Question

The University of Dental Health (UDH) is a state-run university focusing on the education and training of dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, and other dental professionals. UDH has just hired a new controller who wants to organize UDH by responsibility centers so that responsibility accounting can be implemented. The controller has asked for your assistance in identifying each of the following UDH functions as either a cost center (C) or a profit center (P).
Accounting
Bookstore
Cafeterias
Career services
Community workshops (providing continuing professional education necessary for state licensure)
Custodial services
Financial aid
Human resources
Information technology
Residence halls
Student parking lots (fee based)
University newspaper/radio station

Answer 1

Answer:

The University of Dental Health (UDH)

Functions                                           Type of Center

Accounting                                         Cost Center

Bookstore                                           Profit Center

Cafeterias                                           Profit Center

Career services                                  Cost Center

Community workshops                      Profit Center

(providing

continuing professional

education necessary for

state licensure)

Custodial services                              Cost Center

Financial aid                                        Cost Center

Human resources                              Cost Center

Information technology                     Cost Center

Residence halls                                  Profit Center

Student parking lots (fee based)      Profit Center

University newspaper/radio station Cost Center

Explanation:

The UDH's cost center is a department or function that does not directly contribute to its profitability but costs it money to operate its activities. A profit center, on the other hand, directly contributes to the University's profitability by generating revenue through its activities.  Please, note that the dividing line is thin.  The determinant factor depends on the choices and efforts made by an organization's management to commercialize some of its internal services.