...The Principles, Benefits and Compliance of Lean Accounting As a way to reduce costs, manufacturing businesses today are looking for a leaner approach to production and are focusing on the overall process of producing an item to eventually sell to a consumer. This process is called the value stream, which is defined in Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis as “the value-added activities needed to design, manufacture, and deliver a given product or product line to customers” (Horngren, Datar, & Rajan, 2014, p. 635). With the assistance of technology advancements to support with the communication of the different components of the value stream, processes have been developed, like Just in Time (JIT) production, that allow for the lean production of merchandise. Dan Woods describes this lean production process, in an article published in Forbes: “In a lean process, the demand signals pull the materials through the flow processes and the right number of products is created with as little waste as possible. When all the suppliers of materials are also making their processes lean, the result is that the entire supply chain is extremely responsive and efficient. “ (Wood, 2009) To go along with this lean production system, lean accounting was developed as “a costing method that focuses on value streams, as distinguished from individual products or departments, thereby eliminating waste in the accounting process” (Horngren, Datar, & Rajan, 2014, p. 635). This paper will summarize...
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...I. Lean Accounting Lean accounting often refers to more simplified accounting practices that focuses on eliminating waste, reducing production lead time, and producing products on customer demand. But Lean accounting does not stand alone. It is enabled by lean thinking and lean production methods. And lean accounting not only needs lean manufacturing, it also facilitates lean manufacturing.1 That’s why lean accounting is always related to, but not necessarily have to be associated with lean manufacturing. Here are some specific positive reasons that lean accounting is important. 1. Reduces time, cost, and waste by eliminating wasteful transactions and systems. 2. A better way to understand costs, product costs and value stream costs. 3. Provides information for better lean decision making. 4. Identifies the potential financial benefits of lean manufacturing improvements. 5. Frees up the time for finance people to work on lean improvement. 6. Focuses the business around the value-added activities created for customers. 2 II. Benefits of Implementing a Lean Accounting System in a Lean Manufacturing Environment According to the positive reasons that addressed above, companies can be benefited from implementing a lean accounting system in a lean manufacturing environment in several different ways. 1. Eliminate Waste One of the most important objectives of lean improvement is to eliminate waste from the non-value-added...
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...Toyota | | Lean Changed the Auto Industry Introduction In order for any business to succeed, the business needs a strong leader. Taiichi Ohno, Toyota’s businessperson and engineer, led the implementation of Lean during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Prior to Ohno leadership, he learned the auto industry from Toyota founder Kicchiro Toyoda. In the post World War II recession, Toyota was near bankruptcy, and workers went on strike. In 1950, Toyota began to restructure their company and settle the strike. In the settlement, Toyoda and other top executives resigned (1). After the strike, Toyota utilized Lean to save their company from bankruptcy. In the process of developing Lean, Toyota became a leader in the auto industry. They sold 10.23 million vehicles in 2014, which ranked them number one in global sales (15). The report show and pinpointed how Toyota developed and used Lean Accounting and Manufacturing to become the number one seller of automobiles. The Development of Toyota Production System Taiichi Ohno, the primary architect, and his consultant Shigeo Shingo designed the Toyota Production System (TPS). The TPS emphasizes on avoiding any waste. Toyota lacked resources to invest in new production equipment or carry inventory. The TPS concept is the anti economies of scale. Cho and Taiichi preached this concept to their employees as they transformed into a lean organization. They could only afford to purchase the exact amount of materials needed to produce...
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...SYSTEM TOPIC: LEAN ACCOUNTING- An Emerging Concept SUB CODE: 10MBA32 NAME: SPOORTHI.K USN: 1PB11MBA33 CONTENTS 1. ABSTRACT WITH KEY WORDS 2. INTRODUCTION 3. THERORATICAL BACKGROUND 4. DISCUSSION 5. CONCLUSION 6. REFERENCE ABSTRACT WITH KEYWORDS From the last two decades of the 20th Century on, many companies have adopted production strategies that could be termed “lean manufacturing”. Lean team leaders state that traditional costing systems fail to properly assess their operational improvements and therefore ask for new cost accounting methods. The search for a new accounting paradigm has led to important applied research and several accounting methods. With the diversification of customer demand and competition of globalization, mass production is being replaced by lean production. In this background, the traditional accounting system is no longer applicable to lean production, and lean accounting supporting lean production comes into being. This paper introduces the background of lean accounting and the content of lean accounting, gives the measures of implementing lean accounting, finally compares lean accounting with traditional accounting and summarizes obstacles in the process of implementing lean accounting. The research and application of lean accounting will greatly...
