2. Review the performance report for the MBA program at Hidden Gem University provided in Exhibit A. The Dean made a claim that the MBA program enrollment is up by 20%. Comparing actual to budgeted amounts, how would the Dean support this claim?

Transcribed Image Text:

The Vanishing Tuition Quandary: A Responsibility Accounting Case Study "Wait a minute, did you just say that our MBA program is losing money? How can that be? Enrollment is up by 20% and we have not added any faculty positions." Chris, the Dean of the School of Business was just about speechless during the meeting with the University finance committee. The University was looking at each program and developing five-year projections. For the future financial health of the University, the finance committee was evaluating programs and planning to make recommendations to discontinue the unprofitable programs. Jamie, the finance committee chair, began the meeting by going over performance reports for each of the degreed programs offered in the most recent academic year. Jamie explained the allowances and adjustments as well as the allocation of common costs to each program. Chris immediately objected to the way the performance reports were calculated and the expectation that degreed programs were to be held accountable for costs beyond their control. Chris tried to explain the concept of responsibility accounting and the importance of analysis to better understand the merit of each program and the value that each contributed to the future growth of the university. Background Information Hidden Gem University was a small private school that had the flexibility and agility to add programs and change curriculum to meet the current demands of students. Economic pressures were forcing the University to make tough decisions to focus on core programs and reduce costs to stay relevant in the changing landscape of higher education. The MBA program was added to the curriculum six years ago and struggled to get started with the heavy competition by the state university in the area. However, the ability to react quickly and provide resources to support students was paying off through increased enrollment in the MBA program. The program had grown steadily and was very popular not only with traditional students, but also adults because it provided business acumen, leadership skills, The Vanishing Tuition Quandary: A Responsibility Accounting Case Study "Wait a minute, did you just say that our MBA program is losing money? How can that be? Enrollment is up by 20% and we have not added any faculty positions." Chris, the Dean of the School of Business was just about speechless during the meeting with the University finance committee. The University was looking at each program and developing five-year projections. For the future financial health of the University, the finance committee was evaluating programs and planning to make recommendations to discontinue the unprofitable programs. Jamie, the finance committee chair, began the meeting by going over performance reports for each of the degreed programs offered in the most recent academic year. Jamie explained the allowances and adjustments as well as the allocation of common costs to each program. Chris immediately objected to the way the performance reports were calculated and the expectation that degreed programs were to be held accountable for costs beyond their control. Chris tried to explain the concept of responsibility accounting and the importance of analysis to better understand the merit of each program and the value that each contributed to the future growth of the university. Background Information Hidden Gem University was a small private school that had the flexibility and agility to add programs and change curriculum to meet the current demands of students. Economic pressures were forcing the University to make tough decisions to focus on core programs and reduce costs to stay relevant in the changing landscape of higher education. The MBA program was added to the curriculum six years ago and struggled to get started with the heavy competition by the state university in the area. However, the ability to react quickly and provide resources to support students was paying off through increased enrollment in the MBA program. The program had grown steadily and was very popular not only with traditional students, but also adults because it provided business acumen, leadership skills,

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

The Vanishing Tuition Quandary A Responsibility Accounting Case Study Wait a minute did you just say that our MBA program is losing money How can that be Enrollment is up by 20 and we have not added a... View the full answer