Principles of Cost Accounting

Online

Managerial and cost accounting is a set of skills used by professionals in all levels of business. Designed for students seeking to obtain a better understanding of managerial and cost accounting, this course teaches the fundamentals of how to use accounting and financial data to make better, more profitable decisions. Through interactive, online lectures and instructor-led Q&As, this course examines the role of the manager in setting up the budget, evaluating the financial impact of day-to-day management decisions and using the budget as a control tool. By the end of this course, you will have an increased understanding of managerial accounting principles, and will be able to use accounting data to improve business decisions.

Learning Outcomes

  • Analyze cost behavior for fixed, variable and mixed costs
  • Distinguish between different types of budgets and understand the budgeting process
  • Appraise and utilize the activity-based costing system
  • Perform financial statement analysis using various techniques
  • Use Cost-Volume-Profit analysis to find breakeven points and target profit volumes

Skills You Will Gain

  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Cost Behavior
  • Capital budgeting
  • Job costing and process costing
  • CVP Analysis & Short-term Business Decisions
Academic Units
4
Section Number
251ACC503
Instruction Method
Online class

Association Credits

American Institute of CPAs (CPE)
40.00 CPE hours

Section Notes

This course is a paced-asynchronous course, which means that all students will be proceeding through the course at the same time. The course consists of online materials, reading assignments, written assignments and discussion forums. The lessons open on a weekly basis throughout the duration of the class. The time it takes you to complete each lesson depends on your individual approach and learning style, but in a given week, students can generally expect to spend approximately: 

  • 5-6 hours in online lectures and discussion forums  

  • 5-6 hours of work outside of class on readings and assignments 

Students can enroll through June 29, 2025. The course begins on June 23, 2025 and must be completed by September 14, 2025. 
Access to your course in Canvas will be available one business day before the course’s start date. 

If you anticipate needing any Disability Accommodations, please contact our Student Services representative PRIOR to enrolling in this course. The accommodations must be organized before starting the program. Please contact Tina Ehrke at (530) 757-8727 if you would like to register for a course and you have disability-related needs or concerns. https://cpe.ucdavis.edu/student

Enrollment Policies

Drop requests (withdraw with a refund) will be approved, less a $30 processing fee, if the request is received within the first two weeks of the course. Click here (https://cpe.ucdavis.edu/student-services/withdrawals-refunds-transfers) to view complete enrollment policy information including details on withdrawals and transfers. 

Refund Deadline: July 7, 2025. Refunds and/or enrollment transfers will not be approved after this date. 

Students have the first week of class to enroll with the understanding that students who enroll after the first day of class are expected to reach out to their instructors to make sure they receive all content and are on track with the course.  

Prerequisites

Can be taken concurrently with Principles of Financial Accounting, but not prior. 

Technical Requirements

This is an online course. To ensure your success in this course, please review our technical requirements page at online learning

Discounts

Early Enroll Discount

Enroll 14 days before the course start date to save $50 on the course fee.

Info Session Discount

Attendees of UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education Information Sessions may be eligible for $100 discount on a class by entering the Coupon Code provided at the Information Session.  Contact UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education Student Services office, at (800) 752-0881, if you have questions about this discount.