excel (LO 11-2, 3, 4) 11-55. Comparison of Allocation Methods BluStar Company has two service departments, Administration and Accounting, and two operating departments, Domestic and International. Administration costs are allocated on the basis of employees, and Accounting costs are allocated on the basis of number of transactions. A summary of BluStar operations follows. Administration Accounting Domestic International 25 45 180 Employees Transactions Department direct costs. 25,000 20,000 $360,000 $144,000 $936,000 80,000 $3,600,000 a. Required Allocate the cost of the service departments to the operating departments using the direct method. b. Allocate the cost of the service departments to the operating departments using the step method. Start with Administration. Allocate the cost of the service departments to the operating departments using the reciprocal method. d. Comment on the results. c