Academic Integrity: tutoring, explanations, and feedback — we don’t complete graded work or submit on a student’s behalf.

Problem 5A-7 Cost Behavior; High-Low Method; Contribution Format Income Statemen

ID: 2340635 • Letter: P

Question

Problem 5A-7 Cost Behavior; High-Low Method; Contribution Format Income Statement [LO5-10]

Morrisey & Brown, Ltd., of Sydney is a merchandising company that is the sole distributor of a product that is increasing in popularity among Australian consumers. The company’s income statements for the three most recent months follow:

Required:

1. By analyzing the data from the company's income statements, classify each of its expenses (including cost of goods sold) as either variable, fixed, or mixed.

2. Using the high-low method, separate each mixed expense into variable and fixed elements. Express the variable and fixed portions of each mixed expense in the form Y = a + bX.

3. Redo the company’s income statement at the 7,000-unit level of activity using the contribution format.

Morrisey & Brown, Ltd.
Income Statements
For the Three Months Ended September 30 July August September Sales in units 6,000 6,500 7,000 Sales $ 570,000 $ 617,500 $ 665,000 Cost of goods sold 342,000 370,500 399,000 Gross margin 228,000 247,000 266,000 Selling and administrative expenses: Advertising expense 26,200 26,200 26,200 Shipping expense 58,000 61,600 65,200 Salaries and commissions 110,000 116,800 123,600 Insurance expense 8,450 8,450 8,450 Depreciation expense 17,900 17,900 17,900 Total selling and administrative expenses 220,550 230,950 241,350 Net operating income $ 7,450 $ 16,050 $ 24,650

Explanation / Answer

Answer:

1. By analyzing the data from the company's income statements, classify each of its expenses (including cost of goods sold) as either variable, fixed, or mixed.

Cost

Cost Behavior

Cost of Goods Sold

Variable

Advertising Expense

Fixed

Shipping Expense

Mixed

Salaries and Commissions

Mixed

Insurance Expense

Fixed

Depreciation Expense

Fixed

_________________________________________________________________

2.

Using the high-low method, separate each mixed expense into variable and fixed elements. Express the variable and fixed portions of each mixed expense in the form Y = a + bX.

Shipping Expense

Salaries and Commission

High (a)

65,200

123,600

Low (b)

$58,000

$110,000

Difference in Cost (c=A-B)

$7,200

$13,600

Difference in Sales Volume(d)

1,000 units

1,000 units

Variable Cost per Unit (E=c/d)

$ 7.20 per unit

$ 13.60 per unit

Fixed Cost per month (total cost-variable cost)

$14,800

$28,400

variable

Fixed

Formula (to calc cost "Y" at any level)

Shipping Expense

$ 7.20 per unit

14,800

Y=$14,800 + $7.2 per unit

Salaries and commissions

$ 13.60 per unit

28,400

Y=$28,400 + $13.6 per unit

_________________________________________________________________________

3.

Redo the company’s income statement at the 7,000-unit level of activity using the contribution format.

Morrissey and Brown Ltd.

Contribution Margin Income Statement

Activity Level : 7,000 units

Sales Revenue ( 7000 x $ 95)

$665,000

Less Variable Costs:

Cost of Goods Sold ( 7,000 x $ 57)

399,000

Shipping Expense ( 7,000 x $ 7.2)

50,400

Salaries and Commissions ( 7,000 x $ 13.6)

95,200

544,600

Contribution Margin

$120,400

Less: Fixed Cost

Advertising

26,200

Insurance

8,450

Shipping

14,800

Salaries and Commissions

28,400

Depreciation

17,900

Total Fixed Costs

95,750

Net Operating Income

$24,650

Cost

Cost Behavior

Cost of Goods Sold

Variable

Advertising Expense

Fixed

Shipping Expense

Mixed

Salaries and Commissions

Mixed

Insurance Expense

Fixed

Depreciation Expense

Fixed