About this course

The course provides an introduction to concepts and models within management accounting and business administration. Students will gain knowledge of fundamental business economic theory and methods and develop the ability to understand and discuss business-related economic issues. The course aims to provide students with the knowledge necessary to understand the business economic mechanisms that operate in the corporate sector.

Thematically, the course is divided into the following main components:

  • Introduction to the firm
  • Management accounting, financial management and corporate finance
  • Financial ratios and break-even analysis
  • Costing methods and investment appraisal
  • Strategy and marketing
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Introduction to advanced business economic methods (e.g., Activity-Based Costing (ABC), Lean, Beyond Budgeting, etc.)

Learning outcome

Upon completion of the course, the student is expected to achieve the following learning outcomes, categorized into knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

  • has solid knowledge of fundamental concepts in management accounting
  • has solid knowledge of basic theories and methods in management accounting
  • has solid knowledge of the fundamental structure of financial statements
  • has solid knowledge of the financial cycle within a firm

Skills

The student

  • is able to prepare cost calculations
  • is able to conduct basic investment appraisals
  • is able to perform break-even analyses
  • is able to carry out financial ratio analysis based on financial statements
  • is able to contribute to discussions on business economic issues

General Competence

The student

  • is able to draw independent conclusions based on business economic analyses
  • is able to assess the financial consequences of decisions
  • is able to critically evaluate economic processes within an organization
  • understands the relationship between management accounting, resource scarcity, and the various types of resources available to an organization

  • Learning activities

    The course opens with a digital lecture. The curriculum is subsequently delivered through video lectures, weekly exercises, and weekly online seminars.

    Students will be given access to online learning resources via Canvas.

  • Teaching support

    Canvas

  • Syllabus

    Terje Berg: Økonomistyring 4. utgave 2025, Fagbokforlaget. ISBN 9788245057133

    Additional readings are provided in Canvas.

  • Assessment method

    Portfolio assessment; four assignments spaced out in the course period.

    Grading scale: Pass / Fail.

    No re-sit examination is offered in this course.



    Portfolio Karakterregel: Passed / Not Passed

  • About use of AI

    Assessment:

    K1 - The use of AI is not permitted. See guidelines for use of artificial intelligence (AI) at NMBU.

    Mandatory activity:

    K2 - Specified use of AI in accordance with the guidelines for use of artificial intelligence (AI) at NMBU.

    AI may be used in the following way for mandatory activity in this course: AI may be employed as assistance in completing the required coursework. If AI is used, this must be mentioned in a note attached to the assignment. Here you must include a log and a description of how the AI was utilized.

    Descriptions of AI-category codes.

  • Examiner scheme

    External examiner will control the quality of syllabus, questions for the final examination, and principles for the assessment of the examination answers.

  • Teaching hours

    The course includes 3-4 hours of video lectures per week. Each week, a set of practice exercises is provided to allow students to work on the material covered in the week’s lectures. In addition, several weekly tutorial sessions are offered. These are two-hour sessions (2 × 45 minutes) led by teaching assistants, where students receive guidance and support with the practice exercises. Participation in the tutorial sessions and completion of the practice exercises are not mandatory.

  • Preferential right

    Students enrolled in the one-year study programme in Sustainable Business Management (KVU-BEDØK)

  • Reduction of credits

    BUS100/BUS100F Grunnleggende bedriftsøkonomi - 5 ects

    BUS101 Bedriftsøkonomiske sammenhenger - 5 ects

    INN200/INN200F Økonomistyring - 5 ects

    INN201-B Økonomistyring - 7,5 ects

  • Admission requirements

    Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (GSK).

    Study right to the one-year study programme in Sustainable Business Management (KVU-BEDØK)