Exercises · Q3
Q.State the main objectives of cost accounting.
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✓ Free question
Cost accounting is not an end in itself; it exists to give management the detailed cost information it needs. Its main objectives are the following.
- Ascertainment of cost. To find out the cost of each product, job, process or service — both in total and per unit — and to break it down into its elements of material, labour and expenses.
- Cost control. To keep actual costs within pre-decided limits, using tools such as standard costing and budgetary control, by comparing actual costs with standards or budgets and acting on the differences.
- Cost reduction. To find real and permanent reductions in unit cost without lowering quality — by eliminating waste, improving methods, or buying materials better.
- Ascertainment of profitability. To show which products, jobs or departments are profitable and which are not — information the single profit figure of the financial accounts cannot provide.
- Fixation of selling price. To provide the reliable cost figure that is the starting point for setting a selling price, including guidance on pricing during a slump or for a special order.
- Assisting decision-making. To supply the cost data needed for decisions such as make-or-buy, accepting a special order, continuing or dropping a product, and using scarce resources most profitably.
- Assisting planning and budgeting. To provide the raw material for budgets and plans, and a basis for measuring actual performance against them.
✓Final answer
The main objectives of cost accounting are ascertainment of cost; cost control; cost reduction; ascertainment of the profitability of each product or department; fixation of selling price; and assisting management in decision-making, planning and budgeting.
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