Task 1

Major difference between marginal costing approach and absorption costing approach is that the profit in the first approach is influence by sales and profit using the later one is influence by both sales and production (Atril and McLaney, 2021). Critically evaluate the marginal costing and absorption costing methods.

Task 2

Macron Publisher Ltd own 14 shops selling books. At the beginning of January, the business has overdraft of 40,000 and bank had asked for this to be eliminated by end of July. As a result, the directors have recently decided to review their plans for the next 6 months. The following plans are prepared.

Notes:

1. Inventory level at 1st Jan was 200,000. Macron prefer to maintain minimum inventory level 70,000 of goods over the period to 31st July.

2. Suppliers allow one month credit. The first three months purchase are subject to a contractual agreement which must be honoured.

3. The gross profit margin is 40%.

4. Cash sales are received in the month of sale. However, 50% of the customers pays with the credit card. The credit card handling company charge 4% to the macron. This charge is an additional charge to the selling expenses mentioned above. The credit card handling company pays the Macron in the month of sales.

5. The Macron has a business loan which its pays by instalment of 10,000. The interest elements represent 25% of each instalment.

6. Administration expenses are paid when they occurred. The item includes depreciation charge of 25,000 each month.

7. Selling expenses are payable in the following month.

Required:

A) Prepare a cash budget for the Macron Limited for the 6 months from February to July.

B) Identify and critically assess FIVE inherent weaknesses of the annual budget model irrespective of the budgeting approach that is applied.

NOTE: The Answer should be written in the style of a report to be presented to a Board of Directors.

In-text references should be provided and a full list of references using the Harvard format.

\begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|l|l|l|l|l|} \hline & \begin{tabular}{l} Jan \\ (f000) \end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{l} Feb \\ (f000) \end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{l} Mar \\ (f000) \end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{l} Apr \\ (f000) \end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{l} May \\ (000) \end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{l} June \\ (f000) \end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{l} July \\ (f000) \end{tabular} \\ \hline Sales Revenue & 215 & 270 & 340 & 280 & 200 & 320 & 210 \\ \hline Purchase & 170 & 280 & 175 & 104 & 89 & 73 & 68 \\ \hline \begin{tabular}{l} Administration \\ Expenses \end{tabular} & 55 & 60 & 68 & 48 & 57 & 54 & 49 \\ \hline Selling Expenses & 33 & 38 & 28 & 26 & 21 & 19 & 18 \\ \hline Taxation Payment & 12 & 52 & & 22 & & & \\ \hline Finance Payment & 10 & 10 & 10 & 10 & 10 & 10 & 10 \\ \hline \begin{tabular}{l} Shop \\ Refurbishment \end{tabular} & & & 15 & 10 & 16 & & \\ \hline \end{tabular}