Understanding Standard Costing: Meaning, Advantages, Limitations, and Applications

Introduction Standard costing is a cost accounting technique that involves estimating expected production costs, including materials, labor, and overhead, and comparing them with actual costs to identify variances and enhance efficiency. According to the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), U.K., standard cost is defined as: “The planned unit cost of the product, component, or…

Variance Reporting to Management

A variance report is a formal document that compares planned financial outcomes with actual financial results. Variance reporting to management involves analyzing deviations from budgeted figures, highlighting discrepancies, and providing insights to facilitate informed decision-making and enhance organizational performance. Types of Variances Variance reports are typically structured documents or presentations that compare actual financial performance…