In this paper we extend the costing approaches and the two different approaches which include Variable costing and Absorption costing. This paper explains the difference between variable costing and absorption costing. All successful companies around the world use a strategic business plan that leads to a tactical plan and an operation plan which lead to the execution; both of the costing approaches, variable and absorption costing, to help their business flourish. Variable costing and absorption costing are not to be substituted for one another since both the approaches have their own benefits and limitations to any unique situation. In this document we will discuss the different approaches variable and absorption costing uses, the …show more content…
Income reporting is one major difference between these two costing approaches. Using absorption versus variable costing for the finished product will have different effects on profit margins as reported on the income statement. Absorption costing does not support CVP analysis because it essentially treats fixed manufacturing overhear as a variable cost by assigning a per unit amount of the fixed overhead to each unit production. Treating fixed manufacturing overhear as a variable cost can, lead to faulty pricing decisions and keep-or-drop decisions, and produce positive net operating income even when the number of units sold is less than the breakeven point. However, under the process described earlier, variable costing reports lower net income. Companies using the absorption method will not incur lower net revenue until they sell goods, which move the costs from inventory to cost of goods sold (Pong). Fixed expenditures are not figured in the cost of goods sold under the variable method, therefore the inventory is carried at a lesser value than the full absorption method. Even though a company uses absorption costing for financial reporting, it is not prevented from reporting internally for management purposes under a variable costing method. The difference is that variable costing is often considered to be an enhanced way for management to regulate financial manufacturing decisions. The variable costing approach would be much more appropriate for
Assuming that the company’s goal is to maximize profits, the current cost system is not an appropriate tool for strategic planning. The ambiguity of the overhead costs per product makes it difficult to accurately analyze the cause and effect relationships of changes and/or improvements to specific product line.
3389. Marcye Co. manufactures office furniture. During the most productive month of the year, 3,500 desks were manufactured at a total cost of $84,400. In its slowest month, the company made 1,100 desks at a cost of $46,000. Using the high-low method of cost estimation, total fixed costs are:
The account issue addressed in this case study was whether to continue with the existing costing method for each product line or implement a activity-based costing method. The ABC method allows for an organization to allocate direct and indirect costs to products and obtain an accurate level of costs and profit for each unit produced, thus allowing the company to improve their overall operational effectiveness. ABC does differ from the existing costing method described in the case as the old method does not account for volume related overhead costs which must be allocated to the specific ODD and TGC products.
This paper provides a brief presentation of Activity-Based Costing methodology, how is used as well as its short comings.
To effectively plan overhead costs for a product the management must aim to eliminate activities that do not add any value to the product in question. The process of costing is very important in that it supplies information on evaluation and control to various aspects of a business enterprise. Variance measures price and quantity differences that occur in any budgeted and actual prices and quantities. There exist a difference between fixed overhead spending variance and variable overhead spending variance in that the fixed overhead spending variance does not include estimation error while variable spending variable does.
The author was able to provide a detailed aspect of variable costing with clear emphasis on the importance of variable costing. According to the author, differentiating between fixed and variable costs is the first step in controlling costs. The article is helpful in understanding cost relationship and its correlation to cost absorption in manufacturing
Various terms are used to describe costs. Having an understanding of these terms will provide a better insight to managers and companies on making budget decisions, efficiently. Not only the ones described above should be considered, but also all types of costs related to the decision in effect. Efficient managers will considered all aspects related to the analyses in question.
Session 1 Date September-4 Topic Introduction, overview, group assignment, product costing systems (concepts and design) Process costing systems Managing and allocating support service costs Inventory decisions Strategic issues in investment decision Managing quality and time to create value Midterm Exam Cost management and strategy The nature of management control systems Understanding strategy Strategy, balanced score card, incentive systems Organizational design & responsibility accounting Case presentation Case presentation Case presentation Case written report is due at the beginning of session 13 Final exam Chapter 1 (H) Chapter 1 (A) Chapter 2 (A) Chapter 20 (H) Chapter 18 (H) Reading Chapter 2 (H)
Cost analysis: fixed versus variable costs direct versus indirect costs; traditional costing and activity based costing
The distinct differences between the two methods is what causes the net operating income to be so different. One of the main distinctions between the two is the use of the fixed manufacturing overhead per unit. Under variable costing, manufacturing overhead is treated as a period cost and is reported on the income statement
Fixed costs are constant and have an impact towards profits despite the number of items sold. Reducing the fixed cost amounts is a sustainable way to make more profits and increase operating leverage (Edmonds & Tsay & Olds). Suggested by Reiss, outsourcing is a way of turning fixed costs into variable costs. Variable costs have a dependence of cost based on production or sale of the product (Reiss, 2010).
INTRODUCTION Businesses – from manufacturing, merchandising and service industries alike – take careful consideration in the analysis of their costing systems in order to be able to set up competitive prices in the market. Misallocation of costs may lead to incorrect price estimates, continuous production of unprofitable products, and ineffective processing schedules. In this case study, we will discuss the costing methods which Zauner Ornaments have used or is currently using and, in conclusion, be able to distinguish the advantages and disadvantages of each costing method. CASE CONTEXT The case seeks to assist Zauner’s comptroller, Yu Chia-yi, in determining the best costing method for their overhead costs. In addition we also aim to
In cost accounting, the lack of understanding of the accounting and finance process by the business manager is an incentive for the unethical employee to manipulate the system. Ethics help management in: · Providing factual and true information to its users, · Determining the nominal price of its products, · Maintaining appropriate professional relationships, and · Maintaining efficacy In today?s world of corporate scandals, an appreciation of ethical standards and a commitment to the proper reporting and disclosure of financial information needs to be constantly reinforced within the area of accounting. Absorption and Variable Costing: Absorption Costing: All costs (fixed and variable) of production are product costs. Which means under absorption costing, both variable and fixed manufacturing costs are included as a part of the cost of the product manufactured.
Nowadays, we know that activity based costing system assigns overhead costs to products or services products that using a two-stage process, which focuses on activities. ABC is a relatively new and very important topic in managerial accounting. ABC allows us to find a way that we could determine the profitability of every product, profitability of every customer we serve, and the profitability of our process. Contents in brief, first that comparing potential advantages of ABC versus traditional costing methods. The
Target costing originated from Japan in 1960s though; it was not really the first approach to product costs determination. The first idea to determine product costs can be found as early as beginning of the last century at ford in the United States, and development of Volkswagen Battles in Germany in the 1930s.with a fixed product price in order to be affordable for all people (Arnaout, 2001).