Customer Reviews

Activity-Based Costing: Making it Work for Small and Mid-Sized Companies

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Hicks has a lot to offer in this book on activity-based costing, however it is not an easy to read. It very quickly dives into the weeds of detail. I think this is a very good second book to read on Activity Based Costing, because it goes into the details of how to actually implement a system. I would recommend that you first read Kaplan's "Cost and Effect," to get a good grounding in the fundamentals before reading this book.

This is one of the most useful books I have ever read for assisting small businesses in making product and pricing decisions. As a CPA who works with many small businesses, including many manfucturers, this book provides a cost effective way to implement activity based costing for small and medium sized businesses that does not cost thousands of dollars in software and consultant fees. It presents a practical method for determining product costs and providing information that any small company can use to make pricing and costing decisions, what-if analysis, and evaluating profit strategies. This type of information has traditionally been lacking for the small to medium size company. I would strongly recommend this book for any small to medium size business and the financial advisor who works with small to medium size businesses wishing to truly improve the business decision making tools available to them.

I can not quite imagine a single decision made in any company that does not concern cost. And, when it is about accurate costing, I can not imagine another book on business that can better assist than this one.

First, the author defines the concept, states the reasons why Activity Based Costing should be implemented in every company, and then thoroughly shows you how to do it. Since the main step-by-step example in the book concentrates on a small manufacturing organization, those who are applying the concept to service organizations may have a harder time making the translation to their specific situations. Still, I don't think that will be much of an issue. The book is very well-written and must be digested by every professional with a passion for improving their company and seize a competitive advantage.

This is a model of clear and effective writing and teaching. Certainly one of the best accounting books I've ever read, it gives you the tools to start ABC analysis at once and never strays into jargon. The many examples of different company types and the simple to use and understand spreadsheet analysis keeps you focused on the theory of ABC rather than minute details of allocations. A book to keep on your desk.

Activity-Based Costing: Making it Work for Small and Mid-Sized Companies, is a very well written and usefull handbook to design and implementation of Activity-Based Costing. It provides: a general description of key concepts of ABC, a practical guide to design of ABC system in the company, as well as description of any potential problems concerning implementation of ABC. I am working as a financial consultant (in Warsaw), and this book has helped me to help many companies that were loosing their cost-effectiveness. I think, that the author should have added some 100 pages to the book, and defined - described some aspects of Activity-Based Management - although that could have been too technical for most of the readers. Overall, I think that the book contains most of the knowledge needed for successful design & implementation of ABC. It really worked for me...

This presents an easy how to approach to making ABC work in a Medium Size. Unlike other books on the topic that present theory with no guidance for implementation, this book gives a simple how to approach to implement ABC. I would recommend this book to anybody who is actual ready to make intellegent costing decisions for their Company.

This is a fantastic book on the subject of ABC. The costing model constructed in the book goes into just enough detail to give you a practical foundation for actual implementation, without getting lost in minutiae. At just the right times, the author also reminds you about the big picture and doesn't let you go away thinking correct decisions can all be boiled down to exercises in number-crunching. This is a must-buy, if you're serious about implementing ABC in your organization.

This has been the book that I have used to implement ABC systems for small companies in Venezuela. I found it thorough, easy to read and apply. If you plan to use ABC systems in your own small business, this is the book to buy.

This book is an insightful reference that represents the most practical tool in my library for implementing activity based costing. A must have for both consultants and managers implementing activity based costing.

Activity Based Costing is a concept that hit the costing world by storm about thirty years ago, unfortunately after looking at it most businesses are put aback by the cost, either monetary or in human capital. There is an alternative, 'Making It Work for Small and Mid-Sized Companies' does exactly what it implies. It is a bit technical so a person should at least understand what ABC is all about before venturing in, but Doug has unique experience in this area and applies his expertise in this book. If you are a cost management professional in need of some help, this is the place to turn. It can help make you a hero at your company, imagine finally understanding your cost drivers and being able to dollarize them for useable action, what a concept.