Outback Corporation manufactures tactical LED flashlights in Brisbane, Australia. The firm uses an absorption costing system for internal reporting purposes; however, the company is considering using variable costing. Data regarding Outbacks planned and actual operations for 20x1 follow:

Budgeted Costs Per Unit Total Actual CostsDirect material$13.10 $1,781,600 $1,663,700 Direct labor 9.80 1,332,800 1,244,600 Variable manufacturing overhead 4.10 557,600 520,700 Fixed manufacturing overhead 4.80 652,800 661,800 Variable selling expenses 8.00 1,088,000 936,000 Fixed selling expenses 8.00 1,088,000 1,088,000 Variable administrative expenses 2.40 326,400 280,800 Fixed administrative expenses 2.90 394,400 400,400 Total$53.10 $7,221,600 $6,796,000

Planned Activity Actual ActivityBeginning finished-goods inventory in units 36,000 36,000 Sales in units 136,000 117,000 Production in units 136,000 127,000

The budgeted per-unit cost figures were based on Outback producing and selling 136,000 units in 20x1. Outback uses a predetermined overhead rate for applying manufacturing overhead to its product. A total manufacturing overhead rate of $8.90 per unit was employed for absorption costing purposes in 20x1. Any overapplied or underapplied manufacturing overhead is closed to the Cost of Goods Sold account at the end of the year. The 20x1 beginning finished-goods inventory for absorption costing purposes was valued at the 20x0 budgeted unit manufacturing cost, which was the same as the 20x1 budgeted unit manufacturing cost. There are no work-in-process inventories at either the beginning or the end of the year. The planned and actual unit selling price for 20x1 was $72.00 per unit. Required: Was Outbacks 20x1 operating income higher under absorption costing or variable costing? Also, compute the following: 1. The value of Outback Corporations 20x1 ending finished-goods inventory under absorption costing. 2. The value of Outback Corporations 20x1 ending finished-goods inventory under variable costing. 3. The difference between Outback Corporations 20x1 reported operating income calculated under absorption costing and calculated under variable costing.