Cost Management Measuring, Monitoring and Motivating Performance 2nd Edition By Susan K. Wolcott Test Bank
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Cost Management Measuring, Monitoring and Motivating Performance 2nd Edition By Susan K. Wolcott Test Bank
Chapter 2: The Cost Function
Learning Objective |
True / False |
Multiple Choice |
Matching |
Exercises |
Short Answer |
Problems |
1: What are different ways to describe cost behavior? |
1-5 |
1-14, 60-66
S: 75-83 |
1, 2 |
6-9,13 |
1, 6 |
2, 3, 6, 8, 9 |
2: What process is used to estimate future costs? |
6-10, |
15-22 |
|
|
|
4, 6, 8, 9, 10 |
3: How are engineered estimates, account analysis, and two-point methods used to estimate cost functions? |
11-14 |
23-31, 33, 34, 38, 39, 59
W: 104 |
|
1-5, 7, 8 10 |
4, 11 |
3, 5 |
4: How does a scatter plot assist with categorizing a cost? |
15,16 |
35-37, 40
W: 94 |
|
|
7 |
|
5: How is regression analysis used to estimate a mixed cost function? |
17-19 |
32, 43-56
S: 86-90
W: 95, 96 |
3 |
11, 14 |
4, 11 |
1, 2, 6, 7 |
6: How are cost estimates used in decision making? |
21-23 |
41, 42, 57, 58
W: 105 |
|
2, 4, 10-13, 15 |
2-5, 8-10 |
1-9 |
S: Questions from the study guide
W: Questions from web quizzes on the student web site
Level of Complexity* |
True / False |
Multiple Choice |
Matching |
Exercises |
Short Answer |
Problems |
Foundation: Repeat or paraphrase information; Reason to single correct solution; Perform computations; etc. |
All |
All |
All |
1-12, 13 |
1-8, 11 |
1-7, 9 |
Step 1: Identify the problem, relevant information, and uncertainties |
|
|
|
4, 10-13, 15 |
3, 4, 9, 10 |
1-4, 7-9 |
Step 2: Explore interpretations and connections |
|
|
|
|
8 |
1, 5, 6, 8 |
Step 3: Prioritize alternatives and implement conclusions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Step 4: Envision and direct strategic innovation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Based on level in Steps for Better Thinking (Exhibit 1.10, textbook p. 16):
Note: Step 1, 2, 3, and 4 questions in this test bank are intentionally open-ended and subjective, giving students the opportunity to demonstrate skills such as judgment, reasoning, identification of uncertainties, identification or analysis of pros and cons, and so on. Therefore, student answers may not exactly match those shown in the solutions.
True / False
- Steel used in the production of automobiles would generally be classified as a direct cost.
- Traceability can be used as a criterion to differentiate direct and indirect costs.
- Textbook costs are an opportunity cost of earning a college degree.
- Salaries and wages you could earn while in college constitute a sunk cost.
- Learning curves lead to greater productivity over time.
- Past costs are irrelevant for both decision making and predicting future costs.
- Past costs are relevant for decision making, but irrelevant for predicting future costs.
- Past costs are irrelevant for decision making, but may be relevant for predicting future costs.
- The first step in estimating a cost function for relevant costs is to select a cost estimation technique.
- Categorizing costs by their behavior is one step in estimating relevant costs for a cost object.
- Managers should be trained in engineering to calculate an engineered cost estimate.
- Reviewing the pattern of a cost over time is a critical step in determining an engineered cost estimate.
- The high-low method is a specific application of the two-point method of cost estimation.
- The high-low method frequently distorts a cost function because it uses too many data points to make an estimate.
- A scatter plot provides helpful information about the relationship between a cost and a potential cost driver.
- Preparing a scatter plot is a requirement before applying the two-point method of cost estimation.
- Regression analysis is classified as simple or multiple depending upon the number of dependent variables to be estimated.
- Simple regression analysis produces an equation of the form: Y = a + bX + e.
- In regression analysis, the Adjusted R-square statistic is used to evaluate how well the cost driver explains the behavior in the cost.
- Uncertainties and information quality are evaluated when determining relevant costs, then not considered again.
- Estimates of future costs are most useful in long term budgeting.
- Regression analysis usually provides a higher quality cost function than the high-low method.
- Changes in cost behavior over time are one source of uncertainty in estimating future costs.
