CHAPTER 11

Costvolume
profit analysis
for decision
making
CONTENTS
11.1 Cost behaviour analysis using highlow
method
11.2 Absorption costing versus direct costing
11.3 CVP analysis
11.4 Impact of change with CVP analysis
11.5 Contribution margin variance analysis

CHAPTER 11: COSTVOLUMEPROFIT ANALYSIS FOR DECISION MAKING

11.1

ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS
Problem 11.1

Cost behaviour analysis using highlow method

Embleton Furniture Ltd has experienced different levels of factory overhead cost in
relation to machine hours during recent years. The costs at the high and low activity
levels during the past 4 years are as follows.
Level of activity
Factory overhead
Machine hours

High

Low

$644 000

$564 000

55 000

35 000

The factory overhead consists of four items: indirect materials, maintenance, depreciation and electric power. The company has analysed these costs at the high level of
activity and determined that costs are incurred at that level as follows:
Indirect materials (variable)
Maintenance (mixed)
Depreciation (fixed)
Power (variable)
Total

$ 55 000
164 000
304 000
121 000
$644 000

Required:
A. Establish the cost function ( y = a + bx) for total factory overhead.
B. If machine hours of 51 000 are expected for the next year, what is the estimate for
total overhead?
C. Calculate how much of the total factory overhead is maintenance cost at the low
activity level of 35 000 machine hours.

Solution
EMBLETON FURNITURE LTD
A.
$644 000 $564 000
$80 000
b = -------------------------------------------------- = ------------------- = $4
20 000
55 000 35 00
a = 644 000 4(55 000) = $424 000
y = 424 000 + 4X
B.
y = 424 000 + 4(51 000) = $628 000
C.
Indirect materials (variable) = $55 000/55 000 = $1 per Machine hr
Power (variable) = $121 000/55 000 = $2.20 per Machine hr
Factory overhead at low level

$564 000

Indirect materials $1(35 000)

Power: $2.20(35 000)
Depreciation (fixed)
Maintenance (1)

$35 000
77 000
304 000
148 000
$564 000

(1) $564 000 (35 000 + 77 000 + 304 000) = $148 000
WILEY

CHAPTER 11: COSTVOLUMEPROFIT ANALYSIS FOR DECISION MAKING

Problem 11.2

11.2

Absorption costing versus direct costing

Benara Biscuits Pty Ltd prepares statements of financial performance under absorption
costing for external reporting purposes, but uses direct costing for management
purposes. The annual fixed factory overhead cost of $168 000 is applied to the units of
production on the basis of actual production for that year. The companys only product
has a contribution margin of 40%, and the selling and administrative expense is a
mixed cost. The statements of financial performance, under absorption costing, for the
past 3 years are as follows:

Sales
Beginning inventory
Cost of goods manufactured
Ending inventory
Cost of goods sold
GROSS PROFIT
Selling and administrative expenses
NET PROFIT

2000
$960 000

728 000
104 000
624 000
336 000
184 000
$152 000

2001
$960 000
104 000
648 000
108 000
644 000
316 000
184 000
$132 000

2002
$720 000
108 000
488 000
61 000
535 000
185 000
160 000
$ 25 000

The companys unit sales and production data for the past 3 years are:
Sales
Production

2000
24 000
28 000

2001
24 000
24 000

2002
18 000
16 000

Required:
A. Determine the fixed factory overhead rate for each year.
B. Calculate the variable selling and administrative expense per unit sold.
C. Prepare statements of financial performance for the 3 years using the direct costing
method.
D. Reconcile the difference between the net profits using absorption costing and using
direct costing for each of the 3 years.

