Prepare a report for your chosen corporation’s senior managers to interpret and explain the
SEC10K financial reports.
Address the reasons for and benefits of budgeting.
Discuss the concept of using budgets for variance analysis and strategy.
Searching within the 746 page downloadable Managerial Accounting Volume II in the e-readings you will find
highlights of padding in budgeting where managers budget low expectations to enable actual results to look
good. (Hint: Search for the word "padd" to allow for variations). Short term positive results for
rewards/recognition. This is an important concept to understand and evaluate.
How are budgets used to evaluate performance (i.e. variance analysis)?
How can and should management use variance analysis for strategic purposes?
How would a company be affected by budget strategy based on personal goals (i.e. padding the budget to
make short term operational results look good) rather than budgeting based on current and future market
analysis?
How might this affect sales dollars, sales volume, and profits? Consider the impact of these budgeting decision
on the corporation’s plans for future financing, production volume and capacity (both short term and long term).
Sample Solution