Absorption CostingUnder absorption costing, all production costs (direct labor, direct materials, and factory overhead whether fixed or variable) are considered products costs. They are considered part of inventory, and are moved to cost of sales only when sold. Show
Variable CostingUnder variable costing, only direct materials, direct labor and variable factory overhead are considered product costs. Fixed factory overhead costs are charged immediately against revenues as period costs. All selling and administrative (S&A) expenses, a.k.a. operating expenses, are charged against revenues immediately (period costs) under either absorption or variable costing. Absorption costing (a.k.a. full costing) is the acceptable method for tax and external reporting. Variable costing (a.k.a. direct costing) is not permitted for external reporting but offers valuable information to management. Treatment of Costs Summary - Absorption vs. Variable
The only difference lies in the treatment of fixed factory overhead. Absorption Costing Income StatementAbsorption costing is the method acceptable for tax and external reporting purposes. It follows the traditional presentation of the income statement.
Variable Costing Income StatementVariable or direct costing favors the contribution margin income statement format.
Difference in Operating Income1. When production is equal to sales, meaning there is no difference in the beginning and ending inventories, the operating income under both methods are the same. 2. When production is greater than sales, i.e. ending inventory is greater than the beginning inventory, the operating income under absorption costing is greater. 3. When production is less than sales, i.e. ending inventory is less than the beginning inventory, operating income under variable costing is greater. 4. The difference in operating income is caused by the dissimilar treatment of fixed factory overhead. The difference is equal to the fixed factory overhead per unit multiplied by the difference in inventory. Reconciliation of Absorption and Variable Costing Operating Income
ExampleXYZ Company started the year with 1,000 units in its inventory. During the period, it produced 2,000 units and sold 1,800 units at $50 each. The following costs were incurred.
1. Operating income under absorption costing
The cost of sales is computed by multiplying the product cost per unit by the number of units sold. The product cost includes: direct materials, direct labor, variable factory overhead, and fixed factory overhead ($12+10+8+6). 2. Operating income under variable costing
*The variable costs include: the product costs under variable costing plus variable selling and administrative expenses. [($12+10+8) x 1,800] + $9,000 = $63,000. **Fixed costs include total fixed factory overhead of $12,000 and total fixed selling & administrative expenses of $6,000. 3. Reconciliation of Difference in Operating Income
The difference in operating income can also be computed as: difference in inventory units multiplied by fixed factory overhead per unit (200 units x $6 = $1,200). Since the ending inventory is higher than the beginning inventory, the operating income under absorption costing is higher than that under variable costing by $1,200. Key Takeaways Under absorption costing, all manufacturing costs are considered as product costs. Under variable costing, only variable costs are treated as product costs. These include direct materials, direct labor and variable factory overhead. Absorption costing is the acceptable method for tax and external reporting purposes. Variable costing is only used internally to aid management in making decisions. Web link APA format Variable costing and absorption costing (2022).
Accountingverse. Next Chapter ≡ Previous Lesson ← Chapter Outline ≡ When inventory increases absorption costing net operating income is higher than variable costing?When inventory increases, absorption costing net operating income is higher than variable costing net income but to the fix manufacturing overhead: Deferred in the inventory account on the balance sheet. When the number of units produced equals the number of units sold: no change in inventories occurs.
Will the profit under absorption costing be higher or lower when inventories increase?Reconciling profits reported under the different methods
If inventory levels increase, absorption costing gives the higher profit.
What is the impact on inventory with absorption costing?Absorption costing reflects more fixed costs attributable to ending inventory. Absorption costing ensures more accurate accounting for ending inventory because the expenses associated with that inventory are linked to the full cost of the inventory still on hand.
How does inventory affect absorption costing and marginal costing?Only the variable cost is applied to inventory under marginal costing, while fixed overhead costs are also applied under absorption costing. Profitability. The profitability of each individual sale will appear to be higher under marginal costing, while profitability will appear to be lower under absorption costing.
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