Carlos Cavalas, the manager of Echo Products\' Brazilian Division, is trying to
ID: 2565436 • Letter: C
Question
Carlos Cavalas, the manager of Echo Products' Brazilian Division, is trying to set the production schedule for the last quarter of the year. The Brazilian Division had planned to sell 69,300 units during the year, but by September 30 only the following activity had been reported: Units Inventory, January 1 Production Sales Inventory, September 30 71,600 63,000 8,600 The division can rent warehouse space to store up to 29,500 units. The minimum inventory level that the division should carry is 2,900 units. Mr. Cavalas is aware that production must be at least 5,160 units per quarter in order to retain a nucleus of key employees Maximum production capacity is 45,800 units per quarter. Demand has been soft, and the sales forecast for the last quarter is only 19,400 units. Due to the nature of the division's operations, fixed manufacturing overhead is a major element of product cost. Required 1a. Assume that the division is using variable costing. How many units should be scheduled for production during the last quarter of the year? 1b. Will the number of units scheduled for production affect the division's reported income or loss for the year? 2. Assume that the division is using absorption costing and that the divisional manager is given an annual bonus based on divisional operating income. If Mr. Cavalas wants to maximize his division's operating income for the year, how many units should be scheduled for production during the last quarter?Explanation / Answer
1a) Division is using Variable costing -
Sales forecast for the last quarter = 19,400 units.....(A)
Closing Inventory = 8,600 units ...............................(B)
Minimum Inventory level to be maintained = 2,900 units.......(C)
Minimum production per quarter = 5,160 units ........(D)
Accordingly, minimum units that should be scheduled for production = (A) - (B)
= 19,400 units - 8,600 units = 10,800 units to be produced - this would also maintain minimum inventory level and minimum prodcution level per quarter
1B) Since the division is using variable costing method to record cost, number of units scheduled for production would not affect division's reported income or loss for the year. This is because under variable costing fixed cost are considered as period cost and are accounted for that period in which they are incurred.
2) Division is using Absorption costing
Under absorption costing fixed manufacturing overheads are expensed when the product is sold.They are absorbed per unit basis. Hence under the given situation, profit under absorption costing would be highest if highest no of units are produced to absorb maximum fixed manufacturing overhead.
Since the division can afford to rent a warehouse space to store upto 29,500 units and we have 8,600 units of inventory in stock, to maximise operating income (29,500 units less 8,600 units) should be produced which comes to around 20,900 untis.