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What is direct material cost? Simple way to calculate cost

What is direct material cost? This is one of the important factors in the production process, directly affecting the product price and profit of the business. Understanding this cost and knowing how to account for it accurately will help businesses control costs effectively, thereby improving productivity and minimizing waste. In this article, we will explain in detail about direct material cost and guide you on how to account for this cost in a simple and easy-to-apply way.

1. What is direct material cost?

1.1 What is direct material cost?

Direct material cost (Direct Materials Cost) is the total cost related to the purchase and use of raw materials, direct materials to produce, manufacture products or perform the business's services. These costs include the cost of purchasing raw materials, transportation costs, storage and processing of raw materials before they are put into production.

Because of its direct relevance to the product or service, direct material cost can be clearly identified and accurately allocated to each unit of product or service.

Related costs incurred:

Refer to Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC: According to Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC, direct material costs are costs that can be allocated directly to a product or service without having to be estimated or allocated across multiple criteria like indirect costs. This means that businesses can easily calculate this cost for each product they produce.

1.2 Direct calculation

One of the important features of direct material cost can be specifically identified and allocated to each unit of product or service. For example, in a production line, the cost of raw materials for each product would be calculated based on the quantity of raw materials consumed in the production of that product.

1.3 Distinguish from indirect material costs

It is important to distinguish direct material cost with indirect material costsWhile direct costs can be easily allocated to individual products or services, indirect costs cannot be specifically allocated. These costs include items such as factory management costs, equipment maintenance costs, and manufacturing overhead.

1.4 Important role

Direct material cost often accounts for a large proportion of total production costs and plays an important role in determining product cost. Good control of this cost helps businesses optimize profits, improve production efficiency and determine reasonable selling prices for their products. If the cost of direct materials is too high, the cost of products will increase, affecting the competitiveness of businesses in the market.

01 What is direct material cost?

2. Classification of direct material costs

Direct material costs are an important part of determining product cost. These are the costs that businesses have to pay to purchase raw materials, and these costs are directly related to the product manufacturing process. Classifying raw material costs helps businesses easily control costs and optimize the production process. Below are the types of direct material costs:

2.1 Main raw material costs:

2.2 Cost of auxiliary materials (other materials):

2.3 Fuel costs:

Understanding and classifying What is direct material cost? helps businesses, especially accounting departments and business owners, to calculate and manage production costs more easily. This not only helps to strictly control the budget but also helps to make reasonable production decisions, save costs and optimize profits.

3. Accounting for direct material costs

Correct and complete accounting of direct material costs not only helps businesses determine the exact cost, but also supports effective management of materials, avoiding waste in the production process. Below is a method of accounting for direct material costs for businesses:

3.1 Account 621 – Direct material and raw material costs

Intended use:

Account 621 is used to reflect the cost of raw materials and supplies used directly in the production of products or provision of services of the enterprise.

Accounting principles:

Content and structure of account 621:

No ending balance

Account 621 has no ending balance because all costs are transferred to related accounts to determine the cost of products or services.

3.2 Method of recording and collecting costs:

3.3 Specific accounting cases:

3.4 Accounting documents used:

3.5 Accounting for direct material costs using the method of regular declaration and periodic inventory:

Regular declaration method:

Periodic inventory method:

4. What is direct materials cost management?

In the production process, direct material costs often account for a large proportion of total product costs. Therefore, effective management of this type of cost not only helps control the budget but also improves the efficiency of material use and optimizes the production process. Here are some ways to effectively manage material costs:

4.1 Building direct material cost standards

The importance of standards and estimates

Direct material cost standards are an indispensable factor in cost management and control. Establishing cost standards helps businesses accurately predict the amount of raw materials needed, thereby optimizing production costs. Estimating raw material costs also helps related departments such as accounting and production management have an overview of the costs required to produce a unit of product.

Methods of building standards

Factors to consider when setting standards

4.2 Analysis of direct material cost variance

Compare actual costs with standard costs

After establishing cost norms, comparing actual costs with standard costs will help businesses evaluate production efficiency. If actual costs exceed standard costs, businesses need to find out the cause and take timely corrective measures.

