How to Make Better Decisions Using Managerial Accounting?

Managerial accounting – a quick definition

When considering the difference between managerial accounting and other types of accounting, it is important to keep in mind the aim of the practice. 

Financial accounting is designed to provide information that can be used by outside parties to determine if a business is viable and if it is meeting its tax obligations. 

Managerial accounting, however, is designed for internal use only. Its aim is to provide management and stakeholders within a company or organisation with relevant information they can use to make key business decisions.  

Types of managerial accounting

Managerial accounting can take a range of forms using various accounting methods. Regardless of what area of focus it has, the principal goal of managerial accounting is to assist in developing better internal operations within a business. 

Product costing and valuation accounting

This form of managerial accounting measures and determines the total costs of developing and producing products. Often, accountants that specialise in this area will work in subcategories such as variable costing, fixed costing or direct costing.

Cash flow accounting

Cash flow accounting records and analyses the incoming revenue generated by a business. This is done in order to develop projections on future income streams. Using the insights gained by a cash flow accountant, business leaders can make decisions about future investments, market expansion or product development.  

Inventory accounting

Inventory accounting involves assessing and managing all the decisions made relating to a business’s inventory. This can include both managerial and financial decisions, such as warehousing or transportation costs. The data provided by inventory accounting is used to determine what products are performing well and which are not. A business may decide to drop a product entirely or it may direct its efforts to further develop an old product that is still performing well.   

Constraint analysis

Constraint analysis is used to identify any bottlenecks within a business’s operational procedures that may impact the enterprise’s overall profitability. This information can be used by senior management to solve staffing issues, improve logistical performance or enhance other areas that are struggling to be profitable. 

Financial leverage metrics

This field of managerial accounting specialises in calculating the total of a business’s debt and liabilities and then comparing this figure with the total amount of assets held. This data provides insights into the actual value of a business. Management may decide to pursue extra investment or take out a loan based on this information. 

Accounts receivable management

This field is involved with managing the amount of money that a business is owed by customers for supplied goods and services. It places a focus on ensuring that all outstanding accounts are paid promptly. 

Forecasting, budgeting and trend analysis 

By analysing existing performance reports, managerial accountants can extrapolate how a business may perform in the future. They compile reports that forecast how negative or positive trends may impact future budgeting concerns. 

The benefits of managerial accounting for your business

Enhanced capabilities to plan for the future

There are three main benefits that can be derived from managerial accounting. The first benefit is enhanced capabilities to plan for the future. Managerial accounting processes can assist business leaders in planning for the future of their enterprises. This can include marketing campaigns, product development or branching out into other locations. 

The next benefit is that managerial accounting allows for more informed decision-making by management. Managerial accounting provides a wealth of data that business leaders can use to decide the future course of a company. 

Improved control over the operations of the enterprise

Managerial accounting enables business leaders to have improved control over the operations of the enterprise. The data contained in managerial accounting reports provide a clear picture of where a business’s strengths and weaknesses lie. 

In the end, managerial accounting is a powerful tool that can be used to craft a successful strategy in managing both current business operations and the future of an enterprise. If a business is not using managerial accounting, then senior management may find it difficult to make informed decisions that boost the profit margins, sales volumes, and the sustainability of the company.  

If you are searching for ways to streamline your accounting processes, then the Mooncard corporate card solution could be the solution you need. Mooncard makes it simple to stay on top of all expenditures made on behalf of your business. 

Whenever an employee makes a purchase using the Mooncard payment card, an electronic expense report is automatically created and sent to your accounting department. This provides your company with an easily accessible, secure list of purchases in chronological order. The Mooncard solution greatly cuts down on the time a bookkeeper needs to prepare the end-of-year financial statements since all outgoing expenditures are at their fingertips. 

If you would, like to see how the Mooncard solution works in practice, visit the website to arrange a completely free, no-obligation demonstration today.