Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control from Coursera

Accounting information is the lifeblood of the organization, as it facilitates and influences operational and strategic decisions intended to achieve organizational goals. Organizations benefit from three decision-oriented roles of accounting: measurement, control, and communication.

This course provides an introduction to accounting’s role in helping managers develop and implement, and improve the organization’s strategy. In particular, you will learn how non-financial and financial information is created, organized, and communicated to help managers make strategic decisions, as well as measure strategic success. This course also provides an introduction to accounting as a control function inside the organization, which helps influence the alignment of managers’ and employees’ decisions with organizational goals. You will learn about different types of controls, including process controls, budgets, and performance measurement and evaluation tools and techniques.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Create and communicate accounting information that facilitates strategic decisions.

• Use accounting information to develop, implement, and improve organizational strategy.

• Implement controls that align managers’ and employees’ decisions with organizational goals.

• Measure and evaluate manager and employee performance to control and motivate operational and strategic decision-making.

If you enjoy this business course and are interested in an MBA, consider applying to the iMBA, a flexible, fully-accredited online MBA at an incredibly competitive price offered by the University of Illinois. For more information, please see the Resource page in this course and onlinemba.illinois.edu.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Orientation

You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.

Module 1: Managing Capacity

In this module, you will explore different measures of an organization's capacity and understand their implications for many different decisions, including product pricing.

Module 2: Managing Pricing

In this module, you will learn about accounting's role in pricing decisions.

Module 3: Planning and Monitoring Operations

In this module, you will explore budgeting in organizations.

Module 4: Managing Organizational Strategy

In this module, you will explore many aspects of this important system.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for developing skills and knowledge for later use in academic settings

Well suited for learners who are completely new to accounting

Provides a deep understanding of how financial and non-financial accounting information is used for strategic decision-making in organizations

Opens up career paths in accounting or related fields

Instructs by industry experts, ensuring the course is up-to-date and relevant to current industry practices

Reviews summary

Disappointing course with poor assessment design

According to students, this course is disappointing with poor assessment design. Learners report that quizzes lack solutions or model answers, making it difficult to learn from mistakes. As a result, students have expressed dissatisfaction and frustration.

Quizzes have no solutions or model answers.

"I'm very disappointed of the quizzes even there's no solution or model answers to follow to know our drops !"

"I tried too many time to solve the quizzes and nothing happened except for Retake !"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control with these activities:

Review basic accounting concepts

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Familiarize yourself with the fundamental principles of accounting before the course begins to ensure a solid foundation.

Browse courses on Accounting Concepts

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Read an overview of accounting concepts.
Review notes from previous accounting courses or materials.
Complete practice problems on basic accounting principles.

Read 'Financial Accounting: An Introduction' by Kimmel

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Reinforce your understanding of accounting principles and concepts by studying a foundational textbook.

View Financial Accounting: Tools for Business... on Amazon

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Read the assigned chapters in the textbook.
Take notes on the key concepts and examples.
Complete the end-of-chapter exercises.

Follow online tutorials on specific accounting concepts

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Supplement your learning with online resources that provide clear and concise explanations of complex topics.

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Search for reputable websites or YouTube channels that offer accounting tutorials.
Select tutorials that cover topics you need reinforcement in.
Watch the tutorials and take notes on key points.

Two other activities

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Participate in group discussions on accounting topics

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Engage in discussions with peers to clarify concepts, exchange perspectives, and broaden your understanding.

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Identify relevant online forums or discussion groups.
Post questions or comments to initiate discussions.
Actively participate in ongoing discussions and contribute your insights.

Create a comprehensive study guide

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Organize your learning materials into a structured guide for easy review and reference throughout the course.

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Gather notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Review the materials and identify key concepts and formulas.
Organize the information into logical sections.
Consider using summaries, diagrams, and flashcards to enhance comprehension.

