A Absorption costing Stock costing method in which all variable manufacturing costs and all fixed manufacturing costs

are included as inventoriable costs. Account analysis method Approach to cost estimation that classifies cost accounts in the ledger as variable, fixed or mixed with respect to the cost driver. Typically, qualitative rather than quantitative analysis is used in making these classification decisions. Accounting rate of return (ARR) Accounting measure of income divided by an accounting measure of investment.Also called return on investment (ROI). Activity An event, task or unit of work with a specified purpose. Activity-based accounting Examination of activities across the entire chain of value-adding organisational processes underlying causes (drivers) of cost and profit. Activity-based budgeting Approach to budgeting that focuses on the costs of activities necessary to produce and sell products and services. Activity-based costing (ABC) Approach to costing that focuses on activities as the fundamental cost objects. It uses the cost of these activities as the basis for assigning costs to other cost objects such as products, services or customers. Activity-based management (ABM) Management system which uses activity-based costing information to improve profits and enhance value to customers. Actual costing A costing method that traces direct costs to a cost object by using the actual direct cost rate(s) times the actual quantity of the direct cost input(s) and allocates indirect costs based on the actual indirect cost rate(s) times the actual quantity of the cost allocation base. Actual costs Costs incurred (historical costs), as distinguished from budgeted or forecasted costs. Appraisal costs Costs incurred in detecting which of the individual units of products do not conform to specifications. Artificial costs See complete reciprocated cost. Attention directing Management accountants function that involves making visible both opportunities and problems on which managers need to focus. Autonomy The degree of freedom to make decisions. Average cost See unit cost. Back to the top B

Backflush accounting A cost accounting system which focuses on the output of the organisation and then works backwards to allocate costs between cost of goods sold and stock. Backflush costing Costing system that delays recording changes in the status of a product being produced until good finished units appear; it then uses budgeted or standard costs to work backwards to flush out manufacturing costs for the units produced.Also called delayed costing, endpoint costing or post-deduct costing. Balanced scorecard A measurement and management system that views a business units performance from four perspectives: financial, customer, internal business process, and learning and growth. Batch-level costs The costs of resources sacrificed on activities that are related to a group of units of products or services rather than to each individual unit of product or service. Benchmark Point of reference from which comparisons may be made. Benchmarking The continuous process of measuring products, services or activities against the best levels of performance. Book value The original cost minus accumulated depreciation of an asset. Bottleneck An operation where the work required approaches or exceeds the available capacity. Breakeven point Quantity of output where total revenues and total costs are equal; that is where the operating profit is zero. Budget The quantitative expression of a plan of action and an aid to the coordination and implementation of the plan. Budgetary slack See padding. Budgeted costing See extended normal costing. Bundled product A package of two or more products or services, sold for a single price, where the individual components of the bundle may be sold as separate items, each with its stand-alone price. Business function costs The sum of all the costs in a particular business function. By-product Product from a joint process that has a low sales value compared with the sales value of the main or joint product(s). Back to the top C Capital budgeting The process of making long-term planning decisions for investments.

Capitalised costs Costs that are first recorded as an asset (capitalised) when they are incurred. Carrying costs Costs that arise when a business holds stocks of goods for sale. Cash budget Schedule of expected cash receipts and disbursements. Cash cycle See self-liquidating cycle. Cause-and-effect diagram Diagram that identifies the potential causes of failures or defects. Four major categories of potential causes of failure are identified human factors, methods and design factors, machine-related factors and materials and components factors.Also called a fishbone diagram. Chartered Institute of ManagementAccountants (CIMA) The principal professional management accounting body in the UK, founded in 1919 as the Institute of Cost and WorksAccountants. Today, in terms of membership, it is the third largest professional accounting body in the UK. Chief accounting officer The financial executive primarily responsible for both management accounting and financial accounting. Choice criterion Objective that can be quantified in a decision model. Coefficient of determination (r2) Measures the percentage of variation in a dependent variable explained by one or more independent variables. Collusive pricing Companies in an industry conspire in their pricing and output decisions to achieve a price above the competitive price. Combined variance analysis Approach to overhead variance analysis that combines variable-cost and fixed-cost variances. Common cost The cost of operating a facility, operation, activity area or like cost object that is shared by two or more users. Complete reciprocated cost The actual cost incurred by the service department plus a part of the costs of the other support departments that provide services to it; it is always larger than the actual cost.Also called artificial cost of the service department. Composite product unit A hypothetical unit of product with weights related to the individual products of the company. Computer-aided design (CAD) Computer-based technology allowing interactive design and testing of a manufacturing component on a visual display terminal. Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) Computer-based technology to permit the programming and control of production equipment in the manufacturing task.

Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) The use of computers and other advanced manufacturing techniques to monitor and perform manufacturing tasks. Conference method Approach to cost estimation that develops cost estimates on the basis of analysis and opinions gathered from various departments of an organisation (purchasing, process engineering, manufacturing, employee relations, and so on). Constant The component of total costs that, within the relevant range, does not vary with changes in the level of the cost driver.Also called intercept. Constant gross-margin percentage NRV method Joint cost allocation method that allocates joint costs in such a way that the overall gross-margin percentage is identical for all the individual products. Constraint A mathematical inequality or equality that must be satisfied by the variables in a mathematical model. Continuous improvement budgeted cost Budgeted cost that is successively reduced over succeeding time periods. Contribution income statement Income statement that groups line items by cost behaviour pattern to highlight the contribution margin. Contribution margin Revenues minus all costs of the output (a product or service) that vary with respect to the number of output units. Contribution margin percentage Total contribution margin divided by revenues. Control Covers both the action that implements the planning decision and the performance evaluation of the personnel and operations. Control chart Graph of a series of successive observations of a particular step, procedure or operation taken at regular intervals of time. Each observation is plotted relative to specified ranges that represent the expected distribution. Controllability The degree of influence that a specific manager has over costs, revenues or other items in question. Controllable cost Any cost that is primarily subject to the influence of a given manager of a given responsibility centre for a given time span. Conversion costs All manufacturing costs other than direct materials costs. Cost Resource sacrificed or forgone to achieve a specific objective. Cost accounting Measures and reports financial and other information related to the organisations acquisition or consumption of resources. It provides information for both management accounting and financial accounting.

Cost accumulation The collection of cost data in some organised way through an accounting system. Cost allocation The assigning of indirect costs to the chosen cost object. Cost-allocation base A factor that is the common denominator for systematically linking an indirect cost or group of indirect costs to a cost object. Cost assignment General term that encompasses both tracing accumulated costs to a cost object and allocating accumulated costs to a cost object. Costbenefit approach Primary criterion for choosing among alternative accounting systems, which is how each system achieves organisational goals in relation to the cost of those systems. Cost centre A responsibility centre in which a manager is accountable for costs only. Cost driver Any factor that affects total costs. That is, a change in the cost driver will cause a change in the level of the total cost of a related cost object. Cost estimation The measurement of past cost relationships. Cost hierarchy Categorisation of costs into different cost pools on the basis of different classes of cost drivers or different degrees of difficulty in determining cause-and-effect (or benefits received) relationships. Cost incurrence Occurs when a resource is sacrificed or used up. Cost leadership An organisations ability to achieve lower costs relative to competitors through productivity and efficiency improvements, elimination of waste and tight cost control. Cost management Actions by managers undertaken to satisfy customers while continuously reducing and controlling costs. Cost object Anything for which a separate measurement of costs is desired. Cost-plus contract Contract in which reimbursement is based on actual allowable cost plus a fixed fee. Cost pool A grouping of individual cost items. Cost predictions Forecast of future costs. Costs of quality (COQ) Costs incurred to prevent or rectify the production of a low-quality product. Cost tables Databases of all costs involved in production incorporating cost-based knowledge of sub-components.

Cost tracing The assigning of direct costs to the chosen cost object. Costvolumeprofit (CVP) Examines the behaviour of total revenues, total costs and operating profit as changes occur in the output level, selling price, variable costs or fixed costs; a single revenue driver and a single cost driver are used in this analysis. Cumulative average-time learning model Learning curve model in which the cumulative average time per unit declines by a constant percentage each time the cumulative quantity of units produced is doubled. Current cost Asset measure based on the cost of purchasing an asset today identical to the one currently held. It is the cost of purchasing the services provided by that asset if an identical asset cannot currently be purchased. Customer-cost hierarchy Categorisation of costs related to customers into different cost pools on the basis of different classes of cost drivers or different degrees of difficulty in determining cause-and-effect (or benefits received) relationships. Customer life-cycle costs Focuses on the total costs to a customer of acquiring and using a product or service until it is replaced. Customer-profitability analysis Examines how individual customers or groupings of customers, differ in their profitability. Customer-response time Amount of time from when a customer places an order for a product or requests a service to when the product or service is delivered to the customer. Customer revenues Inflows of assets from customers received in exchange for products or services being provided to those customers. Customer service The support activities provided to customers. Back to the top D Decentralisation The freedom for managers at lower levels (subunits) of the organisation to make decisions. Decision model Formal model for making a choice under uncertainty, frequently involving quantitative analysis. Decision table Summary of the contemplated actions, events, outcomes and probabilities of events in a decision. Delayed costing See backflush costing. Denominator level Quantity of the allocation base used to allocate fixed overhead costs to a cost object.Also called a production denominator level or a production denominator volume.

Denominator-level variance See production-volume variance. Dependent variable The cost variable to be predicted in a cost estimation or prediction model. Designed-in costs See locked-in costs. Design of products, services or processes The detailed planning and engineering of products, services or processes. Differential approach Approach to decision making and capital budgeting that analyses only those future cash outflows and inflows that differ among alternatives. Differential cost Difference in total cost between two alternatives.Also called net relevant cost. Direct allocation method Method of support cost allocation that ignores any service rendered by one support department to another; it allocates each support departments tot al costs directly to the operating departments.Also called direct method. Direct costing See variable costing. Direct costs of a cost object Costs that are related to the particular cost object and that can be traced to it in an economically feasible way. Direct manufacturing labour costs Compensation of all manufacturing labour that is considered to be specifically identified with the cost object (say, units finished or in process) and that can be traced to the cost object in an economically feasible way. Direct materials costs The acquisition costs of all materials that eventually become part of the cost object (say, units finished or in progress) and that can be traced to that cost object in an economically feasible way. Direct materials stock Direct materials in stock and awaiting use in the manufacturing process. Direct method See direct allocation method. Discounted cash flow (DCF) Capital budgeting method that measures the cash inflows and outflows of a project as if they occurred at a single point in time so that they can be compared in an appropriate way. Discount rate See required rate of return. Discretionary costs Arise from periodic (usually yearly) decisions regarding the maximum outlay to be incurred. They are not tied to a clear cause-and-effect relationship between inputs and outputs. Distribution The mechanism by which products or services are delivered to the customer.

