Question

Magic City Enterprises manufactures a beautiful bookcase. Listed below are a number of costs incurred. Identify each cost as either fixed or variable; product or period. If the cost is a product cost, then state whether it would be considered a direct or indirect cost.
1. Factory Rent
2. Advertising
3. Packing Supplies for Shipping
4. Factory Security Guard
5. Wages of Employees Who Sand the wood
6. Administrative Assistant in Corporate office
7. Paper Towels in the Men's Room in the Factory
8. Executive Jet
9. Lumber
10. Depreciation on Factory Tools (Straight-Line)

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Factory Rent  = Fixed , Product (Indirect Cost)

2. Advertising   = Fixed , Period

3. Packing Supplies for Shipping  = Variable, Period

4. Factory Security Guard  = Fixed, Product (Indirect Cost)

5. Wages of Employees Who Sand the wood  = Variable, Product (Direct Cost)

6. Administrative Assistant in Corporate office  = Fixed , Period

7. Paper Towels in the Men's Room in the Factory  = Fixed , Product (Indirect Cost)

8. Executive Jet  = Fixed, Period

9. Lumber  = Variable, Product (Direct Cost)

10. Depreciation on Factory Tools (Straight-Line) = Fixed, Product (Indirect Cost)

Explanation:

Product versus Period Cost.

A product cost is attached to the cost object and is included in the valuation of the cost object.All manufacturing costs are product costs.

Period costs are not attached to the products. Non-manufacturing costs are Period costs.

Fixed versus Variable.

Behavior of costs in relationship with Activity will tell us whether a cost is a Fixed cost or Variable Cost.

Fixed Costs remain the same for any level of activity, whilst variable costs vary in direct proportion to with the level of activity.

Direct versus Indirect.

By observation of the cost object, we are able to identify is a cost is a direct cost or indirect cost.

Direct costs can be easily traced on the cost object. Indirect costs are difficult to trace on the cost object.