IMA Candy Company: An Experiential Exercise in Managerial Accounting

Abstract

This paper explains the use of an exercise to develop students’ understanding of introductory managerial accounting concepts associated with costs in manufacturing. The game requires students to work in competing teams in an attempt to achieve the highest volume of accurately produced units at the lowest cost within the allotted time. Students are required to assess their performance in terms of cost accounting concepts applicable to the manufacturing process, as well as quality control issues, constraints, and other problems experienced during the exercise. The game is generally well received because it is experiential and the students receive the fruits of their productive labor from the game.