Downsizing An integrated approach to configuring processes, products and people in order to match costs to the activities that need to be performed for operating effectively and efficiently. Dual pricing Approach to transfer pricing using two separate transfer-pricing methods to price each interdivision transaction. Dual-rate cost-allocation method Allocation method that first classifies costs in one cost pool into two sub-pools (typically into a variable-cost sub-pool and a fixed-cost sub-pool). Each sub-pool has a different allocation rate or a different allocation base. Back to the top E E-business The use of digital and Internet technologies incorporating e-commerce in the full range of business functions across the entire value chain. E-commerce The exchange and tracking of information, goods and services using digital media. Economic order quantity (EOQ) Decision model that calculates the optimal quantity of stock to order. Simplest model incorporates only ordering costs and carrying costs. Economic value added (EVA) After-tax operating profit minus the (after-tax) weighted average cost of capital multiplied by total assets minus current liabilities. Effectiveness The degree to which a predetermined objective or target is met. Efficiency The relative amount of inputs used to achieve a given level of output. Efficiency variance The difference between the actual quantity of input used (such as metres of materials) and the budgeted quantity of input that should have been used, multiplied by the budgeted price.Also called input-efficiency variance or usage variance. Effort Exertion towards a goal. Endpoint costing See backflush costing. Engineered costs Costs that result specifically from a clear cause-and-effect relationship between costs and outputs. Equivalent units Measure of the output in terms of the physical quantities of each of the inputs (factors of production) that have been consumed when producing the units. It is the physical quantities of inputs necessary to produce output of one fully complete unit. Estimated net realisable value (NRV) method Joint cost allocation method that allocates joint costs on the basis of the relative estimated net realisable value (expected final sales value in the ordinary course of business minus the expected separable costs of production and marketing of the total production of the period).

Event A possible occurrence in a decision model. Excess capacity See unused capacity. Excess present-value index Capital budgeting measure in which the total present value of future net cash inflows of a project is divided by the total present value of the net initial investment. Expected monetary value See expected value. Expected value Weighted average of the outcomes of a decision with the probability of each outcome serving as the weight.Also called expected monetary value. Experience curve Function that shows how full product costs per unit (including manufacturing, distribution, marketing and so on) decline as units of output increase. Extended normal costing A costing method that traces direct costs to a cost object by using the budgeted direct-cost rate(s) times the actual quantity of the direct-cost input and allocates indirect costs based on the budgeted indirect-cost rate(s) times the actual quantity of the costallocation base.Also called budgeted costing. External failure costs Costs incurred when a non-conforming product is detected after it is shipped to customers. Back to the top F Facility-sustaining costs The costs of resources sacrificed on activities that cannot be traced to specific products or services but support the organisation as a whole. Factory overhead costs See indirect manufacturing costs. Favourable variance Variance that increases operating profit relative to the budgeted amount. Denoted F. Finance director The senior officer empowered with overseeing the financial operations of an organisation.Also called chief financial officer (CFO). Financial accounting Focuses on external reporting that is guided by generally accepted accounting principles. Financial budget That part of the master budget that comprises the capital budget, cash budget, budgeted balance sheet and budgeted statement of cash flows. Financial planning models Mathematical representations of the relationships among all operating activities, financial activities and financial statements. Finished goods stock Goods fully completed but not yet sold.

First-in, first-out (FIFO) process-costing method Method of process costing that assigns the cost of the earliest equivalent units available (starting with the equivalent units in opening work-in-progress stock) to units completed and transferred out, and the cost of the most recent equivalent units worked on during the period to closing work-in-progress stock. Fishbone diagram See cause-and-effect diagram. Fixed cost Cost that does not change in total despite changes in a cost driver. Flexible budget A budget that is developed using budgeted revenues or cost amounts; when variances are computed, the budgeted amounts are adjusted (flexed) to recognise the actual level of output and the actual quantities of the revenue and cost drivers. Flexible-budget variance Difference between the actual result and the flexible budget amount for the actual output achieved. Flexible manufacturing system (FMS) An integrated production system that is computer controlled to produce a family of parts in a flexible manner. Full product costs The sum of all the costs in all the business functions R&D, design, production, marketing, distribution and customer service. Functional analysis An activity aimed at linking product functions and perceived value to customers with the cost of designing functions. Back to the top G Goal congruence Exists when individuals and groups work towards the organisational goals that top management desires. Gross margin Revenues minus cost of goods sold. Gross margin percentage Gross margin divided by revenues. Back to the top H Highlow method Method used to estimate a cost function that entails using only the highest and lowest observed values of the cost driver within the relevant range. Homogeneous cost pool Cost pool in which all the activities whose costs are included in the pool have the same or a similar cause-and-effect relationship or benefits-received relationship between the cost allocator and the costs of the activity. Hurdle rate See required rate of return.

