What defines a cost centre within a business?

A cost centre within a business is specifically defined as a section where only costs are allocated. This means that the primary focus of a cost centre is to manage and control expenses rather than to generate revenue or profit. The management of a cost centre is tasked with tracking and minimizing costs associated with its operations.

In contrast, other types of departments or sections in a business, such as profit centres, focus on generating revenue and profits, which is not the case for cost centres. Cost centres do not engage in selling products directly or generating income; their role is strictly related to the costs incurred in the process of operation. Thus, identifying a section that purely allocates costs accurately reflects the purpose of a cost centre. This distinction is crucial for budgeting, financial reporting, and performance evaluation within an organization.