Taxmann Cracker - Strategic Cost Management (SCM) Book for CMA Final by Tarun Agarwal

Strategic Cost Management – CRACKER (Previous Exams Solved Papers) is a comprehensive, exam-driven resource for CMA Final – Group III | Paper 16, designed to meet the increasing analytical, strategic, and quantitative rigour of the ICMAI examination framework. This Edition (January 2026) systematically compiles and fully solves past CMA Final examination questions up to December 2025, integrating them with marks-weighting analysis, trend evaluation, and syllabus mapping to ensure focused, results-oriented preparation.

The Present Publication is the 2^nd Edition, authored by CA. Tarun Agarwal, with the following noteworthy features:

• [Fully Solved Past Exam Questions] Coverage of CMA Final examination questions solved in detail up to December 2025, including the latest suggested answers
• [Module-wise Marks Distribution] Analytical presentation of marks allocation across modules based on past CMA examinations to identify high-scoring areas
• [Previous Exams Trend Analysis] Insight into recurring chapters, compulsory questions, and evolving examiner focus over multiple exam cycles
• [Chapter-wise Tabular Summaries] Concise tabular snapshots at the beginning of each chapter for quick conceptual orientation and revision
• [Module-wise Comparison with Study Material] One-to-one mapping with ICMAI Study Material modules to ensure complete syllabus alignment
• [Exam-oriented Presentation] Step-wise solutions and structured answer formats aligned with ICMAI evaluation and marking standards
• [Balanced Theory & Practical Coverage] Clear segregation and coverage of theory-based and numerical/problem-oriented questions reflecting actual exam patterns

The book comprehensively covers the entire Paper 16 syllabus, divided into two logically structured sections:

• Section A – Strategic Cost Management for Decision Making
  • Introduction to Strategic Cost Management
  • Quality Cost Management
  • Decision-Making Techniques:
    • Decisions involving alternative choices
    • Pricing decisions and strategies
    • Transfer pricing
    • Relevant cost analysis
    • Target costing
    • Product and asset life-cycle costing
    • Decision-making using probability
  • Activity-Based Management and JIT:
    • Activity-based cost management
    • Just-in-Time (JIT)
    • Throughput accounting
    • Backflush accounting
    • Benchmarking
  • Evaluating Performance:
    • Variance analysis
    • Uniform costing and inter-firm comparison
• Section B – Quantitative Techniques in Decision Making
  • Linear programming
  • Transportation and assignment models
  • Game theory
  • Simulation
  • Network analysis (PERT & CPM)
  • Learning curve analysis
  • Business applications of maxima and minima
  • Business forecasting models (time series and regression analysis)
  • Introduction to tools for data analytics
• Exam-based problems with detailed workings, assumptions, and examiner-aligned presentation support each topic

The structure of the book is as follows:

• Strict Module-wise Arrangement, mirroring the ICMAI syllabus framework
• Dedicated Analytical Sections covering:
  • Module-wise marks distribution
  • Multi-year examination trend analysis
  • Module-wise comparison with ICMAI Study Material
• Each chapter begins with a Tabular Conceptual Snapshot
• Past Examination Questions are arranged chronologically, followed by structured solutions and working notes
• Includes Module-wise Solved Paper – December 2025 (Suggested Answers) for realistic exam simulation