Multiple Choice
- When the cost object is a unit produced, lubricating oil for production machines would be a(n)
- Direct cost
- Indirect cost
- Sunk cost
- Opportunity cost
- When the cost object is a unit produced, straight-line depreciation on manufacturing equipment would be a
Variable Cost Fixed Cost Direct Cost
- No Yes No
- Yes No No
- Yes No Yes
- Yes No Yes
- Fixed costs per unit
- Vary inversely with changes in volume
- Change regardless of changes in volume
- Will not change over the relevant range
- Increase with an increase in volume
- Mixed costs
- Consist of fixed and variable costs
- Are constant in total
- Consist of the variable portion of all costs
- Have a constant per-unit value
- Mixed costs
- Vary with production in direct proportion to volume
- Vary with production but not in direct proportion to volume
- Do not vary with production
- Include only different types of fixed costs
- The relevant range is defined as
- The period of time over which costs do not change
- The volume of production over which the cost assumptions hold
- The volume of production over which step-wise fixed costs increase
- The time period in which the level of production does not change
- Which of the follow is not an assumption when estimating a cost function over the relevant range of activity?
- Mixed costs will change in total
- Mixed costs will change per unit
- Variable costs will be constant in total
- Fixed costs will be constant in total.
Use the following data for the next 6 questions:
Janices Kennel and Pet Spa is located in a small town in central California. The company employs three pet attendants, four pet groomers and two front office staff who book appointments and keep records. The spa provides a range of services for dogs and cats including boarding, grooming, and obedience training. The grooming area includes a small retail section that carries dog and cat food, pet supplies, and toys.
- If the cost object is cost per day of boarding, which of the following is a direct cost?
- Pet food
- Front office staff salaries
- Grooming supplies
- Depreciation on shelving and equipment used in the grooming and retail area
- If the cost object is the total cost of the grooming product line, which of the following is an indirect cost?
- Front office staff salaries
- Labor cost of employees who groom pets
- Cost of grooming supplies
- Depreciation on grooming tables
- Which of the following is a sunk cost for any cost object related to Janices Kennel and Pet Spa?
- Cost of the automobile Janice is planning to buy for pet transportation
- Cost of existing computer equipment used to keep company records
- Cost of annual wages for full-time employees
- Cost of rent for the next period
- Assume Janices Kennel and Pet Spa is currently boarding ten pets. The cost of food to board one more pet is best described as a
- Fixed cost
- Marginal cost
- Sunk cost
- Mixed cost
- Which of the following is the best example of a discretionary cost for Janices Kennel and Pet Spa?
- Pet food
- Facility rent
- Wages of pet groomers
- Professional travel for Janice
- Janices relevant range of activity would best be measured in terms of:
- The number of staff she employs
- The number of pets she services
- The maximum amount of pet food she can buy each month based on the current budget
- The number of parking spaces available in the parking lot
- Discretionary costs reflect
- The costs that managers incur to purchase new production machines when the old machines need replacing
- Decisions about the maximum amount that will be spent next period for activities such as travel and marketing
- Decisions about the amount of variable costs that will be incurred next period
- The costs that managers incur to pay overtime when production levels are high
- Which of the following statements is true?
- Past costs are always relevant for decisions and are often useful in estimating future cost behavior
- Past costs are always relevant for decisions, but are rarely useful in estimating future cost behavior
- Past costs are never relevant for decisions, nor are they useful in estimating future cost behavior
- Past costs are never relevant for decisions, but are often useful in estimating future cost behavior
- The best source for determining historical costs is usually
- The Internet
- Interviews with managers
- The companys accounting information system
- Financial statements
- Which of the following statements is false?
- Information for some costs cannot easily be obtained from the accounting information system.
- Useful cost information is rarely available from the accounting information system.
- The accounting system design affects the availability of useful cost information.
- The nature of cost information affects its usefulness for decision making.
- In most accounting information systems, costs are often recorded and coded so they can be summarized based on different
- Cost drivers
- Cost objects
- Volumes of activity
- Independent variables
- Past cost information, although accurate in predicting future costs, may be
- Unavailable
- Irrelevant
III. Outdated
- I and II only
- II and III only
- II only
- I, II, and III
- Managers go through a series of questions to decide whether to use past costs to estimate future costs. Which of the following questions is least likely to be one of them?
- Is the cost relevant to the decision?
- Is the cost highly discretionary?
- Is the cost an engineered estimate?
- Is the cost expected to change?
