Becton Labs, Incorporated, produces various chemical compounds for industrial use. One compound, called Fludex, is prepared using an elaborate distilling process. The company has developed standard costs for one unit of Fludex, as follows: Standard Quantity or Hours Standard Price or Rate Standard Cost Direct materials 2.30 ounces $ 17.00 per ounce $ 39.10 Direct labor 0.60 hours $ 13.00 per hour 7.80 Variable manufacturing overhead 0.60 hours $ 2.50 per hour 1.50 Total standard cost per unit $ 48.40 During November, the following activity was recorded related to the production of Fludex: Materials purchased, 11,500 ounces at a cost of $178,825. There was no beginning inventory of materials; however, at the end of the month, 3,150 ounces of material remained in ending inventory. The company employs 17 lab technicians to work on the production of Fludex. During November, they each worked an average of 160 hours at an average pay rate of $11.50 per hour. Variable manufacturing overhead is assigned to Fludex on the basis of direct labor-hours. Variable manufacturing overhead costs during November totaled $3,000. During November, the company produced 3,500 units of Fludex. Required: 1. For direct materials: a. Compute the price and quantity variances. b. The materials were purchased from a new supplier who is anxious to enter into a long-term purchase contract. Would you recommend that the company sign the contract? 2. For direct labor: a. Compute the rate and efficiency variances. b. In the past, the 17 technicians employed in the production of Fludex consisted of 4 senior technicians and 13 assistants. During November, the company experimented with fewer senior technicians and more assistants in order to reduce labor costs. Would you recommend that the new labor mix be continued? 3. Compute the variable overhead rate and efficiency variances.
Variance Analysis
In layman's terms, variance analysis is an analysis of a difference between planned and actual behavior. Variance analysis is mainly used by the companies to maintain a control over a business. After analyzing differences, companies find the reasons for the variance so that the necessary steps should be taken to correct that variance.
Standard Costing
The standard cost system is the expected cost per unit product manufactured and it helps in estimating the deviations and controlling them as well as fixing the selling price of the product. For example, it helps to plan the cost for the coming year on the various expenses.
Becton Labs, Incorporated, produces various chemical compounds for industrial use. One compound, called Fludex, is prepared using an elaborate distilling process. The company has developed
| Standard Quantity or Hours | Standard Price or Rate | Standard Cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct materials | 2.30 | ounces | $ 17.00 | per ounce | $ 39.10 |
| Direct labor | 0.60 | hours | $ 13.00 | per hour | 7.80 |
| Variable manufacturing |
0.60 | hours | $ 2.50 | per hour | 1.50 |
| Total standard cost per unit | $ 48.40 |
During November, the following activity was recorded related to the production of Fludex:
- Materials purchased, 11,500 ounces at a cost of $178,825.
-
There was no beginning inventory of materials; however, at the end of the month, 3,150 ounces of material remained in ending inventory.
-
The company employs 17 lab technicians to work on the production of Fludex. During November, they each worked an average of 160 hours at an average pay rate of $11.50 per hour.
-
Variable manufacturing overhead is assigned to Fludex on the basis of direct labor-hours. Variable
manufacturing overhead costs during November totaled $3,000. -
During November, the company produced 3,500 units of Fludex.
Required:
1. For direct materials:
a. Compute the price and quantity variances.
b. The materials were purchased from a new supplier who is anxious to enter into a long-term purchase contract. Would you recommend that the company sign the contract?
2. For direct labor:
a. Compute the rate and efficiency variances.
b. In the past, the 17 technicians employed in the production of Fludex consisted of 4 senior technicians and 13 assistants. During November, the company experimented with fewer senior technicians and more assistants in order to reduce labor costs. Would you recommend that the new labor mix be continued?
3. Compute the variable overhead rate and efficiency variances.
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