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Unilever's Cost Accounting Systems

Unilever uses 5 key elements in its cost accounting system: 1) Standard costing to introduce manufacturing costs into inventory 2) Activity-based costing for inventory valuation to determine accurate product costs 3) Process costing to accumulate costs by passing costs between production processes 4) FIFO cost flow assumption for tax minimization and improved financial statements 5) Perpetual inventory method to maintain real-time inventory data instead of periodic adjustments

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Ahsan Iqbal
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
115 views6 pages

Unilever's Cost Accounting Systems

Unilever uses 5 key elements in its cost accounting system: 1) Standard costing to introduce manufacturing costs into inventory 2) Activity-based costing for inventory valuation to determine accurate product costs 3) Process costing to accumulate costs by passing costs between production processes 4) FIFO cost flow assumption for tax minimization and improved financial statements 5) Perpetual inventory method to maintain real-time inventory data instead of periodic adjustments

Uploaded by

Ahsan Iqbal
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CMA ASSIGNMENT

Institute of Education and Research

Department of MBE

Submitted to:

(Dr. Shaukat Ali Raza)

Submitted by:

(Ahsan Iqbal)

Student no: (S/2019-1609)

Submitted date: Feb 23, 2021


TABLE OF CONTENT

TABLE OF CONTENT...................................................................................................................0

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1

COST ACCOUNTING SYSTEM...................................................................................................2

1. INPUT MEASUREMENT BASIS..........................................................................................2

STANDARD COSTING:............................................................................................................2

2. INVENTORY VALUATION METHOD................................................................................2

ACTIVITY BASED COSTING..................................................................................................2

3. Cost Accumulation Method......................................................................................................2

Process Costing............................................................................................................................2

4. COST FLOW ASSUMPTION.................................................................................................3

FIFO METHOD...........................................................................................................................3

5. RECORDING INTERVAL CAPABILITY.............................................................................3

PERPETUAL METHOD.............................................................................................................3
COST ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEM USED BY UNILEVER

INTRODUCTION
Unilever is a London-based, European company whose shares are listed on the stock exchanges
of several European countries. We transport all kinds of products from pet food to food and
detergents as well as other personal and consumer products. Unilever has subsidiaries in more
than 80 countries around the world, which disseminates a wealth of information and resources.
William Lever (its founder) starts his business as a grocery store in the UK. He founded Lever
Brothers in England in 1827. Sunlight was Lever Brothers ’first product and began marketing
branded products while Margarine Unie was founded in the Netherlands by Simon Vanberg and
Anton Jergens. Procurement of raw materials as a result of the sale of finished products, both
companies lose money as a profit. Due to these factors, a merger was considered in 1930. The
two companies merged and changed their business name to Unilever PLC. The word UNI is
taken from Margarine Unie and the lever is taken from Lever Brothers. Headquarters were
established in England and Rotterdam. Unilever run business in 80 countries and having 500
operating companies. It employs 300,000 people and has sales of £ 23,000 million. The global
business ratio is 60% in Europe, 20% in North America and 20% in other regions. The
designated board manages the operations of subsidiaries around the world. Lever Brothers
Pakistan Limited began operations in 1948. The merger of Sadik’s vegetable oil and related
industries in Rahimyar Khan was affected with Lever Brothers and HVM in Karachi. As a result
of the merger, Lever Brothers Pakistan Limited was established in 1955 as an independent
operating company of Unilever. The company is also listed on the stock exchanges of Pakistan.
Lever Brothers Pakistan Limited has approximately 1,900 employees in Pakistan.

Unilever is one of the largest and largest multinational companies in the world. Unilever began
its larger business by establishing its first factory in the Netherlands in 1890. Having operated in
Pakistan for the past 40 years, the company is committed to improving living standards. World-
class high-quality products at customers' doors. The fact that more than 90% of Pakistanis use
Unilever products is a testament to their successful operations. Their product range includes the
world-famous brands Wheel, LUX, Lifebuoy, Fair & Lovely, Ponds, Close Up, Sun silk, Lipton,
Lipton, Taaza, Pepsodent, Clear, Vim, Surf Excel and Rexona.

