Module 05 Discussion – Strategic Budgeting for Business Success

Module 05 Discussion – Strategic Budgeting for Business Success

The president of Coopie Awards was analyzing the actual and budgeted results of operations for the current year. She noticed several favorable variances and gave accolades to the production manager in a meeting. She also noticed that the sales variance was unfavorable and spent considerable time questioning the sales vice president. She stated: “If production hadn’t managed costs so well to cover for your lack of sales we would have racked up quite a large net loss for the year.”

For your initial post, discuss your reaction to the president’s comments, meeting demeanor, and professionalism. Would you have handled the situation the same if you were her? If not, what would you have done differently? Why?

After taking some time to reflect on the written assignment for the week regarding budget creation and variance analysis, address the following for your second post: Do you agree with the president’s comments regarding the management of production costs and the lack of sales? Please explain your position. Study the last tab of your budget assignment spreadsheet and complete a flexible budget on the tab. Where were costs actually in line and where were they out of line? What could have been done to produce more favorable numbers? Note that you will need to complete this tab before submitting your assignment to the drop box so your instructor can see your flexible budget.

In a third post this week, respond to a classmate who offered a different perspective than you did on either the professionalism of the president or the variance analysis completed.