Hybrid-costing system Blends of characteristics from both job-costing systems and processcosting systems. Back to the top I Imputed costs Costs recognised in particular situations that are not regularly recognised by accrual accounting procedures. Incongruent decision making See suboptimal decision making. Incremental cost-allocation method Cost-allocation method requiring that one user be viewed as the primary party and the second user be viewed as the incremental party. Incremental costs Additional costs to obtain an additional quantity over and above existing or planned quantities of a cost object.Also called outlay costs or out-of-pocket costs. Incremental unit-time learning model Learning curve model in which the incremental unit time (the time needed to produce the last unit) declines by a constant percentage each time the cumulative quantity of units produced is doubled. Indirect costs of a cost object Costs that are related to the particular cost object but cannot be traced to it in an economically feasible way. Indirect manufacturing costs All manufacturing costs considered to be part of the cost object (say, units finished or in progress) but that cannot be individually traced to that cost object in an economically feasible way.Also called manufacturing overhead costs and factory overhead costs. Industrial engineering method Approach to cost estimation that first analyses the relationship between inputs and outputs in physical terms.Also called work measurement method. Inflation The decline in the general purchasing power of the monetary unit. Infrastructure costs Costs that arise from having property, plant, equipment and a functioning organisation. Input-efficiency variance See efficiency variance. Input-price variance See price variance. Insourcing Process of producing goods or providing services within the firm rather than purchasing those same goods or services from outside vendors. Institute of ManagementAccountants (IMA) The largest association of management accountants in the USA. Intercept See constant.

Intermediate product Product transferred from one subunit to another subunit of the organisation. This product may be processed further and sold to an external customer. Internal failure costs Costs incurred when a non-conforming product is detected before it is shipped to customers. Internal rate of return (IRR) Discount rate at which the present value of expected cash inflows from a project equals the present value of expected cash outflows of the project. The IRR is the discount rate that makes net present value (NPV) equal to zero.Also called the time-adjusted rate of return. Internet The physical network that links computers across the globe. It consists of the infrastructure of network servers and communication links between them, which are used to uphold and transport information. The Internet enables the transfer of messages and transactions between connected computers world-wide. Inventoriable costs See stock-related costs. Investment Resources or assets used to generate income. Investment centre A responsibility centre in which a manager is accountable for investments, revenues and costs. Investment programmes See investment projects. Investment projects Investments and outcomes from those investments (which generally cover a number of years).Also called investment programmes. Islands of automation (IA) Stand-alone advanced manufacturing technology not fully integrating the total manufacturing process. Back to the top J Job-costing system Costing system in which the cost of a product or service is obtained by assigning costs to a distinct unit, batch or lot of a product or service. Job cost record Source document that records and accumulates all the costs assigned to a specific job.Also called job cost sheet. Job cost sheet See job cost record. Joint cost Cost of a single process that yields multiple products simultaneously. Joint products Products from a joint process that have relatively high sales value and are not separately identifiable as individual products until the split-off point. Just-in-time (JIT) production Production system in which each component on a production line is produced immediately as needed by the next step in the production line.

Just-in-time (JIT) purchasing The purchase of goods or materials such that delivery immediately precedes demand or use. Back to the top K Kaizen budgeting Budgetary approach that explicitly incorporates continuous improvement during the budget period into the resultant budget numbers. Key success factors Factors that directly affect customer satisfaction such as cost, quality, time and innovative products and services. Back to the top L Labour-paced operations Worker dexterity and productivity determine the speed of production. Labour time record Record used to charge departments and job cost records for labour time used on a specific job. Learning curve Function that shows how labour-hours per unit decline as units of production increase. Life-cycle budgeting Budget that incorporates the revenues and costs attributable to each product from its initial R&D to its final customer servicing and support in the marketplace. Life-cycle costing System that tracks and accumulates the actual costs attributable to each product from start to finish. Linear cost function Cost function in which the graph of total costs versus a single cost driver forms a straight line within the relevant range. Line management Managers directly responsible for attaining the objectives of the organisation. Locked-in costs Costs that have not yet been incurred but that will be incurred in the future on the basis of decisions that have already been made.Also called designed-in costs. Back to the top M Machine-paced operations Machines conduct most (or all) phases of production, such as movement of materials to the production line, assembly and other activities on the production line and shipment of finished goods to the delivery dock areas.

Main product When a single process yielding two or more products yields only one product with a relatively high sales value, that product is termed a main product. Make-or-buy decisions Decisions about whether a producer of goods or services will produce goods or services within the firm or purchase them from outside vendors. Management accounting The application of accounting and financial management principles to create, protect, preserve and increase value so as to deliver that value to stakeholders of for-profit and not-for-profit enterprises, both public and private (see Chapter 1 for an expanded definition). Management by exception The practice of concentrating on areas that are not operating as expected and placing less attention on areas operating as expected. Management control system Means of gathering and using information to aid and coordinate the process of making planning and control decisions throughout the organisation and to guide employee behaviour. Manufacturing cells Grouping of all the different types of equipment used to manufacture a given product. Manufacturing lead time Time from when an order is ready to start on the production line (ready to be set up) to when it becomes a finished good. Manufacturing overhead allocated All manufacturing costs that are assigned to a product (or service) using a cost allocation base because they cannot be traced to a product (or service) in an economically feasible way. Manufacturing overhead costs See indirect manufacturing costs. Manufacturing-sector company Provide to their customers tangible products that have been converted to a different form from that of the products purchased from suppliers. Margin of safety Excess of budgeted revenues over the breakeven revenues. Marketing The manner by which individuals or groups (a) learn about and value the attributes of products or services and (b) purchase those products or services. Market-share variance The difference between (a) the budgeted amount at budgeted mix based on the actual market size in units and the actual market share and (b) the budgeted amount at budgeted mix based on actual market size in units and the budgeted market share. Market-size variance The difference between (a) the budgeted amount based on the actual market size in units and the budgeted market share and (b) the static-budget amount based on the budgeted market size in units and the budgeted market share. Master budget Budget that summarises the financial projections of all the organisations individual budgets. It describes the financial plans for all value-chain functions.

