The controller of a retail company has just had a $50,000 request to implement an ABC system quickly turned down. A senior VP, in rejecting the request, noted, Given a choice, I will always prefer a $50,000 investment in improving things a customer sees or experiences, such as our shelves or store layout. How does a customer benefit by our spending $50,000 on a supposedly better accounting system?

How would you respond to the VP? What value does ABC provide to customers, if any? What are selling point that should be noted about the benefits of ABC?