PLEASE NOTE! I ONLY NEED ANSWERS TO QUESTION #8

Kate and Claire, recent college graduates, are unable to find suitable jobs in their field of accounting. However, each has been involved with a small business of their own for the last several years, and have been doing very well. Kate is a talented seamstress, and has designed a line of fashionable blazers that are selling for $500/each. Kate remains shocked at how fast the orders are coming in, and wonders if this could be something big. Claire also has a small but growing business. She manufactures synthetic leather belts that are selling for $50/each, and is similarly experiencing strong consumer interest. A few large retailers have started to place orders with both girls, and both are struggling to keep up with demand. Kate and Claire are wondering if they should combine their lines and start building the business together, since there is a high amount of overlap among their customers, and they could likely achieve some synergies by combining their marketing and customer service efforts. The belts go very well with the blazers. With a solid knowledge of their accounting basics, both have kept very thorough cost and marketing data. So they decided to pull it all together and analyze it.

Kates blazers manufacturing data

	# of Blazers	Total Manufacturing Costs
2019	400	$140,000
2018	350	130,000
2017	310	122,000
2016	240	108,000
2015	275	115,000
2014	250	106,000

Kates blazers marketing data

	# of Blazers	Total Marketing Costs
2019	400	$60,000
2018	350	55,000
2017	310	51,000
2016	240	44,000
2015	275	47,500
2014	250	45,000

Claires belts manufacturing data

	# of Belts	Total Manufacturing Costs
2019	1,700	$66,500
2018	1,400	56,000
2017	1,100	45,500
2016	1,000	42,000
2015	1,200	49,000
2014	900	38,500

Claires belts marketing data

	# of Belts	Total Marketing Costs
2019	1,700	$11,500
2018	1,400	10,000
2017	1,100	8,500
2016	1,000	8,000
2015	1,200	9,000
2014	900	7,500

DELIVERABLE:

Prepare a comprehensive report with the answers to each of the following questions. Provide all calculations in a well-organized manner, with the final answer for each part clearly stated in a complete sentence.

Total report should be between 2-3 pages.

QUESTIONS:

1. High-low cost estimation method

1. Use the high-low method to estimate the per-unit variable costs and total fixed costs for the blazers.
2. Use the high-low method to estimate the per-unit variable costs and total fixed costs for the belts.

NOTE: The variable and fixed costs for each product line, blazers and belts, contain both a manufacturing and a marketing component. However, the data is recorded separately, which means FOUR separate high-low analyses must be conducted.

2. Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) analysis, single-product

1. Use CVP analysis to calculate the break-even point in units for the blazers.
2. Use CVP analysis to calculate the break-even point in units for the belts.

3. CVP, multiple-product setting

Merging the data together, it appears the sales mix is approximately 300 blazers and 1,200 belts each year.

For this CVP analysis, assume an additional $30,000 of combined fixed costs, this will be largely customer service costs.

1. Calculate the break-even point for both product lines combined.

4. Cost classification

1. Classify the manufacturing costs, marketing costs, and customer service costs either as production expenses or period expenses.
2. For the period expenses, further classify them into either selling expenses or general and administrative expenses.

5. Sensitivity CVP analysis and production versus period expenses Multiple-Product Setting

1. If both variable and fixed production expenses (refer to Question #1) associated with the blazer increased by 5% (beyond the estimate from the high-low analysis), how many blazers and belts would need to be sold in order to earn a target income of $96,000? Assume the same sales mix and additional fixed costs in Question #3.

6. Margin of Safety

1. Calculate the margin of safety (both in units and in sales dollars), assuming they sell 700 blazers and 2,500 belts next year. Ignore the suggested change in expenses in Question #5.
2. What does this margin of safety mean?

7. Income statement

1. Prepare a forecasted income statement (to the operating income line) for Kate and Claire, assuming they sell 700 blazers and 2,500 belts, and assuming the 5% cost increase for the blazer (variable and fixed production costs) and the additional $30,000 combined fixed costs.
2. How would you suggest Kate and Claire divide the operating profit?

8. Degree of Operating Leverage

1. Calculate the degree of operating leverage, with the same assumptions as Question #7.
2. What does the DOL tell Kate and Claire? Do you think they should consider promotional events? Why or why not?