Difference Between Direct and Indirect Expenses

Expenses refer to the cost incurred on something and when it comes to business, the incurrence of expenses is a daily affair. These expenses may be related to production or regular business operations. When the expenses are linked to the production of a product, it is considered as a direct expense.

Direct expenses can be identified or associated with the specific cost object such as product or service. Here, the word cost object refers to any product, service, process, or job for which cost is ascertained. Further, there is one more category of expenses, i.e. indirect expenses, which is incurred in connection to regular business operations and so their traceability with respect to a specific cost object is difficult.

Content: Direct Expenses Vs Indirect Expenses

Comparison Chart

Definition of Direct Expenses

Direct Expenses refers to the expenditure different from direct material cost and direct labour cost, which are spent on the production of product or provision of service. These expenses can be easily identified and chargeable to a cost unit, cost centre, job or cost object in an economically feasible way.

Direct expenses are chargeable expenses and so they are debited to Direct Expenses Account.

There is only a small portion of direct expenses in the total cost of goods. Further, these costs can be controlled by establishing standards, then comparing the same with the actual figures and analyzing the causes of variances and corrective measures are implemented.

Definition of Indirect Expenses

Indirect Expenses covers all those expenses which are not included in direct material, direct wages and direct expenses. Basically, these are the costs which benefit the entire firm as a whole and not just one department or segment of the business. These expenses cannot be outrightly and completely allocated to the specific cost centre or cost unit. However, these can be apportioned to and absorbed by the cost centres, or cost unit.

Indirect Expenses which are related to the factory are allocated to the units of output produced in the factory in the period in which expenses were incurred.

Further, when the product to which it is attributed is sold, then it is a charge to expense. However, if the expenses are related to office and administration, they are allocated only when it is corporate overhead.

Key Differences Between Direct and Indirect Expenses

The differences between direct and indirect expenses are presented in the points given below:

1. Direct expenses are the expenses apart from direct material or direct wages which can be traced with a particular territory, customer, product, job or process. On the other hand, indirect expenses are the expenses which cannot be directly identified or allocated to a particular cost object, job or cost unit, but they can be apportioned to and absorbed by the cost object.
2. Direct Expenses are the expenses which are incurred in the manufacture of a product or provision of services. As against, Indirect Expenses are incurred in connection to the day to day business operations.
3. Direct Expenses are outrightly allocable to the particular cost object or cost unit. Conversely, Indirect Expenses are apportioned on a suitable basis as they are shared among different product, service or department.
4. Direct Expenses are considered when the cost of goods sold is ascertained, whereas indirect expenses do not form part of the cost of goods sold.
5. Direct Expenses usually appear on the debit side of the trading account. On the contrary, indirect expenses are shown on the debit side of the profit and loss account.
6. Direct Expenses forms part of the prime cost. In contrast, indirect expenses are usually treated as overheads.

Examples

Direct Expenses

• Royalty payment
• Rental charges for renting a machine or equipment
• Cost of product-specific design or software
• Salesman’s commission
• Architect’s fees
• Experimental expenses of the pilot project
• Repairs and maintenance of plants

Indirect Examples

• Factory and office rent
• Insurance
• Salary of general manager
• Fuel and power
• Depreciation
• Lighting
• Audit fees
• Advertising
• Municipal taxes
• Telephone expenses
• Cost of training new recruits
• Printing and stationery
• Legal charges
• Welfare expenses such as medical, canteen, recreation facilities, food coupons, etc

Conclusion

By and large, Direct expenses include all those expenses, excluding direct material and direct labour cost, which are incurred specifically for a product. These expenses varies according to the volume of the output produced. It plays an important role in the calculation of gross profit.

On the other hand, indirect expenses are are the costs of running and maintaining business, which benefits multiple departments or units at a time and that is why they are shared by different products, segments or departments. Indirect expenses are debited in profit and loss account, to arrive at net profit.

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Comments

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Thanks for giving me such valuable information that I don’t know, but after reading this article, I know the difference between direct expenses and indirect expenses.