Students Acting As Consultants: Advising Small Businesses on Cost Accumulation

• In Event: Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum 8

Abstract

This paper describes an instructional tool developed to enhance coverage of cost accumulation topics in a graduate level Introductory to Management Accounting course. The assignment entails visiting a small business and interviewing the owner to learn about the company’s process for determining costs of products and/or services. Such active learning hones leadership and critical thinking skills by requiring students to employ interviewing and listening techniques as they act as business advisors to discuss cost accumulation processes with small business owners.
Student feedback suggests that students value the opportunity to engage in a realistic exercise that allows them to draw linkages between textbook material and the real world, while also acting in a consulting role to apply class concepts to help a small business. Furthermore, assessment data based on grading rubrics indicates that all students meet or exceed instructor expectations increasing the viable use of this course project.

Authors

• C. Andrew Lafond, LaSalle University

• Kristin Wentzel, LaSalle University