{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/administrative-cost","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/administrative-cost","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"administrative-cost","term":"Administrative Cost","group":"Reading the business","definition":"Expenses related to the general management and overhead of a business, not directly tied to producing goods or services. Examples include office rent, salaries for administrative staff, and utilities.","what_it_means":"These costs are part of the business's operating expenses and directly impact its overall profitability. When analyzing financial statements, identify whether administrative costs are reasonable for the business's size and industry. High or rapidly increasing administrative costs without corresponding revenue growth can be a warning sign.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/administrative-cost","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"profit-and-loss-statement","term":"Profit and Loss Statement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/profit-and-loss-statement"},{"slug":"sde","term":"SDE","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sde"},{"slug":"add-backs","term":"Add-backs","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/add-backs"},{"slug":"due-diligence","term":"Due diligence","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/due-diligence"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can closing costs such as legal and accounting fees be included in the total project cost for the 10% calculation?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-closing-costs-such-as-legal-and-accounting-fees-be-included-in-the-total-project-cost-"},{"question":"How do shared administrative services, like HR or accounting, automatically trigger affiliation for size determination?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-do-shared-administrative-services-like-hr-or-accounting-automatically-trigger-affiliat"},{"question":"Does sharing common administrative services, like HR or accounting, automatically trigger affiliation for size determination?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/does-sharing-common-administrative-services-like-hr-or-accounting-automatically-trigger-af"},{"question":"What specific components are included in the lender's administrative fee for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-specific-components-are-included-in-the-lender-s-administrative-fee-for-an-sba-7-a-lo"},{"question":"What factors primarily influence the premium cost of business life insurance?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-factors-primarily-influence-the-premium-cost-of-business-life-insurance"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan cover the cost of inventory for a business?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-cover-the-cost-of-inventory-for-a-business"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Administrative Cost","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/administrative-cost","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}