The first step in developing an ABC system is

A. calculate an activity cost allocation rate for each activity.

B. allocate the costs to the cost object using the activity cost allocation rates.

C. select an allocation base for each activity.

D. identify the primary activities and estimate a total cost pool for each.

D

Explanation:

Activity based costing (ABC) is a costing system that uses production activities as basis for cost allocation. All the activities related to production are identified and the cost of each activity are assigned to manufactured goods in the proportion of respective activities consumed.

It entails tracing cost to activities and activities to product.

The first step in developing this model is identifying primary activities and estimate a total cost pool for each.