Friday, November 1, 2019

Scope and Functions of Management Accounting


J. Batty defines Management Accounting as “the term used to describe the accounting methods, systems and techniques which coupled with special knowledge and ability, assist management in its task of maximizing profits or minimizing losses”.

Scope of Management Accounting

The Management Accounting includes the following fields / scope of activities:

       1)      Financial Accounting: Financial accounting is the basis for Management accounting. Therefore, there must be a properly designed financial accounting system. Otherwise, the management cannot obtain full control and co-ordination of activities.

       2)      Cost Accounting: The costing techniques like standard costing, budgetary control, marginal costing, opportunity costing etc., play a vital role in the creation of policies and the operation of the undertaking.

       3)      Statistical Methods: The statistical tools like graphs, charts etc., help the management to understand the facts clearly. The statistical methods are also useful for drawing up plans and conclusions without waste of time and energy.

       4)      Internal Control: Internal control systems like internal check, internal audit and inventory control etc., ensure accurate information which is useful for making correct decision.

       5)      Office Operations: The office services which include maintenance of proper data processing and other office management services are also useful to the management in carrying out its functions.

       6)      Legal Provisions: The management decisions depend on various rules and regulations.

Functions of Management Accounting

The basic function of Management Accounting is to help the management in carrying out its function effectively. This basic function involves the following other activities:

       1)      Providing the Data: The management accountancy provides the necessary data for the drawing up of it plans.

       2)      Modification of Data: Th management accountancy compiles and classifies the data properly for decision making.

       3)      Analysis and Interpretation of Data: In order to make the data more meaningful to the management, the accounting data is analyzed by means of comparative statements, ratios and percentages, cash flow and fund flow statements.

       4)      Means of Communication: The Management accountancy serves as a means of communication by expressing the effectiveness of organizational capabilities and methods of carrying out plans.

       5)      Facilitating Control: The Management Accounting enables the management to control the organization by fixing the goals and the time limits for their attainment. In any system of control, the standard of performance and the analysis of variations therefrom are essential. This is made possible in management accountancy through budgetary control and standard costing.

       6)      Qualitative Information: The financial data alone is not sufficient for the management for decision making. It may require some other information which is not capable of being expressed in terms of money. Such information like statistical compilation, minutes of meetings, engineering records etc., are also collected in management accounting.

Thus, these are the scope and functions of Management Accounting for assisting management to maximize profit and control cost and loss.

To know more about Definition, Objectives & Tools of Management Accounting, you can have a visit @ https://subramoneyplanning.blogspot.com/2019/10/management-accounting-definition-objectives-tools-used.html

To know more about Advantages and Disadvantages of Management Accounting, please do visit @ https://subramoneyplanning.blogspot.com/2020/08/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-management-accounting.html

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