The Thornton Management Association held its annual public relations luncheon in April Year 2. Based on the previous years results, the organization allocated $29,552 of its operating budget to cover the cost of the luncheon. To ensure that costs would be appropriately controlled, Molly Hubbard, the treasurer, prepared the following budget for the Year 2 luncheon.

The budget for the luncheon was based on the following expectations:

1. The meal cost per person was expected to be $13.40. The cost driver for meals was attendance, which was expected to be 1,560 individuals.
2. Postage was based on $0.76 per invitation and 3,800 invitations were expected to be mailed. The cost driver for postage was number of invitations mailed.
3. The facility charge is $2,600 for a room that will accommodate up to 1,700 people; the charge for one to hold more than 1,700 people is $3,100.
4. A fixed amount was designated for printing, decorations, the speakers gift, and publicity.

THORNTON MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
Public Relations Luncheon Budget
April Year 2
Operating funds allocated	$	29,552
Expenses
Variable costs
Meals (1,560 $13.40)		20,904
Postage (3,800 0.76)		2,888
Fixed costs
Facility		2,600
Printing		1,110
Decorations		1,000
Speaker's gift		290
Publicity		760
Total expenses		29,552
Budget surplus (deficit)	$	0

Actual results for the luncheon follow.

THORNTON MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
Actual Results for Public Relations Luncheon
April Year 2
Operating funds allocated	$	29,552
Expenses
Variable costs
Meals (1,780 $14.10)		25,098
Postage (4,800 0.76)		3,648
Fixed costs
Facility		3,100
Printing		1,110
Decorations		1,000
Speaker's gift		290
Publicity		760
Total expenses		35,006
Budget deficit	$	(5,454	)

Reasons for the differences between the budgeted and actual data follow.

1. The president of the organization, Rodney Snow, increased the invitation list to include 1,000 former members. As a result, 4,800 invitations were mailed.
2. Attendance was 1,780 individuals. Because of higher-than-expected attendance, the luncheon was moved to a larger room, thereby increasing the facility charge to$3,100
3. At the last minute, Ms. Hubbard decided to add a dessert to the menu, which increased the meal cost to $14.1 per person.
4. Printing, decorations, the speakers gift, and publicity costs were as budgeted.

Required:

a. Prepare a flexible budget and compute the sales and variable cost volume variances based on a comparison between the master budget and the flexible budget.

b. Compute flexible budget variances by comparing the flexible budget with the actual results.