CASE 9-27 Critiquing a Report; Preparing Spending Variances [

LO3,

LO5,

LO6]

Farrar University offers an extensive continuing education program in many cities

throughout the state. For the convenience of its faculty and administrative staff and to

save costs, the university operates a motor pool. The motor pool operated with 20

vehicles until February, when an additional automobile was acquired at the request of

the university administration. The motor pool furnishes gasoline, oil, and other supplies

for its automobiles. A mechanic does routine maintenance and minor repairs. Major

repairs are performed at a nearby commercial garage. Each year, the supervisor of the

motor pool prepares an annual budget, which is reviewed by the university and

approved after suitable modifications.

p. 416

The following cost control report shows actual operating costs for March of the current year

compared to one-twelfth of the annual budget.

The annual budget was based on the following assumptions:

a. $0.16 per mile for gasoline.

b. $0.05 per mile for oil, minor repairs, and parts.

c. $480 per automobile per year for outside repairs.

d. $900 per automobile per year for insurance.

e.$8,610 per month for salaries and benefits.

f. $2,400 per automobile per year for depreciation.

The supervisor of the motor pool is unhappy with the report, claiming it paints an unfair picture of the motor pool's performance.

Required:

1.

need a new performance report for March based on a flexible budget that shows spending variances.

2.

What are the deficiencies in the original cost control report? How does the report that you prepared in part (1) above overcome these deficiencies?