Question

aner, Harris & Chan is a consulting firm that specializes in information systems for medical and dental clinics. The firm has two offices—one in Chicago and one in Minneapolis. The firm classifies the direct costs of consulting jobs as variable costs. A contribution format segmented income statement for the company’s most recent year is given: Assume that Minneapolis’ sales by major market are: Market Minneapolis Medical Dental Sales $ 600,000 100 % $ 400,000 100 % $ 200,000 100 % Variable expenses 360,000 60 % 260,000 65 % 100,000 50 % Contribution margin 240,000 40 % 140,000 35 % 100,000 50 % Traceable fixed expenses 72,000 12 % 20,000 5 % 52,000 26 % Market segment margin 168,000 28 % $ 120,000 30 % $ 48,000 24 % Common fixed expenses not traceable to markets 18,000 3 % Office segment margin $ 150,000 25 % The company would like to initiate an intensive advertising campaign in one of the two market segments during the next month. The campaign would cost $8,000. Marketing studies indicate that such a campaign would increase sales in the Medical market by $70,000 or increase sales in the Dental market by $60,000. Required: 1. How much would the company's profits increase (decrease) if it implemented the advertising campaign in the Medical Market? 2. How much would the company's profits increase (decrease) if it implemented the advertising campaign in the Dental Market? 3. In which of the markets would you recommend that the company focus its advertising campaign?

Answer 1

Answer:

1. $ 136,500

2. $70000

3. Medical market

Explanation:

1. Calculation to determine How much would the company's profits increase (decrease) if it implemented the advertising campaign in the MEDICAL MARKET

First is to calculate the sales

Sales = (400 000 + 70 000)

Sales = $470 000

Second step is to calculate the profit

Variable cost =$470 000 *65%

Variable cost=$305 500

Contribution =$470 000*35%

Contribution =$164,500

Fixed Expense= $28 000

Profit = $ 136,500

Now let calculate the Difference made by advertisement

Difference = 136500 - 120000

Difference=16500

2. Calculation to determine How much would the company's profits increase (decrease) if it implemented the advertising campaign in the

DENTAL MARKET

vcr Of The Dental market = 50%

Variable cost =50% $260 000

Variable cost = $130 000

Contribution = $130 000

Fixed expenses = $60 000

Profit = $70000

Now let determine difference made by the advertisement

Difference =(70000) - 48000

Difference= 22000

3. Based On the above calculation the markets I would recommend that the company focus its advertising campaign is medical market