A costing system should collect statistical data for significant operations, analyze the data, and make it available to the management to support managerial decision-making. Hence, the costing system should benefit the undertaking. Accordingly, the following matters and conditions require consideration when introducing a costing system: Firstly, organizations should determine the objectives and expectations of installing the costing system. The costing system may be introduced to fix prices or institute a system of cost control. Organizations should ascertain the significant manufacturing unit variables likely to control and affect the business unit. In some manufacturing units, material cost represents the dominant factor. In such cases, the costing system should pay greater attention to controlling the material cost, which is achievable through efficient supervision of purchasing, receiving, storing, issuing, pricing, and utilizing the materials. If labor cost is the dominant factor, the undertaking should devise an elaborate system to control the recruitment, preparation of labor records, and payment of wages. The proposed costing system must correspond to the nature of the product or the manufacturing process involved. The costing system should suit the general organization of the undertaking. Thus, introducing the system should not unduly alter or extend the present operations. Here, organizations should consider the technical aspects of the business and attempt to win the sympathetic assistance or support of the principal supervisory staff members. Printed forms should record the cost data, reduce clerical work, and minimize the possibility of errors. Details of cost records should be minimum according to the requirements of the management. Organizations should promptly and regularly make costing results available to the management because such records aid the decision-making process. Organizations should clarify the desired degree of cost data accuracy and how they can verify such accuracy. Both cost accounts and financial accounts should be interlinked into a single accounting system, or they should be capable of reconciliation. No single system applies to every organization because all endeavors have distinct requirements. The objectives of installing a costing system include: 1. Lack of support. The management may not support installing a costing system because, for example, they may consider it expensive. In such cases, other functional areas may not support the idea or extend their positive support. Thus, the facts and figures related to the installation should satisfy the management and convince them that the system’s benefits will outweigh its costs. Ideally, a sense of cost-consciousness should be created. 2. Resistance of the Accounting Staff. The financial accounting staff may resist over fears the installation of a costing system would reduce their importance. These employees may require placation and should be informed of the benefits provided by the system: improved efficiency, new opportunities, more varied jobs, and so forth. 3. Non-cooperation. Others in the organization may cause problems by adopting a non-cooperative attitude, such as failing to supply adequate data. This behavior may harm the implementation of the costing system. The answer lies in educating the staff, informing them of the advantages of the system, and easing any doubts they may have. Gaining employees’ confidence represents a crucial aspect of installing a costing system. 4. Shortage of trained staff. Initially, a lack of trained staff will cause a problem. However, a sensible approach and providing training to use the system will ensure its efficient use and generate the desired results. 5. Continuously checking progress. Establishing a system capable of producing results by continuously checking the progress of the costing department will help meet its objectives. A costing system can create objections over its perceived lack of necessity and duplication of work. However, in the present complex business world, an efficient costing system benefits the management by clarifying exact costs and their constituent parts. Knowing exact costs helps determine the competitive selling price and ensures effective control over materials, labor, and overhead costs. A sound costing system should provide the required cost data. Objections can also arise over perceived costs and that only large organizations can afford such an expensive system. However, the advantages and benefits for all enterprises, regardless of size, are often far greater than the incurred expenses. Thus, the costing system is rarely unnecessary or expensive, provided that the enterprise carefully considers all the pros and cons associated with its installation.1. Costing System Objectives
2. Consideration of Significant Variables
3. Suitability to Product
4. Suitability to the General Organization
5. Consideration of the Technical Details of the Business
6. Use of Standard Forms
7. Details of Cost Records
8. Prompt Availability of Costing Information
9. Degree of Accuracy Desired
10. Reconciliation of Results
Primary Objectives of Installing a Costing System
Problems and Possible Solutions
Objections Against the Installation of a Costing System
Installation of a Costing System FAQs
A Cost Accounting system helps collect, organize and communicate information about costs that managers need to run an organization. This information can show how much it costs to produce a particular product or service, as well as which factors affect these production costs, so managers can take action in areas where they have control over these factors.
As with any information tool, cost data must be analyzed correctly in order to understand what actions should be taken based on that information. However, managers need to be trained to perform this type of analysis correctly.
It depends on the size and complexity of the organization. There may be an initial implementation fee, but many companies recoup these costs over time by using the data produced by the system for more informed decision-making.
The degree of training depends on the size and complexity of the organization. Managers need to be trained in how to use this information, but they also need to understand basic accounting concepts in order for them to interpret that data correctly.
The first step is to perform research and select a Cost Accounting system that best suits your needs. You will also need to identify what data you would like to collect, which can typically be done by establishing kpis (key performance indicators) based on the needs of your organization. Then, you will need to determine how to collect and enter that data into the system.
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.
To learn more about True, visit his personal website or view his author profiles on Amazon, Nasdaq and Forbes.
