logo for cost-accounting-info.com
About Us
Basics: Costing Basics
Accounting Basics
Cost Elements
Cost Acctg Types
Cost Methods
Inventory Costing
Accounting Jobs: Job Descriptions
Resume Sample
Reports: Financial Analysis
Cost Reports
Business Reports
Software: Accounting Software
Manufacturing Software
Excel
Presentation Software
Website Builder
Contact Us: Contact Us
Blog: Costing Blog
Home

[?] Subscribe To This Site

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

leftimage for cost-accounting-info.com


Cost Accounting Helps a Business to Thrive and Grow

Cost Accounting may also be called Managerial Accounting or Management Accounting. This accounting is quite different from normal general ledger or balance sheet accounting. The accountant will work with much more detail, often working with fractions of a penny in determining the cost of a product or service.  


This accounting is also unique, in that reporting is for the company's management and is rarely, if ever, reported to external sources. The reason for this is that cost details of a product or service are secret and not be shared with competitors. If a competitor knows your costs, that he will know how to cost his bids for new contracts to win the contracts every time.

Costing involves collecting and reporting the cost elements of a product or service, which include direct labor, indirect labor, material costs, burden costs and administrative costs. The costs of a business are separated and put into categories so reporting and financial analysis of these costs can be very detailed.

There are a few different methods of cost accounting, such as Standard Cost, ABC Costing, and Job Order Costing.  The method of costing used in a particular business will be determined by the type of product or service, and also management's requirements.

Cost Accounting is used in many different types of businesses, including manufacturing, hospital and health care and service types. This type of accounting is actually used in every business, although in many very small businesses the process is very informal and may be done in the owner's head. Many businesses have very poor cost systems.

A business that knows its true costs to manufacture its product or service certainly has an advantage when it comes to making profits and acquiring new work. If every cost can be reported and analyzed, than every cost can be improved. If a cost is unknown, it is very hard to know how to improve it, and it is very dangerous to quote on new work. Many businesses are in trouble because work was acquired at a price where they are unable to make a profit.

Some Things You May Be Interested In:

  • Bookkeeping Information
  • Free Small Business Forms for your small business to download, modify and print 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.



  • SITE CONTENTS:

    About us at cost-accounting-info
    About us at cost-accounting-info.com

    The Cost Accounting Basics You Should Know
    Cost accounting basics including how a product or service is costed and requirements for a Cost Accountant, costing standards, burden allocation, cost elements

    Accounting Basics
    Accounting basics including defining accounting, basic principles, terms and uses of accounting

    Accounting Cost Elements Explained
    Accounting cost elements explained: Direct labor, indirect labor, burden, material costs, and admin costs

    Understanding Cost Accounting
    Understanding cost accounting: what it is, who uses it, different types.

    Cost Accounting Methods
    Cost accounting methods used including standard cost, activity based costing and job order cost accounting.

    Inventory Costing
    Inventory costing accounting should follow accounting principles by using the lower of cost or market for valueation

    Accounting Job Descriptions
    Accounting job descriptions for many accounting positions, to help you determine which is best for you.

    Sample Accounting Resume
    A sample accounting resume from an actual Accountant that has produced positive results many times.

    Financial Analysis
    Financial analysis reporting and how to. Tools used and what makes an excellent or poor analysis

    The Top Cost Reports
    Excellent cost reports are COGS, production, scrap and biggest losers. Management needs good cost reports to increase efficiency.

    Top Business Reports
    Business reports including business plans, budgets, forecasts and flash reports. What these reports are and what is normally expected to be included.

    Business Accounting Software
    Business accounting software from spreadsheets to manufacturing resource packages

    Manufacturing Accounting Software
    manufacturing accounting software is often called MRP or ERP software.This is a complete enterprise wide software that effects all departments of the company.

    The New Microsoft Upgrade
    The new microsoft upgrade and why you should update you Excel now

    Business Presentation Software
    Business presentation software is a very good way of getting your point accross to small or large audiences.

    Make Your Own Website Business
    You can make your own website business using this sitebuilder that will help you step by step

    Contact us
    Contact Us page for cost-accounting-info.com

    Cost Accounting Blog
    The Cost Accounting Blog keeps you up-to-date when changes are made to the cost-accounting-info.com website. Subscribe here.



    Return to TOP of Page



      website business