1) One of the major tasks of the Management accountant is to set a budget. Explain some of the methods used by management accountants to set the budget and the interrelationship between the different budgets.
2) What is meant by “a flexible budget”? Explain its use in performance evaluation and provide examples.
3) Critically evaluate budget monitoring as a method of Performance measurement and suggest alternative methods of performance evaluation.
Word limit: 2000 word
UG/PG Coursework Assessment Criteria
In writing your coursework, you should be aware that you will be assessed by reference to the extent to which your answer meets the following criteria:
Numerical accuracy Logical presentation Accurate use of data
Clear recommendations Well communicated Realistic
Good presentation Demonstrates understanding Evidences recommendations
• Please preserve anonymity by using your university number, not your name.
• This coursework counts for 20 % of the assessment in this module.
NBS Coursework Submission and Return: Key Facts 2015/6
Referencing
Your coursework should clearly distinguish between your original words and ideas, and those of others. When referring to the work of others, from books, journals or any other source (including the internet), it is essential that you make this clear by acknowledging your source and referencing correctly. Failure to reference correctly will lose you marks and may constitute plagiarism or collusion. Unless specified otherwise by the module organiser, Norwich Business School uses the Harvard system of referencing.
University Policy on Plagiarism and Collusion
It is important that all students familiarise themselves with the rules and regulations regarding plagiarism and collusion. Understanding these rules will help you to avoid plagiarism, and to maintain the quality of your academic work.
You should ensure that you are familiar and up to date with the Universities rule on Plagiarism and Collusion, available at
• http://www.uea.ac.uk/calendar/Policy+on+Plagiarism+and+Collusion
You should also make sure that you are familiar with the Business School’s policy on Harvard referencing which is available in your student handbooks.
Individual study skills support and advice on referencing is also provided by the Learning Enhancement Service at the Dean of Students Office.
Where work has been submitted in word-processed format, you may be requested to provide a digital copy of your coursework (after an initial examination of the hard copy by the coursework assessors) for use with plagiarism detection software. Instances where plagiarism is suspected will be investigated by the NBS Plagiarism Officer. Students who are found to have plagiarised will be penalised.
In proven cases offenders will be punished and the punishment may extend to degree failure, temporary suspension or expulsion from further study if the case comes before a Discipline Committee of the University.
General Advice
Before you submit any coursework you should make sure that you are clear and up to date in your knowledge of university policy and practice.
The University’s policy on Submission of Work for Assessment (Taught Programmes): Submission of Anonymised Work for Assessment, Word Limits and Penalties, Extensions and Penalties for Unauthorised Late Submission, Provisional Marks and Feedback, and Retention of Coursework is published in the Calendar, and is available at:
• https://intranet.uea.ac.uk/calendar/Submission+of+Work+for+Assessment+(Taught+Programmes)
A penalty will be imposed for exceeding the word limit, which will be clearly stated in the assignment. Students must include their word count on the coursework coversheet when they submit their work. The word count for coursework, written assignments, projects, reports and dissertations shall include: Footnotes and endnotes (irrespective of whether they have been used for the purpose of referencing or not, references (in the main text), tables and illustrations and if applicable the abstract, title page and contents page. Any appendicised material and the bibliography or reference list shall be excluded from the word count.
Word Count Penalties
Up to 10% over word limit No Penalty
10% or more over the word limit Deduction of 10 marks off original mark
Failure to provide an electronic copy when requested Mark capped to the pass mark
Intentional misrepresentation of the word count on the coversheet Mark capped to the pass mark
The deadline for submission of coursework is 15:00 (3pm) on the submission/due day. This is for both electronic submission and paper copy submissions.
Penalties for Late Submission
Work submitted Marks deducted
After 15:00 on the due date and before 15:00 on the day following the due date 10 marks
After 15:00 on the second day after the due date and before 15:00 on the third day after the due date 20 marks
After 15:00 on the third day after the due date and before 15:00 on the 20th day after the due date. All the marks the work merits if submitted on time (i.e. no marks awarded)
After 20 working days work will not be marked and a mark of zero will be entered.
Themajority of assignments will be submitted electronically via eVision. For identified modules, students will be able to submit coursework electronically from one week before the deadline, using a link from the eVision page. If your assignment is set up for electronic submission, you must submit electronically; there will not be an option to submit a hard copy instead of electronic submission. Even late assignments, or those that have extensions, should be submitted electronically rather than in paper format.
For more information on coursework submission, see:
• http://www.uea.ac.uk/calendar/section3/regs(gen)/submission-of-work-for-assessment-(taught-programmes)
Finally students are advised to be aware of the revised “Senate Scale Classifications 2012/13 – Coursework.” These scales which provide general guidance on the standards required for the award of marks for coursework. These are available at
• http://www.uea.ac.uk/learningandteaching/documents/assessment/UndergraduateMarkingDescriptors
Sample Solution