Cost Accounting provides a practical knowledge of systems and procedures and will prepare students for many of the career opportunities available in cost accounting. The text opens by giving students an overview of the nature and purpose of cost accounting. Building on these notions students will then learn the basic concept that cost flow matches work flow. Afterward students are led throughout the major areas of cost accounting: job order cost accounting, process cost accounting, budgeting, standard costs, direct costing, and non-manufacturing costs. Each new segment of instruction is carefully explained and illustrated. A summary at the end of each chapter reviews the basic principles and procedures covered. Questions which require review and/or managerial analysis, along with application activities in the form of exercises, problems, alternate problems, Excel problems, and cases help students integrate their learning while everything is fresh in their minds.