Question

Saddle Inc. has two types of handbags: standard and custom. The controller has decided to use a plantwide overhead rate based on direct labor costs. The president has heard of activity-based costing and wants to see how the results would differ if this system were used. Two activity cost pools were developed: machining and machine setup. Presented below is information related to the company’s operations. Standard Custom Direct labor costs $60,000 $103,000 Machine hours 1,400 1,290 Setup hours 96 400 Total estimated overhead costs are $300,000. Overhead cost allocated to the machining activity cost pool is $195,000, and $105,000 is allocated to the machine setup activity cost pool.
1. Compute the overhead rate using the traditional (plantwide) approach. (Round answer to 2 decimal places, e.g. 12.25.)
2. Compute the overhead rates using the activity-based costing approach. (Round answers to 2 decimal places, e.g. 12.25.)
3. Determine the difference in allocation between the two approaches. (Round answers to 0 decimal places, e.g. 1,225.)

Answer 1

Answer:

Saddle Inc.

1. Overhead rate using the traditional (plantwide) approach is:

= $1.84

2. The overhead rates using activity-based costing approach are:

Machining = $72.49

Machine setup = $211.69

3. The difference in allocation between the two approaches:

Differences:

ABC approach        $121,808   $178,188   $299,996

Using plantwide     $110,400  $189,520  $299,920

Differences              $11,408    -$11,332             $76

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Total estimated overhead costs = $300,000

Machining activity = $195,000

Machine setup activity = $105,000

                             Standard   Custom     Total

Direct labor costs $60,000 $103,000  $163,000

Machine hours           1,400        1,290       2,690

Setup hours                    96          400          496

Overhead rate based on direct labor costs = $1.84 ($300,000/163,000)

Overhead rates using activity-based costing approach:

Machining = $72.49 ($195,000/2,690)

Machine setup = $211.69 ($105,000/496)

Allocation of overhead costs:

                                 Standard   Custom         Total

Using plantwide       $110,400  $189,520  $299,920

Using ABC:

Machining                $101,486    $93,512    $194,998

Machine setup           20,322      84,676      104,998

Total costs               $121,808   $178,188   $299,996

Differences:

ABC approach        $121,808   $178,188   $299,996

Using plantwide     $110,400  $189,520  $299,920

Differences               $11,408    -$11,332            $76