California IDEX Practice Exam

Which cost would NOT be appropriate to charge to a client?

1. Time spent talking to a vendor

2. Travel time to a showroom

3. Time spent at a professional development seminar

4. Express delivery charges

The correct answer is: Time spent at a professional development seminar

Charging clients for costs incurred directly related to their project is common practice, but certain expenses do not typically fall into this category. The appropriate reason for not charging a client for time spent at a professional development seminar lies in the nature of that expense. Professional development seminars are generally viewed as an investment in the professional's own skills and knowledge rather than a direct service provided to the client. While improving one's expertise can ultimately enhance the services offered to clients, this type of learning is considered a personal growth expense. In contrast, time spent talking to a vendor, travel time to a showroom, and express delivery charges are all related to providing a service or product for the client, making them justifiable charges. These expenses are incurred specifically for the benefit of the client’s project and are thus typically considered legitimate costs to pass onto the client.