Question
5-21 (Plant-wide, department, and ABC indirect cost rates.) Roadster Company (RC) designs and produces automotive parts. In 2017, actual variable manufacturing overhead is $280,000. RCs
5-21 (Plant-wide, department, and ABC indirect cost rates.) Roadster Company (RC) designs and produces automotive parts. In 2017, actual variable manufacturing overhead is $280,000. RCs simple costing system allocates variable manufacturing overhead to its three customers based on machine-hours and prices its contracts based on full costs. One of its customers has regularly complained of being charged noncompetitive prices, so RCs controller Matthew Draper realizes that it is time to examine the consumption of overhead resources more closely. He knows that there are three main departments that consume overhead resources: design, production, and engineering. Interviews with the department personnel and examination of time records yield the following detailed information:
Usage of Cost Drivers by Cust. Contract | |||||
|
| Manufacturing | Southern | Caesar | Juniper |
Department | Cost-Driver | OH in 2017 | Motors | Motors | Motors |
Design | CAD-design-hours | $35,000 | 150 | 200 | 100 |
Production | Engineering-hours | $25,000 | 130 | 100 | 270 |
Engineering | Machine-hours | $220,000 | 300 | 3,700 | 1,000 |
Total | $280,000 |
|
|
|
Show calculations:
1. Compute the manufacturing overhead allocated to each customer in 2017 using the simple costing system that uses machine-hours as the allocation base.
2. Compute the manufacturing overhead allocated to each customer in 2017 using department-based manufacturing overhead rates.
3. Comment on your answers in requirements 1 and 2. Which customer do you think was complaining about being overcharged in the simple system? If the new department-based rates are used to price contracts, which customer(s) will be unhappy? How would you respond to these concerns?
4. How else might RC use the information available from its department-by-department analysis of manufacturing overhead costs?
5. RCs managers are wondering if they should further refine the department-by-department costing system into an ABC system by identifying different activities within each department. Under what conditions would it not be worthwhile to further refine the department costing system into an ABC system?
Step by Step Solution
There are 3 Steps involved in it
Step: 1
Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions
See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success
Step: 2
Step: 3
Ace Your Homework with AI
Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance
Get Started