Relationship between Cost accounting and Management accounting

Akhilesh Kumar Roll No : 02 M.B.A. II Sem

Cost Accounting
The term cost has a wide variety of meaning. Different people use this term in different sense for different purposes. Cost accounting estimates the cost in advance and helps the management in exercising strict control.

Cost accounting is the process of accounting for cost from the point at which expenditure is incurred or committed to the establishment of its ultimate relationship with cost centres and cost units.

Management Accounting
Management accounting is comprised of two words Management and Accounting. It is that system of accounting which helps management in carrying out its functions more effectively. Management accounting may be defined as the application of accounting techniques to the provisions of informaion designed to assist all levels of management in planning and cotrolling the activities of the firms.

Relationship between Cost Accounting and Management Accounting

Management uses cost accounting data to minimise the cost and evaluate the performance as a basis for decision making. It is for this reason that most of the cost accounting concepts are also used in management accounting. Although there is some overlapping in the areas of cost accounting and management accounting, the two are not synonymous.

Distinction between Cost and management Accounting

Object
The object of cost accounting is to record the cost of producing a product or providing a service. The cost is recorded product wise or unit wise.

The purpose of management accounting is to provide information to the management for planning and co-ordination the activities of the business.

Scope
It includes financial accounting , cost accounting , budgeting , tax planning, reporting to management and interpretation of financial data. Cost accounting deals primarily with cost ascertainment.

Nature
Management accounting is generally concerned with the projection of figures for future. The policies and plans are prepared for providing future guidelines. Cost accounting uses both past and present figures.

Data Used
Only quantitative aspect is recorded in cost accounting. Management accounting uses both quantitative and qualitative information.

Devlopment
The development of cost accounting is related to industrial revolution. Management accounting has developed only in the last thirty years. Management accounting and cost accounting both are complementary subjects.

Principle Followed
Certain principles and procedures are followed for recording costs of different products .
The same rules are applicable at different times too. No specific rules and procedures are followed in reporting management accounting.

Thank You