l1
Explain how controlling relates to the other
management functions.
Controlling is used to evaluate whether the manager
is effective in job planning, organizing, and leading.
Controls can also be used to evaluate control
systems.
l2
Understand the different types and strategies
of controls.
Controls can be classified according to when they
are applied. Preventive controls are applied prior
to the performance of an activity. Concurrent controls monitor activities while they are being carried
out. Feedback controls evaluate and prompt corrective action after activity performance.
Controls can also be classified according to their
underlying strategy. An external control strategy is
based on the assumption that employees are primarily motivated by external rewards and must be controlled by their managers. An internal control
strategy assumes that managers can motivate
employees by building commitment to organizational goals.
l3
Describe the steps in the control process.
The steps in the controlling process include setting
standards, measuring actual performance, comparing actual performance to standards, and taking corrective action if necessary. Before measuring
performance, agreement must be reached on the
aspects of performance to be measured, the degree
of accuracy needed, and who will use the
measurements.
The three courses of action open to a manager
are to do nothing, to solve the problem, or to revise
the standard. Taking corrective action only on significant deviations is called theexception principle.
l4
Explain the use of nonbudgetary control
techniques.
Nonbudgetary control techniques can be qualitative
or quantitative. Qualitative techniques include
audits, personal observation, and performance evaluation. The auditing process has come under
considerable scrutiny in recent years because of
many cases of unethical and illegal reporting of
financial information by business firms. Quantitative techniques include Gantt charts, PERT, and
economic-order quantity.
l5
Have an awareness of the various types of
budgets and the use of budgets and financial
ratios for control.
A budget is a spending plan for a future period of
time, expressed in numerical terms. A fixed budget
allocates expenditures based on a one-time allocation of resources. A flexible budget allows variation
in the use of resources based on the level of activity.
Eight types of budgets are summarized in Exhibit
15-7 for reference purposes. Budgets function as a
natural part of controlling. Managers use budgets
to compare planned expenditures to actual expenditures, and they take corrective action if the deviation
is significant.
Four key financial ratios are gross profit margin, profit margin, return on equity, and revenue per
employee. Other ways of measuring financial performance are economic value added (EVA); EBITDA,
revenue–expenses (interest, taxes, depreciation, and
amortization); pro forma earnings; and net debt.
l6
Explain how managers and business owners
manage cash flow and control costs and use
nontraditional measures of financial
performance.
Closely tied in with the cash budget is the special
attention managers pay to cash flow. Cash flow
measures how much actual cash is available for conducting business. The three sections of a cash-flow
statement are cash provided by (or used in) operating activities, financing activities, and investing
activities. A firm that writes off many income deductions will have a bigger cash flow. Many companies
trim costs to improve cash flow. Too much cost cutting can lead to low morale, low quality, and a company image of cheapness.
Many researchers and managers no longer rely
exclusively on financial ratios and related indices to
measure the health of a firm. Instead, they use a
balanced scorecard that measures the various
l7
Describe how an information system contributes to control.
An information system (IS), or management information system (MIS), is a formal system for providing management with information useful or
necessary for making decisions. The IS provides
considerable information used for control. Information systems are also used for the electronic monitoring of the work habits and productivity of
employees and the content of electronic messages
(such as data retention by the company). Although
the method helps managers monitor employee performance and protect secrecy, it has met with considerable criticism. An effective monitoring policy
explains exactly where and when inappropriate
Internet access is blocked and when the company
monitors telephone, computer, and Internet usage.
l8
Specify several characteristics of effective
controls.
An effective control system results in improved job
performance and productivity because it helps people correct problems. An effective control measure is
accepted by workers, is considered appropriate, provides diagnostic information, allows for self feedback and self-control, and provides timely information. It also allows employees some control over
the behavior measured, does not embody contradictory measures, allows for random variation, is costeffective, and does not limit innovation.
đang được dịch, vui lòng đợi..
