What is Cost Accounting?

Cost accounting in the construction industry is a specialized area of accounting that captures, records, and interprets all costs incurred during construction projects. These costs may include materials, labour, machinery and overheads. It focuses on understanding where and how funds are expended and aims to make internal business functions more efficient. The construction industry heavily relies on cost accounting techniques to estimate project costs, set budgets, control costs, make strategic decisions and ensure profitability. This accounting practice provides essential financial insights that enable project managers to avoid overruns, mitigate risks and improve project outcomes.