The definition of charge variable refers to a cost or expense that changes in direct proportion to the level of activity, production, or usage. A variable charge increases when activity levels rise and decreases when activity levels fall.
Variable charges are commonly used in accounting, finance, and business cost analysis.
What is the purpose of a variable charge?
The purpose of a variable charge is to align costs with actual usage or output.
Here are the main purposes of a variable charge:
Reflect real consumption or production levels
Improve cost control and budgeting accuracy
Support pricing and profitability analysis
Help businesses scale costs efficiently
Enhance financial forecasting and planning
Variable charges help businesses to manage expenses more flexibly compared to fixed charges.
What are examples of variable charges?
Variable charges depend on how much you use or produce a product or service.
Common examples of variable charges are:
The Raw material costs
Utility charges that are based on consumption
Sales commissions
Shipping and delivery costs
Production labor paid per unit
These charges fluctuate over time and that directly impacts a company’s operating costs.