Based on Kenneth Merchant’s ‘Modern Management Control Systems’, this new book comprehensively addresses the complex and multidimensional subject of management control systems (MCSs). The discussions in the book assume a basic level of knowledge of management accounting, but the book is suitable for upper level undergraduates who have taken a prior management accounting course as well as for postgraduates and practicing professionals.

The book presents an all-encompassing framework within which to consider management control issues. It also presents the needed technical subject content and summaries of the relevant research literature. But perhaps most importantly, it helps students developing their skills of applying the material to specific decision-making situations. This is done with real world text examples and an extensive set of case studies, which reflect the complexity that managers face when using MCSs.

While the book focuses on the use and effects of "financial results controls," it also describes situations where financial controls are either not effective or are actually counterproductive and discusses alternatives that managers can use in those situations.