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Chapter 4 Process Costing

Chapter 4
Process Costing
Solutions to Questions
4-1

A process costing system should be used in situations where a homogeneous product is produced on a continuous basis.

4-2
Job-order and processing costing are similar in the following ways:
1. Job-order costing and process costing have the same basic purposesto assign materials, labor, and overhead cost to products and to
provide a mechanism for computing unit product costs.
2. Both systems use the same basic manufacturing accounts.
3. Costs flow through the accounts in basically the same way in both systems.
4-3
Cost accumulation is simpler under process costing because costs only need to be assigned to departmentsnot individual jobs. A
company usually has a small number of processing departments, whereas a job-order costing system often must keep track of the costs of
hundreds or even thousands of jobs.
4-4

In a process costing system, a Work in Process account is maintained for each processing department.

4-5

The journal entry to record the transfer of work in process from the Mixing Department to the Firing Department is:
Work in Process, Firing........ XXXX
XXXX
Work in Process, Mixing

4-6
The costs that might be added in the Firing Department include: (1) costs transferred in from the Mixing Department; (2) materials costs
added in the Firing Department; (3) labor costs added in the Firing Department; and (4) overhead costs added in the Firing Department.
4-7
Under the weighted-average method, equivalent units of production consist of units transferred to the next department (or to finished
goods) during the period plus the equivalent units in the departments ending work in process inventory.
4-8
The company will want to distinguish between the costs of the metals used to make the medallions, but the medals are otherwise identical
and go through the same production processes. Thus, operation costing is ideally suited for the companys needs.

4-1

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Exercise 4-1 (20 minutes)


a. To record issuing raw materials for use in production:

4-2

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Work in ProcessMolding Department


Work in ProcessFiring Department
Raw Materials
33,000
b. To record direct labor costs incurred:
Work in ProcessMolding Department
Work in ProcessFiring Department
Wages Payable
23,000
c. To record applying manufacturing overhead:
Work in ProcessMolding Department
Work in ProcessFiring Department
Manufacturing Overhead

28,000
5,000

18,000
5,000

24,000
37,000
61,000

d. To record transfer of unfired, molded bricks from the Molding Department to the Firing Department:
Work in ProcessFiring Department
67,000
Work in ProcessMolding Department
67,000
e. To record transfer of finished bricks from the Firing Department to the finished goods warehouse:
Finished Goods
108,000
Work in ProcessFiring Department
108,000
f. To record Cost of Goods Sold:
Cost of Goods Sold
106,000
Finished Goods
106,000

4-3

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Exercise 4-2 (10 minutes)


Weighted-Average Method

Units transferred out ........................................


Work in process, ending:
30,000 units 70%........................................
30,000 units 50%........................................
Equivalent units of production..........................

Equivalent Units
Materials Conversion
410,000
410,000
21,000
431,000

4-4

15,000
425,000

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Exercise 4-3 (10 minutes)


Weighted-Average Method
1.
Materials
Cost of beginning work in process
inventory......................................
Cost added during the period.........
Total cost (a)...................................

Labor

$ 14,550 $ 23,620
88,350
14,330
$102,900 $37,950

Equivalent units of production (b).. .


Cost per equivalent unit (a) (b)....

1,200
$85.75

1,100
$34.50

2.
Cost per equivalent unit for materials......
Cost per equivalent unit for labor.............
Cost per equivalent unit for overhead......
Total cost per equivalent unit...................

$ 85.75
34.50
172.50
$292.75

4-5

Overhead
$118,100
71,650
$189,750
1,100
$172.50

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Exercise 4-4 (10 minutes)


Weighted-Average Method

Ending work in process inventory:


Equivalent units of production....................
Cost per equivalent unit.............................
Cost of ending work in process inventory. .
Units completed and transferred out:
Units transferred to the next department. . .
Cost per equivalent unit.............................
Cost of units transferred out......................

