Establecimiento de un modelo de costeo para los servicios ofertados por el Instituto Universitario de Idiomas de la Universidad de Cuenca

Abstract

This thesis defines a costing model for the services offered by the Language Institute at the University of Cuenca. The objective is to establish efficient control over the costs associated with these services to facilitate setting realistic rates. The main problem identified was a need for a more precise understanding of the costs involved in providing services and the need to determine an optimal cost combination to maintain financial equilibrium. The methodology adopted was mixed. On the one hand, the qualitative aspect involved collecting detailed information through interviews with the Institute's staff and data requests from involved organizations, allowing for a deep understanding of the internal processes and needs of the Institute. On the other hand, the quantitative approach focused on financial analysis, developing detailed cost sheets, calculating payroll, and generating a break-even model, which provided a clear view of the Institute's cost structure. The comparison between actual and current costs revealed a significant discrepancy. It was found that, in several services, the costs exceed the established prices, indicating a possible inefficiency in the current pricing structure. This gap between costs and prices suggests that the Institute might be operating at a loss in certain services. The misalignment between the incurred and charged costs highlights the need to revise the pricing strategy. It is recommended that the Institute consider adjusting the prices of its services to exceed the actual costs. Additionally, effectively promoting those services that show higher profitability would be beneficial, thus ensuring sustainability.