COMPLETION

1. The amount of revenue that differs across decision choices is referred to as

___________________________.
ANS: incremental revenue
2. The amount of cost that differs across decision choices is referred to as
___________________________.
ANS: incremental cost
3. The benefits foregone when one course of action is chosen over another are referred to as
_______________________________.
ANS: opportunity costs
4. Costs incurred in the past to acquire an asset are referred to as _____________________________.
ANS: sunk costs
5. When a company has work performed by an external supplier, it is engaging in
__________________________.
ANS: outsourcing
6. The relative product quantities composing a companys total sales is referred to as a companys
____________________________.
ANS: sales mix
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following is not a characteristic of relevant costing information? It is
a. associated with the decision under consideration.
b. significant to the decision maker.
c. readily quantifiable.
d. related to a future endeavor.
ANS: C

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-1

2. A fixed cost is relevant if it is

a. a future cost.
b. Avoidable.
c. sunk.
d. a product cost.
ANS: B

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-1

3. Relevant costs are

a. all fixed and variable costs.
b. all costs that would be incurred within the relevant range of production.
c. past costs that are expected to be different in the future.
d. anticipated future costs that will differ among various alternatives.

116

ANS: D
4. Which of the following is the least likely to be a relevant item in deciding whether to replace an old
machine?
a. acquisition cost of the old machine
b. outlay to be made for the new machine
c. annual savings to be enjoyed on the new machine
d. life of the new machine
ANS: A

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-2

5. If a cost is irrelevant to a decision, the cost could not be

a. a sunk cost.
b. a future cost.
c. a variable cost.
d. an incremental cost.
ANS: D

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-2

6. Which of the following costs would be relevant in short-term decision making?

a. incremental fixed costs
b. all costs of inventory
c. total variable costs that are the same in the considered alternatives
d. the cost of a fixed asset that could be used in all the considered alternatives
ANS: A

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-2

7. The term incremental cost refers to

a. the profit foregone by selecting one choice instead of another.
b. the additional cost of producing or selling another product or service.
c. a cost that continues to be incurred in the absence of activity.
d. a cost common to all choices in question and not clearly or feasibly allocable to any of
them.
ANS: B

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-2

117

8. A cost is sunk if it
a. is not an incremental cost.
b. is unavoidable.
c. has already been incurred.
d. is irrelevant to the decision at hand.
ANS: C

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-2

9. Most___________ are relevant to decisions to acquire capacity, but not to short-run decisions
involving the use of that capacity.
a. sunk costs
b. incremental costs
c. fixed costs
d. prime costs
ANS: C

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-2

10. Irrelevant costs generally include

Sunk costs
a.
b.
c.
d.

yes
yes
no
yes

ANS: D

Historical costs
yes
no
no
yes

DIF: Easy

Allocated costs
no
no
yes
yes

OBJ: 10-2

11. In deciding whether an organization will keep an old machine or purchase a new machine, a manager
would ignore the
a. estimated disposal value of the old machine.
b. acquisition cost of the old machine.
c. operating costs of the new machine.
d. estimated disposal value of the new machine.
ANS: B

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-2

12. The potential rental value of space used for production activities
a. is a variable cost of production.
b. represents an opportunity cost of production.
c. is an unavoidable cost.
d. is a sunk cost of production.
ANS: B

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-3

13. The opportunity cost of making a component part in a factory with excess capacity for which there is
no alternative use is
a. the total manufacturing cost of the component.
b. the total variable cost of the component.
c. the fixed manufacturing cost of the component.
d. zero.
ANS: D

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-3

118

14. Which of the following are relevant in a make or buy decision?

Variable
costs
a.
b.
c.
d.

no
yes
no
yes

ANS: D

Avoidable fixed
costs

Unavoidable fixed
costs

yes
no
no
yes

DIF: Easy

yes
yes
yes
no

OBJ: 10-3

15. In a make or buy decision, the opportunity cost of capacity could

a. be considered to decrease the price of units purchased from suppliers.
b. be considered to decrease the cost of units manufactured by the company.
c. be considered to increase the price of units purchased from suppliers.
d. not be considered since opportunity costs are not part of the accounting records.
ANS: A

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-3

16. Which of the following are relevant in a make or buy decision?

Prime costs
a.
b.
c.
d.

yes
yes
yes
no

ANS: B

Sunk costs
yes
no
no
no

DIF: Easy

Incremental costs
yes
yes
no
yes

OBJ: 10-3

17. In a make or buy decision, the reliability of a potential supplier is

a. an irrelevant decision factor.
b. relevant information if it can be quantified.
c. an opportunity cost of continued production.
d. a qualitative decision factor.
ANS: D