Material
s

Conversio
n

300
$31.56

100
$9.32

$9,468

$932

1,300
$31.56

1,300
$9.32

$41,028

4-6

$12,116

Total

$10,40
0

$53,14
4

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Exercise 4-5 (10 minutes)


Baking Department
Cost Reconciliation
Costs to be accounted for:
Cost of beginning work in process inventory. . $ 4,830
Costs added to production during the period. . 25,650
Total cost to be accounted for......................... $30,480
Costs accounted for as follows:
Cost of ending work in process inventory....... $ 1,120
Cost of units completed and transferred out... 29,360 *
Total cost accounted for.................................. $30,480
*The cost of units completed and transferred out can be deduced as follows:
Cost of beginning
Costs added
Cost of ending
Cost of units
work in process + to production = work in process+ completed and
inventory
during the period
inventory
transferred out
Cost of units
$4,830 + $25,650 = $1,120 + completed and
transferred out
Cost of units
completed and = $4,830 + $25,650 - $1,120
transferred out
Cost of units
completed and = $29,360
transferred out

4-7

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Exercise 4-6 (15 minutes)


Weighted-Average Method
1.
Units transferred to the next
department.........................................
Work in process, ending:
Materials:
50,000 units 60% complete..........
Labor and overhead:
50,000 units 20% complete..........
Equivalent units of production...............

Materials

Labor

790,000

790,000 790,000

2.

Materials
Labor Overhead
$68,600 $30,000 $48,000
907,200 370,000 592,000
$975,800 $400,000 $640,000

Cost of beginning work in process....


Cost added during the period............
Total cost (a).....................................
Equivalent units of production (b)......
Cost per equivalent unit (a) (b).......

Overhead

30,000
10,000 10,000
800,000 800,000

820,000

820,000
$1.19

800,000
$0.50

4-8

800,000
$0.80

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Exercise 4-7 (30 minutes)


Weighted-Average Method
1. Equivalent units of production
Pulping

Conversio
n
146,000
146,000

Transferred to next department..........................


Ending work in process:
Pulping: 6,000 units x 100% complete.............
Conversion: 6,000 units x 75% complete.........
Equivalent units of production............................

6,000
152,000

4,500
150,500

2. Cost per equivalent unit


Pulping
Cost of beginning work in process..................
Cost added during the period.........................
Total cost (a)...................................................
Equivalent units of production (b)...................
Cost per equivalent unit, (a) (b)...................

$ 1,500
59,300
$60,800
152,000
$0.40

Conversio
n
$ 400
22,100
$22,500
150,500
$0.1495

3. Cost of ending work in process inventory and units transferred out


Pulping Conversio
Total
n
Ending work in process inventory:
Equivalent units of production...
6,000
4,500
Cost per equivalent unit............
$0.40
$0.1495
Cost of ending work in process
$2,400
$673
$3,073
4-9

Chapter 4 Process Costing

inventory.................................
Units completed and transferred out:
Units transferred to the next
department..............................
146,000
Cost per equivalent unit............
$0.40
Cost of units completed and
transferred out.........................
$58,400

4-10

146,000
$0.1495
$21,827

$80,227

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Exercise 4-7 (continued)


4. Cost reconciliation
Costs to be accounted for:
Cost of beginning work in process inventory
($1,500 + $400)............................................
Costs added to production during the period
($59,300 + $22,100).....................................
Total cost to be accounted for.........................
Costs accounted for as follows:
Cost of ending work in process inventory.......
Cost of units completed and transferred out...
Total cost accounted for..................................

4-11

$ 1,900
81,400
$83,300
$ 3,073
80,227
$83,300

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Exercise 4-8 (10 minutes)


Work in ProcessMixing
Raw Materials Inventory

330,000

Work in ProcessMixing
Work in ProcessBaking
Wages Payable

260,000
120,000

Work in ProcessMixing
Work in ProcessBaking
Manufacturing Overhead

190,000
90,000

Work in ProcessBaking
Work in ProcessMixing

760,000

Finished Goods
Work in ProcessBaking

980,000

330,000

380,000

280,000
760,000
980,000

4-12

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Exercise 4-9 (20 minutes)


Weighted-Average Method
1. Computation of equivalent units in ending inventory:
Materials
Units in ending inventory...........
1,500
Percent completed....................
90%
Equivalent units of production. . .
1,350

