An expenditure or outlay of cash, other property, capital stock or services, or the incurring of a liability therefor, identified with goods or services acquired or with any loss incurred, and measured by the amount of cash paid or payable or the market value of other property, capital stock or services given in exchange or, in other situations, any commonly accepted basis of valuation. Implicit in the concept of cost is the accrual basis of accounting.
N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 10 § 451.65