Lecture Managerial accounting: Creating value in a dynamic business environment (10th edition): Chapter 6 - Ronald W. Hilton, David E. Platt

Chapter 6 - Activity analysis, cost behavior, and cost estimation. After completing this chapter, you should be able to: Explain the relationships between cost estimation, cost behavior, and cost prediction; define and describe the behavior of the following types of costs: variable, step-variable, fixed, step-fixed, semivariable (or mixed), and curvilinear; explain the importance of the relevant range in using a cost behavior pattern for cost prediction;...

Chapter Activity Analysis, Cost Behavior, and Cost Estimation Copyright © 2014 McGraw-Hill Education All rights reserved No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education Introduction Cost estimation Cost behavior Cost prediction Process of determining cost behavior, often focuses on historical data Relationship between cost and activity Using knowledge of cost behavior to forecast level of cost at a particular activity Focus is on the future 6­2 Total Variable Cost Example Total Pay Per View Bill Y our total Pay Per View bill is based on how many Pay Per View shows that you watch Number of Pay Per View shows watched 6­3 Variable Cost Per Unit Example Cost per Pay Per View show The cost per Pay Per View show is constant For example, $4.95 per show Number of Pay Per View shows watched 6­4 Step-Variable Costs Cost Total cost remains constant within a narrow range of activity Activity 6­5 Step-Variable Costs Cost Total cost increases to a new higher cost for the next higher range of activity Activity 6­6 Total Fixed Cost Example Monthly Basic Cable Bill Y our monthly basic cable TV bill probably does not change no matter how many hours you watch Number of hours watched 6­7 Fixed Cost Per Unit Example Monthly Basic cable Bill per hour watched The average cost per hour decreases as more hours are spent watching cable television Number of hours watched 6­8 Step-Fixed Costs Total cost doesn’t change for a wide range of activity, and then jumps to a new higher cost for the next higher range of activity Rent Cost in Thousands of Dollars 90 60 30 1,000 2,000 3,000 Rented Area (Square Feet) 6­9 Semivariable Cost A semivariable cost is partly fixed and partly variable Consider the following example: 6­10 The High-Low Method Owl Co recorded the following production activity & maintenance costs for two months: High activity level Low activity level Units 9,000 5,000 Cost $ 9,700 6,100 Using these two levels of activity, compute: the variable cost per unit the total fixed cost 6­19 The High-Low Method High activity level Low activity level Change Units 9,000 5,000 4,000 Cost $ 9,700 6,100 $ 3,600 6­20 The High-Low Method High activity level Low activity level Change Unit variable cost = Units 9,000 5,000 4,000 Cost $ 9,700 6,100 $ 3,600 in cost in units 6­21 The High-Low Method High activity level Low activity level Change Units 9,000 5,000 4,000 Cost $ 9,700 6,100 $ 3,600 Unit variable cost = $3,600 ÷ 4,000 units = $0.90 per unit 6­22 The High-Low Method High activity level Low activity level Change Units 9,000 5,000 4,000 Cost $ 9,700 6,100 $ 3,600 Unit variable cost = $3,600 ÷ 4,000 units = $0.90 per unit Fixed cost = Total cost – Total variable cost 6­23 The High-Low Method High activity level Low activity level Change Units 9,000 5,000 4,000 Cost $ 9,700 6,100 $ 3,600 Unit variable cost = $3,600 ÷ 4,000 units = $0.90 per unit Fixed cost = Total cost – Total variable cost Fixed cost = $9,700 – ($0.90 per unit × 9,000 units) 6­24 The High-Low Method High activity level Low activity level Change Units 9,000 5,000 4,000 Cost $ 9,700 6,100 $ 3,600 Unit variable cost = $3,600 ÷ 4,000 units = $.90 per unit Fixed cost = Total cost – Total variable cost Fixed cost = $9,700 – ($.90 per unit × 9,000 units) Fixed cost = $9,700 – $8,100 = $1,600 6­25 Least-Squares Regression Method Total Cost Regression is a statistical procedure used to determine the relationship between variables such as activity and cost The objective of the regression method is the general cost equation: Y = a + bX Activity 6­26 Equation Form of Least-Squares Regression Line Y = a + bX Total Cost is the dependent variable The intercept term (a) is the estimate of fixed costs The activity (X) is the independent variable The X term coefficient (b) is the estimate of variable cost per unit of activity, the slope of the cost line 6­27 Least-Squares Regression Method Statistics courses and computer courses deal with detailed regression computations using Microsoft Excel Accountants and managers must be able to interpret and use regression estimates 6­28 Multiple Regression Multiple regression includes two or more independent variables: Y = a + b 1X + b 2X Terms in the equation have the same meaning as in simple regression with only one independent variable 6­29 Engineering Method of Cost Estimation Cost estimates are based on measurement and pricing of the work involved 6­30 Effect of Learning on Cost Behavior As I make more of these things it takes me less time for each one It must be the learning curve effect that the boss was talking about I’ve noticed the same thing And if you include all the variable overhead costs that are also declining, that must be the experience curve 6­31 Learning Curve Average Labor Time per Unit Learning effects are large initially Learning effects become smaller, eventually reaching steady state Cumulative Production Output 6­32 Data Collection Problems Missing data Outlier data points Mismatched time periods costs Trade-offs in choosing the time period Allocated and discretionary costs Inflation 6­33 ... Function A straight-line (constant unit variable cost) closely approximates a curvilinear line within the relevant range Activity 6? ?12 Total Cost Curvilinear Cost Relevant Range Curvilinear Cost... Buildings and equipment Direct Materials Advertising and Research and Development 6? ?14 Visual-Fit Method A scatter diagram of past cost behavior may be helpful in analyzing mixed costs 6? ?15 Visual-Fit... Number of Pay Per View shows watched 6? ?4 Step-Variable Costs Cost Total cost remains constant within a narrow range of activity Activity 6? ?5 Step-Variable Costs Cost Total cost increases to a new