3. o. The independent sales agents commission increases to 25% c. The company employs its own sales force Refer to your answer to 1th} above. If the company employs its own sales force, what amount of sales revenue would be necessary to generate the operating income the company would realize if sales are $20,U, and the company continues to sell through agents {at a 25% commission rate}? Determine the sales revenue at which operating income would he the equal regardless of whether Crescent Corporation sells through sales agents {at 25% commission rate} or employs its own sales force. Would you recommend the company retain the sales agents at 25% commission or would you recommend that the company employ its own sales force? Provide a detailed explanation to support your recommendation. Crescent Corporation manufactures multi-function photocopiers that are sold through a network of independent sales agents. These sales agents sell a variety of products to businesses in addition to Crescent's photocopiers. The sales agents are paid a 20% commission on sales, and this commission rate was used when Crescent's management prepared the following budgeted income statement for the coming year: Sales 520,000,000 Cost of goods sold Variable $9,000,000 Fixed 1 540,000 10 540,000 Gross margin 9,460,000 Selling and administrative expenses: Commissions 4,000,000 Fixed advertising expense 550,000 Fixed administrative expense 1 430 000 6 030 000 Operating income QM Since the completion of the above statement, Crescent's management has learned that the independent sales agents are demanding an increase in the sales commission rate to 25% of sales for the upcoming year. This would be the third increase in commissions in five years. As a result, Crescent management has decided to investigate the possibility of hiring its own sales staff to replace the independent sales agents. Crescent's controller estimates the company will have to hire six salespeople to cover the current market area, and the total annual payroll cost of these employees will be about $675,000, including benefits. The salespeople will also be paid commissions of 15% of sales. Travel and entertainment expenses are expected to be $300,000 for the year. The company will also have to hire a sales manager whose salary and benefits will total approximately $150,000 per year. To make up for promotions that the independent agents have been running on behalf of Crescent, management believes the company's budget for fixed advertising expenses will increase by $250,000. Re uired: 1. qusuming sales of $20,000,000, construct a budgeted contribution-format income statement for the upcoming year for each of the following activities: a. The independent sales agents commission remains unchanged at 20% b. The independent sales agents commission increases to 25% c. The company employs its own sales force 2. Calculate Crescent Corporation's break-even point in sales dollars for the upcoming year assuming the following: a. The independent sales agents commission remains unchanged at 20%