Final answer:
Cost data for managerial use is primarily forward-looking, aiding in planning, budgeting, and forecasting to assist managerial decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking about the nature of cost data that is used within an organization for managerial purposes. The correct answer to this question is: b) is primarily forward-looking in nature.
This kind of data is utilized for planning, budgeting, and forecasting future expenses and revenues, which helps managers in decision-making processes.
It may also be used for performance evaluation but its main focus is on future operations, not historical record-keeping or solely for preparing financial statements.
Cost data for managerial use within the organization is primarily used to evaluate the performance of managers. This data helps managers make informed decisions and measure their effectiveness in meeting organizational goals.
Therefore, b) is primarily forward-looking in nature.