Illustrate with examples how cost definitions are independent and context sensitive. In other words, indicate how a cost can be classified as fixed or variable and direct or indirect, depending on the situation.

What will be an ideal response?


Answers will vary
The definitions for direct and indirect costs are independent of the definitions for fixed and variable costs. For example, both the cost of goods sold and the cost of supplies are variable in relation to sales volume but cost of goods sold would be classified as a direct cost while supplies would be considered an indirect cost. As another example, the cost of rent and depreciation are both fixed in relation to sales volume, but the cost of rent may be classified as an indirect cost while the cost of depreciation may be classified as a direct cost. An example of how the same exact cost can be classified as direct or indirect would be the salary of a particular store's manager of a retail store chain. The salary is direct in relation to a particular store but indirect in relation to a particular department within the store.

Business

You might also like to view...

Distinguish minor breach from material breach

What will be an ideal response?

Business

Compared with formal reports, informal reports tend to be written in a more personal tone

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Business

Discuss any three independent strategies that a firm may use as a proactive response to its environment.

What will be an ideal response?

Business

The board of directors for a nongovernmental not-for-profit organization decided to designate $20,000 each year for the next three years to fund a special research project it was planning to conduct at the end of the three-year period.  How would these board-designated resources be reported on the statement of financial position?

A. Internal payable. B. Net assets without donor restrictions. C. Net assets with donor restrictions. D. The resources would not be reported on the statement of financial position.

Business