Decision Making – Cost Accounting

Decisions Involving Alternative Choices Structure 13. 1 Introduction Objectives 13. 2 Decision Making 13. 3 Types of Costs 13. 4 Types of Choices Decisions 13. 5 Make or Buy Decisions 13. 6 Addition / Discontinuance of a harvest-festival line 13. 7 Sell or deal Further 13. 8 Operate or Shut down 13. 9 Exploring New Markets 13. 10 Maintaining a desired level of profit 13. 11 Summary 13. 12 termination Questions 13. 13 Answers to SAQs and TQs 13. 1 Introduction In the previous whole we learnt about Marginal Costing.Marginal be is the ascertainment of marginal equal and of the event on profit of changes in volume by differentiating between steadfastly equal and variable be. Marginal equal is the amount at any accustomed volume of output by which aggregate cost ar changed if the volume of output is increased or decreased by one unit. Marginal costing is a very useful tool for management because of its applications. It is used in providing assistance to the management in vita l conclusiveness- do both short term and spacious term. Differential analysis is the process of estimating the answers of election feats that a decision draw and quarterr whitethorn take.It is used both for short term and long term decisions. all of a sudden term decisions relates to fixing price for the mathematical production, selecting a suitable product mixing, diversification of the product etc while long term deals with capital budgeting decisions. Objectives After studying this unit, you should be able to Explain the step involved in decision qualification process Know various types of decision choices Analyze and interpret various decision choices 13. 2 Decision Making Decision making is the process of evaluating two or to a greater extent alternatives leading to a final choice known as alternative choice decisions.Decision making is near associated with planning for the future and is directed towards a specific objective or goal. Decision model contains the following decision-making steps or elements 1. Identify and define the problem 2. Identify alternative as possible solutions to the problem. 3. Eliminate alternatives that argon clearly not feasible 4. Collect germane(predicate) data (costs and benefits) associated with each feasible alternative 5. Identify cost and benefits as applicable or irrelevant and eliminate irrelevant costs and benefits from consideration. . Identify to the goal possible, non-financial advantage and disadvantage about each feasible alternative. 7. summarize the relevant cost and benefits for each alternative 8. Select the alternative with the greatest overall benefits to suck a decision 9. Implement or execute the decision 10. Evaluate the results of the decision made. 13. 3 Types of Costs A decision involves selecting among various choices. Non routine types of decisions ar crucial and critical to the firm as it involves huge investments and involve much uncertainty.Short term decision making is base d on relevant data obtained from account statement information. relevant Cost argon costs which would change as a result of the decision. Opportunity costs are monetary benefits foregone for not pursue the alternative course. When a decision to follow one course of action is made, the opportunity to pursue some other course is foregone. Sunk costs are historical cost that cornerstonenot be recovered in a assumption situation. These costs are irrelevant in decision making. Avoidable costs are costs that can be avoided in future as a result of managerial choice.It is also known as discretionary costs. These costs are relevant in decision making. Incremental / Differential costs are costs that include variable costs and conduceitional fixed costs resulting from a incident decision. They are helpful in finding out the profitability of increased output and give a crack measure than the average cost. ego Assessment Questions 1. Relevant Costs are costs which would _________a s a result of the decision. 2. ___________ are historical cost that cannot be recovered in a given situation. 3.Opportunity costs are _________________for not pursuing the alternative course 4. ____________ is also known as discretionary cost. 13. 4 Types of Choices Decisions The application of incremental / differential costs and revenues for decision making is known as decision situations or types of choice decisions. Make or Buy decisions Selection of a suitable product mix Effect of change in price Maintaining a desired level of profit Diversification of products Closing down or suspending activities Alternative course of action Own or Lease Retain or Replace Change or Status quo Export or Local gross gross deals Expand or Contract Take or Refuse order Place special orders Select sales territories Sell at split-up invest or process but. 13. 