Management accounting practices and project cost control in Saudi construction firms

This study investigates the influence of Management Accounting Practices (MAPs) on Project Cost Control (PCC) within the context of the Saudi construction industry, a sector pivotal to the nation's economic diversification under Saudi Vision 2030. Employing a purposive sampling technique, data were collected from 222 industry professionals and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that budgetary control exerts the strongest positive effect on PCC, underscoring its foundational role in cost containment. Additionally, cost monitoring and reporting, cost variance analysis, and the effective utilization of accounting information emerged as significant positive predictors of PCC success. Collectively, these MAPs are instrumental in achieving robust project cost control. The results hold important implications for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to industry, innovation, and infrastructure, by offering actionable insights for policymakers. Mandating robust budgetary control frameworks and integrated accounting systems can significantly reduce resource waste, enhance project efficiency, and contribute to the sustainable development of national infrastructure projects, thereby aligning with the long-term objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.