Question Bank
ACCA F5
Performance Management
Exams from September 2017
JUNE 2017 RELEASE
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© First Intuition Ltd, 2017
ACCA F5 Question Bank
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Introduction
iii
Computer or paper-based exam?
Sessional computer based exams are available for papers F5 to F9. Until December 2017 these run
alongside the traditional paper based exams and you may sit either.
At the time of printing this question bank, the ACCA had announced that they are hoping to phase out
the paper exams from March 2018. If this happens you will then have to sit the CBE. If you are taking
your exam from March 2018 onwards, please check the ACCA website for further detail
www.accaglobal.com
The timing of the paper exam and the computer based exam differ. In the paper exam you will have 3
hours and 15 minutes. However, in the computer based exam you will be given 3 hours and 20
minutes, but there will be an extra five objective test questions, known as ‘seeded’ questions. The
ACCA set seeded questions for control purposes only and there is no mark allocated to them.
However, you will not know which of the questions is seeded at the point that you are answering the
questions, so you will need to take the same approach to all questions.
The technical content of paper based and computer based exams is identical, but there is a slightly
wider variety of question styles in the computer based exam.
You will find a variety of question styles in this question bank, so that you are prepared for the
computer based exam as well as the paper one. You will find more detail about the computer based
exams in the following places:
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http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/fundamentals-exams-studyresources/f5/specimen-exams.html
and
http://www.accaglobal.com/content/dam/ACCA_Global/Students/exam/Guide%20to%20CBEs_FINAL.
PDF
The ACCA has produced a specimen exam.
The paper version of the 2016 specimen exam is included at the back of this question bank.However,
there is a computer based version of the specimen on the ACCA website. If you are taking the
computer based exam , it is VITAL that you work through the computer based specimen, which can
be found at the following:
https://sampletds1.pearsonvue.com/Minerva/startDelivery?sessionUUID=e9d2538e-a34f-4137-9e109bca83a3867a
In addition, it is VITAL that you look at the extra constructed response questions and the constructed
response workspace information provided at:
https://sampletds1.pearsonvue.com/Minerva/startDelivery?sessionUUID=c1b72428-26de-4c09-9c0f04c69ef893c5
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
Contents
Page
Computer or paper-based exam?
iii
Tuition Questions
3
Tuition Answers
65
Revision Questions
139
Revision Answers
229
Exam paper questions and answers
347
Formulae sheet
379
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Icons in this Question Bank
You will find a full debrief of this question on your online course
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Part 1 Tuition questions
1
PART 1 TUITION QUESTIONS
Objective test and Scenario
Question
no
Syllabus area
Page ref
Q
1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
Activity based costing
Scenario question: Duff Co
1-4
5-9
3
4
65
66
Target costing
10-16
5
66
Scenario question: Edward Co
Life cycle costing
17-21
22-26
7
8
68
69
Throughput accounting
27-32
9
69
Scenario question: Gopher Garage
Environmental accounting
33-37
38-40
11
12
70
72
2: Decision-making techniques
Relevant cost analysis
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1-4
14
73
5-11
15
73
12-16
17-22
17
18
75
76
23-28
20
77
29-33
22
78
34-38
39-43
23
25
79
80
1-10
11-17
27
29
81
82
Standard costing
18-19
31
84
Scenario question: Kamal Co
Material mix and yield variances
20-24
25-28
31
33
84
85
Scenario question: Product Zed
Sales mix and quantity variances
29-33
34-35
34
35
86
87
36-40
36
88
41-45
46-50
38
39
89
90
51
41
91
Cost volume profit analysis
Scenario question: Cardio Co
Limiting factors
Pricing decisions
Make-or-buy and other short-term decisions
Scenario question: Herera Co
Dealing with risk and uncertainty in decision-making
Scenario question: Louiedewie Co
3: Budgeting and control
Budgetary systems and type of budget
Quantitative analysis in budgeting
Scenario question: Memia Co
Planning and operational variances
Scenario question: Demia Co
Performance analysis
2 Part 1 Tuition questions
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Question
no
Syllabus area
Page ref
Q
4: Performance measurement and control
Performance management information systems
Sources of management information
1-5
6-9
42
43
92
92
10-12
13-17
44
45
93
94
18-22
46
94
Divisional performance and transfer pricing
Scenario question: Abel Co
23-29
30-34
47
50
96
97
Performance analysis in not-for-profit organisations and the public
sector
External considerations and behavioural aspects
35-37
51
98
38-39
52
98
Management reports
Performance analysis in private sector organisations
Scenario question: Oliver’s Salon
Long form
Question name
Syllabus area
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Based on
Past exam
Page ref
Q
A
2: Decision-making techniques
1
Cut and Stitch
Limiting factor analysis
Q3 J10 (a)-(c)
53
99
2
WX
Pricing
Q3, J13, (b) amended
54
102
3
Gym Bunnies
Risk and uncertainty in decision
making
Q1, J13, (a) and (c)
55
105
3: Budgeting and control
1
PC Co
Budgetary systems/Types of budget
Q3, D11
57
109
2
The Safe Soap Co
Materials mix and yield
variances/Activity-based budgeting
Q5, D14
57
112
3
Bedco
Planning and operational variances
Q5, D13
58
114
4
Jump
Performance analysis and
behavioural aspects
Q5, J10
59
116
4: Performance measurement and control
1
Web Co
Performance analysis in private
sector organisations
Q3, D12
61
119
2
AT Co
Performance analysis in private
sector organisations
Q2, D10
62
122
3
Bath Co
Divisional performance and transfer Q2, D11, (b) and (c)
pricing
63
126
4
Hammer Co
Divisional performance and transfer Q4, J10
pricing
64
130
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Tuition questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
3
PART 1 TUITION QUESTIONS: Objective test and Scenario
1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
Activity based costing
1
RDE plc uses an activity based costing system to attribute overhead costs to its three products.
The following budgeted data relates to the year to 31 December 20X8:
Product
Production units (000)
Batch size (000 units)
X
15
2.5
Y
25
5
Z
20
4
Machine set up costs are caused by the number of batches of each product and have been
estimated to be $600,000 for the year.
Calculate the machine set up costs that would be attributed to each unit of Product Y to the
nearest $0.01.
$
2
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According to ABC, which of the following is the correct statement of the hierarchy of levels of
activity within an organisation, ranked from the bottom upwards?
Facility
sustaining
Product
Product
sustaining
Batch
3
For which one of the following costs might the number of production runs be a cost driver?
Production scheduling
Product development costs
Short-run variable overhead costs
Materials handling and despatch costs
4 Tuition questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
4
ACCA F5 Question Bank
KY makes several products including Product W. KY is considering adopting an activity-based
approach for setting its budget. The company’s production activities, budgeted activity costs
and cost drivers for next year are given below.
Activity
Set up costs
Inspection / quality control
$
200,000
120,000
Cost driver
quantity
800
400
Cost driver
No. of set ups
No. of quality tests
Machines are reset after each batch. Quality tests are carried out after every second batch.
The budgeted data for Product W for next year are:
Direct materials
Direct labour
Batch size
Budgeted production
$2.50 per unit
0.03 hours per unit @ $18 per hour
150 units
15,000 units
Calculate, using activity based costing, the budgeted total production cost per unit for Product W
to the nearest $0.01.
$
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DUFF CO
The following scenario relates to questions 5-9. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Duff Co manufactures three products X, Y and Z. Each product uses the same materials and the same
type of direct labour but in different quantities. For many years Duff Co has been using full absorption
costing and absorbing overheads on the basis of direct labour hours, but is considering switching to
activity-based costing (ABC).
The following data relates to the three products.
Direct material cost ($ per unit)
Direct labour (hours per unit)
Direct labour cost ($ per unit, @ $12 per hour)
Machine hours per unit
Batch size (units)
Number of purchase orders per batch
Product X
20,000
25
2.5
30
1.5
500
4
Product Y
16,000
28
3
36
1.25
800
5
Product Z
22,000
22
2
24
1.4
400
4
Duff Co also expects to incur the following indirect costs.
Cost pools
Machine set up costs
Material ordering costs
Machine running costs
General facility costs
5
Number of batches
Number of purchase orders
Number of machine hours
Number of machine hours
$
280,000
316,000
420,000
361,400
1,377,400
Calculate the budgeted full production cost per unit of product X using Duff Co’s current
method of absorption costing, to the nearest $0.01.
$
ACCA F5 Question Bank
6
Tuition questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
5
Calculate the total material ordering costs for Product Y to the nearest $.
$
7
Calculate the machine running and general facility costs per unit for Product Z to the nearest
$0.01.
$
8
Calculate the budgeted full production cost per unit of product X using ABC, to the nearest
$0.01, on the basis that total overheads allocated to Product X under activity-based costing are
$492,824.
$
9
Which TWO of the following statements about ABC are correct?
ABC is only useful for production overheads.
