Final answer:
The direct labor rate variance for the Japan company is an unfavorable $7,290, calculated by multiplying the actual labor hours by the difference in standard and actual rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The direct labor rate variance is calculated by comparing the standard cost of labor to the actual cost. To compute this, we multiply the actual hours worked by the difference between the standard rate and the actual rate. In this case, the student's company had a standard rate of $19.00 per hour but ended up paying $19.60 per hour.
Here's how the calculation works:
- Actual hours worked: 12,150 hours
- Difference in rates: $19.60 actual rate - $19.00 standard rate = $0.60
- Labor rate variance: 12,150 hours x $0.60 = $7,290
Since the actual rate is higher than the standard rate, this is an unfavorable variance, so the final answer is:
$7,290 unfavorable variance