part 1
What is callable preferred stock? Why do corporations issue such stock? Given the different features that are associated with stock (callable, cumulative, preferred, etc.), what type of stock would you want to buy personally and why?
Review the roles of management accounting within a company. What is the most important role of management accounting? How is that different than financial accounting?
part 2
Describe three issues/problems that a company could encounter when trying to determine the actual cost of a good or service to be used in the cost of goods sold. For each of your issues, provide an example of a company or industry where these issues could be present.
We've all experienced (or heard about) the challenges that the airlines have been facing. Read the Zacks Investment Research article, "Airline Industry Stock Outlook - August 2012." Identify three factors that are affecting airline company's ability to break even. For each of your factors, discuss how these have an impact on the breakeven (contribution margin, fixed costs, variable costs, a combination, etc.), and what happens if these factors increase or decrease.
part 3
Review the Standard costs: wake up and smell the coffee.article. When evaluating performance, many organizations compare current results with the actual results of previous accounting periods. Is an organization that follows this approach likely to encounter any problems? Explain.
Flexible budgets provide different information than static budgets. Discuss some of these differences. Is a flexible budget always better? Are there times when you'd recommend using a static budget over a flexible budget?
part 4
List a few of the issues and considerations businesses should have when it comes to the selection of long-term investments and how those issues impact the various financial statements.
Review the "Rights & Responsibilities of a Certified Management Accountant" article. What are some of the ethical responsibilities and obligations that management accountants have within an organization? Provide some examples. Are these responsibilities different than the obligations for financial accountants?