Introduction
The project on cost benchmarking explains how accounting collects and organizes financial information for managers, investors, lenders, regulators, and the public. It helps decision-making and influences planning, control, and performance across departments and organizations.
Standard costing acts as a control tool that measures performance using set cost standards. It includes material, labor, and overhead costs. Organizations revise standards when prices, technology, production methods, or economic conditions change. Updated standards improve cost control, efficiency, and resource use. Frequent changes increase cost and confusion, so managers usually revise standards once a year. Basic standards support comparison but may not suit fast technological and market changes.
Objectives of the Study
1. Determining Selling Price
Businesses aim to earn profit. Revenue must exceed total costs. Cost accounting calculates the cost of producing goods and services. Management also considers market conditions and demand. Cost plays a major role in price decisions.
2. Determining and Controlling Efficiency
Cost accounting studies production and service activities. It measures efficiency department-wise and overall. It uses tools like budgetary control and standard costing. Managers compare actual costs with budgeted costs. This process improves operational efficiency.
3. Facilitating Preparation of Statements
Management needs regular financial information. Financial accounting reports are prepared yearly or half-yearly. Cost accounting provides daily or monthly cost data. It tracks raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods. This system helps prepare statements quickly.
4. Providing Basis for Operating Policy
Cost accounting supports policy decisions. It helps analyze cost-volume-profit relationships. Managers decide whether to shut down or continue operations. It also supports make-or-buy decisions. It guides the replacement of old machinery.