Master-budget utilisation The denominator-level concept based on the anticipated level of capacity utilisation for the coming budget period. Materials requirement planning (MRP) A system that maximises the efficiency of the timing of raw material orders through to the manufacture and assembly of the final product. Materials requisition record Record used to charge departments and job cost records for the cost of the materials used on a specific job. Merchandising-sector company Provide to their customers tangible products they have previously purchased in the same basic form from suppliers. Mixed cost A cost that has both fixed and variable elements.Also called a semivariable cost. Moral hazard Describes contexts in which an employee prefers to exert less effort (or report distorted information) than the effort (or information) desired by the owner because the employees effort (or information) cannot be accurately monitored and enforced. Motivation The desire to attain a selected goal (the goal-congruence aspect) combined with the resulting drive or pursuit towards that goal (the effort aspect). Multicollinearity Exists when two or more independent variables in a regression model are highly correlated with each other. Multiple regression Regression model that uses more than one independent variable to estimate the dependent variable. Back to the top N Negotiated static budget Budget in which a fixed amount of costs is established through negotiations before the start of the budget period. Net present-value (NPV) method Discounted cash-flow method that calculates the expected net monetary gain or loss from a project by discounting all expected future cash inflows and outflows to the present point in time, using the required rate of return. Net profit Operating profit plus non-operating revenues (such as interest revenues) minus non-operating costs (such as interest costs) minus income taxes. Net relevant cost See differential cost. New economy A period in which there is discontinuity in the normal progression of economic events resulting from a fundamental change in the structure of the economy. Currently, this change stems from the convergence of telecommunications and digital technologies.

Nominal rate of return Rate of return required to cover investment risk and the anticipated decline due to inflation, in the general purchasing power of the cash that the investment generates. Non-linear cost function Cost function in which the graph of total costs versus a single cost driver does not form a straight line within the relevant range. Non-value-added cost A cost that, if eliminated, would not reduce the value customers obtain from using the product or service. Normal costing A costing method that traces direct costs to a cost object by using the actual direct cost rate(s) times the actual quantity of the direct cost input and allocates indirect costs based on the budgeted indirect cost rate(s) times the actual quantity of the cost-allocation base. Normal spoilage Spoilage that arises under efficient operating conditions; it is an inherent result of the particular production process. Normal utilisation The denominator-level concept based on the level of capacity utilisation that satisfies average customer demand over a period (say, two or three years) that includes seasonal, cyclical or other trend factors. Numerical control machine (NC machine) A manufacturing tool that can be programmed within predefined performance criteria to perform required production activities. It can be computer controlled (Computer NC, CNC) or centrally controlled (Direct NC, DNC). Back to the top O Objective function Expresses the objective to be maximised (for example, operating profit) or minimised (for example, operating costs) in a decision model, for example a linear programming model. Operating budget The budgeted income statement and its supporting schedules. Operating costs All costs associated with generating revenues, other than cost of goods sold. Operating cycle See self-liquidating cycle. Operating department A department that adds value to a product or service that is observable by a customer.Also called a production department in manufacturing organisations. Operating profit Total revenues from operations minus total costs from operations (excluding income taxes). Operation A standardised method or technique that is performed repetitively regardless of the distinguishing features of the finished good.

Operation costing Hybrid costing system applied to batches of similar products. Each batch of products is often a variation of a single design and proceeds through a sequence of selected (though not necessarily the same) activities or operations. Within each operation all product units use identical amounts of the operations resources. Opportunity cost The contribution to income that is forgone (rejected) by not using a limited resource in its best alternative use. Opportunity cost of capital See required rate of return. Ordering costs Costs of preparing and issuing a purchase order. Ordinary incremental budget Budget based on the budget of the previous period and actual results as well as expectations for the new period. Organisational structure The arrangement of activities and possibly lines of responsibility within the entity. Outcomes Predicted consequences of the various possible combinations of actions and events in a decision model. Outlay costs See incremental costs. Out-of-pocket costs See incremental costs. Output-level overhead variance See productionvolume variance. Output-unit-level costs The costs of resources sacrificed on activities performed on each individual unit of product or service. Outsourcing Process of purchasing goods and services from outside vendors rather than producing the same goods or providing the same services within the firm. Overabsorbed indirect costs See overallocated indirect costs. Overallocated indirect costs Allocated amount of indirect costs in an accounting period is greater than the actual (incurred) amount in that period.Also called overapplied indirect costs and overabsorbed indirect costs. Overapplied indirect costs See overallocated indirect costs. Back to the top P Padding The practice of underestimating budgeted revenues (or overestimating budgeted costs) in order to make budgeted targets more easily achievable.Also called budgetary slack. Pareto diagram Diagram that indicates how frequently each type of failure (defect) occurs.

