One accountant preparing an annual report for shareholders, another showing forecasts to a manager
Accounting

Quick answer: Financial accounting records past transactions and reports them to outsiders such as shareholders, lenders and tax authorities, following

Cost accountant calculating costs that feed a manager strategy meeting
Accounting

Quick answer: Cost accounting records, classifies and analyses costs to find the cost of products and control it. Management accounting

Accountant viewing past-only reports with cost and resistance icons, illustrating limits of management accounting
Accounting

Quick answer: Management accounting has limits: it depends on the accuracy of financial and cost records, relies largely on past

Accountant handing a planning report to leaders with a profit chart, illustrating management accounting
Accounting

Quick answer: Management accounting helps a business plan properly, control costs and performance, coordinate departments, maximise profit, evaluate managers and