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...In the business cycle of a capitalistic economy, the driving force is the relationship between consumers and producers. A healthy relationship equates to growth, but it takes a lot of hard work and coordination. No one knows this better than Chick-Fil-A, Inc. They took a chicken sandwich and made it into a multi-billion dollar enterprise without losing sight of their core values. You can see the Chick-Fil-A cows everywhere – in TV commercials, hanging off of billboards, like them on Facebook, have your picture taken with them in the mall, and the list goes on and on. They are appealing to everyone who eats chicken, and their core message is “Eat Mor Chikin!” The team at CFA Corporate has been able to take a marketing concept that was first introduced in 1995 and morph it into the new media communications model by finding the “perfect” blend of new and traditional media. Watching cows type with their hooves or bungle around with a projection screen or any of the other ridiculous things CFA has had their cows doing in commercials has made them relatable to our everyday lives. The more people can relate to the image you are portraying, the greater your chances of drawing them in as customers. Local stores send out weekly text messages to customers to promote special events, from Family Night to School Night to All You Can Eat Nuggets Night to BOGO combo deals, etc. The point being, you get text messages from friends and Chick-Fil-A is your friend. You can like them on Facebook...
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...Rashmi Deshpande 008158722 Rashmi Deshpande 008158722 Financial Performance measures in a traditional business system Measuring the financial ability is a very important approach for any business entity in order to enhance its overall performance, profits and to maintain a financial stability. Financial performance measures are done in order to depict the company’s overall performance. This is done by performing some simple mathematical calculations. The most common way of measuring one’s financial measures is by calculating the financial ratios. These financial ratios can be used to compare the financial abilities of different companies. Thus these ratios are kind of scores based on which the companies are rated. These ratios can also help the company management in creating business plans and creating presentations for their customers and investors. Some of the common financial ratios used as financial measures are: The liquidity Ratios: These ratios are used to find out “how much ready cash or near cash a company has?” Some of the liquidity ratios are 1) Current ratio 2) Quick ratio The Profitability Ratios: These ratios measure the return on investment or the profitability. The most common profitability ratios are 1) Profit ratio 2) Earning power 3) Return on investment of Assets 4) Return on common equity. Asset Ratios: These ratios are used to measure the asset management ability. Some of the common asset ratios are 1) Inventory turnover 2) Days of receivable...
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..." Benefits of Implementing Lean Methodologies: • Reduces process lead time to better service customers • Greatly improves throughput and asset utilization • Opens capacity for future growth opportunities • Reduces work-in-process inventory • Reduces set-up times • Avoids unnecessary equipment expense • Increases the number of inventory turns per year • Improves cash flow • Impacts your bottom line The Machine That Changed the World is a book based on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's $5 million, five-year study on the future of the automobile, written by James P. Womack,Daniel T. Jones (scientist), and Daniel Roos. When The Machine That Changed the World was first published in 1990, Toyota was half the size of General Motors. Today Toyota is passing GM as the world's largest auto maker and is the most consistently successful global enterprise of the past fifty years. This management classic was the first book to reveal Toyota's lean production system that is the basis for its enduring success. Now reissued with a new Foreword and Afterword, Machine contrasts two fundamentally different business systems -- lean versus mass, two very different ways of thinking about how humans work together to create value. Based on the largest and most thorough study ever undertaken of any industry -- MIT's five-year, fourteen-country International Motor Vehicle Program -- this book describes the entire managerial system of lean production. Nearly twenty...
