Direct Materials, Direct Labor, and Factory Overhead Cost Variance Analysis Mackinaw Inc. processes a base chemical into plastic. Standard costs and actual costs for direct materials, direct labor, and factory overhead incurred for the manufacture of 6,800 units of product were as follows: Standard Costs Actual Costs Direct materials 8,800 lb. at $5.60 8,700 lb. at $5.50 Direct labor 1,700 hrs. at $18.50 1,740 hrs. at $18.70 Factory overhead Rates per direct labor hr., based on 100% of normal capacity of 1,770 direct labor hrs.: Variable cost, $4.10 $6,900 variable cost Fixed cost, $6.50 $11,505 fixed cost Each unit requires 0.25 hour of direct labor.
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.
Direct Materials, Direct Labor, and
Mackinaw Inc. processes a base chemical into plastic.
Standard Costs | Actual Costs | ||
Direct materials | 8,800 lb. at $5.60 | 8,700 lb. at $5.50 | |
Direct labor | 1,700 hrs. at $18.50 | 1,740 hrs. at $18.70 | |
Factory overhead | Rates per direct labor hr., | ||
based on 100% of normal | |||
capacity of 1,770 direct | |||
labor hrs.: | |||
Variable cost, $4.10 | $6,900 variable cost | ||
Fixed cost, $6.50 | $11,505 fixed cost |
Each unit requires 0.25 hour of direct labor.
![### Variance Analysis in Cost Accounting
Variance analysis is a crucial aspect of cost accounting, aiding businesses in understanding differences between planned and actual performance. Below, we'll explore the different types of variances typically analyzed in manufacturing and production contexts.
#### a. Direct Materials Variances
1. **Price Variance**
- This measures the difference between the expected cost of direct materials and the actual cost incurred.
- Formula: \( \text{Direct materials price variance} = \left( \text{Actual Price} - \text{Standard Price} \right) \times \text{Actual Quantity Used} \)
- Input Field: `$ [ ]`
2. **Quantity Variance**
- This assesses the efficiency of material usage.
- Formula: \( \text{Direct materials quantity variance} = \left( \text{Actual Quantity Used} - \text{Standard Quantity Allowed} \right) \times \text{Standard Price} \)
- Input Field: `$ [ ]`
3. **Total Cost Variance**
- This combines both price and quantity variances to provide a comprehensive overview.
- Input Field: `$ [ ]`
#### b. Direct Labor Variances
1. **Rate Variance**
- Evaluates the cost efficiency related to labor.
- Formula: \( \text{Direct labor rate variance} = \left( \text{Actual Rate} - \text{Standard Rate} \right) \times \text{Actual Hours Worked} \)
- Input Field: `$ [ ]`
2. **Time Variance**
- Measures the efficiency of labor time used.
- Formula: \( \text{Direct labor time variance} = \left( \text{Actual Hours Worked} - \text{Standard Hours Allowed} \right) \times \text{Standard Rate} \)
- Input Field: `$ [ ]`
3. **Total Labor Cost Variance**
- Encompasses both rate and time variances to reflect overall labor cost efficiency.
- Input Field: `$ [ ]`
#### c. Factory Overhead Variances
1. **Variable Overhead Controllable Variance**
- This shows the control over variable overhead costs.
- Input Field: `$ [ ]`
2. **Fixed Overhead Volume Variance**
- Indicates the efficiency of fixed overhead allocation.
- Input Field: `$ [ ]`](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fa57c9261-be87-4739-9b11-83c401f4f7d1%2Fd41665a6-2af1-403c-ae55-fa046bc9bd6a%2Fponosu_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
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