DIGITAL CAPABILITIES IN MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING AND THEIR ROLE IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF COST INFORMATION AN EXPLORATORY APPLIED STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITIES OF KUFA AND KARBALA

Аннотация

The aim of this research is to examine how digital skills of management accounting contribute to the quality of cost information. It dissects how the use of digital capabilities in management accounting is associated with the quality of the information generated, which is linked to effective planning, control and managerial decision-making. This study's value lies in the ever increasing demand to transform the management accounting system, given the speed of the move to digital systems. These systems can provide potential for data integration, data analysis, process automation, and faster reports—helping to deliver more accurate, relevant, and reliable cost information. The study is descriptive analytical, using a questionnaire as the main tool to collect the field data from accounting and management professionals, financial planning and analysis staff in Universities of Kufa and Karbala. The 354 questionnaires were sent out, and 317 valid questionnaires were returned for statistical analysis, giving a return rate of 89.55%. The digital capabilities in management accounting are represented by the independent variable which is measured in four aspects: digital integration of data and systems, digital capacity for cost data analysis, automation of management accounting processes, and digital capacity for cost reporting. The dependent variable, cost information quality, is operationalized by five dimensions; relevance, accuracy, timeliness, reliability and completeness. This research will develop an applied framework that will explain the value of using digital skills to support and strengthen management accounting practices and improve the nature of cost-information. It reveals the importance of connecting accounting and management systems and data, increasing the application of digital analytical tools, and automating work around cost data and reporting. The study suggests that building a digital infrastructure to assist in management accounting and developing technical and analytical skills of professionals in the field should be prioritized. Moreover, it highlights the importance of final statistical analysis results in identifying key factors that have the most significant impact on fostering the quality of cost information and to develop relevant and actionable recommendations.