- Estimating a cost function using past cost data to help determine future costs is useful if
- Past costs are irrelevant and highly discretionary
- Past costs are irrelevant and not discretionary
- Past costs are relevant and highly discretionary
- Past costs are relevant and not discretionary
- After estimating a past cost function, managers
- May need to update it for future changes.
- Have all of the information they need to predict future costs
III. May or may not use it to estimate future costs.
- I only
- II only
- II and III only
- I and III only
Use the following data for the next 3 questions.
Liva Company wants to develop a cost function for its maintenance costs to estimate such costs for the coming year. The following data are available:
Direct Maintenance
Month Labor Hours Costs Incurred
January 4,000 $ 900
February 6,500 1,325
March 7,000 1,500
April 5,500 1,150
- Using the high-low method, what is the variable maintenance cost per direct labor hour?
- $1.00
- $0.10
- $0.20
- $1.50
- Using the high-low method, what is the fixed maintenance cost?
- $500
- $300
- $200
- $100
- Using the high-low method, what is the cost function for maintenance costs?
- $500 + $1.00 per direct labor hour
- $300 + $1.50 per direct labor hour
- $100 + $0.20 per direct labor hour
- $200 + $0.10 per direct labor hour
- The major disadvantage of the high-low method is that
- It uses the two most extreme data points in determining a cost function
- It is difficult to calculate
- It is difficult to understand
- It involves more judgmental factors than do other methods
Use the following data for the next 3 questions.
Cosby Company is attempting to develop the cost function for repair costs. The following past data are available:
Machine Hours Repair Costs
4,800 $6,385
3,400 4,585
4,000 5,285
5,900 7,085
- Using the high-low method, what is the variable repair cost per machine hour?
- $0.15
- $1.00
- $4.00
- $5.00
- Using the high-low method, what is the fixed repair cost?
- $1,185
- $850
- $475
- $565
- Using the high-low method, what is the estimated repair cost for 4,500 machine hours?
- $5,785
- $5,585
- $5,685
- $5,985
Use the following data for the next 2 questions.
Milano Company has an average overhead cost per hour of $10.50 at 3,500 machine hours, and at 3,000 hours it is $11.25. The company managers wish to estimate the overhead cost function.
- What is the variable overhead cost per machine hour?
- $1.00
- $2.00
- $6.00
- $8.00
- What is the fixed overhead cost?
- $15,750
- $36,750
- $21,000
- $18,000
- Assuming that a cost is mixed and linear, and that past cost behavior is expected to continue into the future, which of the following is mostly likely the best technique for estimating future costs?
- Engineered estimate of cost
- Two-point method
- Scatter plot
- Regression analysis
- Managers analyze production activities and assign costs based on the estimated amount of resources used when they use this method.
- A scatter plot
- The high-low method
- Regression analysis
- Engineered estimate of cost
- Reviewing cost behavior patterns over time from the accounting records and using that review to predict future costs best describes
- Regression analysis
- Scatter plots
- Analysis at the account level
- Two-point methods
- Which of the following techniques relies on visual analysis?
- Scatter plots
- Analysis at the account level
- High-low method
- Engineered estimate of cost
- A scatter plot is especially useful when managers wish to
- Compute a cost function
- Update a past cost function for future changes
- Study the relationship between a cost and a potential cost driver
- Analyze cost behavior when only one period of data is available
- The trend line from a scatter plot can be used to identify data points for
- The two-point method
- Analysis at the account level
- Engineered estimate of cost
- Regression analysis
- The high-low method is a specific application of this method of cost estimation
- Two-point
- Scatter plot
- Engineered estimate of cost
- Analysis at the account level
- Which of the following is the most valid criticism of the high-low method?
- It never produces accurate results
- It is mathematically too complex for most managers to comprehend
- It is a specialized case of the two-point method
- Data points might be outside the normal range of activity
- A manager might use this method to create a graph of cost behavior without any statistical techniques
- Engineered estimate of cost
- High-low method
- Scatter plot
- Regression analysis
- Which of the following cost estimation techniques makes assumptions about the data being analyzed?
- Analysis at the account level
- Two-point method
III. Regression analysis
- I only
- I and II only
- II and III only
- I, II, and III
- Which cost estimation technique is useful in all situations?
