Standard Costing and Variance Analysis
Standard Costing and Variance Analysis
Standard Costing and Variance Analysis
Standard Costing
and
Variance Analysis
Multimedia Slides by: Gail A. Mestas, MAcc, New Mexico State University
Learning Objectives
1. Define standard costs and describe
how managers use standard costs in
the management cycle.
2. Explain how standard costs are
developed and compute a standard
unit cost.
3. Prepare a flexible budget and describe
how variance analysis is used to
control costs.
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Standard Costing
Objective 1
Define standard costs and describe how
managers use standard costs in the
management cycle
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Standard Costing
is a method of cost control
that includes a measure of actual
performance and a measure of the
difference, or variance, between
standard and actual performance
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Standard Costs
Realistic estimates of costs
Based on analysis of both past and
projected operating costs and conditions
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Standard Costing
How the standard costing method
differs from the normal and actual
costing methods
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Planning
Managers use standard costs to
Develop budgets
Direct materials
Direct labor
Variable manufacturing overhead
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Executing
Managers use standard costs to
Apply dollar, time, and quality standards to
work
Collect actual cost data
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Reviewing
Managers compare standard and actual
costs
Compute variances
Provide measures of performance that can be used
to control costs and evaluate managers
Analyze significant variances to determine cause
Unfavorable variances may reveal operating
problems that require correcting
Favorable variances may indicate favorable
practices that should be implemented elsewhere
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Reporting
Managers use standard costs to report on
Operations
Managers performance
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Standard
Costing,
Variance
Analysis,
and the
Management
Cycle
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Service organizations
Use standard costing for direct labor and service
overhead costs
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Discussion
Q. What is the main difference between
the standard costing and normal
costing methods?
A. The standard costing method uses
estimated costs for direct materials and
direct labor, whereas the normal costing
method uses actual costs for these items
The methods are similar in that both use
estimated costs for manufacturing
overhead
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Influenced by
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Easy to establish
Rates are set by labor unions or defined by the
company
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Two parts
Variable costs and fixed costs
Compute separately because their cost
behavior differs
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Discussion
Q. Why are the variable and fixed
components for the standard
manufacturing overhead cost
computed separately?
A. Variable costs and fixed costs are
computed separately because their cost
behavior differs
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Variance Analysis
Objective 3
Prepare a flexible budget and describe how
variance analysis is used to control costs
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Variance Analysis
is the process of computing the
differences between standard costs and
actual costs and identifying the causes
of those differences
Managers use
Flexible budgets to improve variance analysis
Variance analysis to control costs
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Static budget
Also called fixed budget
Forecasts revenues and expenses for just
one level of sales and just one level of
output
Does not allow for changes in output level
If actual output differs from budgeted output, a
variance between actual and budgeted amounts will
occur
Cannot judge performance accurately
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Flexible budget
Also called variable budget
Summary of expected costs for a range of
activity levels
Provides forecasted data that can be adjusted
for changes in output level
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Compute variance
Is the variance
significant?
No
No corrective
action needed
Yes
Step 2
Analyze variance to
determine its cause
Step 3
Select performance
measures to correct
the problem
Step 4
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Discussion
Q. What is the flexible budget formula?
A. It is an equation used to determine
expected, or budgeted cost for any level
of output
Total Budgeted Costs (Variable Cost per Unit
No. of Units Produced)
Budgeted Fixed Costs
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Objective 4
Compute and analyze direct materials
variances
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Standard cost
Standard price standard quantity
$6.00 per foot (180 bags 4 feet per bag)
$6.00 per foot 720 $4,320
Less actual cost
This is an
unfavorable
(U) situation
$ 164 (U)
Actual cost > standard cost
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Discussion
Q. What is the direct materials price
variance?
A. It is the difference between the standard
price and the actual price per unit
multiplied by the actual quantity
purchased. It is also called the direct
materials spending or rate variance
Direct Materials Price Variance (Standard Price Actual Price)
Actual Quantity
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Objective 5
Compute and analyze direct labor
variances
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Standard cost
Standard rate standard hours allowed
$8.50 per foot (180 bags 2.4 hours per bag)
$8.50 per hour 432 hours $3,672
Less actual cost
$ 468 (U)
Actual cost > standard cost
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Actual Hours)
$8.50 per hour (432 hours 450 hours)
$153 (U)
Because the company used more direct labor hours
than it expected, the variance is unfavorable (U)
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Diagram of
Direct Labor
Variance
Analysis
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Materials handling
Parts delivered late on five occasions
Will track delivery time and number of delays for next three
months
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Discussion
Q. What is the direct labor efficiency
variance?
A. The direct labor efficiency variance is the
difference between the standard direct
labor hours allowed for good units
produced and the actual direct labor
hours worked multiplied by the standard
direct labor rate. It is also called the
direct labor quantity or usage variance
Direct Labor Efficiency Variance Standard Rate (Standard Hours
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Objective 6
Compute and analyze manufacturing
overhead variances
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Flexible
Budget for
Evaluation of
Manufacturing
Overhead
Costs
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$ 212 (U)
Actual cost > standard cost
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$ 16 (U)
Actual cost > standard cost
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Diagram of
Variable
Overhead
Variance
Analysis
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Diagram of
Fixed
Overhead
Variance
Analysis
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$ 196 (U)
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$1,300 $1,600
$300 (U)
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$1,404
1,300
$ 104 (F)
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Discussion
Q. What four variances are used to
analyze the total manufacturing
overhead variance?
A. Variable overhead spending variance
Variable overhead efficiency variance
Fixed overhead budget variance
Fixed overhead volume variance
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Objective 7
Explain how variances are used to
evaluate managers performance
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Variance analysis
Provides detailed data about differences
between standard and actual costs
Effective at pinpointing efficient and inefficient
operating areas
Basic comparison of budgeted and actual data not
as effective
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Managers should only be held accountable for cost areas under their control
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Discussion
Q. What items should be included in an
effective managerial performance
report?
A. Summarization of all cost data
Variances for direct materials, direct
labor, and manufacturing overhead
Identification of the causes of the
variances, personnel involved, and any
corrective actions taken
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And Finally
4. Compute and analyze direct materials
variances
5. Compute and analyze direct labor
variances
6. Compute and analyze manufacturing
overhead variances
7. Explain how variances are used to
evaluate managers performance
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