ABC is most useful when overheads are related to volume.
ABC is an absorption costing system.
ABC must be based on activities that are measurable in quantitative terms.
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Target costing
10
The selling price of Product X is set at $350 for each unit and sales for the coming year are
expected to be 500 units.
A return of 30% on the investment of $300,000 in Product X will be required in the coming year.
What is the target cost for each unit of Product X?
$
11
A company has calculated that the target cost for Product Z is $40 per unit. This is based on an
expected production and sales volume of 3,000 units. The company wishes to earn a profit of
25% on sales.
What market price is the target cost for Product Z based on (to two decimal places)?
$10.00
$30.00
$50.00
$53.33
6 Tuition questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
12
ACCA F5 Question Bank
T Company uses target costing. The company wishes to close the target cost gap that exists for
one of its products.
Which of the following may be used to close the target cost gap?
13
Replace skilled workers with less skilled workers for the more basic production tasks
Replace existing material with higher quality material
Raise the selling price of the product
Use a higher grade of labour to complete work ahead of schedule
The following are all steps in the implementation of the target costing process for a product.
Rank them in the correct sequence.
Calculate the
target cost
Calculate the
target cost gap
Calculate the
current cost
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Set the required
profit
Set the selling
price
14
Which of the following statements describes target costing?
15
It calculates the expected cost of a product and then adds a margin to it to arrive at the
target selling price.
It allocates overhead costs to products by collecting the costs into pools and sharing
them out according to each product’s usage of the cost driving activity.
It identifies the market price of a product and then subtracts a desired profit margin to
arrive at the desired cost.
It identifies different markets for a product and then sells that same product at different
prices in each market
Saris Co has set a budgeted labour cost based on the assumption of a learning rate of 80%. Its
Production Director has now found that the actual learning rate is 70%.
Which of the following statements is true?
The cost gap will increase and the target cost will increase.
The cost gap will decrease and the target cost will decrease.
The cost gap will remain the same and the target cost will decrease.
The cost gap will decrease and the target cost will remain the same.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
16
Tuition questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
7
Which TWO of the following techniques are relevant to target costing?
Value analysis
Iso-contribution analysis
Variance analysis
Functional analysis
EDWARD CO
The following scenario relates to questions 17-21. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Edward Co assembles and sells many types of radio, and also repairs radios for customers. It is
considering extending its product range to include digital radios. These radios produce a better sound
quality than traditional radios and have a large number of potential additional features not possible
with the previous technologies.
A radio is produced by assembly workers assembling a variety of components. Production overheads
are currently absorbed into product costs on an assembly labour hour basis.
Edward Co is considering a target costing approach for its new digital radio product. A selling price of
$44 has been set in order to compete with a similar radio on the market that has comparable features
to Edward Co’s intended product. The board have agreed that the acceptable margin (after allowing
for all production costs) should be 20%.
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Cost information for the new radio is as follows.
Component 1 (Circuit board) – these are bought in and cost $4.70 each.
Component 2 (Wiring) – in an ideal situation 25 cm of wiring is needed for each completed radio.
However, Edward Co estimates that 4% of the purchased wire is lost in the assembly process. Wire
costs $4.80 per metre to buy.
Other materials – other materials cost $8.10 per radio.
Assembly labour – these are skilled people who are difficult to recruit and retain. It takes 30 minutes
to assemble a radio and the assembly workers are paid $12.60 per hour. It is estimated that 10% of
hours paid to the assembly workers is for idle time.
Production overheads – variable production overhead for each radio is $20 per hour and fixed
overhead for each radio is $12 per hour.
17
Which TWO of the following would be benefits of introducing a target costing approach?
18
Edward Co will have a greater internal focus on its product development.
Cost control can begin at the design stage.
Edward Co will be able to pass on cost increases to its customers.
The radio will only include features that the customer regards as valuable.
Calculate the reduction in cost that would be achieved by eliminating the labour idle time and
the wire lost in the assembly process, to the nearest $0.01.
$
8 Tuition questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
19
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Assuming a change in supplier meant that the cost of Component 2 fell to $4.40 per metre,
there was no idle time with labour and all other costs remained the same, calculate the cost gap
to the nearest $0.01.
$
20
Which TWO of the following are measures that Edward Co might wish to use to reduce the cost
gap?
21
Only including standard components in the radio
Including additional features that the competitor’s radio does not have
Analysing costs into cost pools
Increasing the automation of the manufacturing process
Which of the following would be a problem with introducing a target cost approach to the
repair services provided by Edward Co?
The outcomes of the repair services cannot be specified properly.
The repair work carried out will vary according to the problems found.
The time of the skilled labour used in the repair process has to be costed.
The service is carried out when the customer requires it.
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Life cycle costing
22
Which THREE of the following costs are typically costs which occur at the Research and
Development stage of a product’s life cycle?
23
Design costs
Testing costs
Promotional costs
Production facility investment costs
Customer support costs
Inventory costs
A company is about to launch a new product. Total lifetime sales are expected to be 44,000
units. $3,250,000 has been incurred on design and development. Promotional costs over the
product’s life are expected to be $2,000,000. De-commissioning of the machine will cost
$250,000 at the end of the product’s life. Production of the product is expected to cost an
average of $150 per unit.
What is the life cycle cost per unit over the product’s life?
$
24
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of life cycle costing?
Improved awareness of total costs
Assists with long-term planning
Emphasises the importance of early stage design and development costs
Results in a market driven pricing strategy
ACCA F5 Question Bank
25
26
Tuition questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
9
In calculating the life cycle costs of a product, which of the following items would be included?
Included
Excluded
Research and development
Planning and concept design
Testing
Production
Advertising
Distribution and customer service
When are the bulk of a product's life cycle costs normally determined?
At the design/development stage
When the product is introduced to the market
When the product is in its growth stage
On disposal
Throughput accounting
27
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A company manufactures two products which requires three different machine processes:
Fir
Processing time per metre in hours
Pressing
Stretching
Rolling
Product A
0.50
0.25
0.40
Product B
0.50
0.40
0.25
Each product requires 1 metre of material/unit. Production for the month is expected to be
10,000 metres for Product A and 15,000 for Product B.
Available resources for the month are expected to be:
Material
Pressing time
Stretching time
Rolling time
Available resource
30,000 metres
13,000 hours
8,000 hours
7,750 hours
Using throughput accounting, what is the bottleneck resource?
28
Material
Pressing time
Stretching time
Rolling time
A company manufactures a product which requires two hours per unit of machine time.
Machine time is a bottleneck resource as there are only five machines which are available for
24 hours per day, five days per week. The product has a selling price of $65 per unit, direct
material costs of $25 per unit, labour costs of $20 per unit and factory overhead costs of
$10 per unit. These costs are based on weekly production and sales of 300 units.
What is the throughput accounting ratio (to 2 decimal places)?
$
10 Tuition questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
29
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Z Company uses throughput accounting to help assess the efficiency of its operations.
Which of the following would improve its throughput accounting ratio?
30
Introduce restrictions specifying the maximum allowed hours for each shift
Replace existing material with higher quality material
Raise the selling price of the product
Use a higher grade of labour for the work
X Co uses a throughput accounting system. Details of product A, per unit, are as follows:
Selling price
Material costs
Conversion costs
Time on bottleneck resource
$320
$80
$60
6 minutes
What is the return per hour for product A?
$
31
Which TWO of the following features distinguish throughput accounting from other costing systems?
It does not attempt to maximise profit.
Work in progress is valued at material cost only.
Costs are allocated to products when they are completed or sold.
Only labour cost is treated as a variable cost.
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32
Which of the following is NOT an influence on the throughput contribution measure used in a
system of throughput accounting?
Direct material price
Direct material usage
Direct labour price
The volume of throughput
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Tuition questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
11
GOPHER GARAGE
The following scenario relates to questions 33-37. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Gopher Garage offers MOTs and full services to its customers. All MOTs and services have to be carried
out by one of the four mechanics at the garage. They are assisted by three trainees. The garage’s two
receptionists also deal with customers when they arrive and when they pay for the work that has been
done.
The average length of time that is spent by each member of staff on work for each customer is as
follows:
MOTs
Hours
1.25
0.50
0.25
Mechanic
Trainee
Receptionist
Service
Hours
3.20
1.50
0.30
The garage is open for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week. It is closed for public holidays that total two
weeks in any year. Annual staff salaries are $55,000 for each mechanic, $25,000 for each trainee and
$30,000 for each receptionist. The cost of oil and other materials used during MOTs is $15 per
customer, and the cost of oil and other materials used during services is $25 per customer. Other
garage costs (excluding raw materials and labour) amount to $125,000.
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Gopher Garage charges $120 for each MOT and $200 for each service.
Fir
The garage’s accountant has identified mechanic time as being the bottleneck activity.
33
What is the annual capacity of the bottleneck activity in terms of the maximum number of each
activity?
