NABET, NABET 2017 Conference

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A Clear Vision for Integrating Managerial Accounting for Student Success
Jeffrey L. Hillard

Last modified: 2017-09-02

Abstract


Managerial accounting is presented as a “fruit salad†of loosely related topics, concepts, formulas, examples, applications and terminology, hampering the efficiency and effectiveness of student learning and retention. Four integration pathways are reviewed. First, relevance is consistently integrated with a clear explanation of why should students learn this topic and why are ethics important by championing the positive role of trust to career success. Next, managerial accounting processes are integrated by introducing and repeating a temporal process framework for current decision making, future planning processes and feedback/control loops. The third integration pathway addresses rote memorization of unconnected formulas without integration with Excel problem solving models. Computational efficiency is consistently maintained with “the bridgeâ€, one primary Excel based problem solving methodology supported by one standardized formula and interactive graph. The final integration pathway connects the dots with practical storytelling, relevant service and manufacturing examples, a “clean line†of terminology and applied Excel projects in bridge formats. The four integrating pathways: relevance to career success, guiding students with process frameworks, consistent computation with the Excel bridge methodology and connecting the dots with consistent examples, terms and Excel projects all combine to enhance student learning and retention success.


Keywords


Integration; Excel; Ethics; Processes; Education