Question

Make-or-Buy Decision Somerset Computer Company has been purchasing carrying cases for its portable computers at a purchase price of $24 per unit. The company, which is currently operating below full capacity, charges factory overhead to production at the rate of 40% of direct labor cost. The unit costs to produce comparable carrying cases are expected to be as follows: Direct materials $8.00 Direct labor 12.00 Factory overhead (40% of direct labor) 4.80 Total cost per unit $24.80 If Somerset Computer Company manufactures the carrying cases, fixed factory overhead costs will not increase and variable factory overhead costs associated with the cases are expected to be 25% of the direct labor costs.
a. Prepare a differential analysis dated April 30 to determine whether the company should make (Alternative 1) or buy (Alternative 2) the carrying case. If an amount is zero, enter "0".

Answer 1

Answer:

Differential analysis as at April 30

                                            Make (Alternative 1)  Buy (Alternative 2)

Purchase Price                                $0.00                     $24.00

Direct materials                               $8.00                       $0.00

Direct labor                                     $12.00                      $0.00

Variable Costs - Case related         $3.00                      $0.00

Total Cost                                       $23.00                    $24.00

Conclusion

Company should make carrying cases instead of purchasing as this is cheaper by $1.00

Explanation:

There is a choice to be made between Make (Alternative 1) and Buy (Alternative 2). Compute the Total costs for these choices.

Ignore the fixed overheads as they are the same for both alternatives and hence irrelevant.

Choose the alternative with lower costs.