Payback method Capital budgeting method that measures the time it will take to recoup, in the form of net cash inflows, the net initial investment in a project. Peanut butter costing A costing approach that uses broad averages to uniformly assign (spread or smooth out) the cost of resources to cost objects (such as products, services or customers) when the individual products, services or customers in fact use those resources in a non-uniform way. Perfectly competitive market Exists when there is a homogeneous product with equivalent buying and selling prices and no individual buyers or sellers can affect those prices by their own actions. Physical measure method Joint cost allocation method that allocates joint costs on the basis of their relative proportions at the split-off point, using a common physical measure such as weight or volume of the total production of each product. Planning Choosing goals, predicting results under various ways of achieving those goals and then deciding how to attain the desired goals. Post-deduct costing See backflush costing. Practical capacity The denominator-level concept that reduces theoretical capacity for unavoidable operating interruptions such as scheduled maintenance time, shutdowns for holidays and other days, and so on. Predatory pricing Company deliberately prices below its costs in an effort to drive out competitors and restrict supply and then raises prices rather than enlarge demand or meet competition. Present value An asset measure based on discounted cash flow estimates. Prevention costs Costs incurred in precluding the production of products that do not conform to specifications. Previous department costs See transferred-in costs. Price discounting The reduction of selling prices below listed levels in order to encourage an increase in purchases by customers. Price discrimination Practice of charging some customers a higher price than is charged to other customers. Price variance The difference between actual price and budgeted price multiplied by the actual quantity of input in question.Also called input-price variance or rate variance (especially when those variances are for direct-labour categories). Prime costs All direct manufacturing costs.

Priority incremental budget Similar to an ordinary incremental budget, with the inclusion of a description of incremental changes if the budget were increased or decreased by, say, 10%. Probability Likelihood or chance of occurrence of an event. Probability distribution Describes the likelihood (or probability) of each of the mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive sets of events. Problem solving Management accountants function that involves comparative analysis to identify the best alternatives in relation to the organisations goals. Process-costing system Costing system in which the cost of a product or service is obtained by using broad averages to assign costs to masses of similar units. Product Any output sold to a customer that has a positive sales value (or an output used internally that enables an organisation to avoid incurring costs). Product cost Sum of the costs assigned to a product for a specific purpose. Product-cost cross-subsidisation Costing outcome where at least one miscosted product is resulting in the miscosting of other products in the organisation. Product differentiation An organisations ability to offer products or services that are perceived by its customers to be superior and unique relative to those of its competitors. Production The coordination and assembly of resources to produce a product or deliver a service. Production denominator level See denominator level. Production denominator volume See denominator level. Production department See operating department. Production-volume variance Difference between budgeted fixed overhead and the fixed overhead allocated. Fixed overhead is allocated based on the budgeted fixed overhead rate times the budgeted quantity of the fixed-overhead allocation base for the actual output units achieved.Also called denominator-level variance and output-level overhead variance. Productivity Measures the relationship between actual inputs used (both physical inputs and costs) and actual outputs achieved; the lower the inputs for a given set of outputs or the higher the outputs for a given set of inputs, the higher the level of productivity. Product life cycle Spans the time from initial R&D to the time at which support to customers is withdrawn. Product line A grouping of similar products.

Product overcosting A product consumes a relatively low level of resources but is reported to have a relatively high total cost. Product-sustaining costs The costs of resources sacrificed on activities undertaken to support specific products or services. Product undercosting A product consumes a relatively high level of resources but is reported to have a relatively low total cost. Profit centre A responsibility centre in which a manager is accountable for revenues and costs. Pro forma statements Budgeted financial statements of an organisation. Proration The spreading of underallocated or overallocated overhead among closing stocks and cost of goods sold. Purchase-order lead time Amount of time between the placement of an order and its delivery. Purchasing costs Cost of goods acquired from suppliers, including freight and transportation costs. PV graph Shows the impact on operating profit of changes in the output level. Back to the top

Q Qualitative factors Outcomes that cannot be measured in numerical terms. Quantitative factors Outcomes that are measured in numerical terms. Back to the top R Rate variance See price variance. Real rate of return The rate of return required to cover only investment risk. Reciprocal allocation method Method of support-cost allocation that explicitly includes the mutual services rendered among all support departments. Refined costing system Costing system that results in a better measure of the non-uniformity in the use of resources by jobs, products and customers. Regression analysis Statistical model that measures the average amount of change in the dependent variable that is associated with a unit change in one or more independent variables.

Relevant costs Expected future costs that differ among alternative courses of action. Relevant range Range of the cost driver in which a specific relationship between cost and driver is valid. Relevant revenues Expected future revenues that differ among alternative courses of action. Reorder point The quantity level of the stock on hand that triggers a new order. Required rate of return (RRR) The minimum acceptable rate of return on an investment; the return that the organisation could expect to receive elsewhere for an investment of comparable risk.Also called discount rate, hurdle rate and opportunity cost of capital. Research and development (R&D) The generation of and experimentation with, ideas related to new products, services or processes. Residual income Income minus a required monetary return on the investment. Residual term The difference between the actual and predicted amount of a dependent variable (such as a cost) in a regression model.Also called the disturbance term or error term. Responsibility accounting System that measures the plans (by budgets) and actions (by actual results) of each responsibility centre. Responsibility centre A part, segment or subunit of an organisation whose manager is accountable for a specified set of activities. Return on investment (ROI) See accounting rate of return. Revenue centre A responsibility centre in which a manager is accountable for revenues only. Revenue costs Costs that are recorded as expenses of the accounting period when they are incurred. Revenue driver Any factor that affects revenues. Revenue mix The relative contribution of quantities of products or services that constitutes total revenues. See sales mix. Revenues Inflows of assets received in exchange for products or services provided to customers. Reworked units Unacceptable units of production that are subsequently reworked and sold as acceptable finished goods. Rolling budget Budget or plan that is always available for a specified future period by adding a month, quarter or year in the future as the month, quarter or year just ended is dropped. Back to the top

