Question

Becton Labs, Inc., produces various chemical compounds for industrial use. One compound, called Fludex, is prepared using an elaborate distilling process. The company has developed standard costs for one unit of Fludex, as follows:

Standard Quantity or Hours Standard Price or Rate Standard Cost
Direct materials 2.40 ounces $27.00 per ounce $64.80
Direct labor 0.60 hours $12.00 per hour 7.20
Variable manufacturing overhead 0.60 hours $3.50 per hour 2.10
Total standard cost per unit $74.10

During November, the following activity was recorded related to the production of Fludex

a. Materials purchased, 13,000 ounces at a cost of $330,200
b. There was no beginning inventory of materials; however, at the end of the month, 2,850 ounces of material remained in ending inventory
c. The company employs 20 lab technicians to work on the production of Fludex. During November, they each worked an average 160 hours at an average pay rate of $11.00 per hour
d. Variable manufacturing overhead is assigned to Fludex on the basis of direct labor-hours. Variable manufacturing overhead during November totaled $6,000
e. During November, the company produced 4,200 units of Fludex.

Required
1. For direct materials:
a. Compute the price and quantity variances
b. The materials were purchased from a new supplier who is anxious to enter into a long-term purchase contract. Would you recommend that the company sign the contract?

2. For direct labor:
a. Compute the rate and efficiency variances
b. In the past, the 20 technicians employed in the production of Fludex consisted of 7 senior technicians and 13 assistants. Durin November, the company experimented with fewer senior technicians and more assistants in order to reduce labor costs. Woulc recommend that the new labor mix be continued?
3. Compute the variable overhead rate and efficiency variances

Answer 1

Becton Labs, Inc.

1. Direct materials:

a. Price variance

= $20,600 Favorable

Quantity variance

= $1,890 Unfavorable

b. The company can sign the contract provided it is made clear to the new supplier that price variations would not be welcome shortly after signing the contract, but will depend on the market realities.

2. Direct labor:

a. Direct labor rate and efficiency variances:

Direct labor rate variance

= $3,200 Favorable

Efficiency variance

= $8,160 Unfavorable

b. I would not recommend that the new labor mix be continued. The old mix may be working better because the labor efficiency cost increased with the new mix labor mix.

3. The variable overhead rate and efficiency variances:

Variable overhead rate variance

= $5,200 Favorable

Variable overhead efficiency variance

= $2,380 Unfavorable

Step-by-step explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Standard Costs for 1 Unit of Fludex:

Standard Standard Standard Cost

Quantity or Hours Price or Rate

Direct materials 2.40 ounces $27.00 per ounce $64.80

Direct labor 0.60 hours $12.00 per hour 7.20

Variable manufacturing

overhead 0.60 hours $3.50 per hour 2.10

Total standard cost per unit $74.10

Activities recorded during November:

a. Materials purchased = 13,000 ounces at $330,300

Each ounce = $25.41 (330,300/13,000)

b. Materials used for production = 10,150 ounces (13,000 - 2,850)

Standard materials = 4,200 * 2.40 = 10,080 ounces

c. Direct labor hours = 20 * 160 = 3,200 hours

Standard labor hours = 0.60 * 4,200 = 2,520

Average labor rate = $11.00 per hour

Direct labor costs = $35,200 ($11.00 * 3,200)

d. Standard variable overhead = $11,200 (3,200 *$3.50)

Actual overhead incurred = $6,000

Actual overhead rate = $1.43 ($6,000/4,200)

e. Units produced = 4,200

1. Direct materials:

a. Price variance = (Actual price - standard price)* Actual units

= ($25.41 - $27.00)13,000 = $20,600 F

Quantity variance = (Actual quantity - Standard quantity) Standard Cost

= (10,150 - 10,080) * $27.00

= $1,890 U

b. The company can sign the contract provided it is made clear to the new supplier that price variations would not be welcome shortly after signing the contract, but will depend on the market realities.

2. Direct labor:

a. Direct labor rate and efficiency variances:

Direct labor rate variance = (Actual rate - Standard rate) * Actual hours

= ($11 - $12) * 3,200 = $3,200 Favorable

Efficiency variance = (Actual hours - Standard hours) * Standard rate

= (3,200 - 2,520) * $12

= $8,160 Unfavorable

b. I would not recommend that the new labor mix be continued. The old may be working better because the labor efficiency cost increased.

3. The variable overhead rate and efficiency variances:

Variable overhead rate variance = Actual costs − (AH × SR)

= $6,000 - (3,200 * $3.50)

= $6,000 - $11,200

= $5,200 Favorable

Variable overhead efficiency variance = (AH − SH) × SR

= (3,200 - 2,520) * $3.50

= $2,380 Unfavorable