Question

Stephenson Company is trying to decide which one of two contracts it will accept. The costs and revenues associated with each are listed below: Contract X Contract Z Contract Revenue $ 200,000 $ 260,000 Materials 10,000 10,000 Labor 88,000 120,000 Depreciation on Equipment 8,000 10,000 Cost Incurred for Consulting Advice 1,500 1,500 Allocated Portion of Overhead 5,000 3,000 The equipment was purchased last year and has no resale value. Which of these amounts is relevant for the selection of one contract over another?
a) Contract revenue and labor costs
b) Materials, consulting advice and allocated overhead
c) Cost of consulting advice and allocated overhead
d) Contract revenue, labor costs and depreciation on equipment

Answer 1

Answer:

Stephenson Company

The amounts that are relevant for the selection of one contract over another are:

a) Contract revenue and labor costs

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Contract X Contract Z

Contract Revenue                         $ 200,000 $ 260,000

Materials                                               10,000       10,000

Labor                                                    88,000    120,000

Depreciation on Equipment                 8,000       10,000

Cost Incurred for Consulting Advice    1,500         1,500

Allocated Portion of Overhead            5,000        3,000

b) The costs of materials and cost incurred for consulting advice, though variable, are equal in each contract.  They are not relevant in determining the contract to choose.  Contract revenue and labor costs are variable and not equal.  They are relevant in determining the contract to select.  They make a difference in the decision.  Depreciation and overhead costs represent sunk costs.  They are not relevant in the decision.