Labor Overhead
1,500
1,500
40%
40%
600
600

2. Cost of ending work in process inventory and units transferred out:


Materials
Ending work in process inventory:
Equivalent units of
production....................
1,350
Cost per equivalent unit.
$24.00
Cost of ending work in
process inventory........
$32,400

Labor

Overhea
d

600
$7.00

600
$14.00

$4,200

$8,400

Total

$45,000

Units completed and transferred out:


Units transferred to the
next department..........
18,000
18,000
18,000
Cost per equivalent unit.
$24.00
$7.00
$14.00
Cost of units completed
and transferred out...... $432,000 $126,000 $252,000 $810,000
3. Cost reconciliation:

4-13

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Total cost to be accounted for.............................


Costs accounted for as follows:
Cost of ending work in process inventory.......
Cost of units completed and transferred out...
Total cost accounted for..................................

4-14

$855,000
$ 45,000
810,000
$855,000

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Exercise 4-10 (10 minutes)


Weighted-Average Method
1.
Work in process, May 1...............................................
Started into production during the month....................
Total kilograms in process...........................................
Deduct work in process, May 31.................................
Completed and transferred out during the month........
2.

Kilograms of
Cement
80,000
300,000
380,000
50,000
330,000

Equivalent Units (EU)


Materials Conversion
Units transferred out.................................... 330,000
330,000
Work in process, ending:
Materials: 50,000 kilograms 40%..........
20,000
Conversion: 50,000 kilograms 10%.......
5,000
Equivalent units of production..................... 350,000
335,000

4-15

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Exercise 4-11 (30 minutes)


Weighted-Average Method
1.
Units transferred to the next process................
Ending work in process:
Materials: 40,000 units 50% complete........
Conversion: 40,000 units 25% complete....
Equivalent units of production..........................
2.
Cost of beginning work in process...................
Cost added during the period...........................
Total cost (a)....................................................
Equivalent units of production (b).....................
Cost per equivalent unit (a) (b)......................
3.

Materials
Ending work in process inventory:
Equivalent units of production
(see above)..........................
20,000
Cost per equivalent unit (see
above)..................................
$1.38
Cost of ending work in process
inventory...............................
$27,600

Material Conversio
s
n
300,000 300,000
20,000
320,000

10,000
310,000

Material Conversio
s
n
$ 56,600 $ 14,900
385,000
214,500
$441,600 $229,400
320,000
310,000
$1.38
$0.74

Conversio
n

Total

10,000
$0.74
$7,400
4-16

$35,000

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Units completed and transferred out:


Units transferred to the next
process.................................
300,000
Cost per equivalent unit
(see previous exercise)........
$1.38
Cost of units completed and
transferred out...................... $414,000

300,000
$0.74
$222,000

4-17

$636,000

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Exercise 4-12 (10 minutes)


Weighted-Average Method
Material Labor &
s
Overhead
Pounds transferred to the Packing Department
during May*...........................................................
Work in process, May 31:
Materials: 20,000 pounds 100% complete.........
Labor and overhead: 20,000 pounds 90%
complete............................................................
Equivalent units of production.................................

490,000

490,000

20,000
510,000

18,000
508,000

* 30,000 + 480,000 20,000 = 490,000


Problem 4-13 (45 minutes)
Weighted-Average Method
1. Equivalent Units of Production
Material Conversio
s
n
Transferred to next department*........................ 380,000
380,000
Ending work in process:
Materials: 40,000 units x 75% complete..........
30,000
Conversion: 40,000 units x 25% complete.......
10,000
Equivalent units of production............................ 410,000
390,000
*Units transferred to the next department = Units in beginning work in process + Units started into

4-18

Chapter 4 Process Costing

production Units in ending work in process = 70,000 + 350,000 40,000 = 380,000


2. Cost per Equivalent Unit
Materials
Cost of beginning work in process.................. $ 86,000
Cost added during the period.........................
447,000
Total cost (a)................................................... $533,000
Equivalent units of production (b)...................
410,000
Cost per equivalent unit, (a) (b)...................
$1.30

Conversio
n
$ 36,000
198,000
$234,000
390,000
$0.60

3. Cost of Ending Work in Process Inventory and Units Transferred Out

4-19

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Materials

Conversio
n

Ending work in process inventory:


