Q28PGA

Question

Question: Preparing variable and absorption costing income statements 

Game Store manufactures video games that it sells for \(38 each. The company uses a fixed manufacturing overhead allocation rate of \)3 per game. Assume all costs and production levels are exactly as planned. The following data are from Game Store’s first two months in business during 2018: 

                                                                                October             November                

Sales                                                                     1,500 units          2,900 units 

Production                                                            2,800 units         2,800 units 

Variable manufacturing cost per game                \( 16                    \) 16                       

Sales commission cost per game                             8                         8                       

Total fixed manufacturing overhead                   8,400                   8,400                               

Total fixed selling and administrative costs     8,000                    8,000 Requirements 

1. Compute the product cost per game produced under absorption costing and under variable costing. 

2. Prepare monthly income statements for October and November, including columns for each month and a total column, using these costing methods: 

a. absorption costing. 

b. variable costing. 

3. Is operating income higher under absorption costing or variable costing in October? In November? Explain the pattern of differences in operating income based on absorption costing versus variable costing. 

4. Determine the balance in Finished Goods Inventory on October 31 and November 30 under absorption costing and variable costing. Compare the differences in inventory balances and the differences in operating income. Explain the differences in inventory balances based on absorption costing versus variable costing.

Step-by-Step Solution

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Answer

Answer

 

  1. Total unit product cost is $19 and $16 under absorption and variable costing respectively.
  2. a. gross profit is $28,500 and $55,100 for October and November respectively.

           b. Contribution margin is $21,000 and $40,600 for October and November                     respectively.

 

3. Operating income is higher under absorption costing in October and lower in November.

4. This difference is due to fixed manufacturing overhead.

1Step 1: Calculation of unit product cost using variable and absorption costing (1)

Particulars

Absorption costing

Variable Costing

Variable manufacturing overhead

$16

$16

Fixed manufacturing overhead ($8,400/2,800)

$3

-

Total unit product cost

$19

$16

2Step 2: Income statement absorption costing format (2)(a)

Particulars

October (1,500 Units)

November (2,900 Units)

Net sales revenue 

$38x1,500

=$57,000

$38x2,900 =$110,200

Less: Cost of goods sold 

$19x1,500 =$28,500

$19x2,900 =$55,100

Gross profit

$28,500

$55,100

Less: Variable selling and administrative cost 

$8x1,500 =$12,000

$8x2,900 =$23,200

Less: Fixed selling and administrative cost

$8,000

$8,000

Operating Income

$8,500

$23,900

3Step 3: Income statement variable costing format (2) (b)

Particulars

October (1,500 Units)

November (2,900 Units)

Net sales revenue 

$38x1,500

=$57,000

$38x2,900 =$110,200

Less: Cost of goods sold 

 

 

Variable cost of goods sold 

$16x1,500 =$24,000

$16x2,900 =$46,400

Variable selling and administrative cost

$8x1,500 =$12,000

$8x2,900 =$23,200

Contribution margin

$21,000

$40,600

Less: Fixed costs

 

 

Fixed costs of goods sold

$8,400

$8,400

Fixed selling and administrative cost

$8,000

$8,000

Operating Income

$4,600

$24,200

4Step 4: Profitability Analysis (c)

Operating income is higher under absorption costing in October because units are lower than because of proportionate total fixed cost for units sold are charged for determination of operating profit. Operating income in November is higher under variable costing because units sold are higher than the units produced. In November, the operating income is higher under variable costing. Operating income is higher under variable costing because fixed manufacturing overhead that is contained in the in beginning Finished Goods inventory under absorption costing is not contained in  beginning Finished Goods inventory (and Cost of Goods Sold) under variable costing.

 

5Step 5: Calculation of ending inventory (4)

Particulars

October 

November 

Beginning inventory

0

1,300

(+) Units produced

2,800

2,800

(-) Units sold

1,500

2,900

Ending inventory

1,300

1,200

Amount of ending inventory as per variable costing (Product cost per unit is $16)

$20,800

$19,200

Amount of ending inventory as per absorption costing (Product cost per unit is $19)

$24,700

$22,800

The amount of ending inventory as per variable costing is less than the amount of inventory as per absorption costing. This difference is due to fixed manufacturing overhead. The absorption costing includes fixed manufacturing overhead while calculating unit product cost.