Cost Accounting Concepts

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following cost classifications is LEAST relevant when predicting total costs within a wide range of activity?

  • Variable costs
  • Fixed costs
  • Mixed costs
  • Sunk costs (correct)

A cost that remains constant on a per-unit basis as production volume changes is classified as a fixed cost.

False (B)

Provide the term for a cost that contains both a fixed and a variable component. For example, a monthly equipment lease that includes a flat fee plus a price per use.

mixed costs

Costs that are relevant to a particular decision but may not be directly traceable to a product are known as _______ costs.

<p>indirect</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the cost type with its description:

<p>Variable Cost = Changes in total proportionately with production volume. Fixed Cost = Remains constant in total, regardless of changes in production volume. Mixed Cost = Contains both fixed and variable components.</p> Signup and view all the answers

When using the least squares method to determine cost elements, what does 'n' represent?

<p>The number of observations (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In cost accounting, fixed costs vary in total with changes in the level of activity.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of cost analysis, what is the definition of 'variable cost'?

<p>Costs that change in proportion to activity</p> Signup and view all the answers

Using the least squares method, the __________ cost is the cost that remains constant irrespective of the number of observations.

<p>fixed</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the cost elements with their descriptions:

<p>Fixed Cost = Cost that remains constant in total regardless of changes in the level of activity. Variable Cost = Cost that changes in total in direct proportion to changes in the level of activity. Least Squares Method = Statistical technique used to determine the relationship between variables by minimizing the sum of the squares of the errors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the primary focus of cost accounting?

<p>Tracking, analyzing, and controlling costs within an organization. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A primary objective of cost accounting is to set operational plans only for the short term, as long-term plans fall outside its scope.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name three common classifications used in cost accounting.

<p>By behavior, by function, by nature</p> Signup and view all the answers

The __________ point is the level of sales at which total revenue equals total costs, resulting in neither profit nor loss.

<p>break-even</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each cost accounting objective with its description:

<p>Cost Control = Implementing measures to keep costs within acceptable limits. Decision Making = Providing cost information to support various management choices. Profitability Analysis = Determining the profitability of products, services, or departments. Inventory Valuation = Assigning costs to inventory for financial reporting purposes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Using the high-low method, what does the 'high level of activity' refer to when calculating variable cost per unit?

<p>The period with the highest activity level, regardless of cost. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the high-low method, the variable cost per unit is calculated by dividing the difference in ______ by the difference in activity levels.

<p>total costs</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the variable cost per direct labor hour if the high cost is $241,600 at 70,000 direct labor hours and the low cost is $170,200 at 40,000 direct labor hours?

<p>$2.38 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The high-low method provides a very precise estimation of cost behavior because it considers all available data points.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to identify the 'activity level' when using the high-low method to estimate costs?

<p>the activity level drives the variable costs</p> Signup and view all the answers

Using the equations provided, what type of analysis can be performed? (Select the best answer)

<p>Regression Analysis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If the selling price per unit increases while fixed costs and variable costs remain constant, the break-even point in units will increase.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) analysis, what is the significance of the break-even point?

<p>It's the point where total revenue equals total costs, resulting in neither profit nor loss.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The formula for calculating Break-even point (Quantity) is Fixed costs divided by ______.

<p>Selling price per unit – Variable costs per unit</p> Signup and view all the answers

A company has fixed costs of $500,000, a selling price per unit of $400, and variable costs per unit of $250. What is the break-even point in value?

<p>$1,333,333.33 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula to calculate the volume of sales required to achieve a target profit?

<p>Volume = (Fixed Costs + Target Profit) / Contribution Margin per Unit (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define 'contribution margin' and explain its significance in cost-volume-profit analysis.

<p>Contribution margin is the difference between sales revenue and variable costs. It indicates how much revenue is available to cover fixed costs and generate profit.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of CVP analysis, the break-even point is reached when total revenue equals the sum of total __________ costs and total __________ costs.

<p>fixed, variable</p> Signup and view all the answers

Increasing fixed costs will always decrease the break-even point, assuming all other variables remain constant.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Using the given data, calculate the volume of sales required to achieve the target profit: Sales price per unit = $100, Variable cost per unit = $60, Fixed costs = $25,000, Target profit = $20,000. Round up to the nearest whole unit.

<p>1125 Units (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Fixed Cost

Costs that remain constant regardless of production level.

Variable Cost

Costs that vary with the level of production or activity.

Least Squares Method

A statistical technique to minimize the differences between observed and predicted values.

Observations (n)

The number of data points collected for analysis.

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Cost Elements

Components that make up total costs, including fixed and variable costs.

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Cost Classifications for Decision Making

Categories of costs that help analyze and make informed business decisions.

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Predicting Cost Behavior

Understanding how costs change with different levels of activity.

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Variable Cost Per Rate

Cost that varies with production level, calculated per unit activity.

