Sunrise Pools and Spas manufactures fibreglass forms for in$-$ground pools and swim spas for all$-$season use. The company uses

variable costing for internal management reports and absorption costing for external reports to shareholders, creditors, and the

government. The company has provided the data for their swim spa business in years $1,2,$ and $3$ shown below.

The company's fixed manufacturing overhead per unit was constant at $$4,500$ for all three years:

Required:

Determine each year's absorption costing operating income. Present your answer in the form of a reconciliation report.

$2-$a$.$ In year $4,$ the company's variable costing operating income was $$260,200$ and its absorption costing operating income was

$$230,200.$ Did inventories increase or decrease during year $4?$

Increase

Decrease

$2-$b$.$ How much fixed manufacturing overhead cost was deferred or released from inventory during year $4?$