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COST ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEM USED BY UNILEVER

COST ACCOUNTING SYSTEM


Cost management systems are designed to provide information that can be used to make
decisions. Whether it is a product or a service, the cost system reports cumulative costs. The
product type determines the calculation process and cost system used to set costs. Unilever uses
the five most common cost accounting systems. The following sections describe each.

1. INPUT MEASUREMENT BASIS


STANDARD COSTING:
Unilever uses standard costs. This is because all manufacturing costs are introduced or charged
into inventory using standard or pre-determined prices and quantities. The difference between
applied and actual costs is recorded in the variance account, which forms the basis of the concept
of accounting control, which is slightly different from the concept of statistical control.

2. INVENTORY VALUATION METHOD


ACTIVITY BASED COSTING
Unilever is currently using Activity Based Costing in their Inventory valuation method to
determine accurate product costs. Complex companies like Unilever are most likely to benefit
from such costing because they are most useful when cost information is difficult to understand
or evaluate.

ABC provides Unilever with information on improvement processes and products and services
that have the greatest impact on the company’s profitability. The ABC system also helps
determine which factors contribute most to Unilever’s costs. This allows management to make
the best choice. An alternative to reducing Unilever's total costs. The ABC system is the best tool
used to perform environmental accounting at the enterprise level.

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COST ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEM USED BY UNILEVER

3. Cost Accumulation Method


Process Costing
Unilever is currently using Process Costs in their cost accumulation method because process
costing reduces the cost of all units to the average unit cost. Multiple WIP accounts are used, one
for each process. When a product moves from one process to another, the costs of the previous
process are passed on to the next process. Unilever's process calculation method has five steps.
First, I present a summary of the flow of physical business units. Second, calculate the output in
the corresponding units. Third, calculate the corresponding unit cost. Fourth, I will summarize
the total costs described. And finally, allocate the total cost to the finished units and to the units
that end the process in the inventory.

4. COST FLOW ASSUMPTION


FIFO METHOD
How to estimate the cost of goods sold that use the cost of the oldest product in stock, expect
first arrival to be processed first and next arrival first. Other reasons to use FIFO Unilever uses
FIFO as an advance on the cost flow of a product. This is because most products are perishable
and have a short date. Unilever also believes in tax minimization. For tax purposes, FIFO
assumes that the edible assets of inventory renaming correspond to those recently purchased or
produced.

Because of this assumption, FIFO’s financial management and valuation methods involve many
tax minimization strategies. For this reason, Unilever uses the FIFO method as a cost stream.
FIFO better shows Unilever the value of the final balance sheet. One reason for using Unilever's
FIFO method is the rise in inflation. For this reason, Unilever uses FIFO inventory accounting to
improve the appearance of its balance sheet.

5. RECORDING INTERVAL CAPABILITY


PERPETUAL METHOD
Unilever currently uses a perpetual method to maintain inventory data. The purpose of this
method is to provide the company with real inventory data in real time.

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COST ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEM USED BY UNILEVER

To record purchases, a regular system charge from the purchase account and a continuous system
charge from the goods inventory account. To record a sale, the perpetual system requires an
additional entry to charge for the cost of the goods sold and to credit the inventory. By recording
the cost of goods sold (or each sale), a perpetual inventory system reduces the need to adjust the
recording and calculation of goods sold at the end of the financial year, which requires a periodic
inventory system.

For this reason, Unilever uses the perpetual method instead of the periodic inventory method:

 The permanent method allows Unilever to determine the cost and profit or loss of
products sold on a per-sales basis, as opposed to the standard method of earning a profit
or loss at the end of the period.
 Unilever preferred a permanent system because it is a realistic double-entry book system
with arbitrary periodicity.
 Companies can use this method to monitor inventories more closely because whenever
inventories increase or decrease, they must be debited or credited to other accounts, such
as lost profits. And in a permanent system, you’ll soon notice an increase in inventory
losses, not at the end of the year when physical inventory levels are calculated. The
advantage that Unilever has gained from using a permanent storage system is high
control. It helps manage your inventory levels and makes it easier to compare physical
inventory. Whenever a shortage (i.e., a missing or stolen item) is detected, you must debit
it from your inventory account.