MOTs
Services
34
The garage’s accountant has calculated the cost per hour to be $48.
What is the throughput accounting ratio for both services?
35
MOT 1.75 Service 1.14
MOT 0.57 Service 0.88
MOT 1.16 Service 0.56
MOT 0.86 Service 1.79
What would be the effect on the bottleneck if the garage employed another three mechanics?
The mechanics’ time would be a bottleneck for MOTs only.
The mechanics’ time would be a bottleneck for services only.
The mechanics’ time will remain the bottleneck for both MOTs and services.
There will no longer be a bottleneck.
12 Tuition questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
36
Which TWO of the following measures could the garage use to improve the throughput
accounting ratio?
37
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Decrease the time spent by the mechanics on each customer
Decrease the time spent by the trainees on each customer
Decrease the operating expenses of the garage
Decrease the price of the work done for each customer
Which of the following statements regarding the theory of constraints is/are true?
It can be applied to the management of all external
factors affecting the organisation.
It is concerned with overcoming a bottleneck
identified in a single activity.
It aims to limit the amount of non-bottleneck
resources used.
It tries to avoid the build-up of inventories.
True
False
Environmental accounting
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38
Which of the following statements about environmental accounting is/are true?
A significant problem for environmental accounting is
that it is difficult to measure environmental costs.
An aim of environmental accounting is to encourage
organisations to quantify the costs and benefits of
improving environmental practices.
The use of input/output analysis forces an
organisation to monitor the cost of wasted material
and other environmental pollution.
It is not possible to use activity based costing to
identify cost drivers for environmental costs.
39
True
False
Using the US Environmental Protection Agency’s definition of environmental costs, how would
the cost of producing an environmental report be classified?
Conventional cost
Contingent cost
Image and relationship cost
Potentially hidden cost
ACCA F5 Question Bank
40
Tuition questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
13
When activity-based costing is used for environmental accounting, which statement is correct
for environment-related costs and environment-driven costs?
Environment-related costs can be attributed to joint cost centres and environmentdriven costs cannot be.
Environment-driven costs can be attributed to joint cost centres and environmentrelated costs cannot be.
Both environment-related costs and environment-driven costs can be attributed to joint
cost centres.
Neither environment-related costs nor environment-driven costs can be attributed to
joint cost centres.
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14 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
ACCA F5 Question Bank
2: Decision-making techniques
Relevant cost analysis
1
L is currently quoting for a job that will involve the use of three materials A, B and C. Material A
is currently in inventory with a book value of $4,000. If it was used on the job, it would need to
be replaced at a cost of $5,000. Its scrap value is $1,000. There is a surplus of Material B in
inventory. Its book value is $3,000 and it has no realisable or scrap value. There is a surplus of
Material C in inventory. Its book value is currently $6,000. It could be sold for $4,500 or used on
another job as a substitute for Material D, which L currently does not have in inventory. The
costs of obtaining D would be $4,250.
What is the relevant cost to L of using materials in inventory on this job?
$
2
A company is considering a one-year contract which will require three skilled workers. Skilled
workers can be hired on a temporary basis for one year at a cost of $20,000 per worker.
Alternatively, the company could retrain some existing workers who are currently paid $12,000
per worker. The training would cost $5,000 in total. If these existing workers were used, the
company would need to replace them at a total cost of $45,000.
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What is the total relevant cost of labour for the one-year contract?
3
$60,000
$41,000
$45,000
$50,000
Studley Co purchased a machine three years ago for $15,000. It can be sold now for $9,000. The
current replacement cost of an equivalent machine is $14,000. If Studley Co keeps the machine
for use in the business it is expected to generate net income of $17,000.
What is the relevant cost of the machine?
4
$9,000
$14,000
$15,000
$17,000
A company has received a special order for which it is considering the use of material B which it
has held in its inventory for some time. This inventory of 945 kg was bought at $4.50 per kg. The
special order requires 1,500 kg of material B. If the inventory is not used for this order, it would
be sold for $2.75 per kg. The current price of material B is $4.25 per kg.
What is the total relevant cost of material B for the special order, to the nearest $0.01?
$
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Tuition questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
15
Cost volume profit analysis
5
A business manufactures a single product which it sells for $50. The variable costs of production
are $10 a unit. Next month fixed costs will be $800,000. The Finance Director wants to realise a
profit of $120,000. How many units must be sold to generate this profit?
6
Which of the following is the correct formula to calculate the break-even sales volume (in units)
for a business?
7
𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢
𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
𝐶𝐶
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
𝑆𝑆
𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝑢𝑢𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢
𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
𝐶𝐶
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
𝑆𝑆
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A company makes a single product which it sells for $30 per unit.
Fir
Fixed costs are $18,000 per month. The contribution/sales ratio is 40%.
Next month the company’s profit target is $36,000.
What sales volume is required to achieve next month’s profit target?
8
1,200 units
1,500 units
3,000 units
4,500 units
ZT Ltd produces and sells three products, A,B and C in the ratio 1:2:1.
Sales price and variable cost data for the products is as follows:
Selling price ($)
Variable cost ($)
A
8
5
ZT Ltd has fixed costs of $70,000
What is ZT’s break-even sales revenue?
$
9
A profit-volume chart can illustrate the relationship between
Sales revenue and costs
Sales volume and costs
Sales volume, revenue and costs
Sales volume and profit
B
8
4.50
C
10
6
16 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
10
ACCA F5 Question Bank
A company makes a single product which it sells for $2 per unit.
Fixed costs are $13,000 per month.
The contribution/sales ratio is 40%.
Sales revenue is $62,500.
What is the margin of safety in units?
11
Matt Milk Bar is planning to invest in a new blending machine, which will expand the range of
drinks it can offer. Its owner has estimated the following daily results for drinks associated with
the new machine:
$
600
(450)
150
(45)
105
Sales (200 units)
Variable costs
Contribution
Incremental fixed costs
Profit
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Which of the following statements that relate to the sensitivity of the investment are true?
True
False
The investment is more sensitive to a change in sales
price than sales volume.
If variable costs increase by 25% the investment will
make a loss.
The margin of safety is 92.5%.
The investment’s sensitivity to incremental fixed costs
is 70%.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Tuition questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
17
CARDIO CO
The following scenario relates to questions 12-16. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Cardio Co manufactures and sells three types of fitness equipment: treadmills (T), cross trainers (C)
and rowing machines (R).
The budgeted sales prices and volumes for the next year are as follows:
T
$1,600
420
Selling price
Units
C
$1,800
400
R
$1,400
380
The budgeted revenues and costs for each product are shown below.
Sales revenues
Variable costs
Fixed costs
T
$
672,000
263,760
73,940
C
$
720,000
286,400
78,100
R
$
532,000
201,780
59,320
Cardio Co’s Finance Director is considering various possibilities, including aiming for a
contribution/sales ratio of 65%. He is also looking at a scenario where the contribution/sales ratio was
60%, with sales revenues falling to $1,600,000 and fixed costs to $175,000.
12
%
13
Calculate the breakeven sales revenue at a Contribution/Sales ratio of 65%, to the nearest $000.
$
14
000
Calculate the margin of safety at a contribution/sales ratio of 60%, with sales revenues having
fallen to $1,600,000 and fixed overheads to $175,000, to the nearest 0.1%.
%
15
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Calculate the weighted average contribution to sales ratio for Cardio Co to the nearest 0.01%.
Cardio Co’s production department currently has problems meeting demand for these products,
although this will be addressed in the medium-term by a large investment in manufacturing
facilities. For now, Cardio Co’s Chief Executive has instructed the Production Department to
prioritise manufacture of products by the contribution per unit that they make.
Which of the following would NOT occur if the products making the highest contribution were
manufactured and sold first?
Cardio Co will cover its fixed costs more quickly.
Fewer unit sales will need to be made in order to break even.
The breakeven point will be lower.
The C/S ratio will rise.
18 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
16
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Once Cardio Co’s new manufacturing facilities are open, the company intends to introduce a
new, mobile, cross-trainer. This will be supported by a large advertising and promotion
campaign to encourage demand. The intention is initially to charge a high price for this product,
although it may fall over time.
Which TWO of the following are reasons why Cardio Co may wish to charge a high price
initially for the mobile cross-trainer?
The sensitivity of its demand to price is uncertain.
The product is likely to have a long life cycle.
It will generate high initial cash flows to cover the marketing expenditure.
It wishes to discourage competitors from entering the market.
Limiting factors
17
TT Co operates a JIT policy with minimal inventories. It manufactures a single product with the
following cost card:
Product A
$
8
10
7
25
Materials (at $2 per kg)
Labour (at $5 per hour)
Other overheads
Total production cost
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Next month demand is 4,000 units, 15,000 kg of material are available and 8,500 labour hours.
What is the limiting factor next month?
