Accounting tools vs. Logistics costs control in a trading company
Background: Logistics costs constitute an important part of tr ading companies' costs. The main problem in logistics costs management is the fact that thes e costs are not included in financial statements. T he profit and loss statement includes control accounts exclusively. Th is article discusses the accounting tools that may be used in trading companies in order to improve present logistics cos ts and the management thereof. Methods: In the article, the author gives examples of how accounting tools are applied in trading companies o perating in the same industry. On the basis of the financial st atements from selected companies for 2013 2015, th e way to use the basic tools of accounting in business management ar presented. For this purpose a system of full cost accounting with the use of analytical accounts of logistics is pres ented, along with a preliminary analysis of the bal ance sheet and an indicative analysis of costs for logistics. Results: The article is based on a review of the literature and the financial statements of the companies surv eyed. The model solutions for the cost analysis and cost mana gement presented herein make it possible to create a detailed analysis of logistics costs and assess how effectively they ar managed In this way, the foundations for furt her analyses related to logistics costs management are laid. Conclusions: The work presents the accounting tools that assist the decision making processes in the management of logistics costs. In the article, an example of the plan of sub accounts for the logistics costs of tra ding companies is presented. Furthermore, the cost accounting system for the accounts of group 4 and 5 in trading compan ies is shown, together with the benefits that this accounting sys tem brings for the companies. The author also prese nts preparatory and index analyses as the basic tools that assess the e ffectiveness of logistics costs management.