Question
Prism Glass Works, manufactures and sells high quality glass bottles for industrial use. The company at present reports profits on an absorption costing basis. However,
Prism Glass Works, manufactures and sells high quality glass bottles for industrial use. The company at present reports profits on an absorption costing basis. However, Tom Cuck (the management accountant of Prism Glass Works) is not in support of continuing the use of absorption costing system due to the high fixed costs associated with the glass container industry and a substantial difference between sales volume and production in some months. Tom proposes to the top management that it would be more appropriate for the company to report profits based on marginal costing. In his proposal to management, Tom lists the following reasons in support of this proposal:
- Marginal costing provides for the complete segregation of fixed costs, thus facilitating closer control of production costs.
- It eliminates the distortion of interim profit statements which occur when there are seasonal fluctuations in sales volume although production is fairly constant.
- It results in cost information which is more helpful in determining the sales policy and profit planning.
From the accounting records the following figures were extracted:
Budgeted cost per bottle is as follows:
Particulars | Amount ($) |
Direct materials | 8.00 |
Direct labour | 7.20 |
Other variable production costs | 3.36 |
Note 1: Total annual fixed production overhead was budgeted at $7,584,000 and the annual budgeted production was 1,440,000 bottles. However, due to the nature of the demand, the monthly budgeted production from January to June was twice that of the monthly budgeted production from July to December. The actual fixed overhead incurred was as budgeted.
Further information:
Particulars | June | July |
Bottles sold | 87,000 | 101,000 |
Bottles produced | 115,000 | 78,000 |
Selling price per bottle | $32 | $32 |
Fixed selling expenses | $120,000 | $120,000 |
Fixed administrative expenses | $80,000 | $80,000 |
There was no opening stock as of 1st June.
Required
Assess and comment briefly on Toms three reasons which he listed to support his proposal to report profits using marginal costing.
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