18
Sales demand
Material only
Labour only
Material and labour
Conrad Co manufactures two products, X and Y. Details of both products are as follows:
Selling price
Materials
Labour (at $10 per hour)
Variable overhead
Fixed overhead
Profit per unit
Maximum demand (units)
Product X
$
105
18
30
12
20
25
Product Y
$
136
16
45
15
25
35
800
1,500
It has selected the optimal production plan to maximise profit for the month based on 4,650
labour hours. An extra 90 hours have become available at the standard rate of $10 per hour.
How much additional profit can be earned in the month?
$
ACCA F5 Question Bank
19
Tuition questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
19
The following statements have been made about linear programming:
1
The shadow price of a scarce resource is the increase in contribution available if one
more unit of the resource is obtained
2
Non-scarce resources always have zero slack
Which of the above statements is/are true?
20
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
A company has the following production planned for the next four weeks. The figures reflect the
full capacity level of operations. Planned output is equal to the maximum demand per product.
Product
Selling price
Raw material cost
Direct labour cost
Variable overhead cost
Fixed overhead cost
Profit
Planned output
Direct labour hours per unit
A
$ per unit
160
24
66
24
16
30
B
$ per unit
214
56
88
18
10
42
C
$ per unit
100
22
33
24
8
13
D
$ per unit
140
40
22
18
12
48
300
6
125
8
240
3
400
2
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The direct labour force is threatening to go on strike for two weeks out of the coming four. This
means that only 2,160 hours will be available for production rather than the usual 4,320 hours.
If the strike goes ahead, which TWO products should be produced if profits are to be maximised?
21
A
B
C
D
Highfly Co manufactures two products, X and Y, and any quantities produced can be sold for
$60 per unit and $25 per unit respectively.
Variable costs per unit of the two products are as follows:
Materials (at $5 per kg)
Labour (at $6 per hour)
Other variable costs
Total
Product X
$
15
24
6
45
Product Y
$
5
3
5
13
Next month, only 4,200 kg of material and 3,000 labour hours will be available. The company
aims to maximise its profits each month.
The company wants to use the linear programming model to establish an optimum production
plan. The model considers ‘x’ to be number of units of Product X and ‘y’ to be the number of
units of Product Y.
20 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Which of the following statements of objective function and constraints is/are correct?
22
Correct
Incorrect
Objective function 60x + 25y
Material constraint 3x + y ≤ 4,200
Labour constraint 4x + 0.5y ≥ 3,000
C Co uses material B, which has a current market price of $0·80 per kg. In a linear program,
where the objective is to maximise profit, the shadow price of material B is $2 per kg.
Which TWO of the following statements are correct?
Contribution will be increased by $2 for each additional kg of material B purchased at the
current market price.
The maximum price which should be paid for an additional kg of material B is $2.
Contribution will be increased by $1·20 for each additional kg of material B purchased at
the current market price.
The maximum price which should be paid for an additional kg of material B is $2·80.
Pricing decisions
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Clogs Co sells its most popular style of wooden shoes at a profit of 20% on the current selling
price of $35. Due to a material shortage, the costs of producing this style of shoe are expected
to increase by 5% next year.
What will the new selling price need to be to maintain the 20% profit margin, to the nearest
$0.01?
$
24
Longbourne Co manufactures and sells covers for phones and MP3 players. The current selling
price is $10 each. Weekly demand is currently 300 covers. If Longbourne increased its price by
$1, the demand would drop to 250 covers.
What is the straight line demand equation for Longbourne Co?
P = 10 – 0.02Q
P = 10 – 0.004Q
P = 16 – 0.02Q
P = 16 – 0.004Q
ACCA F5 Question Bank
25
Tuition questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
21
A car rental company charges different prices to customers hiring the same make of car,
depending on the day of the week, the month of the year and the length of the rental.
The following statements have been made about its pricing strategy.
1
The company has adopted a price discrimination strategy.
2
The company’s strategy is successful because all customers have the same price elasticity
of demand.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
26
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
DCT Co cleans carpets. It determines its selling price by adding a mark-up of 40% to total costs.
Variable costs are $5 per carpet for cleaning and $1 for advertising. Based on an expected
volume of 2,000 carpets, fixed cleaning costs are expected to be $9,000.
What should DCT charge per carpet for cleaning?
27
$7.00
$8.40
$10.50
$14.70
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A company sets a low initial price for its product with the aim that high volumes will be sold and
market share gained quickly.
This is an example of the application of which pricing policy?
28
Target pricing
Volume discounting
Penetration pricing
Price skimming
A company has entered two different new markets.
In market A, it is initially charging low prices so as to gain rapid market share while demand is
relatively elastic.
In market B, it is initially charging high prices so as to earn maximum profits while demand is
relatively inelastic.
Which price strategy is the company using in each market?
Price
discrimination
Penetration
pricing
Market
skimming
A
B
22 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Make or buy and other short-term decisions
HERERA CO
The following scenario relates to questions 29-33. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Herera Co manufactures and sells three products, details of which are as follows:
Product X
Product Y
Product Z
$
$
$
Selling price
80
90
100
Materials
20
30
25
Labour
30
15
40
Share of general overhead (based on maximum demand)
10
15
15
Profit per unit
20
30
20
The same employees are used to make all three products. The maximum demand for any product is
1,000 units per month. Available labour is restricted to $55,000 monthly.
An outside manufacturer has now offered to supply Herera at the following costs:
Product X
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Cost to buy in ($ per unit)
29
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30
Product Y
55
65
Product Z
105
If Herera Co wishes to use the outside manufacturer wherever it is profitable, which products
should Herera Co buy in?
X only
Y only
Both X and Y
X, Y and Z
What would be the order of priority of making the products in house?
X
Y
Z
ACCA F5 Question Bank
31
Tuition questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
23
Herera Co has just received a special contract to make Product Y. Labour will not be a constraint
now, but it does need additional machine capacity. It purchased a machine that could be used
three years ago for $25,000. It can be sold now for $8,000. The current replacement cost of an
equivalent machine is $10,000. If Herera Co keeps the machine for use elsewhere in the
business it is expected to generate net income of $11,000.
What is the relevant cost of the machine for the special contract?
32
Which of the following represents the minimum price that Herera Co could charge for the
contract?
33
$8,000
$10,000
$11,000
$17,000
Marginal cost
Full cost
Marginal cost plus incremental costs
Incremental costs plus opportunity costs
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On the basis of winning the special contract to manufacture Product Y, Herera Co now believes
it has evidence that it can apply price discrimination to Product Y.
Fir
Which of the following conditions must hold if price discrimination is to be effective?
There must be little or no chance of a black market developing.
There must be little or no chance that competitors can and will undercut the firm's prices
in the lower-priced market segments.
Each of the sectors of the market must show similar intensities of demand.
The cost of segmentation and administration should exceed the extra revenue derived
from the price discrimination strategy.
Dealing with risk and uncertainty in decision-making
34
A decision maker who uses the maximax criteria to make decisions would be classified as:
Risk averse
Risk seeking
Risk neutral
Risk managing
24 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
A company is not sure whether to build a small or large café and past experience suggests there
is a 40% chance that demand will be low.
Demand
Low
High
$
$
400,000
600,000
(500,000)
1,000,000
Size of restaurant
Small
Large
The company has determined that building the small café will be best, based on the fact it has
the highest expected value at $520,000.
The company could commission a survey which would accurately predict the level of demand.
What is the maximum that it should pay for the survey?
$
Use the following information to answer the next three questions.
Sarah owns a café on the beach at Sandsea that serves light lunches. She has analysed her results over
the last summer and has found that they have varied according to the supplies she has ordered each
day, and the daily demand levels, which have mostly been determined by the weather. Sarah has put
together a payoff table that shows the level of daily profits the café would earn depending on the
combination of demand and supply of lunches:
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Daily demand
(lunches)
36
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37
Daily supply (lunches)
75
$160
$300
$300
$300
100
$125
$265
$420
$420
125
$95
$235
$390
$540
If Sarah uses a maximax approach in decision-making, what level of supply will she choose?
50
75
100
125
If Sarah uses a maximin approach in decision-making, what level of supply will she choose?
38
50
75
100
125
50
$200
$200
$200
$200
50
75
100
125
If Sarah uses a minimax regret approach in decision-making, what level of supply will she
choose?
50
75
100
125
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Tuition questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
25
LOUIEDEWIE CO
The following scenario relates to questions 39-43. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Louiedewie Co has identified an investment project and estimated the following cash returns for next
year, depending on how strong competition is likely to be.
Estimated cash return ($)
+150,000
+75,000
-35,000
No competition
Average competition
Strong competition
39
Probability
0.35
0.20
0.45
What is the expected cash return on the project?
$
40
If the project requires an investment of $80,000, what is the probability that it will be
profitable?
