Activity-Based Costing for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses: An Implementation Guide

By Douglas T. Hicks

Activity-based costing (ABC) is a cost accounting concept that can be used by almost any corporation (manufacturing or service) to gain a competitive advantage through greater understanding of its product and process costs. This book shows how an organization can adopt ABC in a practical, cost-effective way without dismantling current cost information systems.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 047157287X
• ISBN13: 9780471572879
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc
• Length: 324 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.1" x 6.4"

Customer Reviews

It really makes it work

Activity-Based Costing: Making it Work for Small and Mid-Sized Companies, is a very well written and usefull handbook to design and implementation of Activity-Based Costing. It provides: a general description of key concepts of ABC, a practical guide to design of ABC system in the company, as well as description of any potential problems concerning implementation of ABC. I am working as a financial consultant (in Warsaw), and this book has helped me to help many companies that were loosing their cost-effectiveness. I think, that the author should have added some 100 pages to the book, and defined - described some aspects of Activity-Based Management - although that could have been too technical for most of the readers. Overall, I think that the book contains most of the knowledge needed for successful design & implementation of ABC. It really worked for me...

Doug Hicks - ABC Guru

This is a model of clear and effective writing and teaching. Certainly one of the best accounting books I've ever read, it gives you the tools to start ABC analysis at once and never strays into jargon. The many examples of different company types and the simple to use and understand spreadsheet analysis keeps you focused on the theory of ABC rather than minute details of allocations. A book to keep on your desk.

Literally breaks ground!

I can not quite imagine a single decision made in any company that does not concern cost. And, when it is about accurate costing, I can not imagine another book on business that can better assist than this one.First, the author defines the concept, states the reasons why Activity Based Costing should be implemented in every company, and then thoroughly shows you how to do it. Since the main step-by-step example in the book concentrates on a small manufacturing organization, those who are applying the concept to service organizations may have a harder time making the translation to their specific situations. Still, I don't think that will be much of an issue. The book is very well-written and must be digested by every professional with a passion for improving their company and seize a competitive advantage.

An excellent approach for small companies

This has been the book that I have used to implement ABC systems for small companies in Venezuela. I found it thorough, easy to read and apply. If you plan to use ABC systems in your own small business, this is the book to buy.

a powerful book for small businesses making pricing decision

This is one of the most useful books I have ever read for assisting small businesses in making product and pricing decisions. As a CPA who works with many small businesses, including many manfucturers, this book provides a cost effective way to implement activity based costing for small and medium sized businesses that does not cost thousands of dollars in software and consultant fees. It presents a practical method for determining product costs and providing information that any small company can use to make pricing and costing decisions, what-if analysis, and evaluating profit strategies. This type of information has traditionally been lacking for the small to medium size company. I would strongly recommend this book for any small to medium size business and the financial advisor who works with small to medium size businesses wishing to truly improve the business decision making tools available to them.