Equivalent units of production
(materials: 40,000 units x 75%
complete; conversion: 40,000
units x 25% complete).........
30,000
Cost per equivalent unit.........
$1.30
Cost of ending work in process
inventory..............................
$39,000
Units completed and transferred out:
Units transferred to the next
department..........................
380,000
Cost per equivalent unit.........
$1.30
Cost of units completed and
transferred out.....................
$494,000

4-20

Total

10,000
$0.60
$6,000

$45,000

380,000
$0.60
$228,000

$722,000

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Problem 4-13 (continued)


4. Cost Reconciliation
Costs to be accounted for:
Cost of beginning work in process inventory
($86,000 + $36,000).....................................
Costs added to production during the period
($447,000 + $198,000).................................
Total cost to be accounted for.........................
Costs accounted for as follows:
Cost of ending work in process inventory.......
Cost of units completed and transferred out...
Total cost accounted for..................................

4-21

$122,000
645,000
$767,000
$ 45,000
722,000
$767,000

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Problem 4-14 (45 minutes)


Weighted-Average Method
1. Equivalent Units of Production
Material Conversio
s
n
Transferred to next department.......................... 450,000
450,000
Ending work in process:
Materials: 80,000 units x 75% complete..........
60,000
Conversion: 80,000 units x 25% complete.......
20,000
Equivalent units of production............................ 510,000
470,000
2. Cost per Equivalent Unit
Materials
Cost of beginning work in process.................. $ 36,550
Cost added during the period.........................
391,850
Total cost (a)................................................... $428,400
Equivalent units of production (b)...................
510,000
Cost per equivalent unit, (a) (b)...................
$0.84

Conversio
n
$ 13,500
287,300
$300,800
470,000
$0.64

3. Applying Costs to Units


Ending work in process inventory:
Equivalent units of production
Cost per equivalent unit.........
Cost of ending work in process

Materials

Conversio
n

60,000
$0.84
$50,400

20,000
$0.64
$12,800

4-22

Total

$63,200

Chapter 4 Process Costing

inventory..............................
Units completed and transferred out:
Units transferred to the next
department..........................
450,000
Cost per equivalent unit.........
$0.84
Cost of units completed and
transferred out.....................
$378,000

4-23

450,000
$0.64
$288,000

$666,000

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Problem 4-14 (continued)


4. Cost Reconciliation
Costs to be accounted for:
Cost of beginning work in process inventory
($36,550 + $13,500).....................................
Costs added to production during the period
($391,850 + $287,300).................................
Total cost to be accounted for.........................
Costs accounted for as follows:
Cost of ending work in process inventory.......
Cost of units completed and transferred out...
Total cost accounted for..................................

$ 50,050
679,150
$729,200
$ 63,200
666,000
$729,200

Problem 4-15 (45 minutes)


Weighted-Average Method
1. Equivalent units of production
Material Conversio
s
n
Transferred to next department*........................ 270,000
270,000
Ending work in process:
Materials: 45,000 units x 100% complete........
45,000
Conversion: 45,000 units x 60% complete.......
27,000
Equivalent units of production............................ 315,000
297,000
*Units transferred to the next department = Units in beginning work in process + Units started into
production Units in ending work in process = 35,000 + 280,000 45,000 = 270,000
4-24

Chapter 4 Process Costing

2. Cost per equivalent unit


Materials
Cost of beginning work in process.................. $ 43,400
Cost added during the period.........................
397,600
Total cost (a)................................................... $441,000
Equivalent units of production (b)...................
315,000
Cost per equivalent unit, (a) (b)...................
$1.40

Conversio
n
$ 20,300
187,600
$207,900
297,000
$0.70

3. Cost of ending work in process inventory and units transferred out


Materials Conversio
Total
n

4-25

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Ending work in process inventory:


Equivalent units of production...
45,000
Cost per equivalent unit............
$1.40
Cost of ending work in process
inventory.................................
$63,000
Units completed and transferred out:
Units transferred to the next
department..............................
270,000
Cost per equivalent unit............
$1.40
Cost of units completed and
transferred out......................... $378,000

4-26

27,000
$0.70
$18,900

$81,900

270,000
$0.70
$189,000

$567,000

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Problem 4-16 (45 minutes)


Weighted-Average Method
1.
a.

b.

c.
d.

e.

g.

