Overheads PDF

4
Overheads
Question 1
MST Limited has collected the following data for its two activities. It calculates activity cost
rates based on cost driver capacity.
Activity Cost Driver Capacity Cost
Power Kilowatt hours 50,000 kilowatt hours `2,00,000
Quality Inspections Number of Inspections 10,000 Inspections `3,00,000
The company makes three products, M, S and T. For the year ended March 31, 2004, the
following consumption of cost drivers was reported:
Product Kilowatt Hours Quality Inspections
M 10,000 3,500
S 20,000 2,500
T 15,000 3,000
Required:
(i) Compute the costs allocated to each product from each activity.
(ii) Calculate the cost of unused capacity for each activity.
(iii) Discuss the factors the management considers in choosing a capacity level to compute
the budgeted fixed overhead cost rate. (6 Marks, May 2004)
(Out of Syllabus for the student of Intermediate (IPC), shifted to Advanced Management
Accounting, Chartered Accountancy Final Course)
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Overheads 4.2
Answer
(i) Statement of cost allocation to each product
from each activity
Product
M S T Total
` ` ` `
Power 40,000 80,000 60,000 1,80,000

(Refer to working (15,000 kwh x `
(10,000 kwh x ` 4) (20,000 kwh x ` 4)
note) 4)
Quality inspections 1,05,000 75,000 90,000 2,70,000
(Refer to working (2,500 (3,000
note) (3,500 Inspections
Inspections x Inspections x
x ` 30)
` 30) ` 30)
Working note:
Rate per unit of cost driver:
Power : (` 2,00,000 ÷ 50,000 kwh) = ` 4/kwh
Quality inspection : (` 3,00,000 ÷ 10,000 inspections) = ` 30 per inspection
(ii) Computation of cost of unused capacity for each activity:
`
Power 20,000
(`2,00,000  `1,80,000)
Quality inspections 30,000
(`3,00,000  `2,70,000)
Total cost of unused capacity 50,000
(iii) Factors management consider in choosing a capacity level to compute the budgeted
fixed overhead cost rate :
 Effect on product costing & capacity management.
 Effect on pricing decisions.
 Effect on performance evaluation.
 Effect on financial statements.
 Regulatory requirements.
 Difficulties in forecasting chosen capacity level concepts..

4.3 Cost Accounting
Question 2
Discuss the treatment of under-absorbed and over-absorbed factory overheads in cost
accounting. (4 Marks, May 2004; November 2010) (6 Marks, May 2006) (3 Marks, May 2010)
Answer
Treatment of under absorbed and over absorbed factory overheads in cost accounting:
Factory overheads are usually applied to production on the basis of pre-determined rate
Estimated normal overheads for the period
=
Budgeted No.of units during the period
The possible options for treating under / over absorbed overheads are
 Use supplementary rate in the case of substantial amount of under / over absorption
 Write it off to the costing profit & loss account in the event of insignificant amount / or
abnormal reasons.
 Carry forward to next accounting period if operating cycle exceeds one year.
Question 3
RST Limited specializes in the distribution of pharmaceutical products. It buys from the
pharmaceutical companies and resells to each of the three different markets:
(i) General Supermarket Chains
(ii) Drugstore Chains
(iii) Chemist Shops
The following data for the month of April, 2004 in respect of RST Limited has been reported:
General Drugstore Chemist
Supermarket Chains Shops
Chains
Average revenue per delivery ` 84,975 ` 28,875 ` 5,445
Average cost of goods sold per delivery ` 82,500 ` 27,500 ` 4,950
Number of deliveries 330 825 2,750
In the past, RST Limited has used gross margin percentage to evaluate the relative
profitability of its distribution channels.
The company plans to use activity-based costing for analysing the profitability of its
distribution channels.
The Activity analysis of RST Limited is as under:

Overheads 4.4
Activity Area Cost Driver

Customer purchase order processing Purchase orders by customers
Line-item ordering Line-items per purchase order
Store delivery Store deliveries
Cartons dispatched to stores Cartons dispatched to a store per delivery
Shelf-stocking at customer store Hours of shelf-stocking
The April, 2004 operating costs (other than cost of goods sold) of RST Limited are ` 8,27,970.
These operating costs are assigned to five activity areas. The cost in each area and the
quantity of the cost allocation basis used in that area for April, 2004 are as follows:
Activity Area Total costs in April, 2004 Total Units of Cost
Allocation Base used
in April, 2004
Customer purchase order processing ` 2,20,000 5,500 orders
Line-item ordering ` 1,75,560 58,520 line items
Store delivery ` 1,95,250 3,905 store deliveries
Cartons dispatched to store ` 2,09,000 2,09,000 cartons
Shelf-stocking at customer store ` 28,160 1,760 hours
Other data for April, 2004 include the following:
Chains
Total number of orders 385 990 4,125
Average number of line items per order 14 12 10
Total number of store deliveries 330 825 2,750
Average number of cartons shipped per store 300 80 16
delivery
Average number of hours of shelf-stocking per 3 0.6 0.1
store delivery
Required:
(i) Compute for April, 2004 gross-margin percentage for each of its three distribution
channels and compute RST Limited’s operating income.
(ii) Compute the April, 2004 rate per unit of the cost-allocation base for each of the five
activity areas.

4.5 Cost Accounting
(iii) Compute the operating income of each distribution channel in April, 2004 using the
activity-based costing information. Comment on the results. What new insights are
available with the activity-based cost information?
(iv) Describe four challenges one would face in assigning the total April, 2004 operating
costs of ` 8,27,970 to five activity areas. (12 Marks, May 2004)
Accounting, Chartered Accountancy Final Course.)
Answer
(i) RST Limited’s
Statement of operating income and gross margin percentage
for each of its three distribution channel
General Drugstore Chemist Total
Super Market chains Chains Shops
Revenues: (`) 2,80,41,750 2,38,21,875 1,49,73,750 6,68,37,375

(330 x `84,975) (825 x `28,875) (2,750x `5,445)
Less: Cost of goods 2,72,25,000 2,26,87,500 1,36,12,500 6,35,25,000

sold: (`) (330 x `82,500) (825 x `27,500) (2,750 x `4,950)
Gross margin: (`) 8,16,750 11,34,375 13,61,250 33,12,375

Less: Other operating costs: (`) 8,27,970
Operating income: (`) 24,84,405
Gross margin % 2.91% 4.76% 9.09% 4.96%
Operating income % 3.72
(ii) Computation of rate per unit of the cost allocation base for each of the five activity
areas for April 2004
`
Customer purchase order processing (` 2,20,000÷ 5,500 orders) 40/ order
Line item ordering (` 1,75,560 ÷ 58,520 line items) 3/line item order

Overheads 4.6
Store delivery (` 1,95,250 ÷ 3,905 store deliveries) 50/delivery

Cartons dispatched (` 2,09,000 ÷ 2,09,000 dispatches) 1/ dispatch
Shelf-stocking at customer store (`) (` 28,160 ÷ 1,760 hours 16/hour
(iii) Operating Income Statement of each distribution channel in April-2004 (Using the
Activity based Costing information)
Chains
Gross margin (`) : (A) (Refer to (i) part of the answer) 8,16,750 11,34,375 13,61,260
Operating cost (`) : (B) (Refer to working note) 1,62,910 1,90,410 4,74,650
Operating income (`) : (A –B ) 6,53,840 9,43,965 8,86,600
Operating income (in %) (Operating income/Revenue) x 100 2.33% 3.96% 5.92%
Comments and new insights: The activity-based cost information highlights, how the
‘Chemist Shops’ uses a larger amount of RST Ltd’s resources per revenue than do the other
two distribution channels. Ratio of operating costs to revenues, across these markets is:
General supermarket chains 0.58%
(`1,62,910 / `2,80,00,750) x 100
Drug store chains 0.80%
(`1,90,410 / `2,38,21,875) x 100
Chemist shops 3.17%
(`4,74,650 / `1,49,73,750) x 100
Working note:
Computation of operating cost of each distribution channel:
General Supermarket Drugstore Chains Chemist Shops
Chains
` ` `
Customer 15,400 39,600 1,65,000
purchase order (`40  385 orders) (`40  990 orders) (`40  4125 orders)
processing
Line item 16,170 35,640 1,23,750
ordering

4.7 Cost Accounting
(` 3  14  385 orders) (`3  12 990 orders) (`3  10  4125

orders)
Store delivery 16,500 41,250 1,37,500
(` 50  330 deliveries) (` 50  825 deliveries) (` 50  2750
deliveries)
Cartons 99,000 66,000 44,000
dispatched (` 1 300 cartons  330 (` 1  80 cartons  825 (` 1  16 cartons 
deliveries) deliveries) 2,750 deliveries)
Shelf stocking 15,840 7,920 4,400
(` 16  330 deliveries  (` 16  825 deliveries . (` 16  2,750
3 Av. hrs.) 0.6 Av. hrs) deliveries  0.1 Av.
hrs)
Operating cost 1,62,910 1,90,410 4,74,650
(iv) Challenges faced in assigning total operating cost of `8,27,970 :

