Budgeting and Unit-economics

2024/2025

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

Delivered at:

Department of Financial Management

Course type:

Elective course

When:

4 year, 2, 3 module

Instructor

Sobolev, Vladimir

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course introduces students to the concepts of budgeting and its applications within business operations. It provides the necessary understanding of the key management accounting and analysis tools required to generate and control the budgets. It covers various topics from different budgeting techniques to strategic performance management including an introduction to concepts of unit-economics and their relevance in assessing financial performance at the individual product or service level. The course includes in-class practical exercises and homework to help a deep comprehension of the materials provided.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the use of the budget to serve as a performance baseline for the measurement of actual results. Get perspective on a number of problems with budgeting that have given rise to a movement dedicated to the elimination of budgets.
• Understand how budgeting supports an organization’s competitive strategies. Know the tools to encourage behaviour that is consistent with an organization’s strategy, while focusing on an integrated framework of performance management that can be used to clarify, communicate and manage strategy. Be aware of the recent developments that seek to incorporate performance measurement and management within the strategic management process.
• Understand what unit economics are and how this knowledge allows to expand the understanding of a business. Know the new tools to make more informed decisions and increase profitability.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Understand the fundamental concepts of budgeting and its importance in financial planning.
• Apply basic principles of management accounting for effective resource allocation and cost control.
• Implement strategies for managing operational costs effectively within a given budgetary framework.
• Critically evaluate existing budget processes and recommend improvements where necessary.
• Utilize quantitative tools and techniques to enhance accuracy in budget forecasting.
• Calculate and analyze unit economics metrics such as customer acquisition cost, lifetime value, etc.

Course Contents

• Introduction to budgeting: The What and Why of Budgeting
• Basics of the Management accounting
• Data based decision making
• Budgeting Process
• Management Control In Budgeting
• Operational divisional performance measurement
• Strtategic performance management
• The application of quantitative methods to budgeting
• Unit-economics

Assessment Elements

• Case studies work
• Final individual closed-book exam
  Итоговый экзамен будет проведен с использованием онлайн-инструментов в формате автоматической проверки в компьютерном классе НИУ ВШЭ (SmartLMS в присутствии преподавателя)
• Homework

Interim Assessment

• 2024/2025 3rd module
  0.15 * Case studies work + 0.15 * Case studies work + 0.4 * Final individual closed-book exam + 0.15 * Homework + 0.15 * Homework

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Burney, L. L., & Malina, M. A. (2019). Advances in Management Accounting (Vol. First edition). Bingley, U.K.: Emerald Publishing Limited. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2012180

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Management and cost accounting, Drury, C., 2015

Authors

• Маханева Екатерина Александровна
• SOBOLEV VLADIMIR VLADIMIROVICH