Cornerstones of Cost Management (Cornerstones Series)
4th Edition
ISBN: 9781305970663
Author: Don R. Hansen, Maryanne M. Mowen
Publisher: Cengage Learning
expand_more
expand_more
format_list_bulleted
Videos
Textbook Question
Chapter 1, Problem 5E
Bill Christensen, the production manager, was grumbling about the new quality cost system the plant controller wanted to put into place. “If we start trying to track every bit of spoiled material, we’ll never get any work done. Everybody knows when they ruin something. Why bother to keep track? This is a waste of time. Besides, this isn’t the first time scrap reduction has been emphasized. You tell my workers to reduce scrap, and I’ll guarantee it will go away, but not in the way you would like.”
Required:
- 1. Why do you suppose that the controller wants a written record of spoiled material? If “everybody knows” what the spoilage rate is, what benefits can come from keeping a written record?
- 2. Now consider Bill Christensen’s position. In what way(s) could he be correct? What did he mean by his remark concerning scrap reduction? Can this be avoided? Explain.
Expert Solution & Answer
Trending nowThis is a popular solution!
Students have asked these similar questions
As a cost accountant for San Francisco Cannery, you have been approached by Phil Perriman, canning room supervisor, about the 2020 costs charged to his department. In particular, he is concerned about the line item “depreciation.” Perriman is very proud of the excellent condition of his canning room equipment. He has always been vigilant about keeping all equipment serviced and well oiled. He is sure that the huge charge to depreciation is a mistake; it does not at all reflect the cost of minimal wear and tear that the machines have experienced over the last year. He believes that the charge should be considerably lower.
The machines being depreciated are six automatic canning machines. All were put into use on January 1, 2020. Each cost $625,000, having a salvage value of $55,000 and a useful life of 12 years. San Francisco depreciates this and similar assets using double-declining-balance depreciation. Perriman has also pointed out that if you used straight-line depreciation, the…
Richins Company is considering the acquisition of a computerized manufacturing system. The new system has a built in quality function that increases the control over product specifications. An alarm sounds whenever the product falls outside the programmed specifications. An operator can then make some adjustments on the spot to restore the desired product quality. The system is expected to decrease the number of units scrapped because of poor quality. The system is also expected to decrease the amount of labor inputs needed. The production manager is pushing for the aquisition because he believes that productivity will be greatly enhanced - particularly when it comes to labor and material inputs. Output and input data follow. The data for the computerized system are projections.
Current System Computerized System Output (units)…
Eastern Auto Parts Company manufactures replacement parts for automobile repair. The company recently installed a flexible manufacturing system, which has significantly changed the production pro-cess. The installation of the new FMS was not anticipated when the current year’s budget and cost struc-ture were developed. The installation of the new equipment was hastened by several major breakdowns in the company’s old production machinery.
The new equipment was very expensive, but management expects it to cut the labor time required by a substantial amount. Management also expects the new equipment to allow a reduction in direct-material waste. On the negative side, the FMS requires a more highly skilled labor force to operate it than the company’s old equipment.
The following cost variance report was prepared for the month of July, the first full month after the equipment was installed.
EASTERN AUTO PARTS COMPANY Cost Variance Report for the Month of July
Direct material:
Standard cost…
Chapter 1 Solutions
Cornerstones of Cost Management (Cornerstones Series)
Ch. 1 - What is cost management, and how does it differ...Ch. 1 - How do cost management and financial accounting...Ch. 1 - Identify and discuss the factors that affect the...Ch. 1 - What is a flexible manufacturing system?Ch. 1 - Prob. 5DQCh. 1 - What is the difference between a line position and...Ch. 1 - The controller should be a member of the top...Ch. 1 - Prob. 8DQCh. 1 - What is the role of cost management with respect...Ch. 1 - Prob. 10DQ
Ch. 1 - What is business ethics? Is it possible to teach...Ch. 1 - Firms with higher ethical standards will...Ch. 1 - Prob. 13DQCh. 1 - Prob. 14DQCh. 1 - What are the two parts to the CMA examination?...Ch. 1 - Classify each of the following actions as either...Ch. 1 - Hepworth Communications produces cell phones. One...Ch. 1 - Prob. 3ECh. 1 - Consider the following thoughts of a manager at...Ch. 1 - Bill Christensen, the production manager, was...Ch. 1 - Each of the following scenarios requires the use...Ch. 1 - Prob. 7ECh. 1 - Lily Shultz is a junior majoring in hotel and...Ch. 1 - John Biggs and Patty Jorgenson are both cost...Ch. 1 - Emily Henson, controller of an oil exploration...Ch. 1 - Prob. 11PCh. 1 - Emery Manufacturing Company produces component...Ch. 1 - Prob. 13P
Knowledge Booster
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, accounting and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Similar questions
