Definition:

Variable cost is an expense that changes in direct proportion to the changes in the level of production or sales. In other words, as the company produces or sells more units, its variable costs increase.

Examples:

• Direct materials
• Direct labor
• Factory overhead
• Selling expenses

Formula:

Variable cost per unit = Variable cost / Number of units

Key Features:

• Variable: Costs that fluctuate with changes in production or sales.
• Directly related: Directly related to the production or sales of units.
• In proportion: Changes in variable costs are in direct proportion to changes in production or sales.
• Unpredictable: Can be unpredictable, especially in the short term.

Example:

A company manufactures 10,000 units of a product. The variable cost per unit is $50. The total variable cost is:

Total variable cost = 10,000 units x $50 per unit = $500,000

Benefits:

• Provides flexibility: Variable costs allow companies to adjust their operations based on demand.
• Accurately reflects costs: Variable costs are more accurate than fixed costs as they fluctuate with production or sales.
• Facilitates cost control: Variable costs can be easier to control than fixed costs.

Drawbacks:

• Fluctuations: Variable costs can fluctuate widely, which can make it difficult to forecast expenses accurately.
• Uncertainties: Uncertainties in demand can lead to fluctuations in variable costs.
• Difficult to estimate: Estimating variable costs can be difficult, especially in the long term.