Value-and Non-Value Cost Reporting
Reducing non-value-added costs is one way to increase activity efficiency. A company’s accounting system should distinguish between value-added costs and non-value costs because improving activity performance requires eliminating non- value-added activities and optimizing value-added activities. Hence, a firm should identity and formally report the value-added and non-value costs of each activity. Highlighting non-value-added costs reveals the magnitude of the waste the company is currently experiencing thus providing some information about the potential for improvement. This encourages managers to place more emphasis on controlling non-value-added activities. Progress can then be assessed by preparing trend and cost reduction reports. Tracking these over time permits managers to assess the effectiveness of their activity-management programs.