The first step of the 5 step process costing procedure is a) summarize total costs to account for.
This step involves gathering all the costs incurred during the production process for a specific period. It aims to create a complete overview of the expenses associated with manufacturing the products. By summarizing the total costs, companies can better understand the resources consumed and prepare for the following steps in the costing procedure. This foundational step is crucial because it sets the stage for allocating costs correctly in subsequent phases of the process costing system.