- Jackie Iverson was furious. She was about ready to fire Tom Rich, her purchasing agent. Just a month ago, she had given him a salary increase and a bonus for his performance. She had been especially pleased with his ability to meet or beat the price standards. But now, she found out that it was because of a huge purchase of raw materials. It would take months to use that inventory, and there was hardly space to store it. In the meantime, space had to be found for the other materials supplies that would be ordered and processed on a regular basis. Additionally, it was a lot of capital to tie up in inventorymoney that could have been used to help finance the cash needs of the new product just coming online. Her interview with Tom was frustrating. He was defensive, arguing that he thought she wanted those standards met and that the means were not that important. He also pointed out that quantity purchases were the only way to meet the price standards. Otherwise, an unfavorable variance would have been realized. Required: 1. CONCEPTUAL CONNECTION Why did Tom Rich purchase the large quantity of raw materials? Do you think that this behavior was the objective of the price standard? If not, what is the objective(s)? 2. CONCEPTUAL CONNECTION Suppose that Tom is right and that the only way to meet the price standards is through the use of quantity discounts. Also, assume that using quantity discounts is not a desirable practice for this company. What would you do to solve this dilemma? 3. CONCEPTUAL CONNECTION Should Tom be fired? Explain.arrow_forwardA cost analyst showed the company president a graph that portrayed the firm’s utility cost as semivariable. The president criticized the graph by saying, “This fixed-cost component doesn’t look right to me. If we shut down the plant for six months, we wouldn’t incur half of these costs.” How should the cost analyst respond?arrow_forwardFusion Metals Company is considering the elimination of its Packaging Department. Management has received an offer from an outside firm to supply all Fusion’s packaging needs. To help her in making the decision, Fusion’s president has asked the controller for an analysis of the cost of running Fusion’s Packaging Department. Included in that analysis is $9,100 of rent, which represents the Packaging Department’s allocation of the rent on Fusion’s factory building. If the Packaging Department is eliminated,the space it used will be converted to storage space. Currently Fusion rents storage space in a nearby warehouse for $11,000 per year. The warehouse rental would no longer be necessary if the Packaging Department were eliminated. Required:1. Discuss each of the figures given in the exercise with regard to its relevance in the departmentclosing decision.2. What type of cost is the $11,000 warehouse rental, from the viewpoint of the costs of the Packaging Department?arrow_forward
- David Kelley is considering the implementation of an incentive wage plan to increase productivity in his small manufacturing plant. The plant is nonunion, and employees have been compensated with only an hourly-rate plan. Julie Phelps, Vice President–Manufacturing, is concerned that the move to an incentive compensation plan will cause direct laborers to speed up production and, thus, compromise quality. Step 1 - With that information in mind, discuss the following questions. Your posting should be at least 500 words* in length. This means you should elaborate on your answers, not simply answer each question with one or two words. You should also reference information already learned in our studies. How might Kelley accomplish his goals while alleviating Phelps’ concerns? Does the compensation have to be all hourly rate or all incentives? Can incentive compensation also apply to service businesses?arrow_forwardSetting materials, labor, and overhead standards is challenging. If standards are set too low, companies might purchase inferior products and employees might not work to their full potential. If standards are set too high, companies could be unable to offer a quality product at a profitable price and employees could be overworked. The ethical challenge is to set a high but reasonable standard. Assume that as a manager you are asked to set the standard materials price and quantity for the new 1,000 CKB Mega-Max chip, a technically advanced product. To properly set the price and quantity standards, you assemble a team of specialists to provide input. Required Identify four types of specialists that you would assemble to provide information to help set the materials price and quantity standards. Briefly explain why you chose each individual.arrow_forwardFlextron’s controller, Vince Chadwick, tells Marta Suarez, the management accountant responsible for Job No. M102, the following: “This was an unusual job. I think all 6,000 spoiled units should be considered normal.” Suarez knows that the work involved in Job No. M102 was not uncommon and that Flextron’s normal spoilage rate of 2% is the appropriate benchmark. She feels Chadwick made these comments because he wants to show a higher operating income for the year. a. What should Suarez do in response to Chadwick’s comment?arrow_forward
- Last night, the sprinkler system at Plant A was accidentally set off. The ensuing deluge destroyed most of the cost records in Plant A for the month just completed (May). The plant manager has come to you in a panic—he has to complete his report for head office by the end of today. He wants you to give him the numbers he needs for his report. He can provide you with some fragments of information he has been able to salvage: Raw materials: Beginning $24,100 Ending 56,600 Work in process: Beginning 17,700 Finished goods: Sold in May 405,000 Ending 52,000 Manufacturing overhead: Beginning 0 Accrued wages payable: Beginning 10,000 Ending 18,800 Other information: 1. Total direct materials requisitions for the month were $180,100. 2. A total of 9,400 direct labour hours were worked during the month at an average wage of $15/hour. 3. Manufacturing overhead of $101,400 was incurred during the period. 