Concept explainers
Variance interpretation
Vanadium Audio Inc. is a small manufacturer of electronic musical instruments. The plant manager received the following variable factory
Actual units produced: 15,000 (90% of practical capacity)
The plant manager is not pleased with the $12,320 unfavorable variable factory overhead controllable variance and has come to discuss the matter with the controller. The following discussion occurred:
Plant Manager: I just received this factory report for the latest month of operations. I’m not very pleased with these figures. Before these numbers go to headquarters, you and I need to reach an understanding.
Controller: Go ahead. What’s the problem?
Plant Manager: What’s the problem? Well, everything. Look at the variance. It’s too large. If I understand the accounting approach being used here, you are assuming that my costs are variable to the units produced. Thus, as the production volume declines, so should these costs. Well, I don’t believe these costs are variable at all. I think they are fixed costs. As a result, when we operate below capacity, the costs really don’t go down. I’m being penalized for costs I have no control over. I need this report to be redone to reflect this fact. If anything, the difference between actual and budget is essentially a volume variance. Listen, I know that you’re a team player. You really need to reconsider your assumptions on this one.
Assume you are the controller. Write a memo responding to the plant manager.
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Chapter 23 Solutions
Financial And Managerial Accounting
- Brandt Gardner, the owner-manager of a small firm that manufactures feed processing equipment and round-hay bailers, is unhappy with the latest report on financial performance in the Kansas City, Missouri, plant. The company had recently installed a standard cost system in the Kansas City plant with the objective of controlling manufacturing costs. The performance report for the year ended revealed that the variances for materials, labor, and variable overhead were all within the desired ranges, but the fixed overhead spending and volume variances were both significantly unfavorable. Brandt wanted an explanation of the fixed overhead variances and a recommendation. Which do you think is more important for control of fixed overhead costs: the spending variance or the volume variance? Explain.arrow_forwardH1.arrow_forwardVishnuarrow_forward
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