Lean accounting and value stream management are related costing and management techniques that differ radically from flexible budgeting, standard costing, and variance analysis as presented in this chapter. This assignment requires students to investigate and understand how these techniques differ from conventional standard costing-based accounting. 

Each student in the class will obtain one of the following three readings:

R. Maynard, “Lean Accounting, ?Financial Management, March 2008, pp. 44 ?6. 

J. Brosnahan, “Unleash the Power of Lean Accounting, ?Journal of Accountancy, July 2008, pp. 60 ?6. 

B. Baggaley and B. Maskell, “Value Stream Management for Lean Companies, ?Cost Management. Part I March/April 2003, pp. 23 ? 7; and Part II May/June 2003, pp. 24 ?0. Obtain both parts. 

Students will write a one-page summary of their reading, which compares lean accounting and value stream management to standard costing and variance analysis as presented in this chapter. In class students will be asked to present or discuss what they consider to be the most significant difference between lean accounting and chapter material.