Standard
This variance is unfavorable because the actual cost
exceeds the standard cost.
Product Cost
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A General Model for Variance Analysis
Actual Quantity ×
Actual Price
Actual Quantity ×
Standard Price
Standards vs. Budgets
Are standards the same as budgets?
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A standard is the expected cost for one
unit. A budget is the expected cost for all
Variance Analysis Cycle
Identify questions
Receive explanations
Take corrective
actions
Analyze variances
Begin
Prepare standard cost performance
report
Conduct next period’s
Inputs
A
Standard Quantity or Hours
B
Standard Price
or Rate
AxB
Standard Cost
per Unit
Direct materials Direct labor Variable mfg. overhead
Total standard unit cost
Benchmarks for measuring performance.
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Standard Costs
Managers focus on quantities and costs that exceed standards, a practice known as
Standard Cost Variances
I see that there is an unfavorable
variance.
But why are variances important to me?
First, they point to causes of problems and directions for improvement.
Actual Quantity ×
Actual Price
Actual Quantity ×
Standard Price
Standard Quantity ×
Standard Price
Price Variance
Quantity Variance
Standard quantity is the quantity allowed for the actual good output.
Managerial Accountant
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Setting Standard Costs
Practical standards should be set at levels
that are currently attainable with reasonable and efficient effort.
Second, they trigger investigations in departments
having responsibility for incurring the costs.
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Use product design specifications.
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Setting Direct Labor Standards
Rate Standards
Time Standards
Use wage surveys and labor contracts.
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Setting Standard Costs
Should we use practical standards or ideal standards?
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Engineer
A General Model for Variance Analysis
Actual Quantity ×
Actual Price
Actual Quantity ×
Standard Price
Standard Quantity ×
Standard Price
Price Variance
Quantity Variance
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Human Resources Manager
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Setting Direct Material Standards
Price Standards
Quantity Standards
Final, delivered cost of materials, net of discounts.
Standard price is the amount that should have been paid for the resources acquired.
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A General Model for Variance Analysis
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Standard Cost Card – Variable Production Cost
A standard cost card for one unit of product might look like this:
Setting Standard Costs
Accountants, engineers, personnel administrators, and production managers combine efforts to set standards based on
experience and expectations.
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Standard Costs
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Let’s use the general model to calculate standard cost variances,
starting with direct material.
Standard Quantity ×
Standard Price
Price Variance
AQ(AP - SP) AQ = Actual Quantity AP = Actual Price
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Quantity Variance
SP(AQ - SQ) SP = Standard Price SQ = Standard Quantity
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Material Variances Example Zippy
Hanson Inc. has the following direct material standard to manufacture one Zippy:
operations
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Standard Cost Variances
Standard Cost Variances
Price Variance
The difference between the actual price and the
Activity Standards
The rate is the variable portion of the predetermined overhead
rate.
The activity is the base used to calculate
the predetermined overhead.
Chapter
10
Standard Costs and Operating Performance
Measures
Standard Costs
Standard Costs are
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Based on carefully predetermined amounts.