5 Make or Buy Decisions Make or obtain decisions arise when a alliance with unused output capacity consider the follo wing alternatives a) To buy certain raw materials or subassemblies from outside suppliers b) To use available capacity to produce the items within the company. c) The quality and type of item which affects the production schedule d) The pose needed for the production of item ) Any transportation involved due to the location of production facility f) Cost of acquiring special know how engaged for the item. Illustration 1 The Anchor Company Ltd produces most of its electrical get outs in its own do. The company is at present considering the feasibility of buying a part from an outside supplier for Rs. 4. 5 per part. If this were done, monthly costs would increase by Rs. 1,000 The part under consideration is manufactured in Department 1 along with numerous other parts. On account of discontinuing the production of this part, Department 1 would flip up somewhat reduced trading operations.The average monthly usage production of this part is 20,000 units. The costs of producing t his part on per unit basis are as follows. hearty Rs. 1. 80 work (half-hour) 2. 40 Fixed overheads 0. 80 Total costs 5. 00 Solution pic The company should continue the practice of producing the part in Department1. Illustration 2 ABC ltd plans utilize its idle capacity by making components parts instead of buying them from suppliers.The following are the data available for decision to make or buy Unit cost Direct Material 12. 5 Direct Labour 8. 0 Variable manufacturing overhead 5. 0 The company purchases the part at a unit cost of Rs. 30. The company has been operational at 75% of normal capacity. Fixed manufacturing cost is 17 lakhs. The cost to manufacture 50000 units is Unit cost Total cost Direct material 12. 5 6,25,000 Direct labour 8. 0 4,00,000 Variable manufacturing o/h 5. 0 2,50,000 Total incremental cost 25. 5 12,75,000 Cost to purchase part 30. 15,00,000 take in advantage in parts production 4. 5 2,25,000 Inference The jibe incremental cost by produ cing the part in-house is Rs. 25. 50 while the cost incurred on purchase of the part from suppliers is Rs. 30. 00. There is a clear advantage to the company to produce the part in-house. 13. 6 Addition or Discontinuance of a Product line or Process The decision to add or eliminate an unprofitable product is a special case of product profitability evaluation.When a firm is divided into multiple sales outlets, product lines, divisions, subdivisions it may have to evaluate their individual performance to decide whether or not to continue operations of each of these segments. Illustration 3 The Hi-tech Manufacturing Company is presently evaluating two possible processes for the manufacture of a toy, and makes available to you the following information Particular Process A Process B Rs. Rs. Variable cost per unit 12 14 sales price per unit 20 20 Total fixed costs per year 30,00,000 21,00,000 Capacity (in units) 4,30,000 5,00,000 Anticipated sales (next year, in units) 4,00,000 4,00,000 You are required to suggest ) Which process should be chosen? Substantiate your attend to. ii) Would you change your answer as given above if you were informed that the capacities of the two processes are as follows A 6, 00,000 units B 5, 00,000 units? Why? Substantiate your answer. Solution Comparative availability direction Particular Process A Process B Rs. Rs. (i) Selling price per unit 20 20 Variable cot per unit 12 14 Contribution per unit 8 6 Total annual piece (as per anticipated sales) 32,00,000 24,00,000 Total fixed costs per year 30,00,000 21,00,000 Total Income 2,00,000 3,00,000 Process B may be chosen Total contribution (if utilized to present capacity and sell) 34,40,000 30,00,000 Less Fixed costs 30,00,000 21,00,000 Total Income 4,40,000 9,00,000 Process B may be chosen (ii) Total contribution (if capacity of A of 6,00,000 units and48,00,000 30,00,000 of B 5,00,000 units) Less Fixed costs 30,00,000 21,00,000 Total Income 18, 00,000 9,00,000 Process A may be chosen. Illustration 4 Addition of second shift Ulfa Ltd produces a single product in its plant. This product sells for Rs. 100 per unit. The standard production cost per unit is as follows stinging materials (5 kgs Rs. 8 Rs. 40 