 Choosing an appropriate cost driver for activity area.
 Developing a reliable data base for the chosen cost driver.
 Deciding, how to handle costs that may be common across several activities.
 Choice of the time period to compute cost rates per cost driver.
 Behavioural factors.
Question 4
MNP suits is a ready-to-wear suit manufacturer. It has four customers: two wholesale-
channel customers and two retail-channel customers.
MNP suits has developed the following activity-based costing system:
Activity Cost driver Rate in 2004
Order processing Number of purchase orders ` 1,225 per order
Sales visits Number of customer visits ` 7,150 per visit
Delivery-regular Number of regular deliveries ` 1,500 per delivery
Delivery-rushed Number of rushed deliveries ` 4,250 per delivery
List selling price per suit is ` 1,000 and average cost per suit is ` 550. The CEO of MNP suits
wants to evaluate the profitability of each of the four customers in 2003 to explore
opportunities for increasing profitability of his company in 2004. The following data are
available for 2003:

Overheads 4.8
Wholesale customers Retail customers

Item
W H R T
Total number of orders 44 62 212 250
Total number of sales visits 8 12 22 20
Regular deliveries 41 48 166 190
Rush deliveries 3 14 46 60
Average number of suits per order 400 200 30 25
Average selling price per suit ` 700 ` 800 ` 850 ` 900
Required:
(i) Calculate the customer-level operating income in 2003
(ii) What do you recommend to CEO of MNP suits to do to increase the company’s operating
income in 2004?
(iii) Assume MNP suits’ distribution channel costs are ` 17,50,000 for its wholesale
customers and ` 10,50,000 for the retail customers. Also, assume that its corporate
sustaining costs are ` 12,50,000. Prepare Income statement of MNP suits for 2003.
(10 Marks, November 2004)
Accounting, Chartered Accountancy Final Course)
Answer
(i) Customer Profitability Analysis, Customer cost hierarchy
Item W H R T
Revenues ` ` ` `
At list price (`)
44400 = 17,600
62200 = 12,400
21230 = 6,360
25025 = 6,250
17,6001,000,12,4001,000,
6,3601,000, 6,2501,000
1,76,00,000 1,24,00,000 63,60,000 62,50,000
Discount
1,000-700=300
1,000-800=200
1,000-850=150
1,000-900=100

4.9 Cost Accounting
17,600300,12,400200,
6,360150,6,250100
52,80,000 24,80,000 9,54,000 6,25,000
Revenues at actual prices 1,23,20,000 99,20,000 54,06,000 56,25,000
Cost of Goods Sold
17,600550
12,400550
6,360550
6,250550
96,80,000 68,20,000 34,98,000 34,37,500
Gross Margin 26,40,000 31,00,000 19,08,000 21,87,500
W H R T
Customer level operating
costs:
Order processing 53,900 75,950 2,59,700 3,06,250
(44,62,212,250)  (` 1,225)
Sales Visits 57,200 85,800 1,57,300 1,43,000
(8,12,22,20) (` 7,150)
Delivery regular 61,500 72,000 2,49,000 2,85,000
(41,48,166,190)  (` 1,500)
Delivery rushed 12,750 59,500 1,95,500 2,55,000
(3,14,46,60)  (` 4,250)
Total customer level operating 1,85,350 2,93,250 8,61,500 9,89,250
cost
Customer level operating 24,54,650 28,06,750 10,46,500 11,98,250
income
Customer level operating 19.92 28.29 19.35 21.30
income as %age on revenues
at actual prices
(ii) Key Challenges facing CEO are—
(i) Reduce level of price discounting, especially by W
(ii) Reduce level of customer –level costs, especially by R & T
The ABC cost system highlights areas where R&T accounts are troublesome
They have

Overheads 4.10
 high number of orders

 high number of customer visits,
 high number of rushed deliveries
The CEO needs to consider whether this high level of activity can be reduced
without reducing customer revenues.
(iii) Income Statement of MNP suits for 2003 (in `)
Wholesale Customers ` Retail customers Total
` `
Customer level
operating income 52,61,400 22,44,750 75,06,150
Less: distribution
channel cost 17,50,000 10,50,000 28,00,000
Distribution channel
level operating income 35,11,400 11,94,750 47,06,150
Less: Corporate
sustaining costs 12,50,000
Operating Income 34,56,150
Question 5
Discuss the step method and reciprocal service method of secondary distribution of
overheads. (4 Marks, November 2004)
Answer
Step method and Reciprocal Service method of secondary distribution of overheads
Step method: This method gives cognisance to the service rendered by service department to
another service dep’t, thus sequence of apportionments has to be selected. The sequence
here begins with the dep’t that renders service to the max number of other service dep’t. After
this, the cost of service dep’t serving the next largest number of dep’t is apportioned.
Reciprocal service method : This method recognises the fact that where there are two or
more service dep’t, they may render service to each other and, therefore, these inter dep’t
services are to be given due weight while re-distributing the expense of service dep’t. The
methods available for dealing with reciprocal servicing are:
- Simultaneous equation method
- Repeated distribution method
- Trial and error method.

4.11 Cost Accounting
Question 6
Explain: Single and multiple overhead rate. (2 Marks, May 2005)
Answer
Single and multiple overhead rate: A single overhead rate, when computed for the entire
factory is known as the blanket rate.
Blanket rate = Overhead cost of entire factory / total quantum of the base selected
The blanket rates can be utilised in the following cases;
 Where only one major product is being produced.
 Where several products are produced but: (a) all products pass through all departments
and (b) all products require the same length of time in each department.
When the above conditions are not applicable, separate departmental rates should be used.
Multiple rates involve computation of separate rates for each production department, service
department, cost-centre, each product or line and each production factor.
Question 7
Discuss the treatment of research and development expenditures in cost accounting.
(3 Marks, May 2005)
Answer
If research is conducted in the methods of production, the expenses should be charged to
production overhead. If the research relates to administration, the expenses are charged to
administration overheads. If it is related to market research, the expenses are charged to
S&D overheads. Development costs incurred in connection with a particular product should
be charged directly to that product. Such expenses are usually treated as deferred revenue
expenditure and recovered as cost per unit of the product when production is fully established.
Routine nature research expenses are charged to general overheads.
Question 8
A manufacturing unit has purchased and installed a new machine of ` 12,70,000 to its fleet of
7 existing machines. The new machine has an estimated life of 12 years and is expected to
realise ` 70,000 as scarp at the end of its working life. Other relevant data are as follows:
(i) Budgeted working hours are 2,592 based on 8 hours per day for 324 days. This includes
300 hours for plant maintenance and 92 hours for setting up of plant.
(ii) Estimated cost of maintenance of the machine is ` 25,000 (p.a.).
(iii) `The machine requires a special chemical solution, which is replaced at the end of each
week (6 days in a week) at a cost of ` 400 each time.

Overheads 4.12
(iv) Four operators control operation of 8 machines and the average wages per person
amounts to ` 420 per week plus 15% fringe benefits.
(v) Electricity used by the machine during the production is 16 units per hour at a cost of ` 3
per unit. No current is taken during maintenance and setting up.
(vi) Departmental and general works overhead allocated to the operation during last year
was ` 50,000. During the current year it is estimated to increase 10% of this amount.
Calculate machine hour rate, if (a) setting up time is unproductive; (b) setting up time is
productive. (5 Marks, May 2005)
Answer
Computation of Machine hour Rate
Per year Per hour Per hour
(unproductive) (productive)
Standing charges
Operators wages
4 420  54 90,720
Add: Fringe Benefits 15% 13,608
1,04,328
Departmental and general overhead
(50,000  5,000) 55,000
Total Std. Charging for 8 machines 1,59,328
Cost per Machine 1,59,328/8 19,916
Cost per Machine hour 19,916/2,200 9.05
19,916/2,292 8.69
Machine hours:
Setting time unproductive (2,592-300-92)= 2200
Setting time productive (2,592-300) = 2,292
Machine expenses
Depreciation (12,70,000 -70,000)/(12 2,200) 45.45
(12,70,000-70,000)/(12  2,292) 43.63
Electricity (16 3) 48.00