41
Nil
0.35
0.55
0.65
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Louiedewie Co is also bidding for three other contracts, which are awarded independently of
each other. The board estimates it has a 45% chance of winning Contract A, 20% chance of
winning Contract B, and 35% chance of winning Contract C. The profits from A, B and C are
estimated to be $500,000, $550,000 and $575,000 respectively.
What is the expected value to the company of the profits from all three contracts?
42
$225,000
$500,000
$542,000
$536,250
Louiedewie Co’s contract manager has now claimed that if the company wins Contract A which
is awarded first, it can use the knowledge it has gained to improve its chances of winning
Contracts B and C. He claims its chances of winning contracts B will increase to 30% and its
chances of winning Contract C will increase to 50%.
Calculate the expected value to the company of the profits from all three contracts if Contract
A is won.
$
26 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
The following statements have been made about the uses of expected value:
1
Expected values are used to promote a risk-seeking attitude to decision-making.
2
Expected values are more valuable as a guide to decision-making when they refer to
outcomes that will occur many times.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
Tuition questions: 3: Budgeting and control
27
3: Budgeting and control
Budgetary systems and type of budget
1
2
3
Which of the following would be considered as objectives of budgeting?
Objective
Not objective
Authorisation of expenditure
Business expansion
Performance monitoring
Resource allocation
Which of the following statements about budgeting is/are true?
True
False
A budget helps to control an organisation by forcing it
to create a plan.
A budget helps an organisation to co-ordinate the
allocation of resources.
A budget can help an organisation to motivate staff.
An organisation is legally required to prepare a master
budget annually.
A budget which is broken down into departmental or functional objectives is likely to be MOST
useful to an organisation’s:
4
Senior management
Middle management
Junior management
All levels of management
Using variances to comparing actual performance against standard at the end of the period is:
5
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A strategic planning tool
A non-financial control technique
A feed-forward control technique
An example of feedback control
X Co uses rolling budgeting, updating its budgets on a quarterly basis. After carrying out the last
quarter’s update to the cash budget, it projected a forecast cash deficit of $400,000 at the end
of the year. Consequently, the planned purchase of new capital equipment has been
postponed.
Which of the following types of control is the sales manager’s actions an example of?
Feedforward control
Negative feedback control
Positive feedback control
Double loop feedback control
28 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
The following statements have been made about the behavioural issues relating to the difficulty
of targets:
1
If a budget is too easy, most staff will be motivated to excel as they will see the budget as
realistic and attainable.
2
If a business wants to encourage staff to improve efficiency it is best to create a budget
based on ideal conditions.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
7
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
Match the following descriptions to the budgeting processes that they describe.
Rolling
Incremental
Flexible
Zerobased
Beyond
budgeting
Set at the start of the
year for various
different activity levels
Continually extended by
adding another budget
period when the first
budget period expires
Prepared by building
on a previous period’s
budgeted or actual
figures
Uses adaptive
management processes
and procedures
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Zed Co wishes to change from a top-down system of budgeting to a bottom-up system.
Which of the following difficulties is it most likely to encounter as a result of the change?
9
A lack of appropriate systems and spreadsheets
A lack of comparative information
Less ownership of the budget by staff
Budgets will take longer to produce
Which of the following is an advantage of non-participative budgeting as compared to
participative budgeting?
It increases motivation.
It is less time consuming.
It increases acceptance.
The budgets produced are more attainable.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
10
Tuition questions: 3: Budgeting and control
29
Following complaints by its managers about the current system of budgeting, P is considering
adopting principles of ‘beyond budgeting’. Which of the following is most likely to be a
disadvantage of introducing ‘beyond budgeting’?
There will be more budgetary slack.
More time will be spent on budgeting.
It may be more difficult to co-ordinate the plans of different departments.
It will lead to P becoming less focused on customer requirements.
Quantitative analysis in budgeting
Use the following information to answer the next two questions.
Zee Ltd made 500 units of product Y in April with a total cost of $10,000, and 800 units in May
with a total cost of $13,000. Using the high/low method of analysing costs:
11
What is the variable cost per unit, to the nearest $0.01?
$
12
What will the total cost be in June, if Zee makes 700 units?
13
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$
TW is a company which designs and manufactures e-readers. From its past experiences, TW has
realised that whenever a new engineer is employed, there is a learning curve with a 95%
learning rate which exists for the first 20 jobs.
A new design engineer has just completed his first job in three hours.
Note: at the 95% learning rate the value of b is – 0.074
How long would it take the engineer to complete the sixth job (do all workings to 3 decimal
places)?
14
2.45 hours
2.78 hours
3.00 hours
4.67 hours
The following statements have been made about budgeting techniques:
1
Learning curves are of limited relevance in a modern manufacturing business where
production is all automated.
2
Where there is uncertainty surrounding the annual sales figure for a product, the use of
expected values may help quantify the long-run average sales figure.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
30 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
15
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Which of the following statements about using spreadsheets in budgeting is/are true?
Spreadsheets can easily take account of lots of qualitative
factors.
Spreadsheets are useful when the values of the inputs to the
budget are likely to change.
Spreadsheets are only as accurate as the formulae and other
inputs that they depend on.
Spreadsheets allow for the analysis of large volumes of
quantitative data.
16
True
False
A company predicted that the learning rate for production of a new product would be 80%.
The actual learning rate was 75%. The following possible reasons were stated for this:
I
Additional training was given to the workforce before they started to produce the
product.
II
Unexpected problems were encountered with production.
III
Unexpected changes to Health and Safety laws meant that the company had to increase
the number of breaks during production for employees.
Which of the above reasons could have caused the difference between the expected rate of
learning and the actual rate of learning?
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All of the above
II and III only
I only
None of the above
The accountant of West Co is currently preparing the company’s annual flexed budget. She has
calculated that the maximum production capacity is 350,000 units and also come up with the
following figures:
Production units
Material costs
Labour costs
Fixed costs
250,000
$
1,500,000
1,250,000
600,000
300,000
$
1,800,000
1,500,000
600,000
325,000
$
1,950,000
1,625,000
600,000
In addition, for each increment of 40,000 units produced, one supervisor will need to be
employed, at an annual salary of $30,000.
What will be the total production cost if production is 90% of total capacity?
$
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Tuition questions: 3: Budgeting and control
31
Standard costing
18
Which of the following statements about standard costing is/are true?
Standard costs should only ever be based on marginal costing
principles.
The use of basic standards is likely to give rise to meaningful
variances.
Current standards provide the best basis for motivating
employees to improve performance.
Basic standards are short-term targets and useful for day-to-day
control purposes.
19
True
False
Standard costing may be used for which FOUR of the following purposes?
Planning
Valuing inventory
Meeting the legal requirement to report standard costs to shareholders
Claiming tax back
Assessing performance
Motivating staff
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KAMAL CO
The following scenario relates to questions 20-24. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Kamal Co has produced the following performance analysis for the January to March quarter during
which no changes were made to the specification of its product.
Number of units
Revenue
Labour
Materials
Fixed overheads
Profit
20
Budget
6,000
$
540,000
(48,000)
(210,000)
(69,000)
213,000
The following statements have been made:
1
2
The company must have dropped the selling price in the period.
Overheads have increased as a result of the increase in sales volume.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
Actual
7,200
$
633,600
(58,716)
(205,000)
(79,500)
290,384
32 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
21
ACCA F5 Question Bank
What should the profit be according to the flexed budget?
$
22
As a result of the results in January to March, Kamal Co reconsidered its approach to budgeting
and adopted a form of rolling budgeting, starting in April for the next twelve months. The
budgeted figures for the remainder of the year before the rolling budget was introduced were
as follows:
$
550,000
560,000
575,000
April-June
July-September
October-December
Kamal Co amended the budget so that budgeted sales for April-June were 20% higher than in
the original budget, and then increased by 5% in July-September and October-December. It did
not subsequently amend the budget for July-September. Actual sales for July-September were
$610,000.
Calculate the difference in the total sales operational variance, using the original budgeted
and revised (rolling) budgeting figures.
$
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23
One of the directors has proposed that Kamal Co should consider introducing a system of zerobased budgets for certain activities, for example marketing.
Which of the following would be considered in relation to the marketing department under
zero-based budgeting?
Whether a marketing initiative should be undertaken
at all
Whether the marketing department should be
outsourced
Whether some or all of the activities that are part of a
proposed marketing campaign are justified
Whether some or all of the activities that are part of a
proposed marketing campaign can be done more
cheaply
24
Considered
Not considered
The following statements have been made about the rolling and zero-based approaches to
budgeting:
1
When pricing and resources are uncertain, rolling budgets are likely to provide better
information for control and decision-making.
