Branches of Accounting
Branches of Accounting
2. COST ACCOUNTING
Cost accounting deals with evaluating the cost of a product or service offered. It calculates the
cost by considering all factors that contribute to the production of the output, both manufacturing
and administrative factors. The objective of cost accounting is to help the management in fixing
the prices and controlling the cost of production. It also pin points any wastages, leakages and
defects during manufacturing and marketing processes.
3. MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
This branch of accounting provides information to management for better administration of the
business. It helps in making important decisions and controlling of various activities of the
business. The management is able to take decisions efficiently with the help of various
Management Information Systems such as Budgets, Projected Cash Flow and Fund Flow
Statements, Variance Analysis reports, Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis reports, Break-Even-Point
calculation, etc.
Management accounting and financial accounting are not to be confused with each other. Both
are different. Management accounting serves the needs of the management in decision makings
regarding minimization of the cost factor and enhancing of profit making. Financial accounting
serves the needs of shareholders, creditors and financial institutions for ascertaining the financial
position of the company. Management accounting records are kept secret for the use of
management only. They are not made public.
4. AUDITING
5. TAX ACCOUNTING
Tax Accounting deals with taxation matters. Its functions include preparation and filing of
various tax returns and dealing with their legal implications. Tax accountants aid in minimizing
tax payments and also help financial accountants in preparing financials for tax reporting to
various authorities. Tax accounting involves consultancy regarding the effect of taxes on different
aspects of business, minimizing tax through legal ways and also verifying consequences of tax
payable on business.
6. FUND ACCOUNTING
It deals with keeping records for funds of non-profit business entities. Separate fund accounts are
maintained for separate works like welfare schemes of different nature to ensure proper
utilization of funds.
7. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING
It is done for Central Government (National Government) and State Government budget
allocations and utilization. Keeping records ensures proper and efficient utilization of the various
budget allocations and safety of public funds.
8. FORENSIC ACCOUNTING
Forensic Accounting also known as legal accounting enables calculating damages or settling
disputes in legal matters. Investigations are done and calculations are carried out to evaluate the
damages accurately.
9. FIDUCIARY ACCOUNTING
It is the accounting and evaluation of a third party’s business and property maintained under the
guardianship of another person.