A method and system is provided of controlling a pump having a pumping element configured to provide pressurized fuel to a common rail accumulator coupled to a plurality of fuel injectors configured to inject fuel into a corresponding plurality of cylinders of an engine, comprising: receiving rail pressure values indicating a current fuel pressure in the accumulator; and responding to the received at least one rail pressure value by controlling operation of the pumping element during each potential pumping event of the pumping element to generate actual pumping events during at least some of the potential pumping events to cause the rail pressure values to remain within a desired range and to at least one of increase an overall efficiency of the pump, decrease audible noise generated by the pump, increase reliability of the pump and reduce injection pressure variations at the plurality of fuel injectors.