(1632,200)/2,292) 46.07
Special chemical solution (40054)/2,200/ 2,292 9.82 9.42

Maintenance (25,000/2,200) 11.36

(25,000/2,292) 10.91
Machine Hour Rate 123.68 118.72
Question 9
An engine manufacturing company has two production departments: (i) Snow mobile engine
and (ii) Boat engine and two service departments: (i) Maintenance and (ii) Factory office.
Budgeted cost data and relevant cost drivers are as follows:
Departmental costs: `
Snow mobile engine 6,00,000
Boat engine 17,00,000
Factory office 3,00,000
Maintenance 2,40,000
Cost drivers:
Factory office department: No. of employees
Snow mobile engine department 1,080 employees
Boat engine department 270 employees
Maintenance department 150 employees
1,500
Maintenance department: No. of work orders
Snow mobile engine department 570 orders
Boat engine department 190 orders
Factory office department 40 orders
800
Required:
(i) Compute the cost driver allocation percentage and then use these percentage to allocate
the service department costs by using direct method.
(ii) Compute the cost driver allocation percentage and then use these percentage to allocate
the service department costs by using non-reciprocal method/step method.
( 5 Marks, May 2005)

Overheads 4.14
Answer
(i) Cost Driver Allocation percentage
Factory office dept. Number of employees Percent used
Snowmobile engine 1,080 80%
Boat engine 270 20%
Total 1,350 100%
Maintenance dept Number of work orders
Snowmobile engine 570 75%
Boat engine 190 25%
760 100
Service department allocation:

Factory Maintenance Snowmobile Boat engine
office dept. dept. engine
Departmental Cost ` 3,00,000 ` 2,40,000 ` 6,00,000 ` 17,00,000
Allocated costs (`):
Factory office Dept. (3,00,000) - 2,40,000 60,000
Maintenance Dept. - (2,40,000) 1,80,000 60,000
Total 0 0 10,20,000 18,20,000
(ii) Cost Driver allocation percentage
Factory office dept Number of employees Percent used
Snowmobile engine 1,080 72%
Boat engine 270 18%
Maintenance dept 150 10%
1,500 100%
Maintenance dept Work order Percent used
Snowmobile engine 570 75%
Boat engine 190 25%
760 100%

Service department allocation:

Factory Maintenance Snowmobile Boat engine
office Dept. Dept. engine
Departmental costs ` 3,00,000 ` 2,40,000 ` 6,00,000 ` 17,00,000
Allocated costs (`):
Factory office (3,00,000) 30,000 2,16,000 54,000
Maintenance dept - (2,70,000) 20,2500 67,500
Total cost 0 0 10,18,500 18,21,500
Question 10
A B C D Co. Ltd. produces and sells four products A, B, C and D. These products are similar
and usually produced in production runs of 10 units and sold in a batch of 5 units. The
production details of these products are as follows:
Product A B C D
Production (Units) 100 110 120 150
Cost per unit:
Direct material (`) 30 40 35 45
Direct labour (`) 25 30 30 40
Machine hour (per unit) 5 4 3 4
The production overheads during the period are as follows:
` `
Factory works expenses 22,500
Stores receiving costs 8,100
Machine set up costs 12,200
Cost relating to quality control 4,600
Material handling and dispatch 9,600 57,000
The cost drivers for these overheads are detailed below:
Cost Cost drivers
Factory works expenses Machine hours
Stores receiving costs Requisitions raised
Machine set up costs No. of production runs
Cost relating to quality control No. of production runs
Material handling and dispatch No. of orders executed
The number of requisitions raised on the stores was 25 for each product and number of orders
executed was 96, each order was in a batch of 05 units.

Overheads 4.16
Required:
(i) Total cost of each product assuming the absorption of overhead on machine hour basis;
(ii) Total cost of each product assuming the absorption of overhead by using activity base
costing; and
(iii) Show the differences between (i) and (ii) and comment.
(12 Marks, May, 2005)
Answer
(i) Statement showing total cost of each product assuming absorption of overheads on
Machine Hour Rate Basis.
Particulars A B C D Total
Output (units) 100 110 120 150 480
Direct material (`) 30 40 35 45 150
Direct Labour (`) 25 30 30 40 125
Direct labour- Machine hrs 5 4 3 4
Overhead @ ` 30/- per 150 120 90 120 480
Machine hr
Total cost per unit (`) 205 190 155 205 755
Total cost (`) 20,500 20,900 18,600 30,750 90,750
Total Overhead Cost ` 57,000

Overhead Rate = = = ` 30 per unit
Total MHrs . 1,900
(ii)
Total Overheads `
Factory works expenses 22,500 Factory exp per unit 22,500 / 1,900
= ` 11.84
Stores receiving cost 8,100 Stores receiving cost 8100 / 100
= ` 81
Machine set up costs 12,200 Machine set-up cost 12,200 / 48
= ` 254.1
Costs relating to quality 4,600 Cost relating to QC 4,600/48
control =` 95.83
Expense relating to material 9,600 Material handling & 9,600 / 96

handling & dispatch dispatch = ` 100/-

Total
57,000/-
Statement showing total cost of each product assuming activity based costing.
Particulars A B C D Total
Output (Units) 100 110 120 150 480
No. of production runs 10 11 12 15 48
No. of stores requisition 25 25 25 25 100
No. of sales orders 20 22 24 30 96
Unit costs - Direct material (`) 30.00 40.00 35.00 45.00
Unit costs - Direct labour (`) 25.00 30.00 30.00 40.00
Unit costs - Factory works expenses 59.20 47.36 35.52 47.36
(`)
Unit costs - Stores receiving cost (`) 20.25 18.41 16.88 13.50
Unit costs - Machine set-up cost (`) 25.42 25.42 25.42 25.42
Unit costs – QC (`) 9.58 9.58 9.58 9.58
Unit costs – Material Handling (`) 20.00 20.00 20.00 20.00
Unit cost (`) 189.45 190.77 172.40 200.86
Total cost (`) 18,945 20,984.7 20,688.00 30,129
(iii) Statement showing differences (in `)
Particulars A B C D
Unit cost MHR 205 190 155 205
Unit cost ABC 189.45 190.77 172.40 200.86
Unit cost - difference 15.55 -0.77 -17.40 4.14
Total cost MHR 20,500 20,900 18,600 30,750
Total cost ABC 18,945 20,985 20,688 30,128
The difference is that A consumes comparatively more of Machine hours.
The use of activity based costing gives different product costs than what were arrived at
by utilising traditional costing. It can be argued that Product costs using ABC are more
precise as overheads have been identified with specific activities.
Question 11
From the details furnished below you are required to compute a comprehensive machine-hour
rate:
Original purchase price of the machine (subject to ` 3,24,000
depreciation at 10% per annum on original cost)

Overheads 4.18
Normal working hours for the month 200 hours

(The machine works to only 75% of capacity)
Wages of Machine man ` 125 per day (of 8 hours)
Wages for Helper (machine attendant) ` 75 per day (of 8 hours)
Power cost for the month for the time worked ` 15,000
Supervision charges apportioned for the machine ` 3,000
centre for the month
Electricity & Lighting for the month ` 7,500
Repairs & maintenance (machine) including
Consumable stores per month ` 17,500
Insurance of Plant & Building (apportioned) for ` 16,250
the year
Other general expense per annum ` 27,500
The workers are paid a fixed Dearness allowance of ` 1,575 per month. Production bonus
payable to workers in terms of an award is equal to 33.33% of basic wages and dearness
allowance. Add 10% of the basic wage and dearness allowance against leave wages and
holidays with pay to arrive at a comprehensive labour-wage for debit to production.
(14 Marks, May 2005)
Answer
Computation of Comprehensive Machine Hour Rate
Per month(`) Per hour(`)
Fixed cost
Supervision charges 3,000
Electricity and lighting 7,500
Insurance of Plant and building 1,354.17
(16,250×1/12)
Other General Expenses (27,500×1/12) 2,291.67
Depreciation (32,400×1/12) 2,700
16,845.84 112.31
Variable Cost
Repairs and maintenance 17,500 116.67
Power 15,000 100.00
Wages of machine man 44.91

Wages of Helper 32.97

Machine Hour rate (Comprehensive) ` 406.86
Effective machine working hour’s p.m.