- Analysis at the account level
- Regression analysis
- Two-point method
- No one method is useful in all situations
- An organizations accountant is estimating next periods total overhead costs. She performed two regression analyses, one based on direct labor hours and the other based upon machine hours. The results were:
Total overhead = $150,000 + $4 x direct labor hours
Adjusted R-square = 0.65
Total overhead = $130,000 + $5 x machine hours
Adjusted R-square = 0.77
For the next period the accountant anticipates using 28,000 direct labor hours and 26,000 machine hours. Based upon this information, what is the best estimate for overhead for the next period?
- $262,000
- $260,000
- $254,000
- $270,000
- (Appendix 2A) Which of the following is not an assumption of linear regression analysis
- The error terms have a constant variance
- The error terms are independent
- A linear relationship exists between the dependent and independent variables
- There is a cause and effect relationship between the dependent and independent variables
- Which of the following are forms of regression analysis?
- Quantitative and qualitative
- Fixed and variable
- Simple and multiple
- Financial and managerial
- Simple regression analysis differs from multiple regression analysis based on the number of
- Cost drivers used
- Costs predicted
- Data points incorporated
- Personnel analyzing the data
- Simple regression minimizes the distance from each data point to
- A trend line
- The y-intercept
- The error term
- The x-axis
- Which of the following is an alternative name for a cost driver in a regression analysis?
- Dependent variable
- Independent variable
- Beta
- Error term
- Which of the following is an alternative name for the cost being predicted in a regression analysis?
- Dependent variable
- Independent variable
- Beta
- Slope
- Regression analysis works best when the relationship between costs and cost drivers is
- Positive and linear
- Linear and direct
- Positive and indirect
- Positive, linear, and indirect
- In a regression equation, fixed costs are represented by the
- Slope
- Intercept
- Error term
- Adjusted R-square coefficient
- In a regression equation, variable costs are represented by the
- Slope
- Intercept
- Adjusted R-square coefficient
- t-statistic
Use the following graphs for the next 2 questions.
- Which graph shows data that are more suitable for regression analysis?
- Graph A
- Graph B
- Neither Graph A nor Graph B
- Cannot be determined
- Simple regression analysis output produces a variety of information and statistics. Which of the following statistics provides information for fixed costs?
- T-statistic and p-value for the alpha coefficient
- T-statistics for alpha and beta coefficients
- Adjusted R-square
- P-values for alpha and beta coefficients
- Simple regression analysis output produces a variety of statistics. Which of the following statistics provides information for variable costs?
- Adjusted R-square
- P-values for alpha and beta coefficients
- T-statistic and p-value for the beta coefficient
- T-statistics for alpha and beta coefficients
- Simple regression analysis output produces a variety of statistics. Which of the following statistics best summarizes how well the cost driver explains the behavior of the cost?
- T-statistics for alpha and beta coefficients
- T-statistic and p-value for the alpha coefficient
- P-values for alpha and beta coefficients
- Adjusted R-square
- When estimating future costs, information quality is higher when
- Costs must be allocated
- The accounting system can trace relevant costs to a cost object
- The regression Adjusted R-square is near zero
- Most costs are fixed, rather than variable
- Past cost information might be too unreliable for future cost estimation because
- An organization has been operating too long in a stable environment
- The costs are primarily mixed
- A company has added a new product line
- Managers expect no changes in the cost function
- This method of estimating future costs can be used when only one period of data is available.
- Scatter plot
- High-low method
- Analysis at the account level
- Regression analysis
More Difficult Multiple Choice
These multiple choice questions require more complex computations or present information differently than in the textbook.
Use the following information for the next 3 questions.
Consider the following cost data for the cost object, number of machine setups. Each set of costs (A, B, and C) is from a different type of manufacturing operation and represents the cost behavior for the cost of that companys machine setups.
Number of
Machine Setups Cost A Cost B Cost C
0 $ 0 $80 $ 5
10 20 79 37
20 40 82 66
30 60 78 91
40 80 81 123
50 100 79 154
- Cost A is best described as
- Fixed
- Variable
- Mixed
- Direct
- Cost B is best described as
- Fixed
- Variable
- Mixed
- Discretionary
- Cost C is best described as
- Fixed
- Variable
- Mixed
- Indirect
Use the following information for the next 3 questions.
Three different divisions of a toy manufacturing company are estimating costs for their human resources departments. Each division has a cost structure that is different from the other divisions and those structures are represented by the following cost behavior patterns (A, B, and C).
