In today’s business world, accounting is defined as not only a tool for measuring financial figures, but also a foolproof system that can measure and manage the value. This has forced the companies to re-think on their internal processes so that the process also meets the value definition of the customer. Lean accounting can be the answer to all the expectations raised. It is a principle-based operating system which can be expressed in terms of customer value, value stream, flow and pull with minimum interruption, pursuit of perfection, and empowered people. It is a systematic approach to eliminate waste like overproduction, waiting, transportation, inventory, over-processing, etc. through continuous improvement. The current cost accounting system earns profit by full utilization of resources, and is associated with large inventory, long lead time and poor delivery, while lean system earns profit through ‘maximized flow’ on pull from customers and elimination of waste, resulting in superior customer value, good quality, good delivery and shorter lead time. This paper tries to explore the conceptual issues of lean accounting, i.e., its meaning, definition, evolution, need, and also presents a comparison between lean accounting and traditional accounting which helps the readers to understand the term lean accounting clearly.