Evaluating the usefulness of cost accounting in selected business entities in light of the Covid-19 pandemic — results of the author’s survey research

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to analyze and evaluate the usefulness of the cost accounting system of selected enterprises in the Świętokrzyskie voivodeship for managing their costs under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: The article presents the results of the author’s survey research. This research was carried out using the Computer-Assisted Web Interview survey method. Business entities from the Świętokrzyskie voivodeship with an entry in the National Court Register were invited to the survey via e-mail. These were commercial companies, mainly limited liability companies and joint-stock companies. Findings: The main conclusion of the study is that the full cost accounting used in business entities is partially useful for effective cost management of the studied entities. With the COVID-19 pandemic, there was little impact on the usefulness of cost information extracted from applied costing. Originality/value: The COVID-19 pandemic has destabilized all areas of economic and social life in Poland. Therefore, an important issue is the analysis and evaluation of its impact, which is still faced today by representatives of various industries and sectors of the Polish economy. The considerations presented here concern evaluating the utility of cost accounting systems in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This information can be useful for those dealing with cost accounting issues and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in theory, as well as business owners, controlling managers or accounting services staff. Keywords: cost accounting, commercial companies, COVID-19 pandemic. Category of the paper: research paper, surveys.