Moss Manufacturing has just completed a major change in its quality control (QC) process. Previously, products had been reviewed by QC inspectors at the end of each major process, and the company's 10 QC inspectors were charged as direct labor to the operation or job. In an effort to improve efficiency and quality, a computer video QC system was purchased for $250,000. The system consists of 15 video cameras and specialized software. The new system uses cameras stationed by QC engineers at key points in the production process. Each time an operation changes or there is a new operation, the cameras are moved, and a new master picture is loaded onto the server by a QC engineer. The camera takes pictures of the units in process, and the computer compares them to the picture of a "good" unit. Any differences are sent to a OC engineer who removes the bad units and discusses the flaws with the production

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
10th Edition
ISBN:9781259964947
Author:Libby
Publisher:Libby
Chapter1: Financial Statements And Business Decisions
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Moss Manufacturing has just completed a major change in its quality control (QC) process.
Previously, products had been reviewed by QC inspectors at the end of each major process, and
the company's 10 QC inspectors were charged as direct labor to the operation or job. In an effort
to improve efficiency and quality, a computer video QC system was purchased for $250,000. The
system consists of 15 video cameras and specialized software.
The new system uses cameras stationed by QC engineers at key points in the production process.
Each time an operation changes or there is a new operation, the cameras are moved, and a new
master picture is loaded onto the server by a QC engineer. The camera takes pictures of the units
in process, and the computer compares them to the picture of a "good" unit. Any differences are
sent to a QC engineer who removes the bad units and discusses the flaws with the production
supervisors. The new system has replaced the 10 QC inspectors with two QC engineers.
The operating costs of the new QC system, including the salaries of the QC engineers, have been
included as factory overhead in calculating the company's plantwide factory overhead rate, which
is based on direct labor dollars.
The company's president is confused. His vice president of production has told him how efficient
the new system is, yet there is a large increase in the factory overhead rate. The computation of
the rate before and after automation is shown below.
Before
After
Budgeted overhead
Budgeted direct labor 1,000,000 700,000
Budgeted overhead rate190%
$1,900,000$2,100,000
300%
"Three hundred percent," lamented the president. “How can we compete with such a high factory
overhead rate?"
QUESTIONS
A. Define factory overhead, and cite three examples of typical costs that would be included in
factory overhead.
B. Explain why companies develop factory overhead rates.
C. Explain why the increase in the overhead rate should not have a negative financial impact on
Moss Manufacturing.
D. Explain, in the greatest detail possible, how Moss Manufacturing could change its overhead
accounting system to eliminate confusion over product costs.
E. Discuss how an activity-based costing system might benefit Moss Manufacturing.
Transcribed Image Text:Moss Manufacturing has just completed a major change in its quality control (QC) process. Previously, products had been reviewed by QC inspectors at the end of each major process, and the company's 10 QC inspectors were charged as direct labor to the operation or job. In an effort to improve efficiency and quality, a computer video QC system was purchased for $250,000. The system consists of 15 video cameras and specialized software. The new system uses cameras stationed by QC engineers at key points in the production process. Each time an operation changes or there is a new operation, the cameras are moved, and a new master picture is loaded onto the server by a QC engineer. The camera takes pictures of the units in process, and the computer compares them to the picture of a "good" unit. Any differences are sent to a QC engineer who removes the bad units and discusses the flaws with the production supervisors. The new system has replaced the 10 QC inspectors with two QC engineers. The operating costs of the new QC system, including the salaries of the QC engineers, have been included as factory overhead in calculating the company's plantwide factory overhead rate, which is based on direct labor dollars. The company's president is confused. His vice president of production has told him how efficient the new system is, yet there is a large increase in the factory overhead rate. The computation of the rate before and after automation is shown below. Before After Budgeted overhead Budgeted direct labor 1,000,000 700,000 Budgeted overhead rate190% $1,900,000$2,100,000 300% "Three hundred percent," lamented the president. “How can we compete with such a high factory overhead rate?" QUESTIONS A. Define factory overhead, and cite three examples of typical costs that would be included in factory overhead. B. Explain why companies develop factory overhead rates. C. Explain why the increase in the overhead rate should not have a negative financial impact on Moss Manufacturing. D. Explain, in the greatest detail possible, how Moss Manufacturing could change its overhead accounting system to eliminate confusion over product costs. E. Discuss how an activity-based costing system might benefit Moss Manufacturing.
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