Aim of the assignment
This first assignment is designed to build on your knowledge of a topic which should be familiar to you from your earlier studies. You will need to carry out independent research and a literature review to develop this knowledge further. In order to answer the following questions you are expected to use a wide range of resources including books, journals, electronic databases and internet sources. You may use text books to gain an introduction to addressing the topic and questions but should not use or cite them in your final essay. In your final essay you should use only independently researched articles from high quality academic and professional sources.
We recommend that you use the articles listed below and select further sources from your research. This will involve evaluating a wide range of sources to select those which you judge to be most appropriate. You should limit your final selection to a maximum of 12 articles in total (including articles from the recommended reading list).
Learning Outcomes
This is designed to meet the following learning outcomes:
- Critically review various accounting techniques and concepts, introduced in prerequisite modules, through self-directed research
- Evaluate the implications of accounting practice, recognising its limitations, in a broader social and economic context
6. Express complex arguments logically, using supporting analysis and
evaluation with reference to current developments in accounting
Title of the assignment
What contribution has Strategic Management Accounting made to 21st century management accounting?
Required:
In addressing this question, you should consider the following questions:
What are the defining characteristics of ‘Strategic Management Accounting’ (SMA)?
To which management accounting techniques do they apply and why?
What contribution has SMA and the techniques you have identified contributed to modern management accounting? You should discuss two SMA techniques in detail.
Submission and deadlines
Your assignment should be a maximum of 2,000 words long. This word count limit includes the body of your essay and in text citations but excludes your title page, contents page and list of references. Use the format specified in the module guide.
This assignment carries 20% of the available marks for this module. The sample feedback sheet shows the marking criteria which are described in further detail in the module guide.
Deadline: 13:00 hours 10th November 2022
Your assignment should comprise one word document with a filename in the format 12345678-synoptic1 (where 12345678 is your student number). You must upload your assignment document to the turnitin drop box on the module’s moodle site before the deadline. Your assignment will be marked anonymously. Do not include your name in the filename or anywhere in the document.
When you submit an assignment using turnitin you are confirming that the work is your own. You are not required to hand in a hard copy of your assignment.
Indicative Reading List
The following may be used as a starting point for your literature search:
Cescon, F., Costantini, A. and Grassetti, L. (2019) “Strategic Choices and Strategic Management Accounting in Large Manufacturing Firms,” Journal of Management and Governance, 23(3), pp. 605–636. doi: 10.1007/s10997-018-9431-y.
Hadid, W. and Al-Sayed, M. (2021) “Management Accountants and Strategic Management Accounting: The Role of Organizational Culture and Information Systems,” Management Accounting Research, 50. doi: 10.1016/j.mar.2020.100725.
Langfield-Smith, K. (2008) “Strategic Management Accounting: How Far Have We Come in 25 Years?,” Accounting Auditing an Accountability Journal, 21(2), pp. 204–228.
Lord,B. (2007) Strategic Management Accounting in Hopper,T., Northcott ,D. and Scapens,R. 3rd ed Issues in Management Accounting Harlow: FT Prentice Hall
Roslender, R. and Hart, S. J. (2003) “In Search of Strategic Management Accounting: Theoretical and Field Study Perspectives,” Management Accounting Research, 14(3), pp. 255–279. doi: 10.1016/S1044-5005(03)00048-9.
Simmonds, K. (1981) Strategic Management Accounting, Management Accounting
59: pp26-29.
A professional source which gives helpful background context:
CIMA (2016) Management Accounting in support of the Strategic Management Process. Available at:
(Accessed on 23 September 2022)
| Assessment Criteria | Refer 0-29% | Marginal Refer 30-39% | Threshold Pass 40-49% | Good 50-59% | Very Good 60-69% | Excellent 70-85% | Outstanding 85-100% |
| Use of literature 25% | Poor selection and use of literature | Some evidence of selection and use of literature that is relevant to the topic | Selection and use of appropriate literature, including some recommended literature | Selection and use of a relevant range of sources, including some high quality academic sources and recommended reading | Selection and use of a good range of sources including mainly relevant, high quality academic sources and recommended reading | Selection of relevant, high quality academic sources. Very good use of these sources, including the recommended reading | Selection of relevant, high quality academic sources. Comprehensive and detailed use of the sources, including the recommended reading. |
| Critical approach to theory 25% | Little criticality of sources | Mainly descriptive presentation of issues | Some appreciation of difference sources, methods, authors and/or arguments. A mix of descriptive and analytical writing | Some evidence of criticality, such as assessing the quality of different sources, methods, theories and authors. An analytical rather than a descriptive approach | Critical evaluation of literature, assessing the quality of different sources, methods, theories and authors. Evidence of forming a synthesis of ideas | Critical evaluation of literature, assessing the quality of different sources, methods, theories and authors. A clear synthesis of ideas | Critical evaluation of literature, assessing the quality of different sources, methods, theories and authors. Evidence of forming independent ideas and creating an original synthesis of ideas |
| Problem solving, application of theory to practice 25% | Little discussion related to the topic with lack of clarity in the introduction and conclusion | Some relevant discussion related to the topic with an introduction and conclusion | Coherent and relevant discussion related to the topic with a clear introduction and conclusion | Specific and appropriate evaluation, reflecting some of the key issues, supported by evidence. Clear introduction and conclusion. | Analysis of the relevant issues, some use of evidence, clarity of argument and reasoning with appropriate evaluation. Clear introduction and relevant conclusions drawn | Very good analysis of the key issues, detailed use of evidence, clarity of argument and reasoning with appropriate evaluation. Clear introduction and relevant conclusions drawn | Discerning, specific analysis of the key issues, detailed use of evidence, clarity of argument and reasoning with appropriate evaluation. Clear introduction and conclusions drawn from arguments presented |
| Presentation 12.5% | Lacking clear structure. Lack of clarity in language. | Some structure. Lack of clarity in language. | Clear structure. Fluency, grammar, spellings, not always accurate but clarity of meaning. | Clear and appropriate structure. Fluency, grammar, spellings, not always accurate but clarity of meaning. | Clear and appropriate structure. Fluent, accurate academic style. Well written with clarity and fluency. | Clear and appropriate structure Fluent, accurate academic style. Well written with clarity and fluency. | Polished imaginative approach. Clear and appropriate structure Fluent, accurate academic style. |
| Referencing 12.5% | Incorrect referencing | Incorrect referencing | Couple of major and repeated minor referencing errors | One major and few minor referencing errors | One major and couple of minor referencing errors | One minor referencing error | Correct referencing |
