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This classification relates to the matching principle of financial accounting. Therefore, before talking about how a product cost differs from a period cost, we need to look at what the matching principle says about the recognition of costs. Most period costs are considered periodic fixed expenses, although in some instances, they can be semi-variable expenses. For example, you receive a utility bill each month that is not directly tied to production levels, but the amount can vary from month to month, making it a semi-variable expense.

Period costs are based on time and mainly includes selling and administration costs like salary, rent etc. These two type of costs are significant in cost accounting, that most people don’t understand easily. So, take a read of the article, https://marketresearchtelecast.com/financial-planning-for-startups-how-accounting-services-can-help-new-ventures/292538/ that sheds light on the differences between product cost and period cost. Other examples of period costs include marketing expenses, rent (not directly tied to a production facility), office depreciation, and indirect labor.

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For a retailer, the product costs would include the supplies purchased from a supplier and any other costs involved in bringing their goods to market. In short, any costs incurred in the process of acquiring or manufacturing a product are considered product costs. It is important to note that personnel outside production activity e.g. administration or sales staff are accounted for neither as direct labour nor manufacturing overheads. Under one school of thought, period costs are any costs that are not product costs.

Direct labor that is tied to production can be considered a product cost. However, other labor, such as secretarial or janitorial staff, would instead be period costs. Product costs are often treated as inventory and are referred to as “inventoriable costs” because these costs are used to value the inventory.

Period Costs vs. Product Costs: An Overview

Examples of period costs include selling and administrative expenses. Both of these types of expenses are considered period costs because they are related to the services consumed over the period in question. Simply put, period costs include any expenses that are not directly related to the production or acquisition of the goods sold. They are deducted from a company’s revenue and listed as expenses for the accounting period in which they occur.

Selling expenses are incurred to market products and deliver them to customers. Administrative expenses are required to provide support services not directly related to manufacturing or selling activities. Administrative costs may include expenditures for a company’s accounting department, human resources department, and the president’s bookkeeping for startups office. Selling and administrative expenses may also include utilities, insurance, property taxes, depreciation, supplies, maintenance, salaries, etc. that are incurred in a business but outside of the factory production area. Items that are not period costs are those costs included in prepaid expenses, such as prepaid rent.

Terms Similar to Period Costs

In general, period expenses include items such as rent, utilities, insurance, and property taxes. They can also include legal fees and loan interest if these amounts are paid in advance. It is important to keep track of your total period cost because that information helps you determine the net income of your business for each accounting period.