Difference Between Cost Control and Cost Reduction

One of the major concern of the enterprise is to maximize the profit, which is possible only through decreasing the cost of production. For this purpose, two efficient tools are used by the management, i.e. cost control and cost reduction. Cost Control is a technique which provides the necessary information to the management that actual costs are aligned with the budgeted costs or not. Conversely, Cost Reduction is a technique used to save the unit cost of the product without compromising its quality.

While cost control, regulates the action to keep the cost elements within the set limits, cost reduction refers to the actual permanent reduction in the unit cost. At this juncture, it would be desirable to know the difference between cost control and cost reduction, so read out the article.

Content: Cost Control Vs Cost Reduction

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Cost Control	Cost Reduction
Meaning	A technique used for maintaining the costs as per the set standards is known as Cost Control.	A technique used to economize the unit cost without lowering the quality of the product is known as Cost Reduction.
Savings in	Total Cost	Cost Per Unit
Retention of Quality	Not Guaranteed	Guaranteed
Nature	Temporary	Permanent
Emphasis on	Past and Present Cost	Present and Future Cost
Ends when	The pre-determined target is achieved.	No end
Type of Function	Preventive	Corrective

Definition of Cost Control

Cost Control is a process which focuses on controlling the total cost through competitive analysis. It is a practice which works to maintain the actual cost in agreement with the established norms. It ensures that the cost incurred on an operation should not go beyond the pre-determined cost.

Cost Control involves a chain of functions, which starts from preparation of the budget in relation to the operation, thereafter evaluating the actual performance, next is to compute the variances between the actual cost & the budgeted cost and further, to find out the reasons for the same, finally to implement the necessary actions for correcting discrepancies.

The major techniques used in cost control are standard costing and budgetary control. It is a continuous process as it helps in analysing the causes for variances which control wastage of material, any embezzlement and so on.

Definition of Cost Reduction

Cost Reduction is a process, aims at lowering the unit cost of a product manufactured or service rendered without affecting its quality by using new and improved methods and techniques. It ascertains substitute ways to reduce the cost of a unit. It ensures savings in per unit cost and maximisation of profits of the organisation.

Cost Reduction aims at cutting off the unnecessary expenses which occur during the production, storing, selling and distribution of the product. To identify cost reduction, the following are the major elements:

• Savings in per unit cost.
• No compromise with the quality of the product.
• Savings are non-volatile in nature.

Tools of cost reduction are Quality operation and research, Improvement in product design, Job Evaluation & merit rating, variety reduction, etc.

Conclusion

The two techniques cost control and cost reduction are used by many manufacturing concerns to diminish the cost of production. Cost Reduction has a larger scope than cost control as cost reduction is applicable for all the industries, but cost control is applicable only to the industries where pre- optimisation of the cost which is not yet incurred is possible. Cost Control works as a road map for the organisation to incur costs as per the set standard. On the other hand, cost reduction challenges the established standards by decreasing the costs and increasing the profit.