2
Zero-based budgeting is likely to identify opportunities to carry out activities more
efficiently.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Tuition questions: 3: Budgeting and control
33
Material mix and yield variances
25
A company has a process in which the standard mix for producing 9 litres of output is as follows:
$
36.00
17.50
5.00
58.50
4.0 litres of D at $9 per litre
3.5 litres of E at $5 per litre
2.5 litres of F at $2 per litre
A standard loss of 10% of inputs is expected to occur. The actual inputs for the latest period were:
4,300 litres of D at $9 per litre
3,600 litres of E at $5 per litre
2,100 litres of F at $2 per litre
Actual output for the period was 9,100 litres.
$
38,700
19,800
4,620
63,120
What is the materials mix variance?
Adverse
Favourable
$...................
26
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A company that manufactures luxury biscuits has decided to amend the ingredients mix to
include more fruit and nuts which are expensive and less oats which are cheap.
The following have arisen:
1
2
An adverse materials mix variance
A lower quality biscuit
Which of the above are most likely to be a result of the decision to change the ingredient mix?
27
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
Which of the following is a NOT a method of controlling a company’s production process?
Appointment of a machine supervisor
Training for customer service team
Sample testing of batches of product
Monitoring of materials and labour variances
34 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
28
ACCA F5 Question Bank
A company manufactures Product P by mixing three materials. The standard material quantity
and material cost per unit of Product P are as follows:
Material W
Material X
Material Y
$
60
108
160
328
12 kg @ $5.00
18 kg @ $6.00
20 kg @ $8.00
In February, the actual mix used was as follows:
Quantity
Material W
Material X
Material Y
970 kg
1,230 kg
1,400 kg
$
4,947
7,134
11,060
The actual output was 76 units of Product P.
What was the material yield variance for February?
Adverse
Favourable
$...................
PRODUCT ZED
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The following scenario relates to questions 29-33. Each question is worth 2 marks.
To produce 15 litres of product Zed, a standard input of 16 litres is required, made up of 9 litres of
Chemical A and 7 litres of Chemical B. Chemical A has a standard cost of $10 per litre and Chemical B
has a standard cost of $15 per litre.
During September, the actual results showed that 1,650 litres of product Zed were produced, using a
total input of 900 litres of Chemical A and 900 litres of Chemical B (1,800 litres in total).
The price/litre was as budgeted for both chemicals.
29
The following statements have been made about the period:
1
2
There was no materials price variance.
The materials yield variance was favourable.
Which of the above statements are true?
30
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
What was the materials mix variance in September, to the nearest $0.01?
$...................
Adverse
Favourable
ACCA F5 Question Bank
31
Tuition questions: 3: Budgeting and control
35
The following statements have been made about mix variances
1
Mix variances help managers identify problems with the quality of output.
2
Adverse mix variances over a period are likely to have an adverse effect on labour
efficiency variances.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
32
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
The production department now believes that the total input of 900 litres of Chemical A and 900
litres of Chemical B (1,800 litres in total) should only have produced 1,500 litres of product Zed.
Calculate the material usage operational variance to the nearest $0.01.
$...................
33
Adverse
Favourable
Which of the following factors would explain an adverse material usage planning variance?
Explain
Not explain
Changes in the production process causing increased
loss of materials
A higher than expected level of waste of materials
Quality control identifying a high proportion of
materials as sub-standard
A new supplier supplying poorer quality materials
Sales mix and quantity variances
34
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A company which sells a range of different breakfast cereals experiences an adverse sales mix
variance.
Which of the following is the most likely cause?
The number of people eating breakfast cereals has fallen.
The company has increased the price of its cereals.
The company has spent too much money on marketing.
Cost-conscious customers are switching to lower margin cereals in the range.
36 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
35
ACCA F5 Question Bank
The following budgeted data for a particular period was available for a company selling two
products:
Product A
Product B
Sales price per unit
$20
$24
Variable cost per unit
$8
$11
Sales volume in units
15,840
10,560
The actual results for the period were as follows:
Product A
Product B
Sales price per unit
$22
$26
Variable cost per unit
$8
$11
Sales volume in units
14,200
12,500
What is the total sales quantity contribution variance for the period?
$...................
Adverse
Favourable
MEMIA CO
The following scenario relates to questions 36-40. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Memia Co makes televisions and computers. The standard costs and revenue for each television are as
follows:
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Standard cost
Standard contribution
Standard sales price
$
130
80
210
The standard costs and revenue for each computer are as follows:
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Standard cost
Standard contribution
Standard sales price
$
210
100
310
Budgeted production and sales were 12,000 televisions (10% of the market) and 8,000 computers.
As more people are watching TV on their computers, the market for televisions has shrunk to 100,000.
Memia Co’s actual sales for the period were 11,000 televisions with total revenue of $2,200,000.
However, Memia Co did sell 14,000 computers.
36
The following statements have been made about the total sales variances for televisions:
1
The total sales volume variance has all arisen due to the shrinking market.
2
The only sales price variance is an operational variance of $110,000 adverse.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
ACCA F5 Question Bank
37
Tuition questions: 3: Budgeting and control
37
Calculate the sales market size and share variances for televisions.
Market size
$...................
Adverse
Favourable
Adverse
Favourable
Market share
$...................
38
Calculate the sales mix variance.
$...................
39
Favourable
Calculate the sales quantity contribution variance.
$...................
40
Adverse
Adverse
Favourable
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The directors of Memia Co have collected some non-financial data relevant to sales of
televisions over the last two years as follows:
Sales volumes (units)
Number of returns (units)
No of customer complaints regarding late delivery
Which of the following is true?
20X1
12,000
1,080
360
20X2
11,000
1,000
320
Performance has improved in relation to both product returns and customer complaints.
Performance has deteriorated in relation to both product returns and customer
complaints.
Performance has improved in relation to product returns but deteriorated in relation to
customer complaints.
Performance has deteriorated in relation to product returns but improved in relation to
customer complaints.
38 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Planning and operational variances
41
After Gen Co prepared its material budget for the first quarter, two pieces of additional
information came to light:
The Purchasing Manager managed to reduce the price of the material by placing one bulk order
at the start of the quarter.
At the end of the previous quarter, Gen Co bought a new machine as a result of its use in the
first quarter, material wastage levels fell from 3% to 2%.
Which of these factors should the budget be revised for?
42
The price saving only
The use of the new machine
Neither factor
Both factors
The learning effect entered on a budget spreadsheet was overstated due to a computer input
error.
Which of the following is this most likely to give rise to?
An adverse labour rate variance
A favourable labour usage variance
A favourable labour efficiency operational variance
An adverse labour efficiency planning variance
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43
Julienne Co has identified a labour efficiency planning variance. Which of the following is the
MOST likely cause?
44
A decision by the production manager to work overtime
A decision by the production manager to change the grade of labour
A surplus of labour in the market
A change in working practices to comply with new regulatory restrictions on rest periods
Caf Co budgeted to sell 10,000 units of a new product in the period at a budgeted selling price
of $5 per unit. Actual sales volumes in the period were as budgeted but the actual sales price
achieved was only $4 per unit. This was because a competitor launched a similar product at the
same time. Caf Co had been unaware that this was going to happen when it prepared its budget
and, had it known this, it would have revised its expected selling price to $3·80 per unit, which
was the price of the competitor’s product.
What is the sales price planning variance?
$...................
Adverse
Favourable
ACCA F5 Question Bank
45
Tuition questions: 3: Budgeting and control
39
The following details have been extracted from the accounting records of RG for August.
Output of RG
Materials
Cost per kg
800 units
4,000kg
$20.00
890 units
4,375kg
$21.60
It has now been realised that the standard cost per kg of the material should have been $20.90.
What are the following variances for August to the nearest $0.01?
Materials planning price variance
Adverse
Favourable
$...................
Materials operational price variance
Adverse
Favourable
..................
DEMIA CO
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The following scenario relates to questions 46-50. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Fir
Demia Co makes televisions. The original standard prime costs, based on a budgeted production and
sales of 12,000 units, are as follows:
Materials
Labour 3hrs @ $20 per hr
Standard prime cost
$
70
60
130
Actual production and sales were 11,000 televisions.
Before the period started, Demia’s production equipment broke down and it was forced to buy a new
machine, which requires less labour input. As a result the new standard time for production is 2.5
hours per unit. During the period Demia spent $756,250 on 29,000 hours of labour.
46
The following statements have been made about the total labour variances:
1
The total labour rate variance is all due to planning errors.
2
The total labour efficiency variance is Nil.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
40 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
47
ACCA F5 Question Bank
What are the correct planning and operational labour efficiency variances?
Planning labour efficiency variance
$...................
Adverse
Favourable
Operational labour efficiency variance
$...................
48
Adverse
Favourable
The new standard labour cost is based on 2.5 hours of semi-skilled labour at $20/hr. The labour
supervisor is thinking of arranging for the work to be done in pairs, using one semi-skilled and
one unskilled worker, each working for 1.5 hours.
Calculate the maximum hourly rate, to the nearest $0.01, that the supervisor can afford to
pay the unskilled workers without giving rise to an adverse labour rate variance.
