Question 27 (5 points) The following static and flexible budget report was prepared for the sales manager of Earthworks Ltd for the fourth quarter of 2019: Static Budget (20,000 units) Budget Actual Variance $ 500,000 $ 550,000 $ 50,000 Sales Variable costs: Commisions (15% of sales) Advertising (20% of sales) Travel (10% of sales) U U 75,000 100,000 50,000 225,000 80,000 105,000 55,000 240,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 15,000 U U Fixed costs: Sales salaries Administrative salaries 120,000 75,000 195,000 420,000 $ 120,000 75,000 195,000 435,000 $ Total costs $ 15,000 U Flexible Budget (Actual sales 22,000 units) Budget Actual Variance Sales $ 550,000 $ 550,000 $ Variable costs: Commisions (15% of sales) 82,500 80,000 2,500 F Advertising (20% of sales) 110,000 105,000 5,000 Travel (10% of sales) 55,000 55,000 247,500 240,000 7,500 Fixed costs: Sales salaries 120,000 120,000 Administrative salaries 75,000 75,000 195,000 195,000 Total costs $ 442,500 $ 435,000 $ 7,500 Required: Assuming the sales manager has control over sales and selling costs, a) Comment on the manager's performance. (3 marks) b) Explain why flexible budgets are useful. (2 mark)