Question

Saddle Inc. has two types of handbags: standard and custom. The controller has decided to use a plantwide overhead rate based on direct labor costs. The president has heard of activity-based costing and wants to see how the results would differ if this system were used. Two activity cost pools were developed: machining and machine setup. Presented below is information related to the company’s operations. Standard Custom Direct labor costs $60,000 $103,000 Machine hours 1,400 1,290 Setup hours 96 400 Total estimated overhead costs are $300,000. Overhead cost allocated to the machining activity cost pool is $195,000, and $105,000 is allocated to the machine setup activity cost pool.

1. Compute the overhead rate using the traditional (plantwide) approach. (Round answer to 2 decimal places, e.g. 12.25.)
2. Compute the overhead rates using the activity-based costing approach. (Round answers to 2 decimal places, e.g. 12.25.)
3. Determine the difference in allocation between the two approaches. (Round answers to 0 decimal places, e.g. 1,225.)

Answer 1

Saddle Inc.

1. Overhead rate using the traditional (plantwide) approach is:

= $1.84

2. The overhead rates using activity-based costing approach are:

Machining = $72.49

Machine setup = $211.69

3. The difference in allocation between the two approaches:

Differences:

ABC approach $121,808 $178,188 $299,996

Using plantwide $110,400 $189,520 $299,920

Differences $11,408 -$11,332 $76

Step-by-step explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Total estimated overhead costs = $300,000

Machining activity = $195,000

Machine setup activity = $105,000

Standard Custom Total

Direct labor costs $60,000 $103,000 $163,000

Machine hours 1,400 1,290 2,690

Setup hours 96 400 496

Overhead rate based on direct labor costs = $1.84 ($300,000/163,000)

Overhead rates using activity-based costing approach:

Machining = $72.49 ($195,000/2,690)

Machine setup = $211.69 ($105,000/496)

Allocation of overhead costs:

Standard Custom Total

Using plantwide $110,400 $189,520 $299,920

Using ABC:

Machining $101,486 $93,512 $194,998

Machine setup 20,322 84,676 104,998

Total costs $121,808 $178,188 $299,996

Differences:

ABC approach $121,808 $178,188 $299,996

Using plantwide $110,400 $189,520 $299,920

Differences $11,408 -$11,332 $76