4. On May 31, the ending inventory of work in process is $4,500. Calculate the following:The…arrow_forwardHerfy Foods Incorporated is now one of the biggest manufacturers of buns in the Philippines. Though their operations just started last 2010, they already have significant increase in sales. But, despite their success, the management is still bothered with their losses in terms of product spoilage. Upon investigation, the main reason of spoilage is due to finished goods left unpacked. Your team was asked by the management to create a solutionto be able to minimize the losses in terms of spoilage. Further investigation suggests that the labor capacity is insufficient versus the forecasted demand. Based on the management, there is no existing production plan format. Refer on the below data: Historical Data for 2020 2020 Demand Spoilage (Units) Jan 20,500 2, 750 Cost per bun 10 php Feb 19,500 2, 250 Labor cost per day 350 php Mar Packing incharge 5 pаx 18,000 20,500 1,500 2, 750 150 units per day Apr May Capacity per pax 19,200 2,100 Jun 19,000 2,000 Jul 20,000 2,500 Aug Sep 20,800 22,000…arrow_forwardAs production manager, Paul noticed that several recent production runs generated a decent-sized collection of scrap pieces in the designated scrap bin. He looks at current prices for this scrap and recognizes the market price is relatively high for this material right now, so he makes plans to sell it. He estimates that there are 51 pounds of scrap available to be sold. The current sales price is $10 per pound for this particular scrap material. (a) Assume Paul uses the sales method to account for scrap. Record the journal entry for the sale of all the scrap for cash. (Credit account titles are automatically indented when the amount is entered. Do not indent manually. If no entry is required. select "No Entry" for the account titles and enter 0 for the amounts. List debit entry before credit entry.) Account Titles and Explanation Debit Creditarrow_forward
- “This is really an odd situation,” said Jim Carter, general manager of Highland Publishing Company. “We get most of the jobs we bid on that require a lot of press time in the Printing Department, yet profits on those jobs are never as high as they ought to be. On the other hand, we lose most of the jobs we bid on that require a lot of time in the Binding Department. I would be inclined to think that the problem is with our overhead rates, but we’re already computing separate overhead rates for each department. So what else could be wrong?” Highland Publishing Company is a large organization that offers a variety of printing and binding work. The Printing and Binding departments are supported by three service departments. The costs of these service departments are allocated to other departments in the order listed below. The Personnel cost is allocated based on number of employees. The Custodial Services cost is allocated based on square feet of space occupied and the Maintenance cost…arrow_forward"This is really an odd situation," said Jim Carter, general manager of Highland Publishing Company. "We get most of the jobs we bid on that require a lot of press time in the Printing Department, yet profits on those jobs are never as high as they ought to be. On the other hand, we lose most of the jobs we bid on that require a lot of time in the Binding Department. I would be inclined to think that the problem is with our overhead rates, but we're already computing separate overhead rates for each department. So what else could be wrong?" Highland Publishing Company is a large organization offering a variety of printing and binding work. The Printing and Binding departments are supported by three service departments. The costs of these service departments are allocated to other departments in the order listed below. The Personnel cost is allocated based on number of employees. The Custodial Services cost is allocated based on square feet of space occupied and the Maintenance cost is…arrow_forward“This is really an odd situation,” said Jim Carter, general manager of Highland Publishing Company. “We get most of the jobs we bid on that require a lot of press time in the Printing Department, yet profits on those jobs are never as high as they ought to be. On the other hand, we lose most of the jobs we bid on that require a lot of time in the Binding Department. I would be inclined to think that the problem is with our overhead rates, but we’re already computing separate overhead rates for each department. So what else could be wrong?” Highland Publishing Company is a large organization offering a variety of printing and binding work. The Printing and Binding departments are supported by three service departments. The costs of these service departments are allocated to other departments in the order listed below. The Personnel cost is allocated based on number of employees. The Custodial Services cost is allocated based on square feet of space occupied and the Maintenance cost is…arrow_forward
arrow_back_ios
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
arrow_forward_ios
Recommended textbooks for you
Cornerstones of Cost Management (Cornerstones Ser...AccountingISBN:9781305970663Author:Don R. Hansen, Maryanne M. MowenPublisher:Cengage Learning
Managerial Accounting: The Cornerstone of Busines...AccountingISBN:9781337115773Author:Maryanne M. Mowen, Don R. Hansen, Dan L. HeitgerPublisher:Cengage Learning
Cornerstones of Cost Management (Cornerstones Ser...
Accounting
ISBN:9781305970663
Author:Don R. Hansen, Maryanne M. Mowen
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Managerial Accounting: The Cornerstone of Busines...
Accounting
ISBN:9781337115773
Author:Maryanne M. Mowen, Don R. Hansen, Dan L. Heitger
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Relevant Costing Explained; Author: Kaplan UK;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnsh3hlJAkI;License: Standard Youtube License