Which of the following best defines an indirect cost?

An indirect cost is best defined as costs that are often spread across multiple products or departments. This type of cost cannot be directly traced to a specific product or department, making it necessary to allocate these costs across various cost objects. Indirect costs include expenses such as utilities, rent, and administrative salaries, which support multiple functions or products but do not directly contribute to the production of any single product.

In contrast, costs that can easily be traced to cost objects refer to direct costs, such as raw materials and labor that are specifically attributable to a particular product. Allocating costs to specific products or departments characterizes direct costs as well, which are simpler and more straightforward. Moreover, stating that costs do not impact production costs is inaccurate, as indirect costs do influence the overall financial picture and performance of an organization, even if they are not tied directly to production activities.