200 hrs. × 75% = 150 hrs.
Wages per machine hour
Machine man Helper
Wages for 200 hours
(` 125× 25) ` 3,125
(` 75× 25) ` 1,875
D.A. ` 1,575 ` 1,575
` 4,700 ` 3,450
Production bonus (1/3 of above) 1,567 1,150
6,267 4,600
Leave wages (10%) 470 345
6,737 4,945
Effective wage rate per machine hour (150 hrs in all) ` 44.91 ` 32.97
Question 12
ABC Limited manufactures two radio models, the Nova which has been produced for five
years and sells for ` 900, and the Royal, a new model introduced in early 2004, which sells for
` 1,140. Based on the following Income statement for the year 2004-05, a decision has been
made to concentrate ABC Limited’s marketing resources on the Royal model and to begin to
phase out the Nova model.
ABC Limited
Income Statement for the year ending March 31, 2005
Royal Model Nova Model Total
` ` `
Sales 45,60,000 1,98,00,000 2,43,60,000
Cost of Goods sold 31,92,000 1,25,40,000 1,57,32,000
Gross margin 13,68,000 72,60,000 86,28,000
Selling & Administrative Expenses 9,78,000 58,30,000 68,08,000
Net Income 3,90,000 14,30,000 18,20,000
Unit Produced and sold 4,000 22,000
Net Income per unit sold 97.50 65

Overheads 4.20
The standard unit costs for the Royal and Nova models are as follows:
Royal Model Nova Model
` `
Direct materials 584 208
Direct Labour
Royal (3.5 hrs x ` 12) 42
Nova (1.5 hrs x ` 12) 18
Machine usage
Royal (4 hrs x ` 18) 72
Nova (8 hrs x ` 18) 144
Manufacturing overheads (applied on the basis of
machine hours at a pre-determined rate of ` 25 per hour) 100 200
Standard Cost 798 570
ABC Ltd.'s Controller is advocating the use of activity-based costing and activity-based cost
management and has gathered the following information about the company's manufacturing
overheads cost for the year ending March 31, 2005.
Activity centre (Cost driver) Traceable Number of Events
Costs
` Royal Nova Total
Soldering (Number of solder joints) 9,42,000 3,85,000 11,85,000 15,70,000
Shipments (Number of shipments) 8,60,000 3,800 16,200 20,000
Quality control (Number of Shipments) 12,40,000 21,300 56,200 77,500
Purchase orders (Number of orders) 9,50,400 1,09,980 80,100 1,90,080
Machine Power (Machine hours) 57,600 16,000 1,76,000 1,92,000
Machine setups (Number of setups) 7,50,000 14,000 16,000 30,000
Total Traceable costs 48,00,000
Required:
(i) Prepare a Statement showing allocation of manufacturing overheads using the principles
of activity-based costing.
(ii) Prepare a Statement showing product cost profitability using activity-based costing.
(iii) Should ABC Ltd. continue to emphasize the Royal model and phase out the Nova model?
Discuss. (10 Marks, November, 2005)
(Out of Syllabus for the student of Intermediate (IPC), shifted to Advanced
Management Accounting, Chartered Accountancy Final Course.)

Answer
(i) Statement Showing Allocation of Manufacturing Overheads Using Principles of
Activity Based Costing.
Cost Allocation
Activity Center Traceable Cost allocation Royal Nova
cost ` basis ` `
Soldering 9,42,000 385:1185 2,31,000 7,11,000
Shipments 8,60,000 38:162 1,63,400 6,96,600
Quality control 12,40,000 213:562 3,40,800 8,99,200
Purchase 9,50,400 109980:80100 5,49,900 4,00,500
orders
Machine lower 57,600 16:176 4,800 52,800
Machine set ups 7,50,000 14:16 3,50,000 4,00,000
48,00,000 16,39,900 31,60,100
Units produced 4,000 22,000

and sold
Manufacturing ` 409.98 ` 143.64
Overheads Cost
per unit
(ii) Statement Showing Product Cost and Profitability using Activity Based Costing
Royal Nova Total
Per Unit Cost ` Per Unit Cost ` `
Standard cost other than 698 370
manufacturing OHs cost
Manufacturing OHs using 409.98 143.64
activity-based costing
Cost 1,107.98 513.64
Selling Price/unit 1,140 900
Gross Margin / unit 32.02 386.36
Gross Margin 1,28,080 84,99,920 86,28,000
Selling & Adm. Expenses 9,78,000 58,30,000 68,08,000
Net Income (8,49,920) 26,69,920 18,20,000

Overheads 4.22
(iii) Novo Model should continue to be bread and butter product and Royal model should not
be over-emphasized; rather it’s pricing is required to be corrected.
Question 13
Discuss the accounting of Selling and Distribution overheads. (4 Marks, May 2006)
Answer
Accounting of Selling and Distribution Overheads
It is difficult to determine an entirely satisfactory basis for computing the overhead rate for
absorbing selling and distribution overheads. The basis usually adopted is:
 Sales value of goods
 Cost of goods sold
 Gross profit on sales
 Number of orders or units sold
Expenses Basis for allocation
Salaries in Sales Department. Estimated time devoted to the sale of various
products.
Advertisements Actual amount incurred for each product
Show room expenses Average space occupied by each product
Rent of finished goods, go downs and Average quantities delivered during a period
expenses on own delivery vans.
Question 14
ABC Bank is examining the profitability of its Premier Account, a combined Savings and
Cheque account. Depositors receive a 7% annual interest on their average deposit. ABC
Bank earns an interest rate spread of 3% (the difference between the rate at which it lends
money and rate it pays to depositors) by lending money for home loan purpose at 10%.
The Premier Account allows depositors unlimited use of services such as deposits,
withdrawals, cheque facility, and foreign currency drafts. Depositors with Premier Account
balances of ` 50,000 or more receive unlimited free use of services. Depositors with
minimum balance of less than ` 50,000 pay ` 1,000-a-month service fee for their Premier
Account.
ABC Bank recently conducted an activity-based costing study of its services. The use of
these services in 2005-06 by three customers is as follows:

Activity- Based Account Usage

Cost Per Customer Customer Customer
Transaction X Y Z
Deposits/withdrawal with teller ` 125 40 50 5
Deposits/withdrawal with
automatic teller machine (ATM) ` 40 10 20 16
Deposits/withdrawal on pre-
arranged monthly basis ` 25 0 12 60
Bank Cheques written ` 400 9 3 2
Foreign Currency drafts ` 600 4 1 6
Inquiries about Account balance ` 75 10 18 9
Average Premier Account balance ` 55,000 ` 40,000 ` 12,50,000
for 2005-06
Assume Customer X and Z always maintains a balance above ` 50,000, whereas Customer Y
always has a balance below ` 50,000.
Required:
(i) Compute the 2005-06 profitability of the customers X, Y and Z Premier Account at ABC
Bank.
(ii) What evidence is there of cross-subsidisation among the three Premier Accounts? Why
might ABC Bank worry about this Cross-subsidisation, if the Premier Account product
offering is Profitable as a whole?
(iii) What changes would you recommend for ABC Bank’s Premier Account?
(11 Marks, May 2006)
Answer
(i) Customer Profitability Analysis
ABC Bank – Premier Account
Activity Customers
Activity
based cost
X Y Z
` ` ` `
Deposits/withdrawal with 125 5,000 6,250 625
teller (40 × 125) (40 × 125) (5 × 125)
Deposits/withdrawal with 40 400 800 640
ATM (10 × 40) (20 × 40) (16 × 40)

Overheads 4.24
Deposits/withdrawal on 25 0 300 1,500

prearranged monthly basis (0 × 25) (12 × 25) (60 × 25)
Bank cheques written 400 3,600 1,200 800
(9 × 400) (3 × 400) (2 × 400)
Foreign currency drafts 600 2,400 600 3,600
(4 × 600) (1 × 600) (6 × 600)
Inquiries about Account 75 750 1,350 675
balance (10 × 75) (18 × 75) (9 × 75)
Customer cost (A) 12,150 10,500 7,840
Spread on Average 3% 1,650 1,200 37,500
balance maintained (3% × 55,000) (3% × (3% ×
40,000) 12,50,000)
Service fee ` 1,000 p.m. 12,000
Customer benefit 1,650 13,200 37,500
Customers
X Y Z
Customer Profitability ` (10,500) ` 2,700 ` 29,660
(Benefits – Costs)
(ii) Customer Z is most profitable and is cross-subsidising the most demanding customer X.
Customer Y is paying for the services used, because of not being able to maintain
minimum balance. No doubt, ‘Premier Account’ product offering is profitable as a whole,
but the worry is of not finding customers like customer Z who will maintain a balance
higher than the stipulated minimum. It appears, the minimum balance stipulated is
inadequate considering the services availed by depositors in ‘Premium Account’.
(iii) The changes suggested to ABC Bank’s ‘Premier Account’ are as follows:
 Increase the requirement of minimum balance from ` 50,000 to ` 1,00,000.
 Charge for value added services like Foreign Currency Drafts.
 Do not allow deposits/withdrawal below ` 10,000 at the teller. Only ATM machine
withdrawal be allowed.
 Inquiries about account balance to be entertained only through Phone Banking/ATM.
Question 15
RST Ltd. has two production departments: Machining and Finishing. There are three service
departments: Human Resource (HR), Maintenance and Design. The budgeted costs in these
service departments are as follows:

HR Maintenance Design
` ` `
Variable 1,00,000 1,60,000 1,00,000
Fixed 4,00,000 3,00,000 6,00,000
5,00,000 4,60,000 7,00,000
The usage of these Service Departments’ output during the year just completed is as follows:
Provision of Service Output (in hours of service)
Providers of Service
Users of Service
HR Maintenance Design
HR   
Maintenance 500  
Design 500 500 
Machining 4,000 3,500 4,500
Finishing 5,000 4,000 1,500
Total 10,000 8,000 6,000
Required:
(i) Use the direct method to re-apportion RST Ltd.’s service department cost to its
production departments.
(ii) Determine the proper sequence to use in re-apportioning the firm’s service department
cost by step-down method.
(iii) Use the step-down method to reapportion the firm’s service department cost.
Answer
(i) Apportionment of Service Department Overheads amongst production departments
using Direct Method:
Production Deptts. Service Deptts.
Machining Finishing HR Maintenance Design
` ` ` ` `
Overhead as per primary 5,00,000 4,60,000 7,00,000
distribution
Apportionment design 5,25,000 1,75,000
4,500 : 1,500
Maintenance 2,14,667 2,45,333

Overheads 4.26
3,500 : 4,000
HR 4,000 : 5,000 2,22,222 2,77,778
9,61,889 6,98,111
(ii) The proper sequence for apportionment of service department overheads is

First HR
Second Maintenance
Third Design
The sequence has been laid down based on service provided.
(iii) Apportionment of Service Department overheads amongst production departments
using step-down method.
Production Department Service Department
Machining Finishing HR Maintenance Design
` ` ` ` `
Overhead as per   5,00,000 4,60,000 7,00,000
primary distribution
Apportionment HRD 4 2,00,000 2,50,000 ()5,00,000 25,000 25,000
: 5 :  : 0.5 : 0.5
Maintenance 7 : 8: : 1 2,12,188 2,42,500  ()4,85,000 30,312
Design 3 : 1 5,66,484 1,88,828   ()7,55,312
9,78,672 6,81,328
Question 16
ABC Ltd. Manufactures two types of machinery equipments Y and Z and applies/absorbs
overheads on the basis of direct-labour hours. The budgeted overheads and direct-labour
hours for the month of December, 2006 are ` 12,42,500 and 20,000 hours respectively. The
information about Company’s products is as follows:
Equipment Equipment
Y Z
Budgeted Production volume 2,500 units 3,125 units
Direct material cost ` 300 per unit ` 450 per unit
Direct labour cost
Y : 3 hours @ ` 150 per hour
X : 4 hours @ ` 150 per hour ` 450 ` 600

ABC Ltd.’s overheads of ` 12,42,500 can be identified with three major activities:
Order Processing (` 2,10,000), machine processing (` 8,75,000), and product inspection
(` 1,57,500). These activities are driven by number of orders processed, machine hours
worked, and inspection hours, respectively. The data relevant to these activities is as follows:
Orders processed Machine hours worked Inspection hours
Y 350 23,000 4,000
Z 250 27,000 11,000
Total 600 50,000 15,000
Required:
(i) Assuming use of direct-labour hours to absorb/apply overheads to production, compute
the unit manufacturing cost of the equipments Y and Z, if the budgeted manufacturing
volume is attained.
(ii) Assuming use of activity-based costing, compute the unit manufacturing costs of the
equipments Y and Z, if the budgeted manufacturing volume is achieved.
(iii) ABC Ltd.’s selling prices are based heavily on cost. By using direct-labour hours as an
application base, calculate the amount of cost distortion (under-costed or over-costed) for
each equipment.
(iv) Discuss, how an activity-based costing might benefit ABC Ltd.
Answer
(i) Overheads application base: Direct labour hours
Equipment- Y Equipment - Z
` `
Direct material cost 300 450
Direct labour cost 450 600
Overheads* 186.38 248.50
936.38 1,298.50
Budgeted overheads
*Pre-determined rate =
Budgeted direct labour hours

Overheads 4.28
` 12,42,500
= = ` 62.125
20,000 hours
(ii) Estimation of Cost-Driver rate
Activity Overhead cost Cost-driver level Cost driver rate
` `
Order processing 2,10,000 600 350
Orders processed
Machine processing 8,75,000 50,000 17.50
Machine hours
Inspection 1,57,500 15,000 10.50
Inspection hours
Equipment- Y Equipment- Z
` `
Direct material cost 300 450
Direct labour cost 450 600
Prime cost 750 1,050
Overhead cost
Order processing 350 : 250 1,22,500 87,500
Machine processing 23,000 : 27,000 4,02,500 4,72,500
Inspection 4,000 : 11,000 42,000 1,15,500
Total overhead cost 5,67,000 6,75,500
Per unit cost
= 5,67,000/2,500 226.80 ` 216.16
= 6,75,500/3,125
Unit manufacturing cost ` 976.80 ` 1,266.16
(iii)
Equipment- Y Equipment -Z
` `
Unit manufacturing cost–using direct labour
hours as an application base 936.38 ` 1,298.50
Unit manufacturing cost–using activity based
costing 976.80 ` 1,266.16
Cost distortion (–)40.42 (+)32.34

Low volume product Y is under-costed and high volume product Z is over-costed using
direct labour hours as a basis for overheads absorption. It is due to the limitation of
traditional costing system.
(iv) Activity-based costing system is suitable in case of ABC Ltd because it is a multi-product
company and overheads costs are substantial portion of total cost. The use of activity
based costing will avoid cost distortion as ABC Ltd has a large proportion of non-unit-
level activities such as orders processed and inspection hours.
Question 17
Explain briefly the conditions when supplementary rates are used. (2 Marks, May 2007)
Answer
When the amount of under absorbed and over absorbed overhead is significant or large,
because of differences due to wrong estimation, then the cost of product needs to be adjusted
by using supplementary rates (under and over absorption/actual overhead) to avoid
misleading impression.
Question 18
A company has three production departments (M1, M2 and A1) and three service department, one
of which Engineering service department, servicing the M1 and M2 only. The relevant informations
are as follows:
Product X Product Y
M1 10 Machine hours 6 Machine hours
M2 4 Machine hours 14 Machine hours
A1 14 Direct Labour hours 18 Direct Labour hours
The annual budgeted overhead cost for the year are
Indirect Wages Consumable Supplies
(`) (`)
M1 46,520 12,600
M2 41,340 18,200
A1 16,220 4,200
Stores 8,200 2,800
Engineering Service 5,340 4,200
General Service 7,520 3,200

Overheads 4.30
`
- Depreciation on Machinery 39,600
-Insurance of Machinery 7,200
-Insurance of Building 3,240 (Total building insurance cost for
M1 is one third of annual premium
-Power 6,480
-Light 5,400
-Rent 12,675 (The general service deptt. is
located in a building owned by
the company. It is valued at `
6,000 and is charged into cost at
notional value of 8% per annum.
This cost is additional to the rent
shown above)
The value of issues of materials to the production departments are in the same
proportion as shown above for the Consumable supplies.
The following data are also available:
Department Book value Area Effective Production Capacity
Machinery (Sq. ft.) H.P. hours % Direct Machine
(`) Labour hour
hour
M1 1,20,000 5,000 50 2,00,000 40,000
M2 90,000 6,000 35 1,50,000 50,000
A1 30,000 8,000 05 3,00,000
Stores 12,000 2,000 
Engg. Service 36,000 2,500 10
General Service 12,000 1,500 
Required:
(i) Prepare a overhead analysis sheet, showing the bases of apportionment of overhead to
departments.
(ii) Allocate service department overheads to production department ignoring the
apportionment of service department costs among service departments.
(iii) Calculate suitable overhead absorption rate for the production departments.
(iv) Calculate the overheads to be absorbed by two products, X and Y. (15 Marks, May 2007)

Answer
(i) Summary of Apportionment of Overheads
(`)
Basis of Total Production Deptt. Service Deptt.
Items Apportion Amount M1 M2 A1 Store Engineeri General
ment Service ng Service Service
Indirect Allocation 1,25,140 46,520 41,340 16,220 8,200 5,340 7,520
wages given
Consumable Allocation 45,200 12,600 18,200 4,200 2,800 4,200 3,200
stores given
Depreciation Capital 39,600 15,840 11,880 3,960 1,584 4,752 1,584
value of
machine
Insurance of Capital 7,200 2,880 2,160 720 288 864 288
Machine value of
machine
Insurance on 1 3,240 1,080 648 864 216 270 162
to MI
Building 3
Balance
area basis
Power HP Hr% 6,480 3,240 2,268 324  648 
Light Area 5,400 1,080 1,296 1,728 432 540 324
Rent Area 12,675 2,535 3,042 4,056 1,014 1,268 760
Rent of Direct 8% 480      480
general of 6,000
service _______ _____ _____ _____ _____ ______ ______
Total 2,45,415 85,775 80,834 32,072 14,534 17,882 14,318
(ii) Allocation of service departments overheads

