Cost Accounting for Managerial Planning, Decision Making and Control emphasizes the analysis and evaluation of cost accounting information for managerial planning, control, and decision-making. Our goal is to help students (future managers) understand how cost accounting information adds value to an organization in a highly competitive business environment. The philosophy underlying the development of this book is that providing cost accounting information is primarily a logical process, rather than a procedural one. It is most important that students first understand the basic concepts and objectives, and then gain some experience in applying these concepts in different environments. Through this approach, students will be better equipped to deal with the unforeseen situations they will encounter in professional practice or on professional examinations. This philosophy is evident in each chapter, as basic concepts are presented and then illustrated with examples and a wide variety of homework problems.

This text is intended for use in undergraduate and graduate courses in cost accounting at both the basic and advanced levels. It provides a complete and concise coverage of topics commonly included in a basic course, with an in-depth coverage of selected topics more appropriate for an advanced course in cost accounting. Modular coverage of these topics permits the instructor to adapt the text to his or her own preferences for course content. Plus, an extremely clear writing style contributes to the ease with which students will comprehend the contents of each chapter. By emphasizing the differing uses for cost accounting information, our intent is to make the student an intelligent provider, user, and interpreter of this information.

Woody M. Liao is a Professor of Accounting at University of California - Riverside. He received his Ph.D. in Accounting from University of Florida, and his MBA from Illinois State University. Dr. Liao is a CPA and CMA. He has been invited and served as speaker and visiting scholar at University of Hawaii, Naval Postgraduate School, National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Dr. Liao has published numerous papers in leading accounting journals, and was named a "Prolific Author in Accounting" in 2002.

Andrew Schiff, CPA, is a Professor of Accounting in the College of Business and Economics at Towson University. He received his M.S. in Accounting from SUNY at Albany, and his Ph.D. from Rutgers University. His previous professional experience includes serving as an audit manager, assistant controller and controller in various organizations. Dr. Schiff has published in numerous academic and professional journals, and has coauthored or edited two other textbooks.

Hsihui Chang is the KPMG Professor and Department Head of Accounting in the LeBow College of Business at Drexel University. He obtained his Bachelor degree from the National Changhua University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Chang has published more than 60 articles in leading academic journals, and has received numerous awards for his research articles and one award for his outstanding teaching. He is professionally qualified as a CPA and a CMA, and has served as a consultant to several for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Stacy Kline, MBA, CPA has been a Clinical Associate Professor of Accounting at Drexel University for over fifteen years. Prior to joining the faculty at Drexel, she earned her MBA from Temple University and worked in public accounting for over nine years. Professor Kline has published articles, authored CPE courses and has served as a reviewer for a number of other CPE courses.