Question

Jill took $50,000 that she had in savings and started her own business. If left in investments she would have earned $5,000 this year. Jill also left a job that paid her $70,000 a year and plans on paying herself $40,000. Materials and other labor costs will be $80,000. The company is located in a building that Jill owns. She could have rented the building out for $40,000 but plans on charging the company only the insurance and mortage payment of $20,000. What do the accounting and economic costs equal?

Answer 1

Answer:  Economic cost = $175,000

Accounting cost = $100,000

Explanation: The difference between economic cost and accounting coast is economic cost takes into consideration the next best alternative foregone, that is, opportunity cost whereas accounting cost only sums cost incurred. In the given case the interest on savings and salary of job is the opportunity cost of Jill.

Therefore,

Economic cost = $5000 + $70,000 + $80,000 + $40,000 - $20,000=$175,000

Accounting cost =  $80,000 +  $20,000 =  $100,000