Details - Tematika

Controlling (MAGABAN-CONTRLIN-1)

Basic data

Name and type of the study programme

Business administration and management, undergraduate program

Curriculum

2024

Classes / consultation hours

1 + 1 + 0 (L+S+Labs)

Credits

3 credits

Theory – Practice

Theory: 50%, Practice: 50%

Recommended semester

Semester 5

Study mode

full-time

Prerequisites

Evaluation type

Colloquium

Course category

Compulsory

Language

English

Instructors

Responsible instructor

Kálmán Botond Géza

Responsible department

Gazdaságtudományi Kar

Instructor(s)

Kálmán Botond Géza, Malatyinszki Szilárd Dr.

Checked by

Kálmán Botond Géza

Course objectives

The objective of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the role, functions, methods and organisational significance of controlling. The course introduces the relationship between strategic and operational planning, budgeting, cost management, performance measurement, variance analysis and managerial decision-making. Students learn how controlling supports management by providing relevant financial and non-financial information. The course also develops the ability to analyse organisational performance, identify deviations from plans, evaluate alternative courses of action and prepare decision-oriented management reports.

Course content

Lectures

The lectures cover the theoretical foundations and main areas of controlling, including: the concept, objectives and development of controlling; the role of controlling in organisational management; the relationship between controlling, financial accounting and management accounting; strategic and operational controlling; planning, budgeting and forecasting systems; cost concepts, cost classification and cost behaviour; full costing, variable costing and activity-based costing; contribution margin and break-even analysis; responsibility accounting and responsibility centres; performance measurement and key performance indicators; standard costing and variance analysis; investment and project controlling; cash-flow, liquidity and working-capital controlling; management reporting and decision-support systems; the Balanced Scorecard and other strategic performance-management tools; digital controlling, business intelligence, automated reporting and data-based decision-making; the role and professional responsibilities of the controller.

Seminars

During the practical classes, students apply controlling concepts and methods to business problems and case studies. The practical work includes: classifying fixed, variable, direct and indirect costs; calculating contribution margins and break-even points; analysing cost-volume-profit relationships; preparing operational budgets and financial plans; compiling sales, production, cost and cash budgets; preparing flexible budgets; calculating and interpreting price, quantity, volume and efficiency variances; analysing profitability, liquidity and efficiency indicators; evaluating the performance of products, projects and organisational units; performing investment-appraisal calculations; preparing cash-flow and working-capital analyses; identifying the causes of deviations between planned and actual performance; creating management reports, dashboards, tables and charts; using spreadsheet software for controlling calculations and data analysis; interpreting financial and non-financial information; formulating management recommendations based on controlling analyses; presenting analytical findings in a clear, concise and decision-oriented manner.

Acquired competences

Knowledge

The student: understands the role, objectives and functions of controlling within organisational management; knows the relationship between strategic planning, operational planning, budgeting, accounting and performance measurement; understands the main concepts of cost accounting, management accounting and responsibility accounting; knows the principles and methods of cost classification, cost allocation and cost calculation; understands the preparation and interpretation of budgets, forecasts and variance analyses; knows the main financial and non-financial performance indicators; understands the principles of investment appraisal, profitability analysis and cash-flow planning; is familiar with the structure and operation of management information and reporting systems; understands the role of controllers in supporting managerial decision-making; is familiar with current developments in digital controlling, business intelligence and data-based management.

Skills

The student is able to: prepare operational plans, budgets and forecasts; classify and analyse costs according to different management purposes; perform break-even, contribution margin and cost-volume-profit analyses; calculate and interpret cost, profitability, liquidity, efficiency and performance indicators; identify and analyse deviations between planned and actual performance; prepare management reports and present their findings clearly; evaluate business units, products, projects and investments from a controlling perspective; apply spreadsheet-based methods to controlling calculations; select and use relevant financial and non-financial information in managerial decision-making; recognise performance problems and formulate appropriate recommendations; communicate controlling information effectively to managers and other organisational stakeholders.

Attitude

The student: demonstrates analytical, systematic and problem-oriented thinking; is committed to accuracy, reliability and professional integrity; recognises the importance of objective, evidence-based managerial decision-making; approaches organisational performance from both financial and non-financial perspectives; is open to digital technologies and new controlling methods; demonstrates a willingness to cooperate with managers, accountants and other functional specialists; considers the long-term, sustainable and ethical consequences of business decisions; is receptive to professional feedback and continuous development; treats confidential organisational and financial information responsibly.

Autonomy and responsibilities

The student is able to: independently perform basic and intermediate controlling calculations; take responsibility for the accuracy and professional quality of analyses and reports; independently select appropriate controlling methods for routine business problems; interpret results and formulate recommendations within a defined organisational context; participate responsibly in budgeting, planning and performance-evaluation processes; recognise the limitations of available data and applied analytical methods; request additional information or expert support when the complexity of a problem exceeds their competence; work independently and collaboratively in controlling-related assignments and projects; comply with professional, ethical and confidentiality requirements.

Additional professional competences

The student is able to: use spreadsheet software for planning, calculation, analysis and reporting; structure and visualise financial and operational data; prepare dashboards, tables and charts for management purposes; apply basic management-accounting and financial-analysis techniques; connect accounting information with strategic and operational management objectives; evaluate organisational performance using key performance indicators; support managerial decisions through relevant, timely and comprehensible information; communicate complex numerical results in a concise and decision-oriented manner; apply basic digital tools used in contemporary controlling systems; cooperate effectively in interdisciplinary and international business environments.

Requirements, evaluation and grading

Mid-term study requirements

Students are required to participate actively in practical classes and complete the assigned individual and group tasks during the semester. The requirements may include controlling calculations, case-study analyses, budgeting exercises, variance analyses, spreadsheet-based assignments, short presentations and written reports. Students must submit the required assignments by the deadlines specified by the instructor. Assignments must meet the formal, professional and academic integrity requirements of the course. The successful completion of the semester requires: regular participation in practical classes; completion and submission of the required assignments; achievement of the minimum score specified by the instructor in mid-semester assessments; completion of spreadsheet-based controlling exercises; active participation in case-study discussions and practical tasks; compliance with the course’s academic integrity and generative AI usage policy. Detailed assessment criteria, deadlines and minimum performance requirements are communicated by the instructor at the beginning of the semester.

Exam requirements

The examination assesses students’ theoretical knowledge and their ability to apply controlling concepts and methods to business problems. The examination may include: theoretical questions; definitions and interpretation of controlling concepts; cost-classification and cost-calculation tasks; contribution-margin and break-even calculations; budgeting and forecasting exercises; variance analysis; profitability, liquidity and efficiency calculations; investment-appraisal tasks; cash-flow and working-capital analysis; interpretation of financial and non-financial performance indicators; analysis of short business cases; formulation of management recommendations. Students must demonstrate that they understand the principles of controlling and can independently select, apply and interpret appropriate controlling methods. The minimum passing score and the detailed examination format are determined and announced by the instructor.

Generative AI usage

Use of GAI tools is fully permitted, provided their use is properly cited and does not compromise achieving the learning outcomes defined in the course description.

Study aids, laboratory background

SAP AG. (2000). AC410: Cost Center Accounting (SAP R/3 Release 4.6B training manual). SAP AG. Retreivable from: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xaTYG_zpZxPT9y_iYS2owI-H9mlkPWHq?usp=sharing

Readings

Compulsory readings

Behringer, S. Fin'l Controlling. (2023). ISBN 978-3-658-40527-4 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-40527-4. Retreivable from: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xyPrYg_Ifh51UFMLHVlXXMQt9JMlzJ9_?usp=sharing