$
49
The total overheads for 12,000 units were budgeted as $504,000, compared with $400,000 at
last year’s level of 9,000. The management accountant has identified that the fixed costs step
up by 20% at 10,000 units.
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Calculate the budgeted variable cost per unit for televisions.
$
50
The management of Demia Limited wishes to increase the level of contribution from sales of
televisions and to do so by adopting a target costing approach.
Which TWO of the following would be techniques that Demia Limited could use to aim
towards achieving a target cost?
Use of bespoke components where possible
Better training for unskilled workers
Change in the packaging of the televisions
Use of components with a longer lifespan
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Tuition questions: 3: Budgeting and control
41
Performance analysis
51
Which of the following statements about variances is/are true?
True
False
In a rapidly changing environment variances based on standard
costs are likely to provide a meaningful analysis of
performance.
When monitoring performance, a company only needs to focus
on adverse variances.
A desire to create a favourable material price variance may
result in the purchasing manager taking decisions which are
incompatible with TQM.
If a company operates a JIT policy, it is not likely to experience
any labour idle time variance.
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42 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
4: Performance measurement and control
Performance management information systems
1
An information system contains external and internal data which is both qualitative and
quantitative.
What is this system most likely to be used for?
2
Strategic planning
Management control
Operational control
Strategic planning, management control and operational control
A report which provides information about daily inventory movements would be most likely to
be used for:
Strategic planning
Management control
Operational control
Strategic planning, management control and operational control
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3
4
Which of the following is/are characteristics of a Decision support system?
Characteristic
Not a characteristic
Provides summary information for the Board
Provides information in a flexible format
Facilitates “what if” analysis
Can be used to assist resource planning
The following statements have been made about open and closed systems:
1
Open systems refer to systems that interact with other systems or the outside environment.
2
Closed systems are preferable for performance management.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
ACCA F5 Question Bank
5
Tuition questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
43
Which of the following areas of a business would an enterprise resource planning system
generally cover?
Cover
Not cover
Order processing
Manufacturing
Distribution
Customer service
Human resources
Finance
Sources of management information
6
Which of the following is/are internal sources of management accounting information and
which are external sources?
Internal
External
Database of customer information
Inventory management system
Results of market research
Payroll system
7
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The following statements have been made about sources of information:
1
Having access to external information means decisions can be made in a more informed
way.
2
Using internal information reduces the need to rely on third party information which may
be inaccurate.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
8
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
The following are all types of costs associated with management information:
I
Use of bar coding and scanners
II
Verification of payroll accuracy by Financial Controller
III
Lack of resource available to spend on other value-adding activities
Which of the above are examples of process costs?
II only
I and II only
I and III only
All of the above
44 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
9
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Which of the following is/are examples of direct data capture costs and which is/are examples
of processing costs?
Direct data
capture
Processing
Use of bar coding and scanners
Payroll department analysis of personnel costs
Completion of timesheets by employees
Input of timesheet information onto management
information system
Management reports
10
Which TWO of the following controls within an organisation help to ensure the accuracy of
information?
Completeness checks
Hierarchical passwords
Data encryption
Validation of input data
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12
Which of the following statements about data controls is/are true?
True
False
A range check is a form of validation control.
Hierarchical passwords can be used to grant different
access rights to different users of a database.
Firewalls protect data from external access.
Encryption means that data can only be understood by
those transmitting and receiving it, and not by anyone
intercepting it.
Which of the following controls would NOT be designed to ensure the security of confidential
information?
Storage of sensitive data in locked filing cabinets
Remote storage of back-up copies of data
Use of a data encryption software package
Requiring all staff to sign a confidentiality agreement
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Tuition questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
45
Performance analysis in private sector organisations
13
14
Which of the following performance indicators are considered to be financial measures and
which of the following are considered to be non-financial measures?
Financial
Non-financial
Product returns rate
Market share
Asset turnover
Staff turnover
Which of the following is NOT a perspective of the balanced scorecard?
15
Which THREE of the following are included in Fitzgerald and Moon’s Building blocks?
16
Decisions
Dimensions
Returns
Rewards
Standards
Targets
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For which of the following would the return on capital employed be a useful performance
measure?
17
Non-financial
Internal Business Processes
Customer
Innovation & Learning
The sales team who are responsible for the revenue generated from selling product
Factory supervisors who are responsible for the costs incurred in producing product
The Operations Director who is responsible for the sales team and for factory costs
The Managing Director who has overall responsibility for the businesses costs and
revenues, including the administration and finance functions
The following ratios have been calculated for a company:
Gross profit margin
Operating profit margin
Gearing (debt/equity)
Asset turnover
42%
28%
40%
65%
What is the return on capital employed for the company, to the nearest 0.1%?
%
46 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
OLIVER’S SALON
The following scenario relates to questions 18-22. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Oliver is the owner and manager of Oliver’s Salon, which is a quality hairdresser that experiences high
levels of competition. The salon traditionally provided a range of hair services to female clients only. A
year ago, at the start of his 20X9 financial year, Oliver decided to expand his operations to include the
hairdressing needs of male clients.
The prices for the female clients were not increased during the whole of 20X8 and 20X9 and the mix of
services provided for female clients in the two years was the same.
Two new staff were recruited at the start of 20X9. The first was a junior hairdresser, to support the
specialist hairdressers for the female clients. She was appointed on a salary of $9,000 per annum. The
second new staff member was a specialist hairdresser for the male clients. There were no increases in
pay for existing staff at the start of 20X9 after a big rise at the start of 20X8, which was designed to
cover two years’ worth of increases.
The latest financial results are as follows.
Sales
Less cost of sales:
Hairdressing staff costs
Hair products – female
Hair products – male
$
20X8
$
200,000
$
65,000
29,000
91,000
27,000
8,000
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Gross profit
Less expenses:
Profit
20X9
$
238,500
94,000
106,000
28,000
78,000
126,000
112,500
32,500
80,000
Oliver thinks the salon is much busier than a year ago and was expecting more profit.
Oliver introduced some non-financial measures of success two years ago.
20X8
12
0
8,000
4
0
Number of complaints
Number of male client visits
Number of female client visits
Number of specialist hairdressers for female clients
Number of specialist hairdressers for male clients
18
20X9
46
3,425
6,800
5
1
Calculate the average price for hair services per male client in 20X9.
$
19
Are the following statements about Oliver’s Salon true or false?
True
False
Gross and net profit margins have decreased in 20X9
compared with 20X8.
Average cost per staff member has increased in 20X9
compared with 20X8.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
20
The change in customer base bringing in male clients who are more likely to complain
Female customers complaining about the change in atmosphere following the
introduction of male services
The mix of services offered to female clients
Poor quality work from the new trainee
Which of the following statements is true?
22
Resource utilisation of the property has increased and resource utilisation of specialist
female hairdressers has decreased.
Resource utilisation of the property has increased and resource utilisation of specialist
female hairdressers has increased.
Resource utilisation of the property has decreased and resource utilisation of specialist
female hairdressers has decreased.
Resource utilisation of the property has decreased and resource utilisation of specialist
female hairdressers has increased.
Oliver is thinking about introducing more non-financial measures of performance, as he believes
that selecting the right measures can help improve customer satisfaction and hence ultimately
profitability.
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Which of the following will be a problem/problems for Oliver in introducing more measures?
It may be difficult to define measures for quality of
service provided.
Increasing the number of measures may increase the
chances of the measures giving a conflicting picture.
Increasing the number of measures will mean that the
business has more of an external focus, rather than
focusing on internal problems.
Oliver may have to spend more time himself on
measurement work and less on servicing customers.
Problem
Not a problem
Divisional performance and transfer pricing
23
47
Which of the following is least likely to be an explanation for the increase in the number of
complaints in 20X9 compared with 20X8?
21
Tuition questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
Which of the following does the manager have control over in a cost centre?
Control
No control
Revenue generation
Attributable costs
Apportioned head office costs
Investment in non-current assets
48 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
24
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Division A makes and transfers a product to Division B and receives the market price for the
transferred item, whilst Division B only gets charged with the variable cost of the item.
This transfer pricing approach is known as a:
25
Dual pricing system
Opportunity cost system
Two-part tariff system
Market based system
Tallulah Ltd uses Return on Investment (ROI) and Residual Income (RI) performance measures.
The Medchester division has net assets of $12m and in the year to 31 December 20X4 it earned
profit before interest and tax of $1.8m and paid interest of $0.3m. Tallulah Ltd’s cost of capital
is 12%.
What are the correct ROI, to the nearest 0.1%, and RI, to the nearest $0.01m, for the year to
31 December 20X4?
ROI
%
RI
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$
26
million
Dust Co has two divisions, A and B. Each division is currently considering the following separate
projects:
Capital required for the project
Sales generated by project
Operating profit margin
Cost of capital
Current return on investment of division
Division A
$32·6 million
$14·4 million
30%
10%
15%
Division B
$22·2 million
$8·8 million
24%
10%
9%
If residual income is used as the basis for the investment decision, which Division(s) would
choose to invest in the project?