Number of
Employees Cost A Cost B Cost C
0 $ 0 $120 $118
25 50 118 180
50 100 123 245
75 125 124 296
100 200 119 360
- Which cost is best described as fixed?
- Cost A
- Cost B
- Cost C
- Cost B and Cost C
- Which cost is best described as variable?
- Cost A
- Cost B
- Cost C
- Cost A and Cost C
- Which cost is best described as mixed?
- Cost A
- Cost B
- Cost C
- Cost B and Cost C
- A firm has the capacity to produce 3,100 units per week. At 80% capacity, the average total cost per unit is $12.50 and the average variable cost per unit is $7.50. What is the total fixed cost per week, assuming the firm is still operating within its relevant range?
- $10,400
- $14,400
- $ 8,400
- $12,400
Multiple Choice from Study Guide
s75. Fixed costs
- Do not vary in total within the relevant range
- Do not vary on a per-unit basis within the relevant range
- Vary on a per-unit basis in direct proportion to changes in the cost driver within the relevant range
- Vary in total as the cost driver changes within the relevant range
s76. Variable costs
- Do not vary in total within the relevant range
- Do not vary on a per-unit basis within the relevant range
- Vary on a per-unit basis within the relevant range
- Both (a) and (c)
s77. Which of the following could be defined as a cost object?
- A single unit of product in a manufacturing process
- A batch of products in a manufacturing process
- A business process, such as managing accounts receivable
- All of the above
s78. Which of the following statements is false?
- A cost can be defined as a direct cost if the bookkeeping system can keep track of how much of the cost was consumed by the cost object
- Whether a cost is direct or indirect cannot be determined until the cost object has been defined
- If the cost object is a batch of 1000 units of production, then factory property taxes could be a direct cost if the bookkeeping system is detailed enough
- Some indirect costs might have been considered direct costs if a company had better technology for capturing information
s79. The total cost of salaries of production supervisors, where 2 supervisors are needed for each 8-hour shift, where the relevant range is 0 units to the number of units that can be produced at full capacity using 2 8-hour shifts is a
- Fixed cost
- Variable cost
- Mixed cost
- Stepwise linear cost
s80. The total cost of materials, where the supplier charges $9/lb if 0-1000 pounds are purchased, $8/lb if 1001-2000 pounds are purchased and $7 if 2001 or more pounds are purchased, is a
- Fixed cost
- Variable cost
- Mixed cost
- Stepwise linear cost
s81. The rent on a store, where the landlord charges $1,200 per month plus a percentage of sales revenue, is a
- Fixed cost
- Variable cost
- Mixed cost
- Stepwise linear cost
s82. The depreciation on a factory machine is a
- Fixed cost
- Variable cost
- Mixed cost
- Stepwise linear cost
s83. Which of the following statements is true?
- Opportunity costs are never relevant for decision making
- Discretionary costs are never relevant for decision making
- Marginal costs are never relevant for decision making
- Sunk costs are never relevant for decision making
s84. If firm A has a learning curve with 90% learning and firm B has a learning curve with 80% learning, then
- Firm A has more experienced workers
- Firm B will be more cost efficient over time
- Firm A workers learn more quickly
- Firm B has less experienced workers
s85. A firms production is expected to show an 85% learning rate. The first unit took 200 hours to produce. The second unit will take
- 170 hours
- 140 hours
- 200 hours
- 289 hours
s86. A high adjusted R-square for the regression of a cost against a cost driver indicates
- The predicted linear relationship between the cost and the cost driver is probably correct
- The relationship between the cost and the cost driver is probably linear
- The cost driver explains a high percentage of the variation of the cost
- The cost driver is statistically significant
s87. A p-value of 1% for the intercept term in a regression of a cost driver against a cost indicates
- The true fixed costs are statistically significantly different from zero
- There is only a 1% chance the true fixed costs are zero
- The variable costs are immaterial in this cost function
- Both (a) and (b)
s88. A p-value of 89% for the slope coefficient in a regression of a cost driver against a cost indicates
- The true variable costs are statistically significantly different from zero
- There is only an 11% chance the true variable costs are zero
- The relationship between the cost and the cost driver is nonlinear
- None of the above
s89. The difference between simple regression and multiple regression is that
- Simple regression is easier to perform in Excel than multiple regression
- Simple regression is only performed once when estimating a cost function, whereas multiple regression is performed more than once
- Simple regression uses only one cost driver, whereas multiple regression uses more than one cost driver
- Simple regression is for estimating only one cost, and multiple regression is for estimating more than one cost
s90. A regression of total selling expenses against number of units sold yields an intercept of 178,024 and a slope of 12.3. This indicates that
- Total fixed selling expenses are predicted to be $178,024.