Types of fluctuations

Formula for calculating different types of fluctuations

4.3 Analyze the causes and propose solutions when there are adverse fluctuations

When there is an adverse change, businesses need to analyze the cause to find a solution. Possible causes include:

Possible solutions may include:

5. Measures to enhance the effectiveness of direct material cost management in enterprises

Increasing the efficiency of direct material cost management not only helps reduce waste but also contributes to improving the competitiveness of enterprises. So what are the management measures that enterprises can apply? Let's explore the following measures with Bizzi:

5.1 Tight control over purchasing process

One of the most effective ways to minimize direct material costs is to select reputable suppliers and negotiate good prices. The purchasing process needs to be strictly controlled, from determining raw material needs, finding suitable suppliers to negotiating and signing contracts. Choosing quality suppliers will help minimize unnecessary costs.

5.2 Effective warehouse management

Inventory management is an important factor in minimizing direct material costs. Some necessary measures include:

5.3 Control of consumption standards

Controlling consumption rates helps businesses compare the actual amount of raw materials used with the set standards. In this way, businesses can detect differences and find their causes, thereby adjusting to optimize the use of raw materials and minimize waste.

5.4 Strictly manage documents

Ensuring the validity and legality of documents such as invoices and delivery notes is very important in managing direct material costs. Managing documents helps businesses have full information to compare and verify arising costs, avoiding unwanted errors.

5.5 Focus on the quality of input materials

The quality of input materials has a direct impact on production costs. Therefore, checking the quality of raw materials before entering the warehouse is an important measure. Poor quality raw materials can lead to re-production, increasing unnecessary costs.

5.6 Minimize loss and waste during production and storage

Minimizing loss and waste is key to controlling direct material costs. Businesses need to have strict processes in place to track, control, and optimize the use of materials throughout the production and storage process.

5.7 Using accounting and financial software

Enterprises can use accounting and financial software to automate accounting processes, minimize errors and improve the efficiency of material cost management. In addition, modern solutions such as Bizzi - an extension of accounting software - help enterprises save time processing invoices, increase transparency and optimize operating costs.

Using a comprehensive cost management solution like Bizzi helps businesses track, collect and allocate material costs automatically and accurately. This software helps businesses control costs effectively, minimize errors and save time in reporting and analysis.

6. Advantages and disadvantages of effective direct material cost management

Effective management of direct material costs brings many benefits to businesses such as cost savings, improved production efficiency and increased competitiveness. However, this process also has certain challenges, requiring businesses to have a good control system and close coordination between related departments:

Advantage: Effective management of direct material costs brings many benefits, including transparency in financial reporting, the ability to accurately analyze product costs, and better cost control. This makes it easier for businesses to calculate and allocate costs more reasonably.

Limit: However, this cost management also has some limitations. Cost classification can sometimes be difficult, especially in some complex cases. Moreover, this method may not fully reflect costs if indirect costs are omitted. In addition, businesses need to update information regularly due to price fluctuations and dependence on the supply market.

7. Conclusion

Understanding what direct material costs are plays a very important role in the production and financial management of a business. This is the cost that accounts for the majority of the total production cost, directly affecting the product price and profit of the business. Controlling and managing this cost effectively helps businesses reduce waste, grow sustainably and improve competitiveness.

Combining financial accounting and management accounting in effective cost management

To optimize the management of direct material costs, the combination of financial accounting and management accounting is essential. Financial accounting provides an overview of cash flow and expenses, while management accounting helps analyze details and provide appropriate adjustment strategies. This coordination helps businesses not only control costs better but also make more effective strategic decisions in the production process.

Solutions and tools to support material cost management

To effectively manage direct material costs, businesses can use supporting tools and software. One of the typical tools is Bizzi, a solution that helps businesses manage material costs, optimize production processes and minimize waste. Bizzi provides detailed reports, helping businesses grasp the cost situation easily and make smart management decisions.

Businesses register for trial at: https://bizzi.vn/dang-ky-dung-thu/

Tools like Bizzi help automate accounting processes, ensuring accuracy and speed in recording and analyzing expenses. This not only saves businesses time but also improves cost management efficiency, helping to optimize profits.

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