Work in ProcessBlending
Work in ProcessBottling
Raw Materials
Work in ProcessBlending
Work in ProcessBottling
Salaries and Wages Payable

147,600
45,000
192,600
73,200
17,000
90,200

Manufacturing Overhead
Accounts Payable

596,000

Work in ProcessBlending
Manufacturing Overhead
Work in ProcessBottling
Manufacturing Overhead

481,000

Work in ProcessBottling
Work in ProcessBlending

722,000

Finished Goods
Work in ProcessBottling

920,000

Accounts Receivable
Sales
Cost of Goods Sold
Finished Goods

596,000
481,000
108,000
108,000
722,000
920,000
1,400,000
1,400,000
890,000
890,000

4-27

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Problem 4-16 (continued)


2.
(g)

Accounts Receivable
1,400,000

Bal.
(a)
(b)
(d)
Bal.

Work in Process
Blending Department
32,800 (e)
722,000
147,600
73,200
481,000
12,600

Bal.
(f)
Bal.

Finished Goods
20,000 (g)
890,000
920,000
50,000

Manufacturing Overhead
(c)
596,000 (d)
589,000
Bal.
7,000

Accounts Payable
(c)
596,000

Salaries and Wages Payable


(b)
90,200

Sales
(g)

1,400,000

Bal.
Bal.

Raw Materials
198,600 (a)
192,600
6,000

Bal.
(a)
(b)
(d)
(e)
Bal.

Work in Process
Bottling Department
49,000 (f)
920,000
45,000
17,000
108,000
722,000
21,000

(g)

Cost of Goods Sold


890,000

Problem 4-17 (60 minutes)


4-28

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Weighted-Average Method
1. Computation of equivalent units in ending inventory:
Mixing
Units transferred to the next department..........
Ending work in process:
Mixing: 1 unit 100% complete..................
Materials: 1 unit 20% complete................
Conversion: 1 unit 10% complete.............
Equivalent units of production..........................

60.0

Materials
60.0

Conversio
n
60.0

1.0
0.2
61.0

60.2

0.1
60.1

2. Costs per equivalent unit:


Mixing
Cost of beginning work in process inventory....
Cost added during the period...........................
Total cost..........................................................
Equivalent units of production..........................
Cost per equivalent unit....................................

$ 1,640
94,740
$96,380
61.0
$1,580

4-29

Materials
$ 26
8,402
$8,428
60.2
$140

Conversio
n
$ 105
61,197
$61,302
60.1
$1,020

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Problem 4-17 (continued)


3. Costs of ending work in process inventory and units transferred out:
Mixing
Ending work in process inventory:
Equivalent units of production.....................
Cost per equivalent unit...............................
Cost of ending work in process inventory....
Units completed and transferred out:
Units transferred to the next department.....
Cost per equivalent unit...............................
Cost of units transferred out........................

Materials

1.0
$1,580
$1,580

0.2
$140
$28

60.0
$1,580
$94,800

60.0
$140
$8,400

4. Cost reconciliation:
Cost to be accounted for:
Cost of beginning work in process inventory
($1,640 + $26 + $105)..................................
Cost added to production during the period
($94,740 + $8,402 + $61,197)......................
Total cost to be accounted for.........................
Costs accounted for as follows:
Cost of ending work in process inventory.......
Cost of units transferred out...........................
Total cost accounted for..................................

4-30

$ 1,771
164,339
$166,110
$ 1,710
164,400
$166,110

Conversio
n
0.1
$1,020
$102

Total

$1,710

60.0
$1,020
$61,200 $164,400

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Problem 4-18 (30 minutes)


Weighted-Average Method
1. Total units transferred to the next department....
Less units in the May 1 inventory........................
Units started and completed in May....................