Basis of Production Deptt. Service Deptt.
Service Apportionment M1 M2 A1 Store Engineering General
Deptt. Service Service Service
Store Ratio of
consumable 5,232 7,558 1,744 (14,534)  
value (126 :182 :
42)
Engineering In Machine
service hours Ratio of 7,948 9,934   (17,882) 
M1 and M2 (4 :
5)
General LHR Basis
service 20 : 15 : 30 4,406 3,304 6,608   (14,318)

Overheads 4.32
Production
Department
allocated in _______ 85,775 80,834 32,072
(i)
Total 2,45,415 1,03,361 1,01,630 40,424
(iii) Overhead Absorption rate
M1 M2 A1
Total overhead allocated 1,03,361 1,01,630 40,424
Machine hours 40,000 50,000 
Labour hours   3,00,000
Rate per MHR 2.584 2.033
Rate per Direct labour   .135
(iv) Statement showing overhead absorption for Product X and Y
Machine Deptt. Absorption Rate Product X Product Y
Hours ` Hours `
M1 2.584 10 25.84 6 15.50
M2 2.033 4 8.13 14 28.46
A1 .135 14 .54 18 2.43
34.51 46.39
Question 19
Explain Blanket overhead rate. (2 Marks, November, 2007)
Answer
Blanket overhead rate refers to the computation of one single overhead rate for the entire
factory. This is also known as plant wise or the single overhead rate for the entire factory. It
is determined as follows:
Overhead cost for the entire factory for the period
Blanket overhead rate =
Base for the period (Labour Hours, Machine Hours)
It is useful in companies producing the main product in continue process, e.g. chemical plant,
glass plant etc.
Question 20
A machine shop cost centre contains three machines of equal capacities. Three operators are
employed on each machine, payable ` 20 per hour each. The factory works for fortyeight
hours in a week which includes 4 hours set up time. The work is jointly done by operators.
The operators are paid fully for the fortyeight hours. In additions they are paid a bonus of 10

per cent of productive time. Costs are reported for this company on the basis of thirteen four-
weekly period.
The company for the purpose of computing machine hour rate includes the direct wages of the
operator and also recoups the factory overheads allocated to the machines. The following
details of factory overheads applicable to the cost centre are available:
 Depreciation 10% per annum on original cost of the machine. Original cost of the each
machine is ` 52,000.
 Maintenance and repairs per week per machine is ` 60.
 Consumable stores per week per machine are ` 75.
 Power : 20 units per hour per machine at the rate of 80 paise per unit.
 Apportionment to the cost centre : Rent per annum ` 5,400, Heat and Light per annum `
9,720, and foreman’s salary per annum ` 12,960.
Required:
(i) Calculate the cost of running one machine for a four week period.
(ii) Calculate machine hour rate. (8 Marks, November 2007)
Answer
Computation of cost of running one machine for a four week period
`
Standing charges Per annum
Rent 5,400
Heat and light 9,720
Forman’s salary 12,960
28,080
`
28,080  4 2,880
Total expenses for one machine for four week period =
3  13
Wages: Hours per week = 48 and hours for 4 weeks = 48  4 = 192
Wages 192  20 3,840
Bonus (192  16) = 176  20  .10 352
Total standing charges 7,072

Overheads 4.34
Machine Expenses:
`
 4  1,600
Depreciation =  52,000  10%  
 13 
Repairs and maintenance = (60  4) 240
Consumable stores (75  4) 300
Power (192  16) = 176  20  .80 2,816
(ii) Total machine expenses 4,956
Total expenses (i) + (ii) 12,028
12,028
Machine hour rate =  68.34.
176
Question 21
Explain the cost accounting treatment of unsuccessful Research and Development cost.
Answer
Cost of unsuccessful research is treated as factory overhead, provided the expenditure is
normal and is provided in the budget. If it is not budgeted, it is written off to the profit and loss
account. If the research is extended for long time, some failure cost is spread over to
successful research.
Question 22
Discuss the difference between allocation and apportionment of overhead.
(2 Marks, May 2008)
Answer
The following are the differences between allocation and apportionment.
1. Allocation costs are directly allocated to cost centre. Overhead which cannot be directly
allocated are apportioned on some suitable basis.
2. Allocation allots whole amount of cost to cost centre or cost unit where as apportionment
allots part of cost to cost centre or cost unit.
3. No basis required for allocation. Apportionment is made on the basis of area, assets
value, number of workers etc.
Question 23
A machinery was purchased from a manufacturer who claimed that his machine could produce
36.5 tonnes in a year consisting of 365 days. Holidays, break-down, etc., were normally

allowed in the factory for 65 days. Sales were expected to be 25 tonnes during the year and
the plant actually produced 25.2 tonnes during the year. You are required to state the
following figures:
(a) rated capacity
(b) practical capacity
(c) normal capacity
(d) actual capacity
Answer
(a) Rated capacity 36.5 tonnes
(Refers to the capacity of a machine
or a plant as indicated by its manufacturer)
(b) Practical capacity 30 tonnes
[Defined as actually utilised capacity of a plant
36.5
i.e.  (365  65) tonnes ]
365
(c) Normal capacity 25 tonnes
(It is the capacity of a plant utilized based
on sales expectancy)
(d) Actual capacity 25.2 tonnes
(Refers to the capacity actually achieved)
Question 24
Following information is available for the first and second quarter of the year 2008-09 of ABC
Limited:
Production (in units) Semi-variable cost (`)
Quarter I 36,000 2,80,000
Quarter II 42,000 3,10,000
You are required to segregate the semi-variable cost and calculate :
(a) Variable cost per unit; and
(b) Total fixed cost. (2 Marks, May 2009)

Overheads 4.36
Answer
Production (Units) Semi Variable Cost (`)
Quarter I 36,000 2,80,000
Quarter II 42,000 3,10,000
Difference 6,000 30,000
Change in Semi Variable Cost
Variable Cost per Unit =
Change in Pr oduction
` 30,000
=
6,000 units
= `5 per units
Total Fixed Cost = Semi Variable Cost – (Production x Variable Cost per Unit)
Total fixed cost in Quarter I :
= 2,80,000 – (36,000 × 5)
= 2,80,000 – 1,80,000
= 1,00,000
Total fixed cost in Quarter II :
= 3,10,000 – (42,000 × 5)
= 3,10,000 – 2,10,000
= 1,00,000
Question 25
Distinguish between Fixed overheads and Variable overheads. (2 Marks, May 2010)
Answer
Fixed overheads v/s Variable Overheads
Fixed overheads are not affected by any variation in the volume of activity, e.g., managerial
remuneration, rent etc. These remain the same from one period to another except when they
are deliberately changed. Fixed overheads are generally variable per unit of output or activity.
On other hand the variable overheads that change in proportion to the change in the volume of
activity or output, e.g., power consumed, consumable stores etc. The variable overheads are
generally constant per unit of output or activity
Question 26
What are the methods of re-apportionment of service department expenses over the
production departments? Discuss. (4 Marks, November 2010)

Answer
Methods of re-apportionment of service department expenses over the production
departments
(i) Direct re-distribution method.
(ii) Step method or non-reciprocal method.
(iii) Reciprocal Service method
Direct re-distribution Method: Service department costs under this method are apportioned
over the production departments only, ignoring services rendered by one service department
to another. The basis of apportionment could be no. of workers. H.P of machines.
Step Method or Non-Reciprocal Method
This method gives cognizance to the service rendered by service department to another
service department. Therefore, as compared to previous method, this method is more
complicated because a sequence of apportionments has to be selected here. The sequence
here begins with the department that renders service to the maximum number of other service
departments.
Production Department Service Department
P1 P P3 S1 S2 S3
Reciprocal Service Method

This method recognises the fact that where there are two or more service departments they
may render service to each other and, there these inter-departmental services are to be given
due weight while re-distributing the expenses of service department.
The methods available for dealing with reciprocal services are:
 Simultaneous equation method
 Repeated distribution method
 Trial & Error method.
Question 27
You are given the following information of the three machines of a manufacturing department
of X Ltd.:

Overheads 4.38
Preliminary estimates of expenses (per annum)

