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Long term costs are costs that are associated with doing business over a longer period of time than just the current period. The following sections explain the different types of long term costs, as well as their implications for businesses.
Fixed Costs
Fixed costs are costs that remain the same in terms of monetary value over the long term. Examples of fixed costs include rent, loan payments, insurance, and property taxes. These costs are considered to be fixed because they remain the same regardless of the level of activity in a given business.
Variable Costs
Variable costs are costs that are variable in terms of monetary value over the long term. Examples of variable costs include raw materials, packaging, and labor. Depending on the amount of output, these costs can fluctuate over time.
Semi-variable Costs
Semi-variable costs are costs that are between fixed and variable. These costs are typically considered to be fixed costs in the short term and variable costs in the long run. Examples of semi-variable costs include utilities and marketing costs.
Implications of Long Term Costs
Long term costs can have a significant impact on a company’s profits, as well as the amount of cash on hand. If a company’s fixed costs are too high, it may be unable to generate sufficient profits or have enough cash to meet its obligations. This could put the company in a cash crunch and may lead to bankruptcy. Additionally, if a company’s variable costs are too high, it can reduce a company’s profitability and limit its ability to invest in growth opportunities.
In addition to their financial implications, long term costs can also have an impact on a company’s operations. For example, if a company’s fixed costs are too high, it may result in reduced staffing levels, higher prices, or a decreased level of customer service. Similarly, if a company’s variable costs are too high, it may reduce the quality of its products or services.
Conclusion
Long term costs refer to costs that are associated with doing business over a long period. These costs can be fixed, variable, or semi-variable. Long term costs can have a significant impact on a company’s financial performance as well as its operations. As such, it is important that businesses understand and manage their long term costs in order to remain profitable and remain competitive.