Martin and Beasley, an accounting firm, provides consulting and tax planning services. A recent analysis found that 55% of the firm's billable hours to clients resulted from tax planning and for many years, the firm's total administrative cost (currently $270,000) has been allocated to services on this basis. The firm, contemplating a change to activity-based costing, has identified three components of administrative cost, as follows: Staff support $200,000 In-House Computing Charges $50,000 Misc. Office Cost 20,000 Total Cost: 270,000 A recent analysis of staff support found a strong correlation with the number of clients served. In contrast, in-house computing and miscellaneous office cost varied directly with the number of computer hours logged and number of client transactions, respectively. Consulting clients served totaled 35% of the total client base, consumed 30% of the firm's computer hours, and accounted for 20% of the total client transactions. If Martin and Beasley switched from its current accounting method to an activity-based costing system, the amount of administrative cost chargeable to consulting services would: A. decrease by $32,500. B. increase by $32,500. C. decrease by $59,500. D. change by an amount other than those listed above. E. change, but the amount cannot be determined based on the information presented.

Financial And Managerial Accounting
15th Edition
ISBN:9781337902663
Author:WARREN, Carl S.
Publisher:WARREN, Carl S.
Chapter18: Activity-based Costing
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 3CMA: Young Company is beginning operations and is considering three alternatives to allocate...
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Topic Video
Question
Martin and Beasley, an accounting firm, provides consulting and tax planning services. A recent analysis
found that 55% of the firm's billable hours to clients resulted from tax planning and for many years, the
firm's total administrative cost (currently $270,000) has been allocated to services on this basis.
The firm, contemplating a change to activity-based costing, has identified three components of
administrative cost, as follows:
Staff support $200,000
In-House Computing Charges $50,000
Misc. Office Cost 20,000
Total Cost: 270,000
A recent analysis of staff support found a strong correlation with the number of clients served. In contrast,
in-house computing and miscellaneous office cost varied directly with the number of computer hours
logged and number of client transactions, respectively. Consulting clients served totaled 35% of the total
client base, consumed 30% of the firm's computer hours, and accounted for 20% of the total client
transactions.
If Martin and Beasley switched from its current accounting method to an activity-based costing system, the
amount of administrative cost chargeable to consulting services would:
A. decrease by $32,500.
B. increase by $32,500.
C. decrease by $59,500.
D. change by an amount other than those listed above.
E. change, but the amount cannot be determined based on the information presented.
Transcribed Image Text:Martin and Beasley, an accounting firm, provides consulting and tax planning services. A recent analysis found that 55% of the firm's billable hours to clients resulted from tax planning and for many years, the firm's total administrative cost (currently $270,000) has been allocated to services on this basis. The firm, contemplating a change to activity-based costing, has identified three components of administrative cost, as follows: Staff support $200,000 In-House Computing Charges $50,000 Misc. Office Cost 20,000 Total Cost: 270,000 A recent analysis of staff support found a strong correlation with the number of clients served. In contrast, in-house computing and miscellaneous office cost varied directly with the number of computer hours logged and number of client transactions, respectively. Consulting clients served totaled 35% of the total client base, consumed 30% of the firm's computer hours, and accounted for 20% of the total client transactions. If Martin and Beasley switched from its current accounting method to an activity-based costing system, the amount of administrative cost chargeable to consulting services would: A. decrease by $32,500. B. increase by $32,500. C. decrease by $59,500. D. change by an amount other than those listed above. E. change, but the amount cannot be determined based on the information presented.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Costing Systems
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
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Financial And Managerial Accounting
Financial And Managerial Accounting
Accounting
ISBN:
9781337902663
Author:
WARREN, Carl S.
Publisher:
Cengage Learning,
Managerial Accounting
Managerial Accounting
Accounting
ISBN:
9781337912020
Author:
Carl Warren, Ph.d. Cma William B. Tayler
Publisher:
South-Western College Pub
Principles of Cost Accounting
Principles of Cost Accounting
Accounting
ISBN:
9781305087408
Author:
Edward J. Vanderbeck, Maria R. Mitchell
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Cornerstones of Cost Management (Cornerstones Ser…
Cornerstones of Cost Management (Cornerstones Ser…
Accounting
ISBN:
9781305970663
Author:
Don R. Hansen, Maryanne M. Mowen
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Principles of Accounting Volume 2
Principles of Accounting Volume 2
Accounting
ISBN:
9781947172609
Author:
OpenStax
Publisher:
OpenStax College
Excel Applications for Accounting Principles
Excel Applications for Accounting Principles
Accounting
ISBN:
9781111581565
Author:
Gaylord N. Smith
Publisher:
Cengage Learning