CMA Part 1 Exam Prep 2026: Sec C- Performance Measurement

About this course

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of managerial accounting tools and techniques essential for effective performance evaluation, cost control, and strategic decision-making in modern organizations. Students will develop a deep understanding of variance analysis, responsibility accounting, contribution margin reporting, transfer pricing, and advanced performance measurement frameworks.The course begins with detailed variance analysis, including sales, cost, efficiency, price, overhead, mix, and yield variances, using both static and flexible budgets. Students learn to calculate, interpret, and explain these variances, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions in a management-by-exception environment.Key topics include responsibility centers (cost, revenue, profit, and investment), segmented contribution margin reporting, and the challenges of common cost allocation. Transfer pricing methods (market-based, cost-based, negotiated, dual-rate) are examined, along with their impact on goal congruence, divisional performance evaluation, and multinational considerations such as taxes and tariffs.The course concludes with contemporary performance measurement systems, focusing on Return on Investment (ROI), Residual Income (RI), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and Kaplan & Norton’s Balanced Scorecard. Students will analyze strategy maps and learn how to align financial and non-financial metrics with organizational strategy across financial, customer, internal process, and learning & growth perspectives.Through practical calculations, case studies, and real-world applications in both manufacturing and service environments, participants gain the analytical skills required to evaluate profitability, control costs, motivate managers, and support strategic decision-making. This course is ideal for accounting professionals, managers, and business students seeking to master performance measurement and control.

Course objectives

• develop analytical skills for performance evaluation
• support strategic decision-making
• identify root causes of variances
• recommend corrective actions in cost control