Impact of Automation on Cost Accounting

Although production methods have been highly developed and now make use of very advanced technologies, management accounting systems have lagged behind. Before introducing new cost accounting systems, however, it is necessary to have a clear view of practice. The empirical results described in this paper constitute the output of a large scale research project into manufacturing companies located in Belgium. Extensive data on cost accounting systems were gathered through the use of a questionnaire. There is an indication that technological change has an impact on both cost composition and cost structure. The widespread hypothesis that the proportion of direct labour cost within total costs is lower in companies with automated production process is confirmed. As to the traceability of costs, there is a shift from indirect costs towards direct costs in companies with automated production. However, it appears that only a few companies are concerned about the efficiency of their cost calculation on a permanent basis. Moreover, no differences could be detected in the use of cost accounting in decision making between companies with automated production and those with mechanical production.