Management Accounting in the Contemporary Business World

Malcolm Prowle is Professor of Performance Management at the University of Gloucestershire Business School, UK. He has authored over sixty publications, including six full-length books (one for Palgrave Macmillan), book chapters, research reports and papers in both academic peer-reviewed and professional journals. Mike Lucas was a Senior Lecturer in Accounting at the Open University Business School, UK, until his retirement. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and prior to entering academic life had twelve years' experience as a finance manager/director in industry. He has published a number of academic journal papers and has conducted research for CIMA on the application of management accounting in small-medium enterprises.

'Management Accounting in the Contemporary Business World is instrumental in defining the role of management accounting within the modern corporation. Highlighting the importance of culture, hierarchy and structure, Management Accounting in the Contemporary Business World makes it clear how the business environment and the entity of the institution have evolved, what their place is in the moving spectrum of business opportunity in the 21st century and demonstrates the relevance of management accounting to companies in this new and challenging situation. Often criticised for being outdated, the practice of management accounting is here thrust to the fore of business decisions on all levels and is shown by the authors to be a crucial area of knowledge for those with any interest in the area of business leadership and management.' James Brown, Edinburgh Napier University, UK 'This is a very well organised and written book. Unlike most management accounting textbooks, it attempts to provide a solid foundation on the nature, structure and operations of contemporary business organisations. The book can be used flexibly. For example, parts 1 and 2 are suitable for undergraduate accounting and finance students. On the other hand, parts 2 and 3 will be excellent resources for postgraduate programs business students who have exposure to real world businesses, such as MBA students. The entire book can also be an excellent reference for practicing accountants to refresh their management accounting concepts.' Belete Jember Bobe, Deakin University, Australia 'The world of business has changed phenomenally over the last thirty to forty years, but many management accounting textbooks have stayed the same covering basic accounting concepts in the manufacturing sector. Prowle and Lucas have met the changes in the business world head on and produced a textbook that successfully addresses the complex management accounting problems and issues arising from the global business environment in which accountants must now operate. This book is a great read with contemporary business examples from across the world and will provide an easy source of reference on your bookshelf for many years.' Lynne Barrow, Hull University Business School, UK 'At last an accountancy book that acknowledges, explains and demonstrates the opportunities for companies and individuals to totally integrate accountancy in the strategically-led businesses of today. Malcolm Prowle and Michael Lucas demonstrate in this book how today's accountancy practices must match the requirements created by the swing from a manufacturing to a service-driven UK economy.' Ted Berry, Chairman Gallant Group, UK

• PART I: THE CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS WORLD1. The Nature of Business Organisations and Organisational Management2. The Evolution of the Contemporary Business World3. The Nature of Management Accounting in Business OrganisationsPART II: TACTICAL AND OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING IN THE CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS WORLD4. The Basic Principles of Cost Information and Cost Management5. Contemporary Business – Costing Issues6. Contemporary Business Tactical/Operational Planning and Decision Making7. Contemporary Business Management Accounting for Tactical and Operational ControlPART III: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING IN THE CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS WORLD8. The Nature of Strategic Management Accounting9. Internal and External Analysis of the Business and its Environment10. Strategy Development and Implementation11. The Application of SMA to the Development and Implementation of Business Strategies12. Strategy and Risk Management13. Management Control and Performance Management – the Strategic DimensionReferences.