The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants (ICMA) defines costing as the technique and process of ascertaining costs. This is a reasonable definition, but it only addresses the dimensions of technique and process. To elaborate on this, costing can also be defined as a systematic process for determining the unit cost of output produced or service rendered. That is to say, costing involves analyzing the expenditure incurred in manufacturing an item or rendering a service. This enables an organization's managers to know not only the total cost but also its constituents. Therefore, costing, as a technique, is the body of principles and rules used to ascertain cost. As a process, it is the procedure used to ascertain costs. The question of what technique and process to use depends on the nature of the industry, the type of product, and the method of production. The objectives of costing are broadly divided into the following three areas. Ascertainment of cost is the first and most important objective of costing. The aim is to determine the cost of each product, process, or operation, and to ensure that all expenses are absorbed into the cost of the products, the techniques, and the process of costing used. To ascertain the cost of management, with the help of the costing department, it is worthwhile to make preliminary investigations and introduce a system for recording costs. A proper and complete record is maintained for materials, labor, and other expenses (referred to as covered heads). Thus, the management periodically collects cost data, which is used as the basis for determining the selling price. As such, the costs and sales are matched. This matching process helps to determine and improve the profitability of the product. Significantly, costing not only enables managers to ascertain costs, but it also provides a basis for ascertaining the profitability of the product being produced or any services rendered. Ascertaining costs alone is not sufficient. Naturally, it is not enough because it is the cost that determines the selling price and, in turn, the profitability. As such, the norm that everyone attempts to follow is "the lower the cost, the greater to profit." To fulfill the underlying idea behind this norm, it is important to control the cost so as to reduce the cost of a product or service. Budgets are prepared, standards are established, actuals are ascertained, and then a comparison is made. If any deviation between the actuals and the budget and the standards is identified, corrective measures are taken. This helps to control the cost and enables managers to earn more or reduce the selling price. In turn, this allows the customer to benefit from better quality, which can build goodwill for the product and firm. Costing is a faithful servant for managers within an organization. It aids managerial decision-making from all practical points of view. Cost data obtained from costing enable managers to strive toward efficiency for the whole organization. Cost data provide organizational guidelines for various managerial decisions. For example, the use of cost data can guide the introduction of a new product line, lead to the identification of unused capacity, or highlight expansion opportunities. Costing provides valuable cost data. Therefore, it plays a vital role in managerial decision-making. To deliver good services, it is also necessary to have a sound costing system. The advantages that managers derive from costing depend on the costing department, particularly along the following dimensions: Another influencing factor is the cooperation that the costing department can receive from other departments in the organization. According to this viewpoint, it is not costing but how costing functions, as well as how much it delivers, that is important. With this in mind, a sound system of costing helps to derive various advantages. Some of these are discussed in the remainder of this article. An important advantage of costing is that it provides cost data for managerial decisions. Costing also provides information that may help in making estimates and then in calling for tenders. Costing reveals the losses that a particular unit is incurring. It reveals the inefficiencies at various levels, and it also helps to identify the exact cause of a decrease or increase in the profit or loss of a business (as a whole or unit-wise, as required). Further advantages of costing are that it can assist in identifying profitable or unprofitable units and ventures. As such, costing guides future policies. Significantly, costing also provides an independent but reliable check on financial accounting. This is because costing plays a role in the reconciliation of the two activities. Fundamentally, costing also controls costs. Costing also compares the respective costs of different methods, machines, and systems, and it helps in decision-making in this regard. Costing provides a tool for price fixation as well as price control. Costing can help the government make decisions about tariff protection, and it can also offer information relating to wage policy. A final advantage of costing is that it helps managers within an organization make decisions about wages. More broadly, costing provides a solid foundation for the efficient and smooth functioning of the enterprise as a whole.Definition of Costing
Objectives of Costing
1. Ascertainment of Cost
2. Cost Control
3. Guidelines for Management
Advantages of Costing
Costing FAQs
The institute of cost and management accountants (icma) defines costing as the technique and process of ascertaining costs. Costing can also be defined as a systematic process for determining the unit cost of output produced or service rendered.
Ascertainment of cost, cost control and guidelines for management
Type, adequacy, efficiency and objectives of costing department
The four basic types of cost include direct, indirect, fixed, and variable costs.
Costing methods include job costing, process costing, absorption costing, standard costing, direct costing, and uniform costing.
True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.
True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.
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