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-3

18. Which of the following qualitative factors favors the buy choice in a make or buy decision for a part?
a. maintaining a long-term relationship with suppliers
b. quality control is critical
c. utilization of idle capacity
d. part is critical to product
ANS: A

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-3

19. When a scarce resource, such as space, exists in an organization, the criterion that should be used to
determine production is
a. contribution margin per unit.
b. selling price per unit.
c. contribution margin per unit of scarce resource.
d. total variable costs of production.
ANS: C

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-4

119

20. Fixed costs are ignored in allocating scarce resources because

a. they are sunk.
b. they are unaffected by the allocation of scarce resources.
c. there are no fixed costs associated with scarce resources.
d. fixed costs only apply to long-run decisions.
ANS: B

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-4

21. The minimum selling price that should be acceptable in a special order situation is equal to total
a. production cost.
b. variable production cost.
c. variable costs.
d. production cost plus a normal profit margin.
ANS: C

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-6

22. Which of the following costs is irrelevant in making a decision about a special order price if some of
the company facilities are currently idle?
a. direct labor
b. equipment depreciation
c. variable cost of utilities
d. opportunity cost of production
ANS: B

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-6

23. The _______________ prohibits companies from pricing products at different amounts unless these
differences reflect differences in the cost to manufacture, sell, or distribute the products.
a. Internal Revenue Service
b. Governmental Accounting Office
c. Sherman Antitrust Act
d. Robinson-Patman Act
ANS: D

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-6

24. An ad hoc sales discount is

a. an allowance for an inferior quality of marketed goods.
b. a discount that an ad hoc committee must decide on.
c. brought about by competitive pressures.
d. none of the above.
ANS: C

DIF: Moderate

OBJ: 10-6

25. A manager is attempting to determine whether a segment of the business should be eliminated. The
focus of attention for this decision should be on
a. the net income shown on the segment's income statement.
b. sales minus total expenses of the segment.
c. sales minus total direct expenses of the segment.
d. sales minus total variable expenses and avoidable fixed expenses of the segment.
ANS: D

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-7

120

26. Assume a company produces three products: A, B, and C. It can only sell up to 3,000 units of each
product. Production capacity is unlimited. The company should produce the product (or products) that
has (have) the highest
a. contribution margin per hour of machine time.
b. gross margin per unit.
c. contribution margin per unit.
d. sales price per unit.
ANS: C

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-7

27. For a particular product in high demand, a company decreases the sales price and increases the sales
commission. These changes will not increase
a. sales volume.
b. total selling expenses for the product.
c. the product contribution margin.
d. the total variable cost per unit.
ANS: C

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-7

28. An increase in direct fixed costs could reduce all of the following except
a. product line contribution margin.
b. product line segment margin.
c. product line operating income.
d. corporate net income.
ANS: A

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-7

29. When a company discontinues a segment, total corporate costs may decrease in all of the following
categories except
a. variable production costs.
b. allocated common costs.
c. direct fixed costs.
d. variable period costs.
ANS: B

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-7

30. In evaluating the profitability of a specific organizational segment, all _______________ would be
ignored.
a. segment variable costs
b. segment fixed costs
c. costs allocated to the segment
d. period costs
ANS: C

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-7

121

31. Knox Company uses 10,000 units of a part in its production process. The costs to make a part are:
direct material, $12; direct labor, $25; variable overhead, $13; and applied fixed overhead, $30. Knox
has received a quote of $55 from a potential supplier for this part. If Knox buys the part, 70 percent of
the applied fixed overhead would continue. Knox Company would be better off by
a. $50,000 to manufacture the part.
b. $150,000 to buy the part.
c. $40,000 to buy the part.
d. $160,000 to manufacture the part.
ANS: C
Cost to make: $55/unit * 10,000 units = $550,000
Cost to manufacture: $(12+25+13+9)= $59/unit
Incremental difference in favor of buying: $4/unit * 10,000 units = $40,000
DIF: Moderate

OBJ: 10-3

32. Paulson Company has only 25,000 hours of machine time each month to manufacture its two products.
Product X has a contribution margin of $50, and Product Y has a contribution margin of $64. Product
X requires 5 hours of machine time, and Product Y requires 8 hours of machine time. If Paulson
Company wants to dedicate 80 percent of its machine time to the product that will provide the most
income, the company will have a total contribution margin of
a. $250,000.
b. $240,000.
c. $210,000.
d. $200,000.
ANS: B
Assume 80% of capacity applied to Product X
X: 20,000 hrs/5 hrs per unit
Y: 5,000 hrs/8 hrs per unit