S Safety stock Stock held at all times regardless of stock ordered using EOQ. It is a buffer against unexpected increases in demand or lead time and unexpected unavailability of stock from suppliers. Sales mix See revenue mix. Sales-mix variance The difference between the budgeted amount for the actual sales mix and the budgeted amount if the budgeted sales mix had been unchanged. Sales-quantity variance The difference between the budgeted amount based on actual quantities sold of all products and the budgeted-mix and the amount in the static budget (which is based on the budgeted quantities to be sold of all products and the budgeted mix). Sales value at split-off method Joint cost allocation method that allocates joint costs on the basis of the relative sales value at the split-off point of the total production in the accounting period of each product. Sales-volume variance Difference between the flexible-budget amount and the static-budget amount; unit selling prices, unit variable costs and fixed costs are held constant. Scorekeeping Management accountants function that involves accumulating data and reporting reliable results to all levels of management. Scrap Product that has a minimal (frequently zero) sales value. Segment Identifiable part or subunit of an organisation. Self-liquidating cycle The movement of cash to stocks to receivables and back to cash.Also called cash cycle or operating cycle. Selling-price variance Flexible-budget variance that pertains to revenues; arises solely from differences between the actual selling price and the budgeted selling price. Semivariable cost See mixed cost. Sensitivity analysis A what-if technique that examines how a result will change if the original predicted data are not achieved or if an underlying assumption changes. Separable costs Costs incurred beyond the split-off point that are assignable to one or more individual products. Sequential allocation method See step-down allocation method. Sequential tracking Product-costing method in which the accounting system entries occur in the same order as actual purchases and production.Also called synchronous tracking. Service department See support department.

Service-sector company Provide services or intangible products to their customers for example legal advice or an audit. Service-sustaining costs The costs of resources sacrificed on activities undertaken to support specific services. Set-up Process of preparing a machine or manufacturing cell for production. Simple regression Regression model that uses only one independent variable to estimate the dependent variable. Single-rate cost-allocation method Allocation method that pools all costs in one cost pool and allocates them to cost objects using the same rate per unit of the single allocation base. Slope coefficient Coefficient term in a cost estimation model indicates how much total costs change for each unit change in the cost driver within the relevant range. Source documents The original records that support journal entries in an accounting system. Specification analysis Testing of the assumptions of regression analysis. Split-off point Juncture in the process when one or more products in a joint-cost setting become separately identifiable. Spoilage Unacceptable units of production that are discarded or sold for net disposal proceeds. Staff management Managers who provide advice and assistance to line management. Stand-alone cost-allocation method Cost allocation method that allocates the common cost on the basis of each users percentage of the total of the individual stand-alone costs. Standard Carefully predetermined amount; it is usually expressed on a per-unit basis. Standard cost Carefully predetermined cost. Standard costs can relate to units of inputs or units of outputs. Standard costing Costing method that traces direct costs to a cost object by multiplying the standard price(s) or rate(s) times the standard inputs allowed for actual outputs achieved and allocates indirect costs on the basis of the standard indirect rate(s) times the standard inputs allowed for the actual outputs achieved. Standard error of the estimated coefficient Regression statistic that indicates how much the estimated value is likely to be affected by random factors. Standard input Carefully predetermined quantity of inputs (such as kilograms of materials or hours of labour time) required for one unit of output. Static budget Budget that is based on one level of output; when variances are computed at the end of the period, no adjustment is made to the budgeted amounts.

Step allocation method See step-down allocation method. Step cost function A cost function in which the cost is constant over various ranges of the cost driver, but the cost increases by discrete amounts (that is, in steps) as the cost driver moves from one range to the next. Step-down allocation method Method of support cost allocation that allows for partial recognition of services rendered by support departments to other support departments.Also called step or sequential allocation method. Stock management The planning, organising and control activities focused on the flow of materials into, through and from the organisation. Stockout A stockout arises when a supplier runs out of a particular item for which there is customer demand. Stock-related costs Specific type of capitalised costs. Those capitalised costs associated with the purchase of goods for resale (in the costs of merchandise stock) or costs associated with the acquisition and conversion of materials and all other manufacturing inputs into goods for sale (in the case of manufacturing stocks).Also called inventoriable costs. Straight-line depreciation (SL) Depreciation method in which an equal amount of depreciation is taken each year. Strategy A course of action, including the specification of resources required to achieve a specific objective (see Chapter 22 for an expanded definition). Strategic analysis Considers how an organisation attempts to best combine its own capabilities with the opportunities in the marketplace in seeking to accomplish its overall objectives. Strategic investment appraisal (SIA) Linking corporate strategy to costs and benefits associated withAMT adoption by combining both formal and informal evaluation procedures. Strategic management accounting A form of management accounting in which emphasis is placed on information which relates to factors external to the firm, as well as non-financial information and internally generated information. Suboptimal decision making Decisions in which the benefit to one subunit is more than offset by the costs or loss of benefits to the organisation as a whole.Also called incongruent decision making. Sunk costs Past costs that are unavoidable because they cannot be changed no matter what action is taken. Supply chain Describes the flow of goods, services and information from cradle to grave, irrespective of whether those activities occur in the same organisation or other organisations.