Direct labour (2 hours Rs. ) 10 Variable manufacturing overheads 10 Fixed manufacturing overheads 20 80 The plant is shortly in operation(p) at full capacity of 1, 00,000 units per years on a single shift. This output is inadequate to meet the projected sales manager has estimated that the firm allow for lose sales of 40,000 units next years if the capacity is not expanded Plant capacity could be doubled by adding a second shift. This would require additional out-of-pocket fixed manufacturing overhead costs of Rs. 10,00,000 annually. Also, a night work pay premium equal to 25 per cent of the standard wage would have to be paid during the second shift.However, if annual production volume were 1,30,000 units or mor e, the company could take advantage of 2 per cent quantity deductive reasoning on its raw material purchases. You are required to advise whether it would be profitable to add the second shift in order to obtain the sales volume of 40,000 units per year? Solution Decision analysis Particulars Profit without expansion Profits with expansion gross revenue revenue Rs. 1,00,00,000 Rs. 1,40,00,000 Less variable costs Raw materials (Rs 39. 0 x 1,40,000) 40,00,000 54,88,000 Direct labour 10,00,000 15,00,000 Variable manufacturing overhead 10,00,000 14,00,000 Contribution 40,00,000 56,12,000 Less fixed costs (Rs. 1,00,000 x 20) 20,00,000 30,00,000 Net Income 20,00,000 26,12,000 Yes, it would be profitable to add the second shift as it would increase profits by Rs. 6, 12,000.Illustration 5 Assume a company is considering dropping product B from its line because accountancy statements shows that product B is being sell at a loss. Product A B C Total Sales revenue 50,000 7,50 0 12,500 70,000 Cost of sales D. Material 7,500 1,000 1,500 10,000 D.Labour 15,000 2,000 2,500 19,500 Indirect manufacturing cost (50% of 7,500 1,000 1,250 9,750 Direct labour) Total 30,000 4,000 5,250 39,250 Gross margin On sales 20,000 3,500 7,250 30,750 Selling & Admn 12,500 4,500 4,000 21,000 Net income 7,500 (1,000) 3,250 9,750 Additional information a) Factory command process overhead time cost is made up of fixed cost of Rs. 5850 and variable cost of Rs. 3900. b) Variable cost by products are A Rs 3000, B Rs 400 and C Rs 500 c) Fixed costs and expense will not be changed if product B is eliminated d) Variable selling and administrative expenses are to the extent of Rs. 11000 can be traced to the product A-Rs. 7,500 B- Rs. 1500 and C- Rs. 2000 e) Fixed selling and admn expense are Rs. 10000 Solution picIf the sale of product B were partd, the marginal contribution would be wooly-minded and the net income would be reduced by Rs. 2,600. Assume that later dropping product B, the sales of product A increased by 10%. The total profit of the firm will not increase by this sales increase. Product A makes only a marginal contribution of 34% (17000/50000) Sales revenue of Product A 50000 100% Variable cost of Product A 33000 66% Marginal contribution of Product A 17000 34% On additional sales of Rs. 5000 the marginal contribution would be Rs. 700 Sales revenue 10% of 50000 5000 Variable cost 66% 3300 Marginal contribution (34%) 1700 This contribution is less(prenominal) than Rs. 2,600 now being realized on the sales of product B. it would take additional sales of product A of approximately Rs. 7,647 to equal the marginal contribution of Rs. 2,600 mow being made by product B pic= Rs. 7,647 It is possible that dropping product B may result in reduction in some of the fixed costs. Products B now contributes Rs. 2,600 towards recovery of fixed costs and expenses. Only if the fixed costs and expenses can be reduced by more than this amo unt, it will be advisable to drop product B. 13. Sells or Process Further A firm is frequently faced with the problem of continuing with the breathing policies or plans or change to new ones. Such change could be in the form of selling a partially processed product (semi finished) or process further. While taking a decision about such matters, the management must keep in mind the long term consequence and the interest of the firm. Illustration 6 A firm sells semi finished product at Rs. 9 per unit. The cost to manufacture the semi finished product is Rs. 6. Further processing can be done at an additional cost of Rs. 3 per unit and the final product can be sold at Rs. 15 per unit. The firm can produce 10,000 units.The analysis is shown below Sell Process & Sell Sales revenue (10,000 units) Rs. 90,000 1,50,000 Less Manufacturing costs 60,000 90,000 Profit 30,000 60,000 There is a net advantage of Rs. 30,000 in processing the product further. The market value of the partially processed product (Rs. 90,000) is considered to be opportunity cost of further processing. The figure of net advantage of Rs. 30. 