Costing: Techniques, Factors, and Objectives
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes 'costing' as a technique, according to the text?

  • The principles and rules used to ascertain cost of products. (correct)
  • A detailed breakdown of all expenses incurred by a business.
  • A method for determining the selling price of a product or service.
  • A procedure for reducing business expenses to increase profits.

A manufacturing company is evaluating whether to invest in new machinery to automate part of its production process. Which objective of costing is MOST relevant to this decision?

  • Ascertainment of cost, to determine the initial investment amount.
  • Cost control, to project potential savings in labor costs. (correct)
  • Ascertainment of cost, to account for existing expenses.
  • Cost control, to minimize production costs.

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the application of cost control principles?

  • A company calculates the cost of goods sold for a specific product line.
  • A company allocates overhead costs to its various production departments.
  • A company analyzes its financial statements to determine its net income for the year.
  • A company researches and selects the most cost-effective supplier for its raw materials. (correct)

A company's actual production costs are significantly higher than the budgeted costs. According to the text, what is the MOST appropriate initial action for management to take?

<p>Investigate the reasons for the discrepancy and identify areas for cost reduction. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following project types would MOST likely require capital budgeting?

<p>Investing in a new fleet of delivery trucks to expand distribution. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A factory's vehicle rental costs are categorized as indirect costs. Which characteristic BEST explains this classification?

<p>They contribute to the overall production process rather than a specific product unit. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following costs would be considered a direct cost for a furniture manufacturer?

<p>The cost of wood used to build tables. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A company is determining its overhead costs. Which of the following would typically be included?

<p>Security guard salaries for the production facility. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A retail store is deciding whether to open a new branch in a different city. Which aspect of costing is MOST crucial in making this decision?

<p>Ascertaining the costs involved in running the branch. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the relationship between cost control and profitability?

<p>Effective cost control contributes to maintaining and growing profitability. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A company leases a warehouse with a fixed monthly payment. How would this cost be classified, and what is its key characteristic?

<p>Fixed cost; it remains constant regardless of production activity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A bakery's cost of flour increases as the number of cakes produced rises. Which type of cost does flour BEST represent?

<p>Variable cost (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following costs is MOST likely to be classified as an operating cost for a manufacturing plant?

<p>Property taxes on the manufacturing plant. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An investor chooses to invest in Stock A, foregoing the potential returns from Stock B. What economic concept does this scenario BEST illustrate?

<p>Opportunity cost (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A toy manufacturer is considering increasing production. What does incremental represent in this context?

<p>The total cost incurred from the production of one more toy. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do fixed costs and variable costs respond differently to a decrease in production volume?

<p>Fixed costs remain constant, while variable costs decrease. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A company is considering increasing production. Which of the following costs would be MOST relevant in calculating the incremental cost of this decision?

<p>The cost of raw materials needed for each additional unit produced. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do fixed and variable costs relate to the calculation of incremental cost?

<p>Incremental cost is primarily determined by variable costs because they change with each additional unit produced. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A small business is trying to determine the incremental cost of producing one additional handcrafted table. Which calculation accurately reflects this cost?

<p>The difference between the total cost of producing 21 tables and the total cost of producing 20 tables. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios BEST exemplifies an indirect cost?

<p>The cost of electricity to power the entire office building, used by multiple projects. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do direct costs differ from indirect costs in project management?

<p>Direct costs are easier to allocate to specific projects, while indirect costs require allocation methods. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A company is evaluating the costs associated with a new project. They have identified expenses for project-specific training, equipment rental, and a portion of the company's insurance. How should these expenses be classified?

<p>Training and equipment as direct, and insurance as indirect. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the BEST example of a variable cost for a manufacturing company?

<p>The cost of raw materials used in production. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A consulting firm's expenses include employee salaries, office rent, software licenses, and travel costs. If the firm experiences a decrease in the number of projects, which cost is MOST likely to decrease proportionally?

<p>Travel costs. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Costing

The technique and process of finding out how much something costs.

Ascertainment of Cost

The main goal is to figure out the cost of each product or service.

Cost Control

Keeping an eye on expenses and cutting them down to boost profits.

Budgeting Process in Cost control

Comparing actual financial results with what you expected in your budget.

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Capital Budgeting

The process of evaluating major potential projects or investments.

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Direct Costs

Costs directly tied to production or units of output.

