Cost Accounting is not an exact science like other branches of accounting but is an art which has

developed through theories and accounting practices based on common sense and reasoning.
These practices are changing with time. There is no stereotyped system of cost accounting
applicable to all industries. It lacks uniform procedure. Concepts, methods and techniques of cost
accounting understood and applied differently by different industries. It is used only by big
enterprises. The limitations of cost accounting are as follows:

1. The system is more complex:   Cost accounting needs to identify the different types of
expenses and allocation of expenses is considered as a complicated system of accounting. It
needs different forms and formulas to collect the data and preparing the reports. Also it requires
number of steps in ascertaining such details. So it involves a more complex system. More complex
and complicated system of cost accounting is one of the limitation facing by the cost accounting.

2. It is expensive: In installing and maintaining cost accounting system requires more man power
and resources. More analysis, allocation and absorption of overheads requires considerable
amount of additional work. If the expenses incurred in ascertaining the cost is more than what is
derived from it, then the process of cost accounting is meaningless. In short, the expenses of cost
accounting should not be more than the profit derived from cost accounting. Many companies does
not adopt cost accounting owing the fact that it is more expensive and not economical.

3. Inapplicability of costing method and technique. Technique and methods of cost accounting

differ from organization to organization. One standard method is not adequate for all the
requirement of different organizations. It depend on the nature of business and the type of
service/product manufactured by the firm. If wrong technique or method is used, it will affect the
result. So inapplicability of same costing method and technique is the one of the main limitation of
cost accounting.

4. Not suitable for small scale units: One of the limitation faced by the cost accounting in
installing it in all types of business is that it is not applicable to small scale units. Through the
traditional accounting, small scale units can control the cost effectively.

5. Lack of Accuracy: Use of notional cost such as standard cost, estimated cost etc would not
bring out the actual cost of the product. So the cost accounting lacks the accuracy of its results.

6. Lacks social Accounting:  Social accounting is outside the scope of cost accounts. Cost
accounting fails to take into account the social obligation of the business.

7. Need preparation of frequent reconciliation to verify accuracy. Results shown by cost

accounts differ from those of financial accounts. Preparation of reconciliation statements to verify
the accuracy is frequently required. This leads to unnecessary increase in workload.

8. Duplication of Work: Many industrial units function effectively and control the cost effectively
with the financial accounting. Preparing cost accounting is unnecessary for them and it involves
duplication of accounting work.

9. Use of Secondary Data: Cost accounting depends on financial statements for a lot of

information. Any errors or short coming in the information will affect the results.

10. Lack of cooperation of employees: Cost accounting depends heavily on the cooperation of

employees concerned. Lack of cooperation of employees will affect the overall performance of cost
accounting. Non-cooperation or opposition from employees will affect the results.

11. Does not control Cost by itself: Cost accounting will not control the cost. It only bring out the
possibility of areas which needs control. If the organization does not have a efficient management,
the reports and results brought out by the cost accountant is useless. So cost accounting will not
control the cost by itself. It needs an effective and efficient management to use it.

12. It is based on estimation and previous data: Most of the data used by a cost accountant is
based on estimation of indirect costs, assumptions and previous data. Not using the actual data
and costs is the limitation of cost accounting.

13. It only bring out the cost of goods or services. To find out the operational results, we need
to depend on financial accounting. Cost accounting will not bring forth the financial status of the
company.

14. It serves the information need of the management: We cannot depend on cost accounting
for the financial information required by the share holders, creditors, employees and the society at
large. It only serves the requirement of information needed by the management.

15. Not useful for determining the tax liabilities: We cannot treat cost accounting as a basis for
determining the tax liabilities of the business. Financial accounting is required for the determination
of tax liabilities.