30,000
5,000
25,000

2. The equivalent units were:


Material Conversio
s
n
Transferred to next department....................
30,000
30,000
Ending work in process:
Materials: 4,000 units x 75% complete......
3,000
Conversion: 4,000 units x 50% complete...
2,000
Equivalent units of production......................
33,000
32,000
3. The costs per equivalent unit were:
Materials
Cost of beginning work in process..................
Cost added during the period.........................
Total cost (a)...................................................
Equivalent units of production (b)...................
Cost per equivalent unit, (a) (b)...................

9,000
57,000
66,000
33,000
2.00

Conversio
n
4,400
30,800
35,200
32,000
1.10

4. The ending work in process figure is verified as follows:


Material Conversio
s
n
Ending work in process inventory:
Equivalent units of production
(see above)....................................
3,000
2,000
Cost per equivalent unit...................
2.00
1.10
Cost of ending work in process
inventory........................................
6,000
2,200

Total

8,20
0

5. Multiplying the unit cost figure of 3.10 per unit by 1,000 units does not
provide a valid estimate of the incremental cost of processing an
additional 1,000 units through the department. If there is sufficient idle
capacity to process an additional 1,000 units, the incremental cost per

4-31

Chapter 4 Process Costing

unit is almost certainly less than 3.10 per unit because the conversion
costs are likely to include fixed costs.

4-32

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Case 4-19 (90 minutes)


This case is difficultparticularly part 3, which requires analytical skills.
Because there are no beginning inventories, it makes no difference
whether the weighted-average or FIFO method is used by the company.
You may choose to specify that the FIFO method be used rather than
the weighted-average method.
1. Computation of the Cost of Goods Sold:
Units completed and sold........................
Ending work in process:
Transferred in:
20,000 units x 100% complete............
Conversion:
20,000 units x 25% complete..............
Equivalent units of production..................

Cost of beginning work in process...........


Cost added during the period..................
Total cost (a)............................................
Equivalent units of production (b)............
Cost per equivalent unit, (a) (b)............

Transferred
In
250,000

Conversion
250,000

20,000
270,000

5,000
255,000

Transferred
In
Conversion
$
0 $
0
49,221,000 16,320,000
$49,221,000 $16,320,000
270,000
255,000
$182.30
$64.00

Cost of goods sold = 250,000 units ($182.30 + $64.00) per unit =


$61,575,000.
2. The estimate of the percentage completion of ending work in process
inventories affects the unit costs of finished goods and therefore the cost
of goods sold. Thad Kostowski would like the estimated percentage
completion of the ending work in process to be increased. The higher
the percentage of completion of ending work in process, the higher the
equivalent units for the period and the lower the unit costs.
3. Increasing the percentage of completion can increase net operating
income by reducing the cost of goods sold. To increase net operating
income by $62,500, the cost of goods sold would have to be decreased

4-33

Chapter 4 Process Costing

by $62,500 from $61,575,000 down to $61,512,500. See the next page


for the necessary calculations.

4-34

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Case 4-19 (continued)


The percentage of completion, X, affects the cost of goods sold by its
effect on the unit cost, which can be determined as follows:
Unit cost = $182.30 +

$16,320,000
250,000 + 20,000X

And the cost of goods sold can be computed as follows:


Cost of goods sold = 250,000 Unit cost
Because the cost of goods sold must be reduced down to $61,512,500,
the unit cost must be $246.05 ($61,512,500 250,000 units). Thus, the
required percentage completion, X, to obtain the $62,500 reduction in
cost of goods sold can be found by solving the following equation:

$182.30 +

$16,320,000
= $246.05
250,000 + 20,000X

$16,320,000
= $246.05 - $182.30
250,000 + 20,000X
$16,320,000
= $63.75
250,000 + 20,000X
250,000 + 20,000X
1
=
$16,320,000
$63.75
250,000 + 20,000X =

$16,320,000
$63.75

250,000 + 20,000X = 256,000


20,000X = 256,000 - 250,000
20,000X = 6,000 X =

6,000
= 30%
20,000

Thus, changing the percentage completion to 30% will decrease cost


of goods sold and increase net operating income by $62,500 as verified
on the next page.

4-35

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Case 4-19 (continued)


3. (continued)
Computation of the Cost of Goods Sold:
Units completed and sold........................
Ending work in process:
Transferred in:
20,000 units x 100% complete............
Conversion:
20,000 units x 30% complete..............
Equivalent units of production..................

