Write a memo responding to the plant manager.
Variance Analysis
In layman's terms, variance analysis is an analysis of a difference between planned and actual behavior. Variance analysis is mainly used by the companies to maintain a control over a business. After analyzing differences, companies find the reasons for the variance so that the necessary steps should be taken to correct that variance.
Standard Costing
The standard cost system is the expected cost per unit product manufactured and it helps in estimating the deviations and controlling them as well as fixing the selling price of the product. For example, it helps to plan the cost for the coming year on the various expenses.
Vanadium Audio Inc. is a small manufacturer of electronic musical instruments. The plant manager received the following variable factory overhead report for the past month of operations:
Actual units produced: 15,000 (90% of practical capacity)
The plant manager is not pleased with the $12,320 unfavorable variable factory overhead controllable variance and has come to discuss the matter with the controller. The following discussion occurred:
Plant Manager: I just received this factory report for the latest month of operations. I’m not very pleased with these figures. Before these numbers go to headquarters, you and I need to reach an understanding.
Controller: Go ahead. What’s the problem?
Plant Manager: What’s the problem? Well, everything. Look at the variance. It’s too large. If I understand the accounting approach being used here, you are assuming that my costs are variable to the units produced. Thus, as the production volume declines, so should these costs. Well, I don’t believe these costs are variable at all. I think they are fixed costs. As a result, when we operate below capacity, the costs really don’t go down. I’m being penalized for costs I have no control over. I need this report to be redone to reflect this fact. If anything, the difference between actual and budget is essentially a volume variance. Listen, I know that you’re a team player. You really need to reconsider your assumptions on this one.
Assume you are the controller. Write a memo responding to the plant manager.
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