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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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Cost reduction. To find real and permanent reductions in unit cost without lowering quality — by eliminating waste, improving methods, or buying materials better.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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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