Throughput accounting can be good Tool for MANAGEMENT accountants.
Fundamentals are explained with applicable examples making concepts easy to grasp. Throughput Accounting (TA) is not a widely applied "management accounting" discipline. Approach makes sense for operations and other management decisions that the MANAGEMENT accounting professional should be sure to aid the FINANCIAL accountant in reconciling the metrics when applied.
TA when used is that bridge between accounting and operations that facilitate understanding between financial AND operations oriented thinking, thus potentially tightening the cooperation and value add to any organization by TA's use.
Application of TA as a discipline within the organization is a selective choice. When coupled with the Theory of Constraints (TOC) make for cogent opportunities to select profitable operating decisions and further providing value added opportunities for the management accountant.
TA does not facilitate either GAAP or TAX compliance work and therefore is additional analysis work for an accounting function. Information systems design or less optimal spreadsheet work can be utilized to provide TA outcomes, with the former being preferred if possible.
Combination of TA and TOC are compelling as that value added bridge as stated before between accounting and operations that can enhance business joint decision making and getting to a "yes" over competing business investment decisions.
TA and TOC is rarely taught in academia and receives little if any publication in cost accounting texts for good reason. Unless a thorough understanding of the two (COST:TA) are comprehended they can appear to deliver inconsistent (some would say erroneous) results. My opinion is the use of TA/TOC in making profitable OPERATING decisions that will aid potential profitable financial results, or at least less unprofitable ones if overridden for other NON FINANCIALLY driven choices, i.e. marketing, sales.
TA should be used in even the broader sense when making investment decisions that is exposes when combined with TOC.
TA is a good tool for a management accountant's toolbox. Just be ready to thoroughly be able to explain clearly to the FINANCIAL and COST accountant its yielded results.