00 can be arrived at in the following manner also Revenue from sale of final product (10,000 x 15) Rs. 1,20,000 Less Additional processing cost (10,000 x 3 ) 30,000 Revenues from sale of intermediate product 90,000 1,20,000 Net advantage in further processing Rs. 30,000 13. 8 Operate or Shutdown Various factors both external and internal affect the functioning of the firm. In such situations it becomes necessary for a firm to temporarily suspend or shutdown the activities of a particular product, department or a unit as a whole.Illustration 7 A company operating below 50% of its capacity expects that the volume of sales will drop below the present level of 10,000 units per month. Management is concerned that a further drop in sales volume will create a loss and has under consideration a recommendation that operation be suspended, until better mark et conditions prevail and also a better selling price. The present operation income statement is as follows Rs Rs Sales revenue (10,000 units Rs. 3. 00) 30,000 Less Variable costs Rs. 2. 0 per unit 20. 000 Fixed costs 10,000 Net Income 0 Suggest the management at what point should the operation be suspended. The fixed cost ashes only Rs 4000 if operation is shutdown. The following income statements have been prepared for sales at different capacities pic It would appear that shutdown is desirable when the sale volume drops below 6,000 units per month, the point at which operating losses exceed the shutdown cost. 13. 9 Exploring New MarketsDecisions regarding entering new markets whether within the country or other the country should be taken after considering the following factors Whether the firm has surplus capacity to meet the new demand? What price is being offered by the new market? Whether the sale of goods in the new market will affect the present market for the goods? Illustration 8 The following figures are obtained from the budget of a company which is at present working at 90% capacity and producing 13,000 units per annum. 90% 100% Rs. Rs. Sales 15,00,000 16,00,000 Fixed Expenses 3,00,500 3,00,600 Semi- Fixed Expenses 97,500 1,00,500 Variable Overhead Expenses 1,45,000 1,49,500 Units made 13,500 15,000 Labour and material costs per unit are constant under present conditions. Profit margin is 10 per cent. a) You are required to determine the differential cost of producing 1,500 units by increasing capacity to 100 per cent. b) What would you recommend for an export price for these 1,500 units taking into account that overseas prices are much lower than indigenous prices? Solution staple Calculation Rs. Sales at 90% capacity 15,00,000 Less Profit 10% 1,50,000 Cost of Goods sold 13,50,000 Less Expenses (Fixed, semi-variable and variable) 5,43,000 Cost of Material and Labour 8,07,000 Labour and Material at 100% capacit y = Rs. 8,07,000 x 100/90 = 8,96,667 Differential cost analysis can now be done as follows Capacity levels 90% 100% Different cost Production (Units) 13,500 15,000 1,500 Material and Labour 8,07,000 8,96,667 89,667 Variable overhead expenses 1,45,000 1,49,500 4,500 Semi-variable expenses 97,500 1,00,500 3,000 Fixed expenses 3,00,500 3,00,600 100 13,50,000 14,47,267 97,267 a) Different Cost = Rs. 97,267 (Rs. 14,47,267 13,50,000) b) marginal price for export = pic= Rs. 64. 84 per unit At this price, there is no addition to revenue any price above Rs. 64. 84 per unit may be acceptable. Note It has been presumed that i) No capital investment is necessary ii) No export charges are incurred and ii) The export price will have no movement on the home market where the product will continue to be sold at the old price. It has also been assumed that necessary precaution have been taken to ensure that the product is not dumped back. 13. 10 Maintaining a Desired level of profit W hen deciding between alternative courses of actions the criterion should be to select the project which yields the greatest contribution. Illustration 9 A company is considering expansion. Fixed costs amount to Rs. 4, 20,000 and are judge to increase by Rs. 1, 25,000 when plant expansion is completed. The present plant capacity is 80,000 units a year. Capacity will increase by 50 per cent with the expansion. Variable costs are currently Rs. 6. 0 per unit and are expected to go down by Rs. 0. 