Development of Cost Accounting Concepts and Principles.

Abstract This article presents the role of the American Accounting Association's Committee on Cost Accounting Concepts and Standards. The Committee on Cost Accounting Concepts and Standards has a somewhat different position in the Association hierarchy than has the Committee on Accounting Concepts and Standards. The latter committee has received from the Association essentially what amounts to a charter. Once the general committee has arrived at certain conclusions, the Committee's work will receive rather automatic approval for publication. On the other hand, the Cost Committee has never had any such understanding with the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may, at its discretion, publish or not publish its findings. The Committee on Cost Accounting Concepts and Standards will retain its position as an exploratory and experimental committee. Since this Committee works with data that is, for the most part, a step removed from the firing line of law and tradition, it should have a freer and less official position within the Association.