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High Cost

The maximum expense incurred at a high level of activity in production.

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Low Cost

The minimum expense incurred at a low level of activity in production.

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Cost Difference Calculation

The process to find the difference between high cost and low cost for variable cost per rate calculation.

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Direct Labor Hour Rate

Amount calculated to reflect labor cost per hour worked, influenced by variable costs.

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Cost Accounting

The process of tracking, recording, and analyzing costs associated with production or services.

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Objectives of Cost Accounting

To ascertain the cost of products, control expenses, and provide management with data for decision-making.

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Classification of Costs

Grouping costs based on different criteria like behavior, function, or nature.

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Operational Plans

Strategies outlining short-term and long-term activities to achieve business goals.

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Break-Even Point

The level of sales at which total revenues equal total costs, resulting in no profit or loss.

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Contribution Margin

Revenue remaining after variable costs are subtracted from sales.

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Sales Volume for Target Profit

The required number of units to sell to reach desired profit levels.

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Target Profit

The specific profit level a business aims to achieve.

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Selling Price per Unit

The amount charged for each unit sold.

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Break-even point (Quantity)

The number of units that must be sold to cover total fixed costs.

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Break-even point (Value)

The total revenue needed to cover costs at the break-even quantity.

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Variable Cost per Unit

The cost that changes with the level of production per unit.

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Total Fixed Cost

The total costs that do not change with production levels.

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Study Notes

Cost Accounting - Semester 6

  • This course covers cost accounting concepts, cost behavior analysis, cost estimation methods (high-low method, least squares method), break-even analysis, and cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis.

Cost Behavior Analysis

  • Cost behavior is the change in cost or expenses of a business due to a change in the business process.
  • Understanding cost behavior is crucial for decision-making, planning, and controlling.
  • There are three types of cost behavior patterns:
    • Variable costs: Change in direct proportion to the level of activity, fixed per unit.
    • Fixed costs: Remain unchanged in total when the level of activity changes, variable per unit.
    • Mixed costs: Contain both variable and fixed cost elements.

Cost Analysis Estimation Methods

  • High-low method: Used to estimate the variable and fixed cost elements of a mixed cost.

    • Identify the highest and lowest activity levels and their corresponding costs.
    • Calculate the variable cost per unit using the formula: (high cost - low cost) / (high activity level - low activity level).
    • Calculate the fixed cost using the formula: Y = a + bx (where Y is the total cost, a is the fixed cost, b is the variable cost per unit, and x is the activity level). Use either the high or low activity level to solve for 'a'.
  • Least Squares Method: A more precise method for estimating the variable and fixed cost elements of a mixed cost using linear regression analysis. This method minimizes the sum of squared differences between observed costs and predicted costs based on a linear model.

Break-Even Analysis

  • Break-even point is the point at which total revenue equals total costs, resulting in neither profit nor loss.
  • Fixed costs are costs that remain constant regardless of the level of output. Variable costs are costs that change in direct proportion to the level of output.
  • Contribution margin is the difference between selling price per unit and variable cost per unit and used to determine the break-even point.

Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) Analysis

  • CVP analysis examines the relationship between sales volume, costs, and profit.
  • It helps in decision-making regarding pricing, production output, and sales mix.
  • Key elements in CVP analysis include: -Selling price per unit -Variable cost per unit -Fixed costs -Target profit -Contribution margin
  • Tools for CVP analysis include break-even analysis and calculation of profit at various levels of activity

Manufacturing Costs

  • Direct materials: Materials that are easily traceable to a specific product.
  • Direct labor: Labor costs directly involved in producing a product.
  • Manufacturing overhead: All other manufacturing costs that cannot be directly traced to a specific product.

Cost Accounting Concepts

  • Variable cost: Changes in direct proportion to a change in the level of activity; the cost per unit is fixed.
  • Fixed cost: Remains unchanged in total when the level of activity changes; the cost per unit is variable.
  • Direct cost: Related directly to a cost object, which is any item the manager wants to measure the cost of
  • Indirect cost: Not directly related to a cost object.
  • Controllable cost: Manager can control or heavily influence the level of cost.
  • Uncontrollable cost: Manager cannot control or influence significantly.
  • Manufacturing cost: Cost incurred in producing goods or services.

Break-Even Point Calculations

  • Break-even point (Quantity) = Fixed Costs / (Selling Price per Unit – Variable Cost per Unit).
  • Break-even point (Value) = Break-even point (Quantity) * Selling Price per Unit.
  • Contribution Margin: Selling price per unit – variable cost per unit
  • Formula for calculating break-even point

Cost Accounting Objectives

  • Determine the cost of products or services.
  • Determine the selling price.
  • Control and reduce costs.
  • Find profitability of divisions, activities, and units. -Locate wastages accurately.
  • Decision making through accurate data presentations and analysis.

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Cost Accounting Semester 6 PDF

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