3. Cost centers allow better justification of fees to user groups and
sponsors. It is much easier to explain fees to users when actual costs are
used. Management should be able to show what cost factors go into each
cost center and how that cost was calculated. Cost centers allow the
manager the ability to provide and charge for differential services based on
need. If an investigator does not need quarantine or cage-washing services,
cost center accounting will permit the manager to forgive those portions of
the recharges. While the use of all services may be negotiable, some serv-
ices will be mandatory for legal, humane, or institutional reasons.
The first step in cost accounting is to identify all direct costs. Identifying
direct costs is different than using budget figures. Identifying direct costs allow
you to assign the budget figures to a particular cost center. Examples of direct
costs are labor, supplies, equipment, or facilities used in a specific aspect of the
operation such as cage washing, dog husbandry, rodent husbandry, veterinary
care, or laboratory support. Second, fair shares of indirect costs need to be
assigned to each direct cost center. Examples of indirect costs are supervision,
administration, utilities, and general-use cleaning supplies