The implementation of activity-based costing in a Singapore statutory board the Urban Redevelpoment Authority(URA) case

• Main Authors: Yu, Henry Meng Heng, Tan, Yew Siong, Lim, Bee Tin
• Other Authors: Nanyang Business School
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Business
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/55617
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The growth in costing Issues usmg conventional accounting methods has led to approaches like Activity-Based Costing (ABC) being warmly welcomed by both academic and practising management accountants. The concept of ABC was pioneered by the manufacturing industries. Its influence has since spread to the service industries. This study undertakes to examine the potential role of ABC in the public sector, especially within the Singapore context. As a foundation, the concept of ABC and the conventional costing method are introduced and illustrated. The differences between these two approaches are considered and the contribution of ABC to the effective costing and pricing of an organization's products/services is highlighted . There has also been a number of concerns raised about the benefits of ABC techniques and the potential problems that may arise during ABC implementation. In this regard, several articles have bee!l written on ABC's applicability in service industries. On the other hand, little research has been ur.dertaken on the application of ABC in the public sector, especially within the Singapore context. The- case study contained m this report shows how The Urban Redevelopment Authority (IJRA). a key player among the Singapore statutory boards, has adopted an Activity-Based Costing system. URA is an appropriate choice for this study mainly because its activities are very important to the community. Hence, the government would like to assure taxpayers that they are provided with a cost-effective public service.This report contains a detailed study of the URA . The infonnation wa<> derived from 0 variety of literature sources and a number of interviews conducted with the senior finance executive of the URA . The project has been undertaken with full support of the URA .