Support department A department that provides the services that maintain other internal departments (operating departments and other support departments) in the organisation.Also called a service department. Synchronous tracking See sequential tracking. Back to the top T Tableau de bord Multicriterial model of control that usesfinancial as well as non-financial means to identify and measure objectives, key variables and indicators. Target cost per unit Estimated long-run cost per unit of a product (or service) that when sold at the target price enables the company to achieve the targeted income per unit. Target cost per unit is derived by subtracting the target operating profit per unit from the target price. Target operating profit per unit Operating profit that a company wants to earn on each unit of a product (or service) sold. Target price Estimated price for a product (or service) that potential customers will be willing to pay. Target rate of return on investment The target operating profit that an organisation must earn divided by invested capital. Theoretical capacity The denominator-level concept that is based on the constant production of output at maximum efficiency. Theory of constraints (TOC) Describes methods to maximise operating profit when faced with some bottleneck and some non-bottleneck operations. Throughput contribution Revenues minus all variable direct materials costs. Throughput costing Stock costing method that treats all costs except those related to variable direct materials as costs of the accounting period in which they are incurred; only variable direct materials costs are inventoriable. Time-adjusted rate of return See internal rate of return (IRR). Time driver Any factor where a change in the factor causes a change in the speed with which an activity is undertaken. Total direct manufacturing labour mix variance The difference between (a) the budgeted cost for the actual direct manufacturing labour input mix and (b) the budgeted cost if the budgeted direct labour input mix had been unchanged, for the actual total quantity of all direct manufacturing labour used. Total direct manufacturing labour yield variance The difference between (a) the budgeted cost of direct manufacturing labour based on actual total quantity of all direct manufacturing

labour used and (b) the flexible budget cost of direct manufacturing labour based on the budgeted total quantity of direct manufacturing labour inputs for the actual output achieved, given that the budgeted labour input mix is unchanged. Total direct materials mix variance The difference between (a) the budgeted cost for the actual direct materials input mix and (b) the budgeted cost if the budgeted direct materials input mix had been unchanged, for the actual total quantity of all direct material inputs used. Total direct materials yield variance The difference between (a) the budgeted cost of direct materials based on actual total quantity of all direct materials inputs used and (b) the flexiblebudget cost of direct materials based on the budgeted total quantity of direct materials inputs for the actual output achieved, given that the budgeted materials input mix is unchanged. Transactions Physical and electronic documentation of any production activity. Transfer price Price that one subunit (segment, department, division, etc.) of an organisation charges for a product or service supplied to another subunit of the same organisation. Transferred-in costs Costs incurred in a previous department that are carried forward as part of the products cost as it moves to a subsequent department for processing.Also called previous department costs. Back to the top U Uncertainty The possibility that an actual amount will deviate from an expected amount. Underabsorbed indirect costs See underallocated indirect costs. Underallocated indirect costs Allocated amount of indirect costs in an accounting period is less than the actual (incurred) amount in that period.Also called underapplied indirect (overhead) costs or underabsorbed indirect costs. Underapplied indirect costs See underallocated indirect costs. Unfavourable variance Variance that decreases operating profit relative to the budgeted amount. Denoted U. Unit cost Computed by dividing some total cost (the numerator) by some number of units (the denominator).Also called average cost. Unused capacity The difference between the productive capacity available and the productive capacity required to meet consumer demand in the current period.Also called excess capacity. Usage variance See efficiency variance. Back to the top

V Value-added activities Activities that customers perceive as adding value to the products or services they purchase. Value-added cost A cost that, if eliminated, would reduce the value customers obtain from using the product or service. Value chain The sequence of business functions in which utility (usefulness) is added to the products or services of an organisation. Value engineering Systematic evaluation of all aspects of the value-chain business functions, with the objective of reducing costs while satisfying customer needs. Variable cost Cost that changes in total in proportion to changes in a cost driver. Variable costing Stock costing method in which all variable manufacturing costs are included as inventoriable costs.All fixed manufacturing costs are excluded from inventoriable costs; they are costs of the period in which they are incurred.Also called direct costing. Variable-cost percentage Total variable costs (with respect to units of output) divided by revenues. Variable-overhead efficiency variance The difference between the actual and budgeted quantity of the variable-overhead cost-allocation base allowed, for the actual output units achieved, times the budgeted variable overhead cost allocation rate. Variable-overhead spending variance The difference between the actual amount of variable overhead incurred and the budgeted amount allowed for the actual quantity of the variableoverhead allocation base used, for the actual output units achieved. Variance Difference between an actual result and a budgeted amount when that budgeted amount is a financial variable reported by the accounting system. Back to the top W Weighted-average process-costing method Method of process costing that assigns the average equivalent unit cost of all work done to date (regardless of when it was done) to equivalent units completed and transferred out and to equivalent units in closing stock. Work cell Grouping of individuals or machines to perform a manufacturing task. Working-capital cycle The movement from cash to stocks to receivables and back to cash. Work-in-progress stock Goods partially worked on but not yet fully completed.Also called work in process. Work in progress See work-in-progress stock.

Work measurement Careful analysis of a task, its size, the method used in its performance and the efficiency with which it is performed. Work-measurement method See industrial engineering method. World Wide Web A medium for publishing information on the Internet. It is accessed through web browsers, which display web pages and can be used to run business applications. Company (or other) information is stored on web servers, which are usually referred to as websites. Back to the top X

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Back to the top Z Zero-based budgeting (ZBB) Budgeting from the ground up, as though the budget were being prepared for the first time. Every proposed expenditure comes under review.