The way economists and accountants view cost differs significantly due to their distinct objectives. Accountants typically focus on explicit, 'out-of-pocket' costs, such as a $25 concert ticket, as these are verifiable monetary transactions. In contrast, economists, who study how individuals make choices, calculate cost more broadly. An economist's calculation of 'economic cost' includes not only these direct outlays but also the opportunity cost, which represents the value of the next best alternative given up.