Managerial accounting can take different forms, depending on organizational
need. Some of the primary examples of managerial accounting include:
Product costing and valuation. Product costing refers to the calculation
of the total cost of producing a good or service. Managerial accountants calculate overhead expenses and other variables to determine the true cost of a product or service, which can provide direction for companies looking to sell or divest. Cash flow analysis. Managerial accountants may also be tasked with determining the cash impact of various business decisions. This involves assessment of the cash inflow and cash outflow related to a particular decision, such as purchasing a piece of equipment. Break-even analysis. This entails calculating the break-even point for a product or service (the point at which total cost and total revenue are equal). This type of analysis is particularly beneficial when businesses introduce new products or services and can be useful for setting price points on new items. Constraint analysis. Managerial accountants may also perform constraint analysis. This entails evaluating hurdles or bottlenecks within sales or production processes; calculating their impact on revenue, profit and cash flow; and seeking ways to make the process more efficient.