DIF: Difficult

4,000 units * $50 CM/unit

625 units * $64 CM/unit
Total

OBJ: 10-7

122

$200,000
40,000
$240,000
======

33. Doyle Company has 3 divisions: R, S, and T. Division R's income statement shows the following for
the year ended December 31:
Sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Selling expenses
Administrative expenses
Net loss

$1,000,000
(800,000)
$ 200,000
$100,000
250,000

(350,000)
$ (150,000)

Cost of goods sold is 75 percent variable and 25 percent fixed. Of the fixed costs, 60 percent are
avoidable if the division is closed. All of the selling expenses relate to the division and would be
eliminated if Division R were eliminated. Of the administrative expenses, 90 percent are applied from
corporate costs. If Division R were eliminated, Doyles income would
a. increase by $150,000.
b. decrease by $ 75,000.
c. decrease by $155,000.
d. decrease by $215,000.
ANS: C
Sales foregone
COGS avoided
Variable
Fixed
Selling Expense Avoided
Administrative Expense Avoided
Decrease in income

DIF: Moderate

$(1,000,000)
$600,000
120,000

OBJ: 10-7

123

720,000
100,000
25,000
$( 155,000)
=========

34. Thomas Company is currently operating at a loss of $15,000. The sales manager has received a
special order for 5,000 units of product, which normally sells for $35 per unit. Costs associated with
the product are: direct material, $6; direct labor, $10; variable overhead, $3; applied fixed overhead,
$4; and variable selling expenses, $2. The special order would allow the use of a slightly lower
grade of direct material, thereby lowering the price per unit by $1.50 and selling expenses would be
decreased by $1. If Thomas wants this special order to increase the total net income for the firm to
$10,000, what sales price must be quoted for each of the 5,000 units?
a. $23.50
b. $24.50
c. $27.50
d. $34.00
ANS: A
In order to increase income to $10,000, there must be an increase of $25,000 or $5 per unit.
Direct materials
$ 4.50
Direct Labor
10.00
Variable Overhead
3.00
Variable Selling Exp
1.00
Production Costs
$18.50
Additional profit per
unit
5.00
Sales price/unit
$23.50
=====
DIF: Moderate

OBJ: 10-6

35. Quest Company produces a part that has the following costs per unit:
Direct material
Direct labor
Variable overhead
Fixed overhead
Total

$ 8
3
1
5
$17

Zest Corporation can provide the part to Quest for $19 per unit. Quest Company has determined that
60 percent of its fixed overhead would continue if it purchased the part. However, if Quest no longer
produces the part, it can rent that portion of the plant facilities for $60,000 per year. Quest Company
currently produces 10,000 parts per year. Which alternative is preferable and by what margin?
a. Make-$20,000
b. Make-$50,000
c. Buy-$10,000
d. Buy-$40,000
ANS: C
Purchase price from Zest
Rent Revenue Received
Variable Costs Avoided
Fixed Overhead Avoided
Difference in Favor of Buying

DIF: Moderate

$(190,000)
60,000
120,000
20,000
$ 10,000
=======

OBJ: 10-3

124

36. Browning Company has 15,000 units in inventory that had a production cost of $3 per unit. These
units cannot be sold through normal channels due to a significant technology change. These units
could be reworked at a total cost of $23,000 and sold for $28,000. Another alternative is to sell the
units to a junk dealer for $8,500. The relevant cost for Browning to consider in making its decision is
a. $45,000 of original product costs.
b. $23,000 for reworking the units.
c. $68,000 for reworking the units.
d. $28,000 for selling the units to the junk dealer.
ANS: B
Only the actual reworking costs are relevant. Original purchase costs are irrelevant.
DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-3

Robertson Corporation
Robertson Corporation sells a product for $18 per unit, and the standard cost card for the product
shows the following costs:
Direct material
Direct labor
Overhead (80% fixed)
Total

$ 1
2
7
$10

37. Refer to Robertson Corporation. Robertson received a special order for 1,000 units of the product. The
only additional cost to Robertson would be foreign import taxes of $1 per unit. If Robertson is able to
sell all of the current production domestically, what would be the minimum sales price that Robertson
would consider for this special order?
a. $18.00
b. $11.00
c. $5.40
d. $19.00
ANS: D
The company would increase its minimum sales price to reflect the foreign import tax of $1
per unit.
DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-6