- Variable selling expenses are predicted to be $12.30/unit.
- Total selling expenses are predicted to be $190,324 when 1000 units are sold
- All of the above
Multiple Choice from Web Quizzes (Available on Student Web Site)
w91. If we are determining costs for a particular case at a law office, the cost of rent for the office would be
- A direct cost
- An indirect cost
- A mixed cost
- An irrelevant cost
w92. If we want to estimate the cost of lumber for manufacturing chairs, the cost function most likely reflects
- Only a variable cost
- Only a fixed cost
- A mixed cost
- An irrelevant cost
w93. Which one of following is not a reason to take into account the relevant range when estimating a cost?
- The cost function is nearly linear within a relevant range
- It is reasonable to assume that fixed costs remaining fixed in this range
- It is reasonable to assume that variable costs remain constant in this range
- We cannot make assumptions about linearity within a relevant range
w94. If you create a scatter plot of a cost against a cost driver
- You gain information about whether there is a seeming relation between the cost and cost driver
- For all costs, you will have completed your analysis
- You gain no new information about the relationship between the cost and cost driver
- You will not need to perform regression analysis to estimate the cost function
w95. In a regression analysis for estimating a cost function, t-statistics and their p-values do not provide information about
- Whether the cost and cost drivers are related
- How confident we can be that the intercept or slope coefficients are different from zero
- The amount of variation in cost that is explained by variation in the cost driver
- Whether the cost is totally fixed, totally variable, or mixed
w96. In a regression analysis for estimating a cost function, the adjusted R-Square statistic provides information about
- The amount of variation in cost that is explained by variation in the cost driver
- The size of the slope coefficient
- Whether the cost is a fixed, variable, or mixed cost
- How confident we can be that the intercept or slope coefficients are different from zero
w97. Marginal cost is
- The average cost per unit
- The incremental cost of the next unit
- Not relevant for decision making
- Constant even if the relevant range changes
w98. All of the following are true about average cost per unit except
- Average cost equals variable cost per unit plus average fixed cost per unit
- Average costs are used in financial statements
- Average costs are usually irrelevant for decision making because they include a portion of fixed cost
- Average costs are usually good estimates of future costs
w99. Opportunity costs are
- Benefits foregone from one project because another project is chosen
- Irrelevant
- The same as sunk costs
- Easy to value
w100. Sunk costs are
- The same as opportunity costs
- Expenditures made in the past
- Relevant to decisions
- Difficult to value
w101. Direct costs are
- Costs that need to be assigned but cannot be traced easily to cost objects
- Only variable costs
- Costs that can easily be traced to cost objects
- Only fixed costs
w102. Indirect costs are
- Costs that need to be assigned but cannot easily be traced to cost objects
- Only variable costs
- Costs that can easily be traced to cost objects
- Only fixed costs
w103. All of the following are examples of variable costs except
- The cost of tires if the cost object is the number of automobiles produced
- Professional labor cost when the cost object is the audit of a business
- The cost for wood in a baseball bat manufacturing company if the cost object is bats produced
- The cost to lease a manufacturing plant if the cost object is the product manufactured
w104. All of the following are true about analysis at the account level except
- It is a method for separating fixed and variable costs
- It uses information from the general ledger
- It is a qualitative method for separating costs
- It requires very little judgment to determine cost behavior
w105. All of the following are assumptions for developing and using a cost linear function except
- Past costs rarely need updating to be good predictors of future costs
- Operations are within the relevant range
- Variable costs remain constant within the relevant range
- Fixed costs remain fixed within the relevant range
w106. The relevant range in cost accounting is the range over which
- Costs may fluctuate
- Cost relationships are valid
- Production may vary
- Relevant costs are incurred
w107. (CMA) Cost drivers are
- Activities that cause costs to increase as the activity increases
- Accounting techniques used to control costs
- Accounting measurements used to evaluate whether or not performance is proceeding according to plan
- A mechanical basis, such as machine hours, computers time, size of equipment, or square footage used to assign costs to activities.
