EMERGENCE OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING – HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Management Accounting is comprised of two words ‘Management” and “Accounting. It is the study of managerial aspect of accounting. The emphasis of management accounting is to redesign accounting in such a way that it is helpful to the management in formation of policy, control of execution and appreciation of effectiveness It is that system of accounting which helps management in carrying out its functions more effeciently.
The term ‘Management Accounting’ is of a recent origin. This term was first used in 1950 by a team of accountants visiting U.S.A. under the auspices of Anglo-American Council on Productivity. The terminology of cost accountancy had no reference to the word management accountancy before the report of this study group. The complexities of business environment have necessitated the use of management accounting for planning, co-ordinating and controlling functions of management.
A small undertaking with a local character is generally managed by the owner himself. The owner is in touch with day-to-day working of the enterprise and he plans and coordinates the activities himself. The use of simple accounting enables the preparation of profit and loss account and balance sheet for determining profitability and assessing financial position of the enterprise. All informational needs for managerial purposes are met by simple financial statements.
Since the owner is both the decision-maker and implementer of such decisions, he does not feel the necessity of any communication system and no additional information is required for managerial purposes. The evolution of joint stock company form of organisation has resulted in large-scale production and separation of ownership and management.
The introduction of professionalism in management has brought in the division of organisation into functional areas and delegation of authority and decentralisation of decision-making. The decision-making no more remains a matter of intuition. It requires the evolution of information system for helping management in planning and assessing the results. The accounting information is required as a guide for future. The management is to be fed with precise and relevant information so as to enable it in performing managerial functions efficiently and effectively.
The evolution of management accounting can be traced through various stages in history, with each stage marked by significant developments in the field. Here is a brief overview of the key stages in the history of the evolution of management accounting:
- Pre-Industrial Revolution (Before 18th Century): Before the Industrial Revolution, there was limited need for formal management accounting practices. Most businesses were small and operated on a relatively simple basis. Accounting records were primarily used for taxation and reporting to external stakeholders.
- Industrial Revolution (Late 18th Century to Early 19th Century): The Industrial Revolution brought about significant changes in manufacturing processes and the growth of large-scale enterprises. This period saw the emergence of cost accounting as businesses sought ways to control and optimize production costs.
- Scientific Management (Early 20th Century): The work of Frederick W. Taylor and other proponents of scientific management emphasized the importance of systematic approaches to production and efficiency. This led to a greater emphasis on cost control and standardization in management accounting.
- World War I and Government Contracts (Early 20th Century): During World War I, government contracts required detailed cost accounting and cost control by private companies. This further advanced cost accounting techniques and their use in management decision-making.
- The Great Depression (1930s): The economic challenges of the Great Depression led to increased attention to financial management within organizations. Budgeting and cost control practices became more widespread.
- Post-World War II Era (Mid-20th Century): After World War II, management accounting experienced significant growth and development. The adoption of modern cost accounting systems, budgeting, and variance analysis became standard practices in many organizations.
- The Information Age (Late 20th Century): The advent of computers and information technology in the latter half of the 20th century revolutionized management accounting. It allowed for more sophisticated financial modeling, data analysis, and reporting. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems also became widespread.
- Contemporary Era (21st Century): Management accounting continues to evolve in response to changing business dynamics. It now encompasses a wide range of activities beyond traditional cost accounting, including strategic planning, performance measurement, risk management, and sustainability reporting.
- Advanced Analytics and Big Data (21st Century): With the availability of large volumes of data and advanced analytics tools, management accountants are increasingly using data analytics to derive insights and support decision-making.
- Integrated Reporting and Sustainability (21st Century): There is a growing emphasis on integrated reporting, which combines financial and non-financial information, and sustainability accounting. Companies are expected to report on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.
- Agile and Lean Principles (21st Century): The application of agile and lean principles, originally developed in fields like software development and manufacturing, is influencing management accounting practices to make organizations more responsive and efficient.
The evolution of management accounting has been driven by changes in business environments, advancements in technology, and shifts in management practices. Today, management accountants play a critical role in providing information and analysis to support strategic decision-making and organizational performance improvement.