As part of its continuous efforts to develop the analytical and supervisory capabilities of its students, the College of Administration and Economics at the University of Karbala organized a specialized training course entitled:
“Cost Accounting as a Tool for Control and Managerial Decision-Making.”

The course activities were held from Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to Thursday, February 19, 2026, and were primarily aimed at undergraduate students in the college’s academic departments. The objective was to introduce them to the essential role that cost data plays in the success of organizations.

The course was delivered by Assistant Lecturer Sara Musa Matjar from the Department of Accounting. During the sessions, she highlighted the transition from the traditional view of cost accounting—as merely a tool for recording and tracking costs—to the modern perspective that considers it a fundamental pillar for internal control and sound managerial decision-making.

The course included extensive discussions and practical applications covering several key topics, including:

• Control of Cost Elements: Methods for monitoring and controlling the costs of materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead in order to prevent waste.
• Break-Even Analysis and Decision-Making: Using cost data to evaluate alternatives (such as the make-or-buy decision) and determine the optimal production level.
• Standard Costs and Variance Analysis: Setting performance standards and comparing them with actual results to identify and address deviations.
• Strategic Cost Management: The role of the accountant in preparing periodic reports that assist top management in planning and shaping future policies.

The course aimed to equip students with critical accounting thinking skills and demonstrate how raw numerical data can be transformed into valuable information that supports organizational performance and efficiency. The sessions witnessed strong student engagement through solving real-life case studies related to managerial problems, which helped reinforce the academic material and highlight the importance of the specialization in the labor market.

This initiative comes within the vision of the college’s deanship to prepare graduates who possess both technical expertise and leadership skills, emphasizing that mastery of cost accounting tools is the first step toward an accountant’s success in a competitive business environment.