using job-order, process (weighted-average and FIFO), and activity-based costing systems to allocate manufacturing overhead accurately.
3. Perform Variance Analysis: Construct flexible budgets and compute price, efficiency, spending, and volume variances for direct materials, direct labor, and overhead.
4. Evaluate Strategic Decision Models: Apply relevant costing and incremental analysis to make-or-buy decisions, special orders, product-line retention, and constrained resource allocation.
5. Analyze Decentralized Performance and Transfer Pricing: Evaluate organizational sub-units using return on investment (ROI), residual income (RI), and market-, cost-, or negotiated transfer pricing models.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Charles T. Horngren, Srikant M. Datar, and Madhav V. Rajan. Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis. 17th ed., Pearson, 2021. Approx. $65 digital rental, $145 print purchase.
2. Alkimi Managerial Cost Accounting Case Packet. Free digital case materials provided on Canvas.
3. Total estimated cost: $65 to $145.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), ACCT 330 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: You may use generative AI tools to review cost accounting terminology, explain spreadsheet formula syntax, and brainstorm potential cost-driver categories for case assignments.
• What is prohibited: You may not use AI tools during in-class examinations, nor may you submit AI-generated numerical calculations, cost-allocation tables, or case write-ups as your own work.
• Disclosure: Any assignment that utilizes AI for formula troubleshooting or conceptual clarification must include an AI disclosure note detailing the tool used and the specific nature of the query.

Grading Components and Weights

• Midterm Examination 1: 20% (In class, Thursday, September 24)
• Midterm Examination 2: 20% (In class, Thursday, October 29)
• Managerial Cost Analysis Case: 15% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Weekly Problem Sets: 15% (Weekly quantitative cost problem sets submitted via Canvas on Fridays at 11:59 p.m.; lowest score dropped)
• In-Class Cost Problem Exercises: 10% (Short practical problem-solving exercises completed during Thursday class sessions)
• Comprehensive Final Examination: 20% (Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 1:30–3:30 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No extra credit assignments are available in ACCT 330. Students are encouraged to focus their energy on regular homework assignments, in-class exercises, and exam preparation.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance in Tidewell Hall 120 is required to participate in guided cost-accounting problem sessions and case reviews. If you are unable to attend due to illness or official university business, contact Dr. Nasser beforehand and arrange to review notes with a classmate. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Weekly problem sets and the Managerial Cost Analysis Case lose 10% for each calendar day they are late and are not accepted after three days past the deadline. In-class exercises must be completed during the scheduled class period unless an excused absence is approved.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 1:30–3:30 p.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).