A static budget: a. should be compared to actual costs to assess how well costs were controlled.
b. should be compared to a flexible budget to assess how well costs were controlled.
c. is valid for only one level of activity. represents the best way to set spending targets for managers.
d. A planning budget is prepared before the period begins and is valid for only the planned level of activity.

You work as the sales manager for a company that sells office supplies to businesses of all sizes. because the profit margins are razor-thin, you need to ensure that you are getting the very best prices on paper, pencils, pens, post-it notes, and other office supplies from the manufacturers. when reviewing the quarterly profit statement, you realize that your costs are higher than they should be, and you trace the higher costs back to an employee who has been lax about getting competitive bids to ensure the lowest prices. when you conduct your research to determine the reason for the higher costs, and take action to bring those costs back down, in which of the key management processes are you taking part?