WILEY

CHAPTER 11: COSTVOLUMEPROFIT ANALYSIS FOR DECISION MAKING

11.3

Solution
BENARA BISCUITS PTY LTD
See note 1.
A.
Fixed factory overhead rates:
2000:
$168 000/28 000 = $6.00 per unit
2001:
$168 000/24 000 = $7.00 per unit (see Note 1)
2002:
$168 000/16 000 = $10.50 per unit
B.
Variable selling and administrative expense per unit sold (b):
$184 000 $160 000
$24 000
b = -------------------------------------------------- = ------------------$4.00 per unit sold
24 000 18 00
6 000
C.
Variable manufacturing costs per unit:
($728 000 $168 000)/28 000 = $20 per unit
Direct Costing
Statements of Financial Performance
For the years 2000, 2001 and 2002
Sales
Variable cost of goods sold
Variable S and A expenses
Contribution margin
Fixed costs:
Manufacturing
Selling and admin
Net profit

480 000
96 000
384 000

2000
$960 000
480 000
96 000
384 000

2001
$960 000
360 000
72 000
288 000

168 000
88 000
256 000
$128 000

168 000
88 000
256 000
$128 000

168 000
88 000
256 000
$32 000

D.
Reconciliation AC net profit and DC net profit:
2000
DC net profit
$128 000
- AC fixed cost
128 000
+ Fixed cost E/Inv AC (1)
24 000
AC Net Profit
$152 000
(1) Fixed costs E/inv

$6(4 000)

2002
$720 000

2001
$128 000
24000
104 000
28 000
$132 000

2002
$32 000
28 000
4 000
21 000
$25 000

$7 (4 000)

$10.50 (2 000)

Note: 1.2001 production must be 24 000 units not the 21 000 units given.
2001
Cost of goods manufactured:
VC 24 000 x 20
FC

$648 000
480 000
168 000
$648 000

With 2001 production at 21 000 units Benara cannot sell 18 000 units in 2002.
B/Inv
Production
Available
Sales
E/Inv

2000
28 000
28 000
24 000
4 000

2001
4 000
21 000
25 000
24 000
1 000

2002
1 000
16 000
17 000
18 000
(1 000)

Inventory deficiency of 1 000 units.

WILEY

CHAPTER 11: COSTVOLUMEPROFIT ANALYSIS FOR DECISION MAKING

Problem 11.3

11.4

CVP analysis

Kewdale Pty Ltd has provided the following unit production and sales information for
its only product:
Direct materials
Direct labour
Variable factory overhead
Sales commissions
Selling price

10 kg at $3 per kg
6 hours at $7 per hour
6 hours at $3 per hour
$6 per unit
$120

Only one product is produced. The annual fixed costs are $960 000.
Required:
A. Calculate the break-even point.
B. If the company wants to attain a before-tax profit of $96 000, calculate the number
of units the company must sell to reach its goal. What is the margin of safety at this
sales level?
C. The company is considering two schemes: (1) sell 42 000 units with a retail price of
$120 each, or (2) sell 40 000 units at $124 each. Which scheme will provide the
higher net profit?
D. If the company increases fixed costs by $120 000, what level of dollar sales must be
attained to earn a before-tax profit of $96 000? Assume the sales price and variable
costs per unit will not change.
E. If the companys tax rate is 40%, how much additional fixed costs can the company
incur at a sales level of 46 000 units and still maintain an after-tax net profit of
$96 000?

Solution
KEWDALE PTY LTD
A.
VC
= $96
CM = $24
CM% = 20%
Breakeven point (units) = $960 000/$24 = 40 000 units
Breakeven point (dollars) = $960 000/0.20 = $4 800 000
Check; 40 000 ($120)
= $4 800 000
B.
Breakeven point + DNPBT = ($960 000 + $96 000)/$24 = 44 000 units
Margin of safety = 44 000 40 000 = 4 000 units
C.
1. CM = $120 $96
Total CM
2. CM = $124 $96
Total CM = $28(40 000)

= $24
$24(42 000) = $1 008 000
= $28
= $1 112 000

Therefore sell 40 000 units at $124.

