Chapter 5, Problem 1E

Identifying Cost Behavior Patterns
Steve Silversmith produces unique and exclusive sterling silver rings, pendants, buckles, and chains. Steve pays one supervisor to oversee the work performed by several part-time silversmiths. He pays each silversmith to work 20 bows per week or 40 hours week, depending on production demand. He also hires a jewelry expert to perform quay assurance inspections and pays her based on the weight (per ounce of silver) of each piece inspected. The controller and the sales manager e discussing potential pace increases due to the increasing cost of silver and increases in other costs. The following are several costs they are discussing:
a. Depreciation on production equipment
b. Supervisor salary
c. Packaging (each piece is packaged in a designer carton)
d. Silver
e. Part-time labor (silversmith)
f. Production facility utilities
g. Quality assurance
h. Mortgage on the production facility

Indicate whether each cost is a variable, fixed, step, or mixed cost within Steve’s relevant range of activity.