Cost of beginning work in process...........


Cost added during the period..................
Total cost (a)............................................
Equivalent units of production (b)............
Cost per equivalent unit, (a) (b)............

Transferred
In
250,000

Conversion
250,000

20,000
270,000

6,000
256,000

Transferred
In
Conversion
$
0 $
0
49,221,000 16,320,000
$49,221,000 $16,320,000
270,000
256,000
$182.30
$63.75

Cost of goods sold = 250,000 units ($182.30 per unit + $63.75 per
unit) = $61,512,500.
4. Carol is in a very difficult position. Collaborating with Thad Kostowski in
subverting the integrity of the accounting system is unethical by almost
any standard. To put the situation in its starkest light, Kostowski is
suggesting that the production managers lie in order to get their bonus.
Having said that, the peer pressure to go along in this situation may be
intense. It is difficult on a personal level to ignore such peer pressure.
Moreover, Carol probably prefers not to risk alienating people she might
need to rely on in the future. On the other hand, Carol should be careful
not to accept at face value Kostowskis assertion that all of the other
managers are doing as much as they can to pull this bonus out of the
hat. Those who engage in unethical or illegal acts often rationalize their
own behavior by exaggerating the extent to which others engage in the
same kind of behavior. Other managers may actually be very
uncomfortable pulling strings to make the target profit for the year.

4-36

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Case 4-19 (continued)


From a broader perspective, if the net profit figures reported by the
managers in a division cannot be trusted, then the company would be
foolish to base bonuses on the net profit figures. A bonus system based
on divisional net profits presupposes the integrity of the accounting
system.
The company should perhaps reconsider how it determines the bonus. It
is quite common for companies to pay an all or nothing bonus
contingent on making a particular target. This inevitably creates powerful
incentives to bend the rules when the target has not quite been attained.
It might be better to have a bonus without this all or nothing feature.
For example, managers could be paid a bonus of x% of profits above
target profits rather than a bonus that is a preset percentage of their
base salary. Under such a policy, the effect of adding that last dollar of
profits that just pushes the divisional net profits over the target profit will
add a few pennies to the managers compensation rather than
thousands of dollars. Therefore, the incentives to misstate the net
operating income are reduced. Why tempt people unnecessarily?

4-37

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Case 4-20 (45 minutes)


Weighted-Average Method
1. The revised computations follow:
Equivalent Units of Production:
Transferred
In
Transferred to next department..........................
100,000
Ending work in process:
Transferred in: 5,000 units x 100% complete...
5,000
Materials: 5,000 units x 0% complete..............
Conversion: 5,000 units x 40% complete.........
Equivalent units of production............................
105,000

Materials
100,000

Conversio
n
100,000

0
100,000

2,000
102,000

Cost per Equivalent Unit:


Cost of beginning work in process....................
Cost added during the period............................
Total cost (a).....................................................
Equivalent units of production (b)......................
Cost per equivalent unit, (a) (b)......................

Transferred
In Costs
$8,820
81,480
$90,300
105,000
$0.86

4-38

Materials
$3,400
27,600
$31,000
100,000
$0.31

Conversio
n
$10,200
96,900
$107,100
102,000
$1.05

Chapter 4 Process Costing

Case 4-20 (continued)


Transferred
In Costs
Ending work in process inventory:
Equivalent units of production (see above). .
Cost per equivalent unit................................
Cost of ending work in process inventory.....
Units completed and transferred out:
Units transferred to the next department
Cost per equivalent unit................................
Cost of units completed and transferred out.

Materials

Conversio
n

Total

5,000
$0.86
$4,300

0
$0.31
$0

2,000
$1.05
$2,100

$6,400

100,000
$0.86
$86,000

100,000
$0.31
$31,000

100,000
$1.05
$105,000

$222,000

2. The unit cost computed above is $2.22 (= $0.86 + $0.31 + $1.05) versus $2.284 on the original
report. The unit cost on the report prepared by the accountant is high because none of the cost
incurred during the month was assigned to the units in the ending work in process inventory.

4-39

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