D.
Breakeven $$ + DNPBT = ($1 080 000 + 96 000)/0.20
= $1 176 000/0.20 = $5 880 000
E.
Before tax net profit: $96 000/(1 0.40 = $160 000
46 000
= (FC + $160 000)/$24
24(46 000)
= FC + 160 000
FC
= 1 104 000 160 000
= $944 000
Fixed costs must decrease by:
$960 000 $944 000 = $16 000
WILEY

CHAPTER 11: COSTVOLUMEPROFIT ANALYSIS FOR DECISION MAKING

Problem 11.4

11.5

Impact of change with CVP analysis

Lawley Ltd has prepared the following draft profit and loss analysis for the current year.
Sales (13 000 units)
Variable expenses
Contribution margin
Fixed expenses
Net profit

$520 000
299 000
221 000
92 400
$128 600

Required:
Answer each of the following four independent situations:
1. If the companys manager is considering increasing his salary by $40 800, how much
must dollar sales increase to maintain the companys current net profit?
2. If the company decreases sales commissions, variable expenses would decrease by
10%. The company believes that unit sales would decrease 5% due to the loss of
sales representatives, even though the company plans to increase its advertising
budget by $20 000. Should the company decrease the sales commissions?
3. If the company changes its production and marketing techniques, it is projected that
variable expenses will increase 10%, fixed expenses will decrease 15% and sales will
increase 20%. Calculate the companys break-even point in terms of sales dollars if
the new strategy is adopted. Assume that the sales price per unit would not be
changed. Round your answer to the nearest dollar.
4. If the companys net profit increases 250% next year due to a 28% increase in sales,
would performance be better or worse than expected? Assume adequate capacity
exists to meet the increased volume without increasing fixed costs.

Solution
LAWLEY LTD
SP per unit $520 000/13 000 =
Variable expenses per unit $299 000/13 000 =
CM per unit
CM ratio $17/$40

$40.00 per unit

23.00 per unit
$17.00
42.5%

1. Dollar sales to absorb increase in company managers salary.

$40 800/0.425 = $96 000
2. Variable expenses per unit:
CM: $40 $20.70 =
Unit sales 0.95 (13 000)
Total CM (new)
Prior total CM $17 (13 000)
Incremental CM
Incremental advertising exp
Differential loss

0.9 (23) = $20.70

$19.30
$ 12 350
$238 355
221 000
17 355
20 000
($ 2 645)

The company should not decrease sales commissions and increase advertising.
3. Variable expenses 1.10($23) =
Fixed expenses 0.85($92 400) =
CM ratio ($40.00 $25.30)/$40 =
Breakeven $$ = $78 540/0.3675 =

$25.30
$78 540
36.75%
$213 714

4. Net profit next year 3.50(28 600) =

Sales next year 1.28(520 000) =
Net profit %
This year:
Net profit % $28 600/$520 000

$100 100
665 600
15.04%
5.5%

Performance would be better next year.

WILEY

CHAPTER 11: COSTVOLUMEPROFIT ANALYSIS FOR DECISION MAKING

Problem 11.5

11.6

Contribution margin variance analysis

The sales manager of Claremont Pty Ltd cannot understand the contribution margin
results shown on the most recent quarterly statement. She had been monitoring sales
volume carefully during the quarter and knew that it was substantially above the
amount budgeted. However, the actual contribution margin earned was less than the
amount budgeted. The sales manager has asked for your help in interpreting the results.
The company only sells one product, and a summary of the statement of financial
performance results is as follows:
Budget
21 000
$840 000
504 000
$336 000

Sales units
Sales dollars
Variable costs
Contribution margin

Actual
23 200
$881 600
696 000
$185 600

Required:
Determine why the actual contribution margin was so much less than the amount
budgeted by calculating the variances that caused the variation.

Solution
CLAREMONT PTY LTD
Sales price variance:
Actual unit sales selling price differential
23 200 ($2.00) = $46 400 unfavourable
Sales volume variance:
Budgeted CM unit sales differential
$16.00 2 200 = $35 200 favourable
Variable cost variance:
Actual unit sales variable cost differential
23 200 $6.00 = $139 200 unfavourable
Unfavourable CM variance
Variances
$ 46 400 U
$ 35 200 F
$139 200 U

$150 400 U

$150 400 U

Calculations:
Selling price
VC per unit
CM per unit

$840 000/21 000

881 6700/23 200
504 000/21 000
696 000/23 200
$40 $24
$38 $30

Budget
$40.00

Actual
$38.00

24.00
30.00
16.00
8.00

WILEY