OVERVIEW

Management Control is a core unit in the 2-year master degree (MSc) which addresses the principles and logics underpinning the use of accounting information for internal planning and control purposes.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The Management Control 1 course is designed to comprehensively examine the core principles 
underpinning the interpretation and application of accounting information for decision-making, 
with a special focus on environmental transition. It 
analyses how management control systems integrate cost accounting tools with strategic corporate objectives to foster sustainable organizational performance 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge and comprehension

The Management control course aims at providing a solid knowledge of the principles and logics underpinning the use of accounting information to support management decisions. In particular, by the end of this course, students will acquire competence in the main issues of management accounting, such as:

• identify relevant information for decision making purposes to produce financial analyses for a range of decisions;
• apply costing methods for planning, controlling and decision making processes;
• measure and control the impact of business activities along both financial and non-financial dimensions of performance;
• prepare and interpret budgets for planning and control purposes.

Critical judgment

Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge using their own judgment and critical reasoning, both theoretically and practically.

Learning capability

Students will develop appropriate learning capabilities that will support their independent learning of other issues in business administration, accounting and management, especially in their future job positions.

Through the participatory methods used in the course, students will also acquire the following skills:
- Managing social interactions, showing cooperative attitude, constructive communication in different environments;
- Show attitude to respect others and their needs, willingness to overcome prejudices, express and understand different points of view;
- Managing conflict, building trust and showing empathy;
- Communicate effectively in written and oral form, adapting the communication to the context;
- Develop and display critical thinking aptitude, ability to use, process and evaluate information, argumentative skills.

PREREQUISITES

None

TEACHING METHODS

The course entails:

• Lectures and business cases;
• Tutorials to apply specific knowledge in practice;
• Presentation and discussion of project work.

During the course, students may be supported by digital apps that allow for self-assessment.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities  and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Serena Scotto (scotto@economia.unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Syllabus/Content

• Reporting of accounting information for internal purposes
• Cost definition and cost classification
• Cost allocation
• Performance analysis
• KPI
• Tools for internal control of business processes
• Budgeting for planning and control purposes

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Teaching materials will be provided during the course and uploaded on the Aulaweb website.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lessons start in the second semester. 2025-26

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The final exam is a written exam and there are no differences in the final exam of attending and non-attending students. The final exam includes both theoretical questions and exercises.

For attending students, an ongoing assessment may be scheduled during the course.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The final exam aims at verifying the understanding of the key theoretical concepts and at testing the ability to solve business problems related to management accounting issues.