Variable costing and absorption costing, the Z-Var Corporation. (R. Marple, adapted) It is the end of 2017. Z-Var Corporation began operations in January 2016. The company is so named because it has no variable costs (Zero VARiable). All its costs are fixed; they do not vary with output

Z-Var Corp. is located on the bank of a river and has its own hydroelectric plant to supply power, light, and heat. The company manufactures a synthetic fertilizer from air and river water and sells its product at a price that is not expected to change. It has a small staff of employees, all paid fixed annual salaries. The output of the plant can be increased or decreased by pressing a few buttons on a keyboard.

Z-Var Corp. is located on the bank of a river and has its own hydroelectric plant to supply power, light, and heat. The company manufactures a synthetic fertilizer from air and river water and sells its product at a price that is not expected to change. It has a small staff of employees, all paid fixed annual salaries. The output of the plant can be increased or decreased by pressing a few buttons on a keyboard.

Sales - (2016) 30,000 tons (2017) 30,000 tons

Production - (2016) 60,000 tons (2017) 0 tons

Selling Price - 2016 & 2017 $90 per ton

Cost (all fixed)

Manufacturing - 2,580,000 (2016 & 2017)

Operating (nonmanufacturing) - 102,000 (2016 & 2017)

Management adopted the policy, effective January 1, 2017, of producing only as much product as needed to fill sales orders. During 2017, sales were the same as for 2016 and were filled entirely from inventory at the start of 2017.

Required

1 - Prepare income statements with one column for 2016, one column for 2017, and one column for the two years together using (a) variable costing and (b) absorption costing.

2 - What is the breakeven point under (a) variable costing and (b) absorption costing?

3 - What inventory costs would be carried in the balance sheet on December 31, 2016 and 2017 under each method?

4 - Assume that the performance of the top manager of Z-Var is evaluated and rewarded largely on the basis of reported operating income. Which costing method would the manager prefer? Why?