Houstin Partners provides management consulting services to government and corporate clients. Houstin has two support departments-administrative services (AS) and information systems (IS)-and two operating departments-government consulting (GOVT)a quarter of 2017, Houstin's cost records indicate the following: E (Click the icon to view the cost records.) Read the requirements. ..... - X interm balan Data table SUPPORT OPERATING AS IS GOVT CORP Total Budgeted overhead costs before any interdepartment cost allocations $ 390,000 $ 2,100,000 $ 7,500,000 $ 12,420,000 $ 22,410,000

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
10th Edition
ISBN:9781259964947
Author:Libby
Publisher:Libby
Chapter1: Financial Statements And Business Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1Q
icon
Related questions
Question
## Budget Allocation and Cost Analysis for Houston Partners

### Overview

Houston Partners provides management consulting services to government and corporate clients. The organization consists of two support departments—Administrative Services (AS) and Information Systems (IS)—and two operating departments—Government Consulting (GOVT) and Corporate Consulting (CORP).

### Data Table

The table below provides the budgeted overhead costs before any interdepartmental cost allocations, along with the percentage of support work supplied by AS and IS:

|                      | SUPPORT          | OPERATING              |          |
|----------------------|------------------|------------------------|----------|
|                      | AS       | IS       | GOVT       | CORP        | Total    |
| **Budgeted overhead costs** | $390,000 | $2,100,000 | $7,500,000 | $12,420,000 | $22,410,000 |
| **Support work supplied by AS** (budgeted head count) | 0         | 25%      | 45%        | 30%         | 100%     |
| **Support work supplied by IS** (budgeted computer time) | 10%      | 0         | 36%        | 54%         | 100%     |

### Requirements

1. **Allocate the two support departments' costs to the two operating departments using the following methods:**
   - **Direct method**
   - **Step-down method** (Allocate AS first)
   - **Step-down method** (Allocate IS first)

2. **Compare and explain differences in the support-department costs allocated to each operating department.**

3. **What approaches might be used to decide the sequence in which to allocate support departments when using the step-down method?**

### Instructions

For a detailed understanding, consider intermediary calculations and round your final answers to the nearest dollar for balances. Gain insights into strategic cost management and support department cost allocations by exploring the application of different methods.

This exercise will help enhance your understanding of cost allocation methodologies used in management consulting environments and develop analytical skills in financial data interpretation.
Transcribed Image Text:## Budget Allocation and Cost Analysis for Houston Partners ### Overview Houston Partners provides management consulting services to government and corporate clients. The organization consists of two support departments—Administrative Services (AS) and Information Systems (IS)—and two operating departments—Government Consulting (GOVT) and Corporate Consulting (CORP). ### Data Table The table below provides the budgeted overhead costs before any interdepartmental cost allocations, along with the percentage of support work supplied by AS and IS: | | SUPPORT | OPERATING | | |----------------------|------------------|------------------------|----------| | | AS | IS | GOVT | CORP | Total | | **Budgeted overhead costs** | $390,000 | $2,100,000 | $7,500,000 | $12,420,000 | $22,410,000 | | **Support work supplied by AS** (budgeted head count) | 0 | 25% | 45% | 30% | 100% | | **Support work supplied by IS** (budgeted computer time) | 10% | 0 | 36% | 54% | 100% | ### Requirements 1. **Allocate the two support departments' costs to the two operating departments using the following methods:** - **Direct method** - **Step-down method** (Allocate AS first) - **Step-down method** (Allocate IS first) 2. **Compare and explain differences in the support-department costs allocated to each operating department.** 3. **What approaches might be used to decide the sequence in which to allocate support departments when using the step-down method?** ### Instructions For a detailed understanding, consider intermediary calculations and round your final answers to the nearest dollar for balances. Gain insights into strategic cost management and support department cost allocations by exploring the application of different methods. This exercise will help enhance your understanding of cost allocation methodologies used in management consulting environments and develop analytical skills in financial data interpretation.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Balance Sheet Analysis
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, accounting and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
Accounting
ISBN:
9781259964947
Author:
Libby
Publisher:
MCG
Accounting
Accounting
Accounting
ISBN:
9781337272094
Author:
WARREN, Carl S., Reeve, James M., Duchac, Jonathan E.
Publisher:
Cengage Learning,
Accounting Information Systems
Accounting Information Systems
Accounting
ISBN:
9781337619202
Author:
Hall, James A.
Publisher:
Cengage Learning,
Horngren's Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis…
Horngren's Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis…
Accounting
ISBN:
9780134475585
Author:
Srikant M. Datar, Madhav V. Rajan
Publisher:
PEARSON
Intermediate Accounting
Intermediate Accounting
Accounting
ISBN:
9781259722660
Author:
J. David Spiceland, Mark W. Nelson, Wayne M Thomas
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Financial and Managerial Accounting
Financial and Managerial Accounting
Accounting
ISBN:
9781259726705
Author:
John J Wild, Ken W. Shaw, Barbara Chiappetta Fundamental Accounting Principles
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education