Movement From Traditional to Modern Cost Accounting Methods in Manufacturing Companies (*)

Year 2016, Issue: 10 - Issue: 10, 155 - 180, 01.01.2016

Hrvoje Perčević Mirjana Hladika

Abstract

Significant changes in business environment at the end of 20th century and the beginning of 21st century enable the development and application of moderncost accounting methods which main purpose is to give required information tomanagement regarding the effectiveness of certain products, projects, activities,consumers, responsibility centres etc. Traditional cost accounting methods weredeveloped in the middle of 20th century due to the automation of production. Thefocus of traditional cost accounting methods was on manufacturing cost and waysof indirect manufacturing costs allocation to products or services. But, further development of technology, changes in consumer’s preferences, global competition face modern manufacturing companies with permanent challenges of survival atthe global market. Traditional cost accounting methods are no longer appropriate inmodern business conditions, because cost accounting methods should indicate thepotential areas in companies where are possible cost savings. Therefore, moderncost accounting methods are focused on cost rationalization and cost reduction,since modern manufacturing companies cannot effect on market prices but caneffect on their costs. In current business conditions, modern cost accounting methodsare more appropriate while they are focused on the total costs through the wholeproduct life cycle. This paper deals with the modern cost accounting methods and their application in manufacturing companies. The results are showing that moderncost accounting methods enables more confidential determination of the real productprofitability. But it is also important to state that research results show that modern cost accounting methods should be applied together with traditional cost accounting methods. Traditional cost accounting methods give information regarding cost in short term, while modern methods are orientated on longer period (e. g. on the whole product life cycle).

Keywords

Traditional Cost Accounting Methods, Modern Cost Accounting Methods, ABC, Target Costing, Life Cycle Costing, Product Profitability.

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