Final answer:
The receptionist's wages would be considered an operating expense and a liability.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of accounting, the receptionist's wages would be considered an operating expense and a liability.
Operating Expense:
Operating expenses are the costs incurred by a business to operate on a day-to-day basis. They are subtracted from the revenue to calculate the business's profit. Wages paid to employees, such as the receptionist, are considered operating expenses.
Liability:
A liability is an obligation that a business owes to another party. Wages owed to employees, including the receptionist, are considered liabilities because the business has a legal obligation to pay them.