Final answer:
Standard costs are used by companies to ensure accuracy, set performance standards, and share best practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Companies use standard costs for several reasons:
- To ensure the accuracy of financial records: Standard costs provide a benchmark against which actual costs can be compared, allowing companies to identify discrepancies and take corrective actions.
- To identify performance standards: Standard costs help companies set targets and measure their performance against these targets. By comparing actual costs to standard costs, companies can identify areas of improvement and make informed decisions.
- To share best practices with other companies: Standard costs can be used as a common language in the industry, allowing companies to compare their performance and share insights on best practices.