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Common questions

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Unilever's historical mergers, such as the 1930 merger between Lever Brothers and Margarine Unie, have significantly impacted its cost accounting systems by necessitating the integration of diverse cost practices into a unified approach. This has led to the adoption of comprehensive cost management practices capable of handling a wide range of product lines and operations globally. The mergers facilitated the development of sophisticated accounting systems that maintain financial control and support strategic decision-making across its subsidiaries .

Standard costing contributes to Unilever's cost control by establishing predetermined costs for manufacturing inputs, allowing for variance analysis between actual and standard costs. This forms the basis for effective accounting control and informed decision-making. It provides a framework for evaluating production efficiency and cost management, enabling management to identify and address discrepancies, optimize operations, and strategically allocate resources .

Unilever gains several strategic advantages by using process costing, including the ability to efficiently allocate costs across various manufacturing stages. This method reduces the cost per unit by averaging costs across large numbers of units, making it easier to track and manage production expenses. Process costing helps Unilever maintain cost control and ensures accuracy and consistency in financial reporting throughout its complex production processes .

The establishment of Lever Brothers Pakistan Limited in 1955 significantly contributed to Unilever's presence in Pakistan by localizing its operations and expanding its product offerings within a growing market. The merger of existing local industries into its operations enabled Unilever to better serve the local population, enhance brand recognition, and build a strong market position. It allowed Unilever to adapt its global strategies to meet local demands, thereby solidifying its role as a major multinational player in Pakistan .

During periods of inflation, Unilever's use of the FIFO (First-In, First-Out) method impacts its financial statements by improving the appearance of the balance sheet. FIFO assumes older costs are the first to be used, which results in the sale of the oldest inventory costs first. In an inflationary period, the use of older, lower costs leads to a higher ending inventory valuation on the balance sheet and lower cost of goods sold, potentially increasing reported net income .

Unilever prefers the perpetual inventory system because it provides real-time data on inventory levels and allows for immediate adjustments when discrepancies occur. This high level of control facilitates the monitoring of product costs and profit margins on a per-sale basis. Additionally, the perpetual system aligns with double-entry bookkeeping, aiding in the quick identification of inventory losses and reducing the need for end-of-period adjustments .

The use of multiple Work in Progress (WIP) accounts in Unilever's process costing system allows for detailed tracking of costs associated with different production stages. It facilitates precise measurement and allocation of expenses, enhancing transparency and control over manufacturing efficiency. This system helps Unilever manage inter-process cost transfers and ensures consistent financial documentation and performance evaluation by providing a clear overview of each stage's contribution to the final product cost .

Unilever benefits from Activity Based Costing (ABC) in inventory valuation by obtaining more accurate product costs, which is crucial for improving processes and enhancing profitability. The system helps identify product and service areas that have the greatest impact on profits and allows management to make informed cost reduction decisions. ABC supports environmental accounting at the enterprise level, providing information that is difficult to evaluate with traditional costing methods .

Unilever's cost accounting information system, particularly its use of Activity Based Costing, supports environmental sustainability by providing insights into the environmental impact of its products through detailed cost accumulation. By understanding which activities and processes consume the most resources, Unilever can strategically reduce waste and energy use, thus aligning operational efficiency with sustainable development goals. This approach enables Unilever to integrate sustainability into its core business operations effectively .

Unilever's cost accounting practices, such as the use of standard costing, Activity Based Costing, and FIFO, align with its global business strategy by enabling precise cost management across its vast and complex international operations. These practices support the strategic goal of efficiency and profitability by optimizing resource allocation and product pricing, enhancing competitive advantage globally. The system's adaptability to different regions also reflects Unilever's commitment to maintaining consistent quality and financial performance across diverse markets .

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