Classification of Cost
Classification of cost is the process of grouping costs into different categories based on their nature,
function, behavior, or purpose to help in analysis, control, and decision-making.
1. By Nature: Direct costs (e.g., raw materials, labor) and indirect costs (e.g., rent, electricity).
2. By Function: Production costs (making goods), administrative costs (office expenses), and
selling & distribution costs (marketing, delivery).
3. By Behavior: Fixed costs (rent), variable costs (materials), and semi-variable costs (mixed).
4. By Time: Historical costs (past) and future costs (estimated).
5. By Control: Controllable costs and uncontrollable costs.
6. By Decision Making: Relevant costs, irrelevant costs, and opportunity costs (benefit lost when
choosing another option).