A Comprehensive Literature Analysis on the Modern Perspective of Management Accounting, Focusing on its Origins and Evolutionary Trajectory

Abstract

This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of the literature to provide a thorough understanding of the origins and development of management accounting, which has experienced increased popularity, particularly in the past twenty years. This paper undertakes a critical examination of the extensive criticism around the perceived decline in the relevance of management accounting in effectively improving performance within the context of a contemporary, dynamic company environment. This paper aims to enhance understanding of the simultaneous utilization of both classic and contemporary management accounting procedures. The study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the prevailing degree of interest in the adoption of management accounting methods in both developed and emerging nations. The examination of relevant literature has yielded a critical analysis that indicates the origins of management accounting may be traced back to the industrial revolution that occurred in the 1900s. The study also indicated that management accounting is subject to ongoing development as organizations encounter novel challenges requiring resolution. Furthermore, it was found that management accounting approaches employed in the early 1900s remain relevant and useful in contemporary contexts. The school of thinking that argues for the diminished significance of management accounting has been refuted on the basis that classic management accounting practices employed in the 1900s continue to hold relevance in contemporary times. The study proposes the use of management accounting practices as they enhance the organization's competitive advantage and generate value.