Actual Costs
Actual costs are the real expenses incurred in the production of goods or services, as opposed to estimated or standard costs. These costs include all direct and indirect expenses and are used for financial reporting, cost analysis, and budgeting.
Related glossary terms
Actual Cost System
An actual cost system records real production costs—materials, labor, and overhead—as incurred. It enables accurate financial reporting and cost control.
Landed Costs
Landed Costs are the total expenses to bring a product to its destination, including purchase price, freight, customs duties, taxes, insurance, and handling…
Accrual
Accrual recognizes revenues and expenses when earned or incurred, not when cash changes hands. It gives a more accurate view of a business's financial position.
Activity-Based Costing (ABC)
Activity-Based Costing (ABC) allocates overhead to activities by resource use. It gives more accurate cost data than traditional costing to support decisions.