Matching
- ABC Manufacturing wants to determine whether its various product costs are direct or indirect, and variable or fixed. This information will be used to determine product unit costs. All employees are guaranteed a 40 hour work-week except factory employees, who are paid an hourly wage and can be sent home when there is no work. The following classification scheme has been developed:
- Direct variable cost
- Indirect variable cost
- Direct fixed cost
- Indirect fixed cost
Using the categories shown above, indicate how each of the following costs should be classified if the cost object is a single unit of product:
____ 1. Labor in the maintenance department
____ 2. Glue and tacks used in production
____ 3. Lubricating oil for production machines
____ 4. Salary of the plant accountant
____ 5. Oil used for monthly preventive maintenance on production machines
____ 6. Insurance on the plant machinery
____ 7. Hourly factory wages
____ 8. Wages in the materials receiving and handling department
____ 9. Taxes on plant equipment
____ 10. Shipping costs for direct materials
- Various terms are listed in the right-hand column below; several definitions are listed on the left. Match the appropriate term with each definition. Some of the lettered terms may be used more than once, while others may not be used at all. Each numbered definition has only one best response.
____ 1. A thing or activity for which managers measure costs
____ 2. Input or activity that causes changes in costs
____ 3. Analysis at the account level
____ 4. Cost incurred in the past
____ 5. Easily traced to individual cost objects
____ 6. Has a cause-and-effect relationship with costs
____ 7. Often estimated based on a budget established by management
____ 8. Often increase in a stepwise manner
____ 9. Benefits of the next best alternative that we forego when we make a decisions
____ 10. Represented mathematically as
TC = F + V x Q
____ 11. Scatter plots
____ 12. Span of activity for which cost behavior can be reliably predicted |
A. Cost driver
B. Cost estimation method
C. Cost object
D. Direct cost
E. Fixed cost
F. Indirect cost
G. Opportunity cost
H. Mixed cost
I. Discretionary cost
J. R-square statistic
K. Relevant range
L. Sunk cost |
- The steps for using regression analysis to estimate a cost function are listed below in random order. Correctly number the steps from 1 to 8.
____ Write the cost function.
____ Plot the cost for each potential cost driver.
____ Perform the regression analysis.
____ Generate a list of possible cost drivers.
____ Gather cost and cost driver data.
____ Evaluate the sign and significance of the cost functions components.
____ Discard potential cost drivers that fail to explain a high proportion of variability in the cost.
____ Consider the behavior of the cost.
Exercises
- The average cost of producing 200 units is $82 for Alpha Company. If production increases by 300 units, the average cost falls to $61.
- What is the variable cost per unit?
- What is the fixed cost?
- What is the average cost of producing 250 units?
- Total fixed costs are $20,000 per month and last month total variable costs were $7,000 when total revenue was $28,000.
- Write the algebraic expression for this flexible budget for total cost.
- What assumptions are made for a linear cost function like this?
- The average cost to produce 10,000 units is $88.00, and the average cost to produce 15,000 units is $84.00.
- Develop a cost function for this cost.
- Estimate the average cost to produce 18,000 units.
- Total fixed costs are $25,000 per year. The variable cost per unit is $10.00 per unit up to 5,000 units per year and $7.50 per unit thereafter.
- Develop a cost function for this cost.
- What could cause the change in variable costs shown above? Explain
- List three assumptions that are made when developing these types of cost functions and give one reason that each assumption might not hold
- Strawser Company is developing a cost function for its maintenance costs using the high-low method. The following data have been collected for the past year:
Direct Labor Maintenance
Quarter Hours Costs Incurred
1 5,000 $ 745
2 6,500 820
3 7,000 850
4 8,000 1,000
Calculate the following amounts:
- The variable cost per direct labor hour
- The fixed cost
- The estimated total cost for 9,000 direct labor hours
- The estimated total cost for 6,000 direct labor hours
- Chabus managerial accountant, Yi-Fan, is classifying the companys costs according to their behavior to prepare next years budget. Therefore, the cost object is the entire company. Chabu produces and sells aluminum beverage cans, such as those used for soft drinks. You may find the following facts about Chabus operation useful in responding to this problem:
- Production machines must be cleaned monthly, regardless of the amount of use.
- The more cans produced, the more lubrication is needed.
- Chabus monthly production and sales volume is usually at least 1,000 cans, but can be as much as 5,000 cans depending on demand.
- Material handling costs include depreciation on equipment and fuel for loaders.
- Cans are packaged into 100-unit groups prior to sale.
