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Explain the difference between a favorable and an unfavorable variance.

Short Answer

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Answer

Favorable variance is suitable for a business entity, while unfavorable variance is not suitable for the business entity.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Variance Analysis

The analysis used to determine the difference between the actual activity level and the standard activity level is known as variance analysis. This is carried out to control the business process.

02

Difference between favorable and unfavorable variance

Unfavorable variance: The variance between the actual and estimated activity is said to be unfavorable when the results are not in favor of the business entity. For example, the estimated expenses are lower than the actual expenses of the business entity.

Favorable variance: Variance is said to be favorable when the difference between the actual activity and the estimated activity favors the business entity. For example, the revenue earned by the business entity is higher than the expected revenue.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Computing and journalizing standard cost variances

Middleton manufactures coffee mugs that it sells to other companies for customizing with their own logos. Middleton prepares flexible budgets and uses a standard cost system to control manufacturing costs. The standard unit cost of a coffee mug is based on static budget volume of 59,800 coffee mugs per month:

Direct Materials (0.2 lbs. @ \(0.25 per lb.) \) 0.05

Direct Labor (3 minutes @ \(0.14 per minute) 0.42

Manufacturing Overhead:

Variable (3 minutes @ \)0.06 per minute) \( 0.18

Fixed (3 minutes @ \)0.13 per minute) 0.39 0.57

Total Cost per Coffee Mug \( 1.04

Actual cost and production information for July 2018 follows:

a. There were no beginning or ending inventory balances. All expenditures were on account.

b. Actual production and sales were 62,500 coffee mugs.

c. Actual direct materials usage was 11,000 lbs. at an actual cost of \)0.17 per lb.

d. Actual direct labor usage of 197,000 minutes at a cost of \(33,490.

e. Actual overhead cost was \)10,835 variable and \(29,965 fixed.

f. Selling and administrative costs were \)130,000.

Requirements

1. Compute the cost and efficiency variances for direct materials and direct labor.

2. Journalize the purchase and usage of direct materials and the assignment of direct

labor, including the related variances.

3. For manufacturing overhead, compute the variable overhead cost and efficiency variances and the fixed overhead cost and volume variances.

4. Journalize the actual manufacturing overhead and the allocated manufacturing overhead. Journalize the movement of all production from Work in Process Inventory. Journalize the adjusting of the Manufacturing Overhead account.

5. Middleton intentionally hired more highly skilled workers during July. How did this decision affect the cost variances? Overall, was the decision wise?

Preparing a flexible budget computing standard cost variance

Morton Recliners manufactures leather recliners and uses flexible budgeting and a

standard cost system. Morton allocates overhead based on yards of direct materials.

The companyโ€™s performance report includes the following selected data:

Static Budget Actual Results

(1,000 recliners) (980 recliners)

Sale (1,000 recliners \(505 each) \) 505,000

(980 recliners \(480 each) \) 470,400

Variable Manufacturing Costs:

Direct Materials (6,000 yds. @ \(8.60/yd.) 51,600

(6,143 yds. @ \)8.40/yd.) 51,601

Direct Labor (10,000 DLHr @ \(9.20/DLHr) 92,000

(9,600 DLHr @ \)9.30/DLHr) 89,280

Variable Overhead (6,000 yds. @ \(5.20/yd.) 31,200

(6,143 yds. @ \)6.60/yd.) 40,544

Fixed Manufacturing Costs:

Fixed Overhead 60,600 62,600

Total Cost of Goods Sold 235,400 244,025

Gross Profit \( 269,600 \) 226,375

Requirements

1. Prepare a flexible budget based on the actual number of recliners sold.

2. Compute the cost variance and the efficiency variance for direct materials and for direct labor. For manufacturing overhead, compute the variable overhead cost,variable overhead efficiency, fixed overhead cost, and fixed overhead volume variances. Round to the nearest dollar.

3. Have Mortonโ€™s managers done a good job or a poor job controlling materials, labor, and overhead costs? Why?

4. Describe how Mortonโ€™s managers can benefit from the standard cost system.

Question:How is the fixed overhead volume variance different from the other variances?

Martin, Inc. manufactures lead crystal glasses. The standard direct labor time is 0.5 hours per glass, at a cost of \(18 per hour. The actual results for one monthโ€™s production of 6,500 glasses were 0.2 hours per glass, at a cost of \)11 per hour. Calculate the direct labor cost variance and the direct labor efficiency variance.

Murphy Company managers received the following incomplete performance report:

Units Actual Results Flexible Budget Variance Static Budget Flexible Budget Sales Volume Variance Sales Revenue Contribution Margin Fixed Expenses Operating Income 35,000 (a) (b) 5,000 F \( 29,000 \) 14,000 105,000 0 \( 219,000 \) 27,000 F 85,000 13,000 MURPHY COMPANY Flexible Budget Performance Report For the Year Ended July 31, 2018 134,000 14,000 35,000 \( 35,000 100,000 \) 219,000 84,000 135,000 (c) (d) (e) (f) (h) (g) (i) (j) (k) (l)

Complete the performance report. Identify the employee group that may deserve praise and the group that may be subject to criticism. Give your reasoning.

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