Advanced: Computation of three different transfer prices and the extent to which each price encourages goal congruence English Allied Traders pic has a wide range of manufacturing activities, principally within the UK. The company operates on the divisionalized basis with each division being responsible for its own manufacturing, sales and marketing, and working capital management. Divisional chief executives are expected to achieve a target 20% return on sales.

A disagreement has arisen between two divi¬ sions which operate on adjacent sites. The Office Products Division (OPD) has the opportunity to manufacture a printer using a new linear motor which has recently been developed by the Electric Motor Division (EMD). Currently there is no other source of supply for an equivalent motor in the required quantity of 30 000 units a year, although a foreign manufacturer has offered to supply up to 10 000 units in the coming year at a price of £9 each. EMD’s current selling price for the motor is £12. Although EMD’s production line for this motor is currently operating at only 50% of its capacity, sales are encouraging and EMD confi¬ dently expects to sell 100000 units in 2001, and its maximum output of 120000 units in 2002.

EMD has offered to supply OPD’s requirements for 2001 at a transfer price equal to the normal selling price, less the variable selling and distribu¬ tion costs that it would not incur on this internal order. OPD responded by offering an alternative transfer price of the standard variable manufactur¬ ing cost plus a 20% profit margin. The two divi¬ sions have been unable to agree, so the corporate operations director has suggested a third transfer price equal to the standard full manufacturing cost plus 15%. However, neither divisional chief execu¬ tive regards such a price as fair.

EMD’s 2001 budget for the production and sale of motors, based on its standard costs for the forecast 100000 units sales, but excluding the possible sales to OPD, is as follows:

Notes (1) The costs of the sales force and indirect production staff are not expected to increase up to the current production capacity.
(2) General overhead includes allocations of divi¬ sional administrative expenses and corporate charges of £20 000 specifically related to this product.
(3) Depreciation for all assets is charged on a straight line basis using a five year life and no residual value.
(4) Carriage is provided by an outside contractor. Requirements

(a) Calculate each of the three proposed transfer prices and comment on how each might affect the willingness of EMD’s chief executive to engage in inter-divisional trade. (10 marks)

(b) Outline an alternative method of setting trans¬ fer prices which you consider to be appro¬ priate for this situation, and explain why it is an improvement on the other proposals.
(5 marks) (Total 15 marks) ICAEW P2 Management Accounting and Financial Management 2

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Sales Revenue (100 000 units at 12.00 each) Direct Manufacturing Costs (000) 1200 Bought-in materials 360 Labour 230 Packaging 40 Indirect Manufacturing Costs Variable overheads 10 Line production managers 30 Depreciation Capital equipment 150 Capitalized development costs 60 Total manufacturing costs 880 Sales and Distribution Costs Salaries of sales force 50 Carriage General Overhead Total costs Profit 20 50 1000 200