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...How to use various accounting methods by Maxine Barclay Managerial Accounting Kristina Unutoa, Professor Abstract Accounting is a critical part of running a business. Since there are various forms of accounting that can be used, it is important to know which technique is best to use for what companies since they are unique. Once a particular technique is established, it is also important to keep an open mind if there are changes that need to take place in the organization. Keeping an open mind helps the company adjust and move forward in a timely fashion Most businesses exist to make a profit. Accounting is an important part in helping understand how the profits and expense amounts are derived. Accounting involves the process of summation, estimation, forecasting and analysis of financial transactions. Accounting can broken up into many areas which are all slightly different in nature depending on the process and objectives. Many of the formulas, statements and mechanisms are used and the fundamentals of them are still the same (Scholasticus, 2011) . Cost accounting systems record manufacturing activities for inventory systems that update records for cost of materials, goods in process and finished product. It must be timely information about inventory and manufacturing costs in order for management to control costs and set selling prices (Wild & Shaw, 2012). A cost accounting system requires five parts that include an input measuring basis...
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...The purpose of this article is to describe the implementation of value stream management and lean accounting at Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company. Value stream management and lean accounting are designed to support lean manufacturing where value is defined from the customer's perspective, work is organized by value stream, supply flow is defined in terms of demand pull, and employees are empowered and focused on quality and continuous improvement. Rather than organizing by functional departments (i.e., the traditional approach associated with responsibility accounting), a company using value stream management develops an organization structure based on value streams, where a value stream includes everything involved in creating value for a customer, e.g., everything associated with a product or product line. Value streams tend to include the work of many functional areas such as product design, production, marketing, sales, distribution, and cash collection. Metrics or measurements are created for each value stream. Some examples used by Watlow Electric include: safety (case incident rate), quality (defects per million), delivery (on-time to promise percentage), cost (sales per full-time equivalent), and inventory (days of inventory). Standard costs, cost allocations, and variance analysis are not used. Instead, only "directly incurred costs" are used for decisions related to the value streams. According to the article there are seven steps for implementation. The first step...
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...American InterContinental University Abstract The objective is to explain the difference of managerial accounting and cost accounting. Also, to give details and find the purpose of the lean and typical production process and how they both vary differently. Lastly, give Dr. White some information and a proposal on how to prepare for a decreased budget. MANAGING COST Introduction In our ever changing business world, each organization must find ways to make tight budgets work. Management are always facing ways to increase the bottom line and find innovated ways to meet budget guidelines. Dr. White is faced with the decision to decrease the budget by $94,000. Recommendation will be listed below as to how Dr. White might proceed to cut the organization’s budget. Managerial Accounting Many organizations have managers that run the day to day operation. In order for the company to be successful in its practices there must be accountability. One way to hold accountability is to have accounting. Managerial accounting is an effective way to provide data to the managers that oversees the companies productivity. Many managers provide planning, control operation, and find ways to keep overhead at a minimum. Techniques can be used in the planning process as well, and that is to also help control the budgeting. It is very vital to have the data delivered for the cost accounting to make sure that it is accurate and suitable for the management process. The data analysis can be used in...
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...Abstract: Key Words: Corporate Social Responsibility, Lean Accounting, Toyota’s sustainability effort I. Introduction 1. Definition of key terms 1) Corporate Social Responsibility CSR refers to operating a business in a manner that accounts for the social and environmental impact created by the business. CSR means a commitment to developing policies that integrate responsible practices into daily business operations, and to reporting on progress made toward implementing these practices. According to Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), corporate social responsibility is defined as“achieving commercial success in ways that honor ethical values and respect people, communities, and the natural environment.” 2) Lean accounting Lean Accounting is the general term used for the changes required to a company's accounting, control, measurement, and management processes to support lean manufacturing and lean thinking. II. Corporate Social Responsibility The field of corporate social responsibility has grown exponentially in the last decade. More than half of the Fortune 1000 companies issue corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports. A larger number of companies than at any time previous are engaged in a serious effort to define and integrate CSR into all aspects of their businesses. An increasing number of shareholders, analysts, regulators, activists, labor unions, employees, community organizations, and news media are asking companies to be accountable...