- Research and development costs vary between $10,000 and $10,500 per month
- The factory maintenance costs vary between $6,000 and $6,500 monthly.
- Chabus staff level is constant at 25 people, who are all paid salaries.
- Raw materials are purchased based on expected production levels.
- Sales commissions (based on a per-case amount) are included in marketing department costs.
Yi-Fan has classified the costs into three categories: fixed, variable, and mixed.
Place an X in the appropriate column of the table below to indicate the most likely behavior of each cost:
|
Fixed |
Variable |
Mixed |
Oil to lubricate the machines |
|
|
|
Salary of the plant manager |
|
|
|
Annual subscription to a trade journal |
|
|
|
Vacation pay for salaried production employees |
|
|
|
Packaging materials |
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
|
|
Raw materials |
|
|
|
Material handling costs |
|
|
|
Marketing department costs |
|
|
|
Factory maintenance |
|
|
|
- The following data were obtained from the accounting information system of POC Corporation:
Production
Units Raw Materials Factory Manager
Month Produced Used Supplies Salary
January 60 $1,560 $550 $3,000
February 80 2,000 700 3,000
March 50 1,300 475 3,000
April 30 775 325 3,000
- Describe the behavior of each of the costs shown above as fixed, variable or mixed. You may wish to draw scatter plots or analyze the cost using your knowledge of costs and the actual variation in cost pattern from above (in other words, perform an informal analysis at the account level).
- Use the data for February and March and the two-point method to determine a cost function for any mixed cost(s).
- Use the high-low method to determine a cost function for any mixed cost(s).
- Consider the pairs of data presented below for 3 costs of USM Corporation:
Cost Driver A Cost A Cost Driver B Cost B Cost Driver C Cost C
0 1,200 0 0 0 600
80 1,380 130 1,735 110 890
175 1,495 130 1,735 209 1,200
244 1,475 314 5,488 325 1,500
377 1,390 422 6,987 457 1,700
462 1,500 507 8,723 560 2,000
- Using scatter plots or other informal methods such as studying the variation in cost compared to the variation in cost driver, describe the behavior of each cost.
- For each cost that you described above, give one example of a cost that would behave similarly. For variable and mixed costs, also identify the cost driver.
- (Appendix 2B) The managers of Web Design Services Company hired three recent college graduates. When they began preparing simple web pages, it took about ten hours to complete the first page. The supervisor believes a 90% learning rate is typical for this type of work. Note: ln(90%) / ln(2) = 0.152.
- Estimate the cumulative average time per page to prepare six web pages.
- Estimate the total time to prepare ten web pages.
- Stacy Kuh, the manager of the Ice Cream Igloo, has been told that to earn a reasonable profit she should price her products at 200% of the cost of ingredients. Ms. Kuh has gathered the following data on the cost of ingredients used to make a banana split.
- The distributor charges $12.00 for a dozen bananas; each banana split uses one banana.
- Ice cream costs $3.20 per gallon; each banana split uses two cups of ice cream.
- One gallon of ice cream equals thirty-two cups of ice cream.
- Stacy makes her own fruit toppings at a cost of $0.25 per tablespoon; each banana split uses six tablespoons of fruit toppings.
- Each banana split uses three tablespoons of premium chocolate sauce, which costs $0.25 per tablespoon.
- The cost of other miscellaneous ingredients, such as whipped cream and nuts, totals $0.05 per banana split.
- Calculate the cost of a banana split.
- List two factors that could cause these estimated costs to be inaccurate.
- Following are the results from two different simple regression analyses estimating the costs of the purchasing department using number of purchase orders and number of vendors as potential cost drivers.
Purchasing costs vs. Number of purchase orders |
Variable |
Coefficient |
t-statistic |
p-value |
Intercept |
497.25 |
3.39 |
0.04 |
Number of purchase orders |
18.72 |
5.48 |
0.001 |
Adjusted R-square = 0.79 |
|
Purchasing costs vs. Number of vendors |
Variable |
Coefficient |
t-statistic |
p-value |
Intercept |
691.15 |
1.45 |
0.25 |
Number of vendors |
115.88 |
2.75 |
0.15 |
Adjusted R-square = 0.53 |
|
- Which independent variable explains more of the variation in purchasing costs? Explain your choice.
- Choose the most appropriate cost driver and write the cost function.
- For an upcoming month, the number of vendors is estimated to be 150, while the number of purchas