Posted: August 25th, 2016

Calculate the firm’s break-even point in units of production.

Using the Part A data:
Under which method (variable or absorption costing), will reported profits be higher? Explain why.
Part A Data
Budgeted and actual fixed costs $1,000,000
Budgeted unit volume to be produced 10,000
Budgeted unit volume sold 10,000
Actual variable costs $500,000
Actual unit volume sold 9,000
Beginning of year inventory 0
End of year inventory 1,000
Part B Data
A firms cost structure is as follows:
Monthly fixed costs $20,000
Variable cost/unit $80
Selling price/unit $100
Using the Part B data:
Calculate the firm’s break-even point in units of production.
Predict the firm’s profitability if volume is 1,200 units.
You are the accounting manager in a medium-sized manufacturing company. The company’s first year just ended, and the accounting department is working on closing the books. You plan to present information about unit costs and profits, to the general manager (GM) in two different formats. One method uses variable costing, and the other uses absorption costing. The GM will need to choose one or the other for accounting purposes. Whatever method he chooses will have to remain the method going forward as the choice of the method could impact reported profitability and therefore taxes. (The IRS frowns on firms making accounting methodology changes that impact any period’s profits.)