38. Refer to Robertson Corporation. Assume that Robertson has sufficient idle capacity to produce the
1,000 units. If Robertson wants to increase its operating profit by $5,600, what would it charge as a
per-unit selling price?
a. $18.00
b. $10.00
c. $11.00
d. $16.60
ANS: C
The company would want to charge a price equal to a per unit profit of $5.60 plus variable
costs per unit of $4.40 and the import tax per unit of $1.00. The total price is $11.00.
DIF: Moderate

OBJ: 10-3

125

39. Glamorous Grooming Corporation makes and sells brushes and combs. It can sell all of either product
it can make. The following data are pertinent to each respective product:
Units of output per machine hour
Selling price per unit
Product cost per unit
Direct material
Direct labor
Variable overhead

Brushes

Combs

8
$12.00

20
$4.00

$1.00
2.00
0.50

$1.20
0.10
0.05

Total fixed overhead is $380,000.

The company has 40,000 machine hours available for production. What sales mix will maximize
profits?
a. 320,000 brushes and 0 combs
b. 0 brushes and 800,000 combs
c. 160,000 brushes and 600,000 combs
d. 252,630 brushes and 252,630 combs
ANS: A
Brushes have a contribution margin of $8.50 per unit; combs have a contribution margin of
$2.65 per unit.
The combination of 320,000 brushes and 0 combs provides a net profit of $340,000.
DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-5

40. Houston Footwear Corporation has been asked to submit a bid on supplying 1,000 pairs of military
combat boots to the Armed Forces. The company's costs per pair of boots are as follows:
Direct material
Direct labor
Variable overhead
Variable selling cost (commission)
Fixed overhead (allocated)
Fixed selling and administrative cost

$8
6
3
3
2
1

Assuming that there would be no commission on this potential sale, the lowest price the firm can bid is
some price greater than
a. $23.
b. $20.
c. $17.
d. $14.
ANS: C
The lowest price would have to be greater than the sum of all variable manufacturing costs.
Variable manufacturing costs total $17; therefore the price would have to be greater than $17
per pair.
DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-5

126

41. Holt Industries has two sales territories-East and West. Financial information for the two territories is
presented below:
Sales
Direct costs:
Variable
Fixed
Allocated common costs
Net income (loss)

East

West

$980,000

$750,000

(343,000)
(450,000)
(275,000)
$(88,000)

(225,000)
(325,000)
(175,000)
$ 25,000

Because the company is in a start-up stage, corporate management feels that the East sales territory is
creating too much of a cash drain on the company and it should be eliminated. If the East territory is
discontinued, one sales manager (whose salary is $40,000 per year) will be relocated to the West
territory. By how much would Holt's income change if the East territory is eliminated?
a. increase by $88,000
b. increase by $48,000
c. decrease by $267,000
d. decrease by $227,000
ANS: D
Sales foregone in East
Variable costs avoided
Fixed costs avoided
Decrease in income from
eliminating East territory
DIF: Moderate

$(980,000)
343,000
410,000
$(227,000)
========

OBJ: 10-7

Woodville Motors
Woodville Motors is trying to decide whether it should keep its existing car washing machine or
purchase a new one that has technological advantages (which translate into cost savings) over the
existing machine. Information on each machine follows:
Original cost
Accumulated depreciation
Annual cash operating costs
Current salvage value of old machine
Salvage value in 10 years
Remaining life

Old machine

New machine

$9,000
5,000
9,000
2,000
500
10 yrs.

$20,000
0
4,000
1,000
10 yrs.

42. Refer to Woodville Motors. The $4,000 of annual operating costs that are common to both the old and
the new machine are an example of a(n)
a. sunk cost.
b. irrelevant cost.
c. future avoidable cost.
d. opportunity cost.
ANS: B

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-1

127

43. Refer to Woodville Motors. The $9,000 cost of the original machine represents a(n)
a. sunk cost.
b. future relevant cost.
c. historical relevant cost.
d. opportunity cost.
ANS: A

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-2

44. Refer to Woodville Motors. The $20,000 cost of the new machine represents a(n)
a. sunk cost.
b. future relevant cost.
c. future irrelevant cost.
d. opportunity cost.
ANS: B

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-3

45. Refer to Woodville Motors. The estimated $500 salvage value of the existing machine in 10 years
represents a(n)
a. sunk cost.
b. opportunity cost of selling the existing machine now.
c. opportunity cost of keeping the existing machine for 10 years.
d. opportunity cost of keeping the existing machine and buying the new machine.
ANS: B

DIF: Easy

OBJ: 10-3

128

129