Even though companies cannot use cost-accounting figures in their financial statements or for tax purposes, they are crucial for internal controls. The main motive or the objective of financial accounting is to prepare the financial statements for a specific accounting period of an entity in a definite way. It contains the Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, and Balance Sheet that helps to track an organization’s performance, profitability and financial status over a period of time. Let’s distinguish between cost accounting and financial accounting. Financial accounting records the financial transactions that help determine a company’s profitability.

This method is defined to supply information in the form of statements which always include Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Account for a period, once a year as usual. The information of expenditures is provided on the basis of historical transactions. So the information which merely indicates the past action is only concerned with historical interest and previous analysis. (2012) said, “the business requires timely information at frequent intervals to enable the management to plan and take corrective action.

What Is the Distinction between Cost Accounting and Financial Accounting?

(ii) Recording of transactions, both under the cost accounting system and financial accounting system, is made on the basis of common vouchers, invoices, and documents. The main objective of cost accounting is to control cost. It uses costing tools to do this, like budgetary control and standard costing. Financial accounting personnel issue reports only at the end of a reporting period.

• Financial accounting procures comprehensive data on the revenue of a company, its expenses, assets, net worth and liabilities.
• The company summarizes it into financial statements demonstrating its profitability or the outcome of its operations.
• It is useful for short-term economic decisions.
• Some accountants enjoy the rationality and logic of cost accounting, but others are more drawn to working with established sets of rules, often working as financial accountants.
• Cost accounting refers to both cost estimation and recording of real transactions.
• This gives management a better idea of where exactly the time and money are being spent.

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Stock Valuation – In financial accounts, stocks are valued at cost or realisable value, whichever is lesser. (4) Financial accounts deal mainly with actual facts and figures, but cost accounts deal partly with facts and figures and partly with estimates. Fixation of price is very easy in cost accounting target costing and selling price but it is not so easy in financial accounting. (1) Objective – The main objective is to ascertain the cost of production. It also includes cost reduction and cost control. Fixing of Selling Price – The objective of the maintenance of financial A/c is not the fixation of selling price.

In cost accounting, both actual transactions record and estimations are used. For example, when we mentioned budgetary control and variance analyze, we set the standard cost which is based on the estimations on previous data. And these estimations may differ slightly from actual cost.

The Difference Between Cost Accounting and Financial Accounting

It is generally said that the cost accounting system is complementary to the financial accounting system. (ix) Financial accounts cannot be incorporated into cost accounts whereas cost accounts may be incorporated into financial accounts. Cost accounting contributes to the effectiveness of financial accounting by offering relevant information, which is eventually the result of the organization’s good decision-making process. Financial accounting procures comprehensive data on the revenue of a company, its expenses, assets, net worth and liabilities. It also procures data on the financial stance of the business at all points in time.

(v) Analysis of costs and profits – It provides the details of cost and profit of each product, process, job, contract etc. Reporting – Financial accounting reports the results and position of business to government, creditors, investors, and external parties. Stock Valuation – In cost accounts, stocks are valued at cost. (5) Financial accounts are concerned with external transactions while cost accounts are concerned with internal transactions. (8) Degree of accuracy of statement – Since financial statements are prepared for outside parties therefore, degree of accuracy is very high.

A cost accountant is primarily charged with the responsibility of providing cost data for whatever purposes they may be required. Arranging, presenting, recording, and recognizing suitable investment allocation for investment to determine the costs of goods and services is the primary function of Cost Accounting. Cost accounting focuses on considering all input costs related to the production including both fixed and variable costs.

Cost Accounting vs Financial Accounting

She created I Pass The CPA Exam in 2010. A CPA license could benefit anyone going towards cost or financial accounting, as the CPA Exam covers many of the topics that these professionals use daily. You can explore recent salary information on certain roles in the financial accounting sector here. You can explore recent salary information on certain roles in the cost accounting sector here. (vii) Financial accounts do not disclose information relating to wastage of materials and the loss of man hours and machine hours.

Analysis – FA reveal the profit of the business as a whole. It uses different classification of income and expenses. Access to information – Cost Accounting information is generally for the insiders of the organization only. Decision making – Cost Accounting provides comprehensive information for decision making. Responsibility fixation – Cost Accounting provides a comprehensive basis for responsibility.

Our team of reviewers are established professionals with decades of experience in areas of personal finance and hold many advanced degrees and certifications. At Finance Strategists, we partner with financial experts to ensure the accuracy of our financial content. Cost accounting decides different operations into components such as contracts, division, and geographical segments. Whether you have other responsibilities that are completed in tandem with your education or need a flexible schedule to complete the accounting program, we offer day and evening classes.

Both kinds of strategies are components of the double-entry system and complete each other. Cost accounting data helps the company make cost control judgments. Financial accounting data is analogous but needs relevant data for future forecasting. Therefore, both cost and financial accounting are important and incomplete without each other. The information is provided for each product separately in cost accounting. Information like direct and indirect expenses, material costs, etc., for every unit.

Financial accounting evaluates operations across the company. Cost accounting shows real estimates and expenses. Statement of Retained Earnings – this document explains the dividends paid from earnings to shareholders and the earnings kept by the business during a set period of time. Financial accounting has been required for all businesses.