During this course, you will acquire skills that are central to the management of organisations, for measuring performance and maintaining the cash flows that are essential for the prosperity of any private company or public sector organisation. Accounting has been defined as the measurement and disclosure of financial information that is used by managers, investors and others to make decisions about the allocation of resources within organisations. Accounting is much more than just the mechanical manipulation of financial data to produce company accounts. The methods for preparing accounting information must be applied with judgment, and with an understanding of the purposes for which the information will be used. A wide range of decision makers need to understand the key principles which underpin a cost or profit figure produced by an accountant.