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OBJECTIVES OF COST ACCOUNTING Costing is defined as the technique and process of ascertaining the costs. The main objectives of Cost Accounting are as follows:1. Ascertainment of costs There are 2 methods of ascertainment of costs viz. i. Post costing ii. Continuous costing 2. Determination of selling price Though the selling price of a product is determined by market conditions, which are beyond the control of any business, it is still possible to determine the selling price within the market constraints. For this purpose, it is necessary to rely upon the data provided by the Cost Accountants 3. Cost Control To exercise Cost Control, the following steps should be observed i. Determine the objectives clearly, i.e. predetermine the desired results ii. Measure the Actual performance iii. Investigate into the causes of Failure to perform according to plan iv. Institute corrective action 4. Cost reduction Cost reduction refers to the achievement of Real and permanent reduction in the unit cost of goods manufactured or services rendered without impairing their suitability for the use intended or diminution in the quality of the product. 5. Profit of each Activity The profit of any activity can be ascertained by matching the cost with the revenue of that activity. The purpose under this step is to determine costing profit or loss of any activity on an objective basis. 6. Assisting Management in Decision Making Decision making is defined as the process of selecting a course of action out of two or more alternative courses. For making a choice between different courses of action, it is necessary to make a comparison of the outcomes, which may be arrived under different alternatives.

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These are the following important objectives of cost accounting: Ascertainment of Cost: The primary objectives of the cost accounting is to ascertain cost of each product, process, job, operation or service rendered. Ascertainment of Profitability: Cost accounting determines the profitability of each product, process, job, operation or service rendered. The statement of profit or losses and Balance Sheet also submitted to the management periodically.

Classification of Cost: Cost accounting classifies cost in to different elements such as materials, laborer and expenses. It has further been divided as direct cost and indirect cost for cost control and recording. Control of Cost: Cost accounting aims at controlling cost by setting standards and compared with the actual, the deviation or variation between two is identified and necessary steps are taken to control them. Fixation or Selling Prices: Cost accounting guides management in regard to fixation of selling prices of the products. It is also helpful for preparing tender and quotations.

Cost accounting refers to that branch of accountancy which is concerned with historical cost or costs which have been already incurred. Given below are some of the advantages of cost accounting for a company 1. Cost accounting by determining the price of a product helps the company in fixing the price of the product which company wants to sell to its customers.

2. It also helps the management in cost control and cost reduction of the products which company has manufactured with the help of various cost control measures like making cost centers and responsibility centers which makes it easier to identify the reason for cost escalation. 3. It also helps the management in identifying the unprofitable activities and also reduces the inefficiencies which may be present in the company. 4. Cost accounting data can be of great help when it comes to preparing the financial statements like profit and loss, balance sheet, and funds flow statement. 5. It also helps the management in making strategic financial decisions. For example marginal costing helps the management in making various short term decisions related to day to day activities of the business of the company.

Important advantages of a Cost Accounting System may be listed as below : 1. A good Cost Accounting System helps in identifying unprofitable activities, losses or inefficiencies in any form. 2. The application of cost reduction techniques, operations research techniques and value analysis technique, helps in achieving the objective of economy in concern's operations. Continuous efforts are being made by the business organization for finding new and improved methods for reducing costs.

3. Cost Accounting is useful for identifying the exact causes for decrease or increase in the, profit/loss of the business. It also helps in identifying unprofitable products or product lines so that these may be eliminated or alternative measures may be taken. 4. It provides information and data to the management to serve as guides in making decisions involving financial considerations. Guidance may also be given by the Cost Accountant on a host of problems such as, whether to purchase or manufacture a given component, whether to accept orders below cost, which machine to purchase when a number of choices are available. 5. Cost Accounting is quite useful for price fixation. It serves as a guide to test the adequacy of selling prices. The price determined may be useful for preparing estimates or filling tenders. 6. The use of cost accounting technique viz., variance analysis, points out the deviations from the pre-determined level and thus demands suitable action to eliminate such deviations in future. 7. Cost comparison helps in cost control. Such a comparison may be made from period to period by using the figures in respect of the same unit of firms or of several units in an industry by employing uniform costing and inter-firm comparison methods. Comparison may be made in respect of costs of jobs, processes or cost centres. 8. A system of costing provides figures for the use of Government, Wage Tribunals and other bodies for dealing with a variety of problems. Some such problems include price fixation, price control, tariff protection, wage level fixation, etc. 9. The cost of idle capacity can be easily worked out, when a concern is not working to full capacity. 10. The use of Marginal Costing technique, may help the executives in taking short term decisions. This technique of costing is highly useful during the period of trade depression, as the orders may have to be accepted during this period at a price less than the total cost. 11. The marginal cost has linear relationship with production volume and hence in formulating and solving "Linear Programming Problems", marginal cost is useful.

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