Explains the essential concepts of cost accounting. The overview provides an introduction to the basic cost accounting objectives and techniques, the roles of the controller and cost accountant within the corporate management structure and the ethical considerations that guide cost accountants. This article also explains the basic cost accumulation methods that are used in cost accounting systems. These methods include job order costing, process costing, backflush costing, hybrid costing and joint and by-product costing. Further, explanations of the most common costs that companies must plan for and control are included, such as direct labor, direct material and factory overhead costs. Finally, this overview describes how cost accounting techniques affect business considerations in areas such as budgeting, pricing and inventory costing methods, which include throughput, direct, absorption and activity-based costing systems.