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...Nissan’s debt grew from $11.8B to $32.7B. Japan’s bubble economy collapsed in the early 1990s and Nissan’s profits deteriorated in parallel (Wiki – 2011). In response to a dire operating situation, Nissan formed a partnership with Renault in 1999. While the injection of capital was much needed by the Japanese car manufacturer, the most important asset exchanged in the strategic alliance turned out to be Carlos Ghosn, the Renault Executive Vice President appointed to turn around Nissan. The following analysis focuses on Carlos Ghosn’s leadership and the Nissan Revival Plan (NRP). The NRP saved Nissan and its roots seem to have originated from the Lean Action Plan framework. Get Started (First Six Months) Find a change agent (Score - 5 of 5) The Lean Thinking textbook places a considerable amount of emphasis on starting the Lean Leap. While it may seem basic in nature, kicking off the process is not easy, and it requires an organization to have an executive base with leadership talent. In particular, finding a “change agent” that is committed to co-developing and implementing a plan to accomplish concrete objectives is hard to unearth. Carlos Ghosn was an ideal “change agent”. Ghosn quickly established a vision for Nissan, which he was able to clearly communicate to the employees of the organization. He displayed a willingness to engage and...
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...LEAN SYSTEMS Reduction in inventory because of robots. Quick and faster. Change the layouts and set-ups. Is learning organization approach for designing supply chain system known as lean system. Lean systems are operation systems that maximize the value added by each of the companies activities by removing waste and delays from them. It is making more efficient, more quicker and faster( is lean system). Lean systems develop more efficient manufacturing operations. What is JIT just in time-that incorporates generic elements of lean system by cutting unnecessary capacity or inventory and removing non value added activities in operations. Eliminates waste or muda. 8 types of wastes : 1 over production, 2) in appropriate processing,3) waiting, 8) transportation( Excessive handling during transportation), 4) motion, 5) Inventory , 6) defects and 7) underutilization of employees. JIT system organizes the resources, information flow and decisions that enables firm to realize the benefits of JIT principle. Lean system leads to continuous improvement in quality and productivity. The Japanese term for this approach to process improvement is KAIZEN. Hides underlying problems with processes that produce service or product. Service processes improved : scheduling, billing, order taking, accounting, financial planning . SUPPLY CHAIN CONSIDERATIONS IN LEAN SYSTEMS : 2 characterstics of lean systems that are related to creating nad managing material flows in a supply chain ;...
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...B1. Adequacy of Funds Finances are one of the most crucial parts of any business. Every business has to be aware of what type of resources, especially financial resources, it has available to work with. The financial aspect of a business determines almost every other aspect of that business. Being able to utilize budgets, in order to reduce costs and make profit, is imperative. Pro forma accounting is a way of using the budget to analyze what to expect in the future. This statement should be used to forecast any issues that might lie ahead. It also should be used to provide time to the company to make any necessary changes, before it is too late. By using budget and pro forma accounting any company should have a good understanding of what type of financial resources are available to them in order to cut costs and increase profits. During the simulation I initially did not pay too much attention to the budget or the pro forma accounting statements, which did not do me any favors. After reviewing the pro forma statement at the end of the first quarter, I should have made adjustments. The cash flow was lower than the recommended $300,000, so I reviewed my decisions, but did not want to change anything. Which inevitably put my company in a high risk situation right from the start. When the quarter was done and I was able to review the actions that had taken place, I realized I was way over budget and the simulation automatically set me up with a loan shark to help...
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...The Lean Startup The Lean Startup is a methodology published by Eric Ries in 2011 intended to reinvent how we build businesses today. Since publishing the book The Lean Startup, the fundamentals behind the book have become a widely used process for many technology startups and has since progressed into curriculum of renowned universities and established businesses. The comprehensive idea behind The Lean Startup is to hypothesize, test, and refine your product or service as you build your business to ensure success with the least amount of resources. Although these ideas have recently become popular after the release of Ries’ book, the ideas and concept date back much further. Many of the concepts adapted by The Lean Startup were derived from the familiar Lean Manufacturing views. Improving quality, eliminating wastes, reducing time, and reducing costs are all intricate adaptations from lean manufacturing. Ries began to formalize his knowledge of building businesses after several failed attempts at starting technology businesses. The cycle of lean startup practices were intended for businesses to reduce startup costs, test the market, and improve viability. Historically tech startups would begin with an idea, create the product or service, seek large amounts of funding, and then bank their entire company on one grand launch with hopes of instant success. With Ries’ model startups now create their minimum viable product, test various aspects of the product on a small portion...
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