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Indirect Costs

Costs that are necessary but not able to be directly classified in production or units of output

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Fixed Costs

Costs that are fixed regardless of production levels.

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Incremental Cost

The change in total production cost resulting from producing one additional unit.

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Variable Costs

Costs that change depending on the production volume.

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Fixed Costs Defined

Assets fixed costs, buildings, rent, that remain constant throughout the project.

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Direct Costs Defined

Costs required for the project manager to pay from the project budget: staff training, purchase equipment.

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Indirect Costs Defined.

Costs that aren't specific to a single project so are allocated over multiple projects.

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Overhead Costs

Additional expenses not directly tied to the business process or production (e.g., tax collections, insurance, security guard salaries).

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Operating Costs

All costs incurred for direct operation or production process activities (e.g., employee salaries, property taxes).

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Opportunity Cost

The potential gain missed when choosing one investment/option over another.

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Study Notes

  • Costing is a technique and process of finding out how much something costs.
  • Costing, as a technique, includes principles and rules to figure out the cost.
  • As a process, costing refers to a procedure to work out the costs.

Factors Affecting Costing

  • The technique and process to use depends on the industry, the product, and the production method.
  • Costing objectives are divided into three areas.

Ascertainment of Cost

  • Finding out the cost is the priority in costing

Cost Control

  • Cost control involves spotting and cutting business expenses to make more profit, starting with the budgeting process.
  • Companies compare their actual financial results with what they expected in the budget.
  • If actual costs are more than planned, management can take action.

Capital Budgeting

  • Capital budgeting refers to evaluating major projects or investments.
  • Examples include building a new plant or making a big investment in a venture, requiring evaluation before approval.
  • Companies can get bids from different vendors for the same product or service to lower costs.
  • Cost control is key to maintaining and increasing profitability.

Types of Costs

  • Direct Costs
  • Indirect Costs
  • Fixed Costs
  • Variable Costs
  • Operating Costs
  • Opportunity Cost
  • Incremental Cost, or Marginal Cost

Direct Costs

  • These costs are essential and must be paid immediately.
  • They are classified in production or units of output, like raw materials and labor.

Indirect Costs

  • These costs affect production activities as a whole and not individual units, such as factory overhead.
  • Examples include vehicle rental, building rentals, and insurance.
  • Overhead costs are additional expenses not directly related to the main business process such as managing raw materials to become finished products for sale.
  • Overhead costs include tax collections, employee insurance, rental rates, stationery equipment, and security guard salaries.

Fixed Costs

  • These costs remain stable and don't change with production levels, although conditions over long period of time can affect the cost
  • Fixed costs are always there, even with no or many activities
  • Examples include property taxes, most payroll costs, and stat insurance.

Variable Costs

  • Variable costs change with the level of activity such as the costs of materials, advertising etc
  • If activity increases, variable costs also increase and decrease when activity lowers

Operating Costs

  • These are all costs for direct operation or production such as:
    • Employee salaries and benefits
    • Property taxes
    • Licensing fees
    • Advertising and marketing fees

Opportunity Cost

  • This is what an investor misses out on when they choose one investment over another
  • The value is based on what you lose when choosing between options
  • For investors, it’s the immediate and future losses or gains from an investment choice.

Incremental Cost

  • Incremental cost is the total cost for each additional product unit like raw materials,
  • Understanding this helps companies improve production and profitability.
  • The cost between making products in total, verses an extra unit is marginal cost.
  • Two types of costs to consider when calculating incremental cost are.
    • Fixed Costs are costs unaffected by changes in production levels such as rent, insurance, property taxes and machinery.
    • Variable Costs are costs that change based on how much a company produces.

Calculating Incremental Cost

  • The formula for incremental cost per unit is: (Variable Cost) / (Units Produced)

Key Cost Differences

  • Fixed Costs are usually for assets, buildings, and rent that do not change monthly
  • Direct Cost are paid from the project budget
    • Training staff, sending them to another location, and purchasing equipment for use within the project are examples
  • Indirect Costs can't be tied to a specific project and is split across projects using approved accounting procedure.
    • Examples are coffee for staff, computers, security costs, phone charges, insurance, and welfare
  • Variable Costs change monthly, like staff salaries, and labor costs.
    • Variable costs can cover earth movers or electricians.

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Description

Costing is a method used to determine the expense of a product or service. Factors such as industry, product type, and production methods influence the costing approach. Costing aims to ascertain costs, control expenses, and aid in capital budgeting.

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