Machines
Total
A B C
(`) (`) (`) (`)
Depreciation 20,000 7,500 7,500 5,000
Spare parts 10,000 4,000 4,000 2,000
Power 40,000
Consumable stores 8,000 3,000 2,500 2,500
Insurance of machinery 8,000
Indirect labour 20,000
Building maintenance expenses 20,000
Annual interest on capital outlay 50,000 20,000 20,000 10,000
Monthly charge for rent and rates 10,000
Salary of foreman (per month) 20,000
Salary of Attendant (per month) 5,000
(The foreman and the attendant control all the three machines and spend equal time on them)
The following additional information is also available:
Machines
A B C
Estimated Direct Labour Hours 1,00,000 1,50,000 1,50,000
Ratio of K.W. Rating 3 2 3
Floor space (sq. ft.) 40,000 40,000 20,000
There are 12 holidays besides Sundays in the year, of which two were on Saturdays. The
manufacturing department works 8 hours in a day but Saturdays are half days. All machines
work at 90% capacity throughout the year and 2% is reasonable for breakdown.
You are required to :
Calculate predetermined machine hour rates for the above machines after taking into
consideration the following factors:
 An increase of 15% in the price of spare parts.
 An increase of 25% in the consumption of spare parts for machine ‘B’ & ‘C’ only.
 20% general increase in wages rates. (8 Marks, May 2011)

Answer
Computation of Machine Hour Rate
Machines
Basis of Total
A B C
apportionment
` ` ` `
(A) Standing
Charges
Insurance Depreciation 8,000 3,000 3,000 2,000
Basis
Indirect Labour Direct Labour 24,000 6,000 9,000 9,000
Building Floor Space 20,000 8,000 8,000 4,000
Maintenance
expenses
Rent and Rates Floor Space 1,20,000 48,000 48,000 24,000
Salary of foreman Equal 2,40,000 80,000 80,000 80,000
Salary of attendant Equal 60,000 20,000 20,000 20,000
Total standing 4,72,000 1,65,000 1,68,000 1,39,000
charges
Hourly rate for 84.75 86.29 71.40
standing charges
(B) Machine
Expenses:
Depreciation Direct 20,000 7,500 7,500 5,000
Spare parts Final 13,225 4,600 5,750 2,875
estimates
Power K.W. rating 40,000 15,000 10,000 15,000
Consumable Direct 8,000 3,000 2,500 2,500
Stores
Total Machine 81,225 30,100 25,750 25,375
expenses
Hourly Rate for 15.46 13.23 13.03
Machine expenses
Total (A + B) 553,225 1,95,100 1,93,750 1,64,375
Machine Hour rate 100.21 99.52 84.43

Overheads 4.40
Working Notes:
(i) Calculation of effective working hours:
No. of holidays 52 (Sundays) + 12 (other holidays) = 64
Saturday (52 – 2) = 50
No. of days (Work full time) = 365 – 64 – 50 = 251
Hours
Full days work 251  8 = 2,008
Half days work 50  4 = 200
2,208
Hours
Effective capacity 90% of 2,208 1,987 (Rounded off)
Less: Normal loss of time (Breakdown) 2% 40 (Rounded off)
Effective running hour 1,947
(ii) Amount of spare parts is calculated as under:
A B C
` ` `
Preliminary estimates 4,000 4,000 2,000
Add: Increase in price @ 15% 600 600 300
4,600 4,600 2,300
Add: Increase in consumption @ 25%  1,150 575
Estimated cost 4,600 5,750 2,875
(iii) Amount of Indirect Labour is calculated as under:
`
Preliminary estimates 20,000
Add: Increase in wages @ 20% 4,000
24,000
(iv) Interest on capital outlay is a financial matter and, therefore it has been excluded from
the cost accounts.
Question 28
How do you deal with the following in cost account?
(i) Packing Expenses
(ii) Fringe benefits (4 Marks, May 2011)

Answer
Packing expenses: Cost of primary packing necessary for protecting the product or for
convenient handling, should become a part of the prime cost. The cost of packing to facilitate
the transportation of the product from the factory to the customer should become a part of the
distribution cost. If the cost of special packing is at the request of the customer, the same
should be charged to the specific work order or the job. The cost of fancy packing necessary
to attract customers is an advertising expenditure. Hence, it is to be treated as a selling
overhead.
Fringe benefits: These are the additional payments or facilities provided to the workers apart
from their salary and direct cost-allowances like house rent and city compensatory
allowances. If the amount of fringe benefit is considerably large, it may be recovered as direct
charge by means of a supplementary wage or labour rate; otherwise these may be collected
as part of production overheads.
Question 29
X Ltd. recovers overheads at a. pre-determined rate of ` 50 per man-day. The total factory
overheads incurred and the man-days actually worked were ` 79 lakhs and 1.5 lakhs days
respectively. During the period 30,000 units were sold. At the end of the period 5,000
completed units were held in stock but there was no opening stock of finished goods.
Similarly, there was no stock of uncompleted units at the beginning of the period but at the
end of the period there were 10,000 uncompleted units which may be treated as 50%
complete.
On analyzing the reasons, it was found that 60% of the unabsorbed overheads were due to
defective planning and the balance were attributable to increase in overhead cost.
How would unabsorbed overheads be treated in cost accounts? (8 Marks, November 2011)
Answer
Absorbed overheads = Actual Man days x Rate
= 1,50,000 x 50
= ` 75,00,000
Under absorption of overheads = Actual overheads – Absorbed overheads
= 79,00,000 – 75,00,000
= ` 4,00,000
Reasons for under – absorption:
1. Defective Planning 4,00,000 x 60% = `2,40,000
2. Increase in overhead cost 4,00,000 x 40% = `1,60,000

Overheads 4.42
Treatment in Cost Accounts:

(i) The unabsorbed overheads of ` 2,40,000 on account of defective planning to be treated
as abnormal and thus be charged to costing profit & loss account.
(ii) The balance of unabsorbed overheads i.e. ` 1,60,000 be charged as below on the basis
of supplementary overhead absorption rate
Supplementary Rate = ` 1,60,000 ÷ (30,000 + 5,000 + 50% of 10,000)
= ` 4 per unit
(a) To cost of sales Account = 30,000 x 4 = ` 1,20,000
(b) To finished stock account = 5,000 x 4 = ` 20,000
(c) To WIP account = 50% of 10,000 x 4 = ` 20,000
` 1,60,000
Question 30
A Machine costing ` 10 lacs was purchased on 1-4-2011. the expected life of the machine is
10 years. At the end of this period its scrap value is likely to be ` 10,000. the total cost of all
the machines including new one was ` 90 lacs.
The other information is given as follows:
(i) Working hours of the machine for the year was 4,200 including 200 non-productive
hours.
(ii) Repairs and maintenance for the new machine during the year was ` 5,000.
(iii) Insurance Premium was paid for all the machine ` 9,000.
(iv) New machine consumes 8 units of electricity per hour, the rate per unit being ` 3.75
(v) The new machine occupies area of the department. Rent of the department is
2,400 per month.
(vi) Depreciation is charged on straight line basis
Compute machine hour rate for the new machine. (5 Marks, May 2012)
Answer
Computation of machine hour rate of new Machine
Total (`) Per hour(`)
A. Standing Charges
1 1,000
I. Insurance Premium 9,000 ×
9
1
II. Rent × 2,400x12 2,880
10
3,880 0.97*

B. Machine expenses
I. Repairs and Maintenance [5,000/4,000] 1.25
 10,00,000  10,000 
II. Depreciation   24.75
 10  4,000 
III. Electricity 8 units x ` 3.75 30.00
Machine hour rate 56.97
Working Note
Calculation of productive Machine hour rate
Total hours 4,200
Less: Non-Productive hours 200
4,000
* 3,880 ÷ 4,000 = 0.97
Question 31
The following account balances and distribution of indirect charges are taken from the accounts of
a manufacturing concern for the .year ending on 31st March, 2012:
Item Total Production Departments Service

Amount Departments
(` ) X (` ) Y (` ) Z (` ) A (` ) B (` )
Indirect Material 1,25,000 20,000 30,000 45,000 25,000 5,000
Indirect Labour 2,60,000 45,000 50,000 70,000 60,000 35,000
Superintendent's Salary 96,000 - - 96,000 - -
Fuel & Heat 15,000
Power 1,80,000
Rent & Rates 1,50,000
Insurance 18,000
Meal Charges 60,000
Depreciation 2,70,000
The following departmental data are also available:

Overheads 4.44
Production Departments Service Departments

X Y Z A B
Area (Sq. ft.) 4,400 4,000 3,000 2,400 1,200
Capital Value of
Assets (`) 4,00,000 6,00,000 5,00,000 1,00,000 2,00,000
Kilowatt Hours 3,500 4,000 3,000 1,500 -
Radiator Sections 20 40 60 50 30
No. of Employees 60 70 120 30 20
Expenses charged to the service departments are to be distributed to other departments by
the following percentages:
X Y Z A B
Department A 30 30 20 - 20
Department B 25 40 25 10 -
Prepare an overhead distribution statement to show the total overheads of production
departments after re-apportioning service departments' overhead by using simultaneous
equation method.' Show all the calculations to the nearest rupee.
Answer
Primary Distribution of Overheads
Item Basis Total Production Departments Service
Amount Departments
(`) X (`) Y (`) Z (`) A (`) B (`)
Indirect Material Actual 1,25,000 20,000 30,000 45,000 25,000 5,000
Indirect Labour Actual 2,60,000 45,000 50,000 70,000 60,000 35,000
Superintendent’s Actual 96,000 - - 96,000 - -
Salary
Fuel & Heat Radiator 15,000 1,500 3,000 4,500 3,750 2,250
Sections
{2:4:6:5:3}
Power Kilowatt Hours 1,80,000 52,500 60,000 45,000 22,500 -
{7:8:6:3:0}
Rent & Rates Area (Sq. ft.) 1,50,000 44,000 40,000 30,000 24,000 12,000
{22:20:15:12:6}

Insurance Capital Value of 18,000 4,000 6,000 5,000 1,000 2,000

Assets
{4:6:5:1:2}
Meal Charges No. of 60,000 12,000 14,000 24,000 6,000 4,000
Employees
{6:7:12:3:2}
Depreciation Capital Value of 2,70,000 60,000 90,000 75,000 15,000 30,000
Assets
{4:6:5:1:2}
Total overheads 11,74,000 2,39,000 2,93,000 3,94,500 1,57,250 90,250
Re-distribution of Overheads of Service Department A and B

Total overheads of Service Departments may be distributed using simultaneous equation
method
Let, the total overheads of A = a and the total overheads of B= b
a = 1,57,250 + 0.10 b (i)
or, 10a - b = 15,72,500 [(i) x10]
b = 90,250 + 0.20 a (ii)
or, -0.20a + b = 90,250
10a - b = 15,72,500
-0.20a + b = 90,250
9.8a = 16,62,750
a = 1,69,668
Putting the value of a in equation (ii), we get
b = 90,250 + 0.20 x 1,69,668
b = 1,24,184
Secondary Distribution of Overheads
Production Departments
X (` ) Y (` ) Z (` )
Total overhead as per primary distribution 2,39,000 2,93,000 3,94,500
Service Department A (80% of 1,69,668) 50,900 50,900 33,934
Service Department B (90% of 1,24,184) 31,046 49,674 31,046
Total 3,20,946 3,93,574 4,59,480

Overheads 4.46
Question 32
Distinguish between cost allocation and cost absorption. (4 Marks, May 2013)
Answer
Distinguish between Cost allocation and Cost absorption:
Cost allocation is the allotment of whole item of cost to a cost centre or a cost unit. In other
words, it is the process of identifying, assigning or allowing cost to a cost centre or a cost unit.
Cost absorption is the process of absorbing all indirect costs or overhead costs allocated or
apportioned over particular cost center or production department by the units produced.
Question 33
Calculate Machine Hour Rate from the following particulars:
Cost of Machine - ` 25,00,000
Salvage Value - ` 1,25,000
Estimated life of the machine - 25,000 Hours
Working Hours (per annum) - 3,000 Hours
Hours required for maintenance - 400 Hours
Setting-up time required - 8% of actual working hours
Additional Information:
(i) Power 25 units @ ` 5 per unit per hour.
(ii) Cost of repairs and maintenance ` 26,000 per annum.
(iii) Chemicals required for operating the machine ` 2,600 per month.
(iv) Overheads chargeable to the machine ` 18,000 per month.
(v) Insurance Premium (per annum) 2% of the cost of machine
(vi) No. of operators - 02 (looking after three other machines also)
(vii) Salary per operator per month ` 18,500 (8 Marks, November 2013)

Answer
Computation of Machine Hour Rate
Setting-up time is Setting-up time
‘Unproductive’ is ‘Productive’
Particulars (Machine hour- (Machine hour-
2,407*) 2,600)
(`) (`)
Fixed Charges (Standing Charges):
Overhead Chargeable ` 18,000 × 12 = ` 2,16,000 89.74 83.08
Rs` 2,16,000 Rs` 2,16,000
( ); ( )
2,407 hours 2,600 hours
Operator’s Salary:
R̀ 18,500  12  2 Operators
 ` 1,11,000
4 machines
R̀ 1,11,000 R̀ 1,11,000 46.12 42.69
( ); ( )
Insurance: 2% of ` 25,00,000 = ` 50,000 20.77 19.23

156.63 145.00
Variable Expenses (Machine Expenses) per hour
` 25,00,000  ` 1,25,000 95.00 95.00
Depreciation :
25,000 hours
Power: ( 25 units × ` 5) 125.00 125.00

Repairs and Maintenance : 10.80 10.00
` 26,000 ` 26,000
( ); ( )
Rs` 2,600  12 Rs` 2,600  12 12.96 12.00

Chemical : ( );( )
Machine Hour Rate 400.39 387.00

Overheads 4.48
* (Hours)
Working Hours 3,000
Less: Maintenance hours 400
2,600
Less: Setting-up hours 193
 2,600hours  2,407
Actual working hours   100 
 108 
Assumptions:
1. Working hours (i.e. 3,000 hours) are inclusive of maintenance and setting-up time.
2. It is assumed that no power is consumed by the machine during unproductive hours
i.e. during maintenance and unproductive setting-up hours.
3. Depreciation is calculated on the basis of estimated life of the machine hours. Hence
per unit machine hour rate of depreciation will be same.
Note: As this numerical problem does not specifically mention about the nature of setting-
up time; means whether setting-up time is unproductive or productive is not clear. The
problem can be solved assuming setting-up time either as productive or as unproductive.
The question may be solved based on logical assumption regarding the nature of setting-
up time (i.e. unproductive or productive) and for furnishing any one or both the situation.
Question 34
Distinguish between allocation and apportionment of cost. (4 Marks, May, 2014)
Answer
Distinguish between allocation and apportionment of cost.
Cost allocation: The term ‘allocation’ refers to assignment or allotment of an entire item of
cost to a particular cost centre or cost unit. It implies relating overheads directly to the various
departments. The estimated amount of various items of manufacturing overheads should be
allocated to various cost centres or departments. For example- if a separate power meter has
been installed for a department, the entire power cost ascertained from the meter is allocated
to that department.
Cost apportionment: There are some items of estimated overheads (like the salary of the
works manager) which cannot be directly allocated to the various departments and cost
centres. Such unallocable expenses are to be spread over the various departments or cost
centres on an appropriate basis. This is called apportionment.

Question 35
Explain the treatment of over and under absorption of overheads in cost accounts.
(4 Marks, November, 2014)
Answer
Treatment of over and under absorption of overheads are:-
(i) Writing off to costing P&L A/c:– Small difference between the actual and absorbed
amount should simply be transferred to costing P&L A/c, if difference is large then
investigate the causes and after that abnormal loss/ gain shall be transferred to costing
P&L A/c.
(ii) Use of supplementary Rate: Under this method the balance of under and over absorbed
overheads may be charged to cost of W.I.P., finished stock and cost of sales
proportionately with the help of supplementary rate of overhead.
(iii) Carry Forward to Subsequent Year: Difference should be carried forward in the
expectation that next year the position will be automatically corrected.

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4

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Power 40,000 80,000 60,000 1,80,000

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Activity Area Cost Driver

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Revenues: (`) 2,80,41,750 2,38,21,875 1,49,73,750 6,68,37,375

Less: Cost of goods 2,72,25,000 2,26,87,500 1,36,12,500 6,35,25,000

Gross margin: (`) 8,16,750 11,34,375 13,61,250 33,12,375

Operating income: (`) 24,84,405

Gross margin % 2.91% 4.76% 9.09% 4.96%

Operating income % 3.72

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Store delivery (` 1,95,250 ÷ 3,905 store deliveries) 50/delivery

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

(` 3  14  385 orders) (`3  12 990 orders) (`3  10  4125

(iv) Challenges faced in assigning total operating cost of `8,27,970 :

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Wholesale customers Retail customers

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© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

 high number of orders

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Electricity (16 3) 48.00

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Maintenance (25,000/2,200) 11.36

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Service department allocation:

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Service department allocation:

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Total Overhead Cost ` 57,000

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

handling & dispatch dispatch = ` 100/-

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Normal working hours for the month 200 hours

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Wages of Helper 32.97

Effective machine working hour’s p.m.

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Units produced 4,000 22,000

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© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Activity- Based Account Usage

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Deposits/withdrawal on 25 0 300 1,500

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© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

(ii) The proper sequence for apportionment of service department overheads is

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© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

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(ii) Allocation of service departments overheads

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