Part 1 Setting the scene and defining the basic issues: functions of management accounting; classification of costs; accounting for materials, labour and production overheads. Part 2 Applying the basic tools: recording transactions in a job costing system; process costing. Part 3 Planning and controlling: preparing a budget; standard costs; performance evaluation and feedback reporting. Part 4 Profit, performance and current developments: performance measurement and short-term decision making; capital budgeting; the frontiers of management accounting.

This text provides an introduction to cost and management accounting for students of all disciplines. The contingency approach underpins the text but is not explicit and the book emphasizes that the selection of management accounting techniques is conditional on management's objectives.