40 per unit with the expansion. The current selling price is Rs. 16 per unit and is expected to remain same under either alternative. What are the break- even points under either alternative? Which alternative is better and why? Solution pic The profitability after expansion is very good and hence it is better to expand. Illustration 10 Disposal of inventories ABC Ltd has on hand 5,000 units of a product that cannot be sold through regular sales. These were produced at a total cost of Re. 1, 50 ,000 and would normally have been sold for Rs. 40 per unit. Three alternatives are being considered. i. Sell the items as scrap for Rs. per unit ii. Repackage at a cost of Rs. 20,000 and sell them at Rs. 8 per unit iii. Dispose them off at the city dump at removal cost of Rs. 500. Which alternative should be accepted? Solution Exhibits the decision analysis pic Alternative II should be accepted. 13. 11 Summary Decision making is the process of evaluating two or more alternatives leading to a final choice known as alternative choice decisions. Decision making is closely associated with planning for the future and is directed towards a specific objective or goal. A decision involves selecting among various choices. Non routine types of decisions are crucial and critical to he firm as it involves huge investments and involve much uncertainty. Short term decision making is based on relevant data obtained from accounting information. Relevant Cost are costs which would change as a res ult of the decision. Opportunity costs are monetary benefits foregone for not pursuing the alternative course. When a decision to follow one course of action is made, the opportunity to pursue some other course is foregone. Sunk costs are historical cost that cannot be recovered in a given situation. These costs are irrelevant in decision making. Avoidable costs are costs that can be avoided in future as a result of managerial choice. It is also known as discretionary costs.These costs are relevant in decision making. Incremental / Differential costs are costs that include variable costs and additional fixed costs resulting from a particular decision. They are helpful in finding out the profitability of increased output and give a better measure than the average cost. 13. 12 Terminal Questions 1. Avon garments Ltd manufactures readymade garments and uses its cut-pieces of cloth to manufacture dolls. The following statement of cost has been prepared. Particulars Readymade garment s Dolls Total Direct material Rs. 80,000 Rs. 6,000 Rs. 6,000 Direct labour 13,000 1,200 14,200 Variable overheads 17,000 2,800 19,800 Fixed overheads 24,000 3,000 27,000 Total cost 1,34,000 13,000 1,47,000 Sales 1,70,000 12,000 1,82,000 Profit (loss) 36,000 (1,000) 35,000 The cut-pieces used in dolls have a scrap value of Rs 1,000 if sold in the market. As there is a loss of Rs. 1,000 in the manufacturing of dolls, it is suggested to discontinue their manufacture. Advise the management. 2. The ABC Company Ltd produces most of its own parts and components. The standard wage rate in the parts department is Rs. 3 per hour. Variable manufacturing overheads is apply at a standard rate of Rs. 2 per labour hour and fixed manufacturing overheads are charged at a standard rate of Rs 2. 50 per hour. For its current years output, the company will require a new part. This part can be made in the parts department without any expansion of existing facilities.Nevertheless, it would be nec essary to increase the cost of product testing and inspection by Rs. 5,000 per month. Estimated labour time for the new part is half an hour per unit. Raw materials cost has been estimated at Rs. 6 per unit. The alternative choice before the company is to purchase part from an outside supplier at Rs 9 per unit. The company has estimated that it will need 2,00,000 new parts during the current years. Advise the company whether it would be more economical to buy or make the new parts. Would your answer be different if the requirement of new parts was only 1,00,000 parts? 13. 13 Answers to SAQ and TQs Answer to SAQ 1. Change 2 Sunk cost 3. Monetary benefits foregone 4. Avoidable cost Answers to TQs . Discontinue manufacture of dolls Readymade garments Dolls Total Total cost 134000 13000 147000 Profit (loss) 36000 (1000) 35000 2. Decision analysis 200000 units The company is advised to make the new part. The differential costs favouring the decision of making the component is Rs400 00 Decision analysis 100000 units The company is advised to buy from an outside supplier. Total cost to manufacture 100000 units is Rs. 9,10,000.