Career center

Learners who complete Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

CFOs are responsible for the overall financial health of a company. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control can help build a foundation for success as a CFO by providing an understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and capital markets. The course also covers topics such as mergers and acquisitions, risk management, and investor relations, which are essential for CFOs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Corporate Controller

Corporate Controllers are responsible for managing the financial operations of a company. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control can help build a foundation for success as a Corporate Controller by providing an understanding of financial reporting, internal controls, and financial management. The course also covers topics such as budgeting, forecasting, and risk management, which are essential for Corporate Controllers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Controller

Tax Accountant

Tax Accountants prepare and file tax returns for individuals and businesses. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control can help build a foundation for success as a Tax Accountant by providing an understanding of tax laws and regulations, tax planning, and tax compliance. The course also covers topics such as auditing and financial reporting, which are essential for Tax Accountants.

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Internal Auditor

Internal Auditors evaluate the internal controls of a company to ensure that they are adequate and effective. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control can help build a foundation for success as an Internal Auditor by providing an understanding of internal control systems, risk assessment, and auditing standards. The course also covers topics such as financial reporting and compliance, which are essential for Internal Auditors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Internal Auditor

Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify and manage risks for a company. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control can help build a foundation for success as a Risk Manager by providing an understanding of risk assessment, risk management strategies, and risk reporting. The course also covers topics such as financial planning and budgeting, which are essential for Risk Managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Auditor

Auditors examine and evaluate financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control can help build a foundation for success as an Auditor by providing an understanding of accounting principles, auditing standards, and internal control systems. The course also covers topics such as risk assessment, fraud detection, and reporting, which are essential for Auditors.

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Forensic Accountant

Forensic Accountants investigate financial crimes such as fraud and embezzlement. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control can help build a foundation for success as a Forensic Accountant by providing an understanding of accounting principles, auditing standards, and fraud detection. The course also covers topics such as financial analysis and reporting, which are essential for Forensic Accountants.

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Compliance Officer

Compliance Officers ensure that a company complies with all applicable laws and regulations. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control can help build a foundation for success as a Compliance Officer by providing an understanding of regulatory compliance, internal controls, and risk management.

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Cost Accountant

Cost Accountants analyze and manage the costs of a company's products and services. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control can help build a foundation for success as a Cost Accountant by providing an understanding of cost accounting principles, cost allocation, and performance measurement. The course also covers topics such as budgeting and forecasting, which are essential for Cost Accountants.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts provide investment advice and make recommendations to clients based on their analysis of financial data. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control can help build a foundation for success as a Financial Analyst by providing an understanding of financial modeling, valuation, and portfolio management. The course also covers topics such as financial planning, forecasting, and risk management, which are essential for Financial Analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Budget Analyst

Budget Analysts help organizations develop and manage their budgets. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control can help build a foundation for success as a Budget Analyst by providing an understanding of budgeting principles, cost analysis, and financial planning. The course also covers topics such as performance measurement and evaluation, which are essential for Budget Analysts.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants help organizations improve their performance by providing advice on strategy, operations, and technology. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control can help build a foundation for success as a Management Consultant by providing an understanding of business analysis, process improvement, and change management. The course also covers topics such as financial planning, budgeting, and risk management, which are essential for Management Consultants.

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Accountant

Accountants collect, process, analyze, interpret, and communicate financial information. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control can help build a foundation for success as an Accountant by providing an understanding of the accounting cycle, financial statements, and financial analysis. The course also covers topics such as budgeting, costing, and financial planning, which are essential for Accountants.

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Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families plan for their financial future. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control can help build a foundation for success as a Financial Planner by providing an understanding of financial planning principles, investment management, and retirement planning. The course also covers topics such as risk management and estate planning, which are essential for Financial Planners.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make better decisions. Accounting for Business Decision Making: Strategy Assessment and Control may be useful for Data Analysts by providing an understanding of financial data, data analysis techniques, and business intelligence. The course also covers topics such as data visualization and communication, which are essential for Data Analysts.

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