AN APPRAISAL OF THE NATURE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING ( A CASE STUDY OF DUNLOPE NIGERIAN PLC)

ABSTRACT

The  researchproffers an appraisal of the nature and significance of  management accounting . it analyses the nature of management accounting

 And portrays its significance in aiding management decision making.it provides management information used to measure progress towards

Organizational objectivesand highlight any potential problem ahead.

A  Case study is provided on the nature and significance of management accounting in Dunlopenig PLC.

CHAPTER    1

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Financial accounting provides information for outsiders. Whereas managerial accounting reports may break down performance for

Managers by individual products or regions of the country, finanacial reports summarise the business as a whole, although they can be broken into

Business segments and regions. In the case of Publicly held companies, these reports are the quarterly and annual financialstatements that they must file with the securities and exchange commission (SEC).

During the last two decades ,the role of accounting departments within companies has changed. Instead of simply providing information to insiders and outsiders , accounting departments have begun the transition into being profit centers, instead of simply reporting the quarterly profits of the firm, accounting departments are asked to increase profits through application of accounting methods. Different methods often lead to different

Levels of reportable profits.The reporting of profits, therefore can be both an art and a science. This process is known as managing earnings.

For example, accountants may feelpressure to meet internal targets .Managers may want to show theiremployees and the board of directors that they were able to increase revenue and decrease cost.

The research seek to provide an appraisal and of the nature and significance of management Accounting with a case study of Dunlope Plc.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The inability of many organization to afford the service of A MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT is depriving many organization the needed

Datas and information for quality management decision making.such organization lack the neededaccounting report s such asbudgets, variance reports, sensitivity analysis, revenue reports,cost projections etc. The effect is poor management decision leading to waste and improper use of resources, high cost expenditure, low revenueand loss of profit.Management accounting is the development of information for insiders such as company managers. Managers use this information to measure the progress toward their goals and highlight any potential problems in advance.forexample ,managers want to know which products have the best sales and which are selling poorly. Which products tend to sell together?, Howis inventory being managed? What about cash? Will the firm have enough cash to pay its upcoming debt payments?Acountants answers these questions with budgets , variance reports, sensitivity analysis, revenue reports, cost projections,and break even analysis of competitors.When firms consider how to expand products and services, managerial accountants help formulate profit projections from revenue and cost projections. In short, managerial accounting has historically played a large part in the control and evaluation of the business and its performance.

Therefore the problem confronting thisresearch is toprovide an appraisal of the nature an significance of management accounting with a case study of DUNLOP PLC

RESEARCH QUESTION

1. What is  the nature and significance of management accounting
2. What is the nature and significance of management accounting in Dunlop plc.

OBJECTIVE OF THE RESEARCH

 To    determine    the nature of management accounting

To determine the significance of management accounting

To determine the nature and significance of management accounting in DUNLOP PLC.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study shall provide the  principles and methodology  of management accounting statements

It shall  state its significance and provide use information to managers and accounting officers on the use of management accounting.

STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS

        1   Ho    quality of management decision in Dunlop is low

             Ho       quality of management decision in Dunlop is high

       2    Ho    management accounting is not significant in Dunlop

              Hi    management accounting is  significant in Dunlop

      3       Ho      Impact of management accounting on management decision  in Dunlop is low

               Hi        Impact of management accounting on management decision  in Dunlop is  high

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study focuses on the appraisal of the nature and significance of management accounting with a case study of Dunlop plc.