Division A only
Division B only
Both Division A and Division B
Neither Division A nor Division B
ACCA F5 Question Bank
27
Tuition questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
49
Oxco has two divisions, A and B. Division A makes a component for air conditioning units which
it can only sell to Division B. It has no other outlet for sales.
Current information relating to Division A is as follows:
Marginal cost per unit
Transfer price of the component
Total production and sales of the component each year
Specific fixed costs of Division A per year
$100
$165
2,200 units
$10,000
Cold Co has offered to sell the component to Division B for $140 per unit. If Division B accepts
this offer, Division A will be shut.
If Division B accepts Cold Co’s offer, what will be the impact on profits per year for the group
as a whole?
$...................
28
Increase
Decrease
Which of the following does the manager have control over in an investment centre?
Control
No control
Generation of revenues
Investment in non-current assets
Investment in working capital
Apportioned head office costs
29
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At the start of the year, a division has non-current assets of $4 million and makes no additions
or disposals during the year. Depreciation is charged at a rate of 10% per annum on all noncurrent assets held at the end of the year. Working capital is $0·5 million at the start of the year
although this is expected to increase by 20% by the end of the year. The budgeted profit of the
division after depreciation is $1·2m.
What is the expected ROI of the division for the year, to the nearest 0.01%, based on average
capital employed?
%
50 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
ABEL CO
The following scenario relates to questions 30-34. Each question is worth 2 marks.
The production division of Abel Co has the following standard unit costs for the production of an
electronic component:
Direct material
Direct labour
Variable overheads
$2.00
$2.50
$1.50
Fixed overheads are expected to be $300,000 and maximum capacity is 100,000 units.
The production division currently makes and transfers all 100,000 components to the retail division,
which completes the assembly and sells it to individual consumers for $15, after incurring additional
costs of $2.50 per unit. The current transfer price policy is full cost plus 30%.
The production division has been offered the chance to sell all the components it can produce to a
commercial buyer who is willing to pay $11 per unit. The retail division can source components
externally at a price of $11.50. Assume the maximum demand for the retail division’s product is
100,000 units.
30
What is the transfer price per unit under the current policy, to the nearest $0.01?
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31
32
Which of the following statements relating to the current system of transfer pricing are true?
1
Full cost-based transfer prices are most appropriate where there is an intermediate
market for the product.
2
When the producing division is operating at full capacity, a full cost-based approach
should be used for the transfer price.
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
What is the minimum transfer price that will ensure Abel Co maximises company profit, given
the offer from the commercial buyer?
33
$12.50
$11.00
$9.00
$8.50
What is the maximum contribution that Abel Co can earn if the production division decides to
supply the commercial customer?
$
ACCA F5 Question Bank
34
Tuition questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
51
The Finance Director of Abel Co is considering switching away from the current policy, but is
concerned about how the Production division will cover its fixed costs.
Which of these methods will NOT help address the problem?
Giving the production and retail divisions a share of Abel Co’ s overall contribution
Setting the transfer price at variable cost, but reporting the value of the transfer for the
Production division at total cost
Setting the transfer price at market value if an external market exists for the product
Transferring a fixed fee to the Production division
Performance analysis in not-for-profit organisations and the public sector
35
36
Which of the following is/are characteristics for a public sector organisation such as a hospital?
Characteristic
Not a characteristic
Some non-quantifiable objectives
Multiple stakeholders
Objectives may be subject to political pressures
Conflicting priorities for resource allocation
37
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Which of the following is a common way of assessing Value For Money?
Economy, Efficiency, Effectiveness
Economy, Efficiency, Environment
Efficiency, Effectiveness, Environment
Economy, Energy, Effectiveness
Def Co provides accounting services to government departments. On average, each staff
member works six chargeable hours per day, with the rest of their working day being spent on
non-chargeable administrative work. One of the company’s main objectives is to produce a high
level of quality and customer satisfaction.
Match DEF Co’s targets for the next year to the aspect of economy, efficiency and
effectiveness at Def Co to which they relate.
Economy
Efficiency
Effectiveness
Increasing the number of chargeable
hours handled by advisers to 6·2 per day
Obtaining a score of 4·7 or above on
customer satisfaction surveys
Retaining all current contracts with
government departments
Cutting departmental expenditure by 5%
52 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
External considerations and behavioural aspects
38
Which TWO of the following are negative behavioural aspects of a change in an organisation’s
performance management system?
39
Increased motivation to achieve rewards by achieving targets
Manipulation of targets to ensure results achieved
Dysfunctional decision making
Teamwork rather than self-interest encouraged
The following statements have been made about external considerations and performance
management
1
An organisation which takes account of external factors is more likely to focus on the
aspects of performance that its managers can control.
2
Planning and operational variances are a way of taking external considerations into
account when assessing performance.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
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Tuition questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
53
PART 1 TUITION QUESTIONS: Long form
2: Decision-making techniques
Limiting factors
1 CUT AND STITCH (Q3, JUNE 2010)
Cut and Stitch (CS) make two types of suits using skilled tailors (labour) and a delicate and unique
fabric (material).
Both the tailors and the fabric are in short supply and so the accountant at CS has correctly produced a
linear programming model to help decide the optimal production mix.
The model is as follows.
Variables:
Let W = the number of work suits produced
Let L = the number of lounge suits produced
Constraints:
Tailors’ time: 7W + 5L ≤ 3,500 (hours) – this is line T on the diagram
Fabric: 2W + 2L ≤ 1,200 (metres) – this is line F on the diagram
Production of work suits: W ≤ 400 – this is line P on the diagram
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Objective is to maximise contribution subject to:
C = 48W + 40L
On the diagram provided the accountant has correctly identified OABCD as the feasible region and
point B as the optimal point.
54 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Required:
(a)
Find by appropriate calculation the optimal production mix and related maximum contribution
that could be earned by CS.
(4 marks)
(b)
Calculate the shadow prices of the fabric per metre and the tailor time per hour.
(6 marks)
The tailors have offered to work an extra 500 hours provided that they are paid three times their
normal rate of $1.50 per hour at $4.50 per hour.
Required:
(c)
Briefly discuss whether CS should accept the offer of overtime at three times
the normal rate.
(6 marks)
(d)
Calculate the new optimum production plan if maximum demand for W falls
to 200 units.
(4 marks)
(20 marks)
Pricing decisions
2 WX (Q3B, JUNE 2013 AMENDED)
WX is reviewing the selling price of one of its electronic products. The current selling price of the
product is $25 per unit and annual demand is forecast to be 150,000 units at this price. Market
research indicates that the level of demand would be affected by any change in the selling price.
Detailed analysis from this research shows that for every $1 increase in selling price, annual demand
would reduce by 25,000 units and that for every $1 decrease in selling price, annual demand would
increase by 25,000 units.
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A forecast of the annual costs that would be incurred by WX in respect of this product at differing
activity levels is as follows.
Annual production (units)
Direct materials
Direct labour
Overhead
100,000
160,000
200,000
$000
200
600
880
$000
320
960
1,228
$000
400
1,200
1,460
The cost behaviour patterns represented in the above forecast will apply for the whole range of output
up to 300,000 units per annum of this product.
Required:
(a)
(b)
(i)
Calculate the total variable cost per unit.
(ii)
Calculate the selling price of the product that will maximise the company’s profits.
(4 marks)
Explain TWO reasons why WX might decide NOT to use this optimum selling price.
(2 marks)
(4 marks)
WX has recently been suffering from liquidity problems and hopes that these will be eased by the
launch of its new webcam, which has revolutionary audio sound and visual quality. The webcam is
expected to have a product life cycle of two years.
(c)
Explain the ‘market skimming’ (also known as ‘price skimming’) pricing strategy and discuss, as
far as the information allows, whether this strategy may be more appropriate for WX than
charging one price throughout the webcam’s entire life.
(10 marks)
(20 marks)
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Tuition questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
55
Dealing with risk and uncertainty in decision making
3 GYM BUNNIES (Q1, JUNE 2013 AMENDED)
Gym Bunnies (GB) is a health club. It currently has 6,000 members, with each member paying a
subscription fee of $720 per annum. The club is comprised of a gym, a swimming pool and a small
exercise studio.
A competitor company is opening a new gym in GB’s local area, and this is expected to cause a fall in
GB’s membership numbers, unless GB can improve its own facilities. Consequently, GB is considering
whether or not to expand its exercise studio in a hope to improve its membership numbers. Any
improvements are expected to last for three years.
Option 1
No expansion. In this case, membership numbers would be expected to fall to 5,250 per annum for the
next three years. Operational costs would stay at their current level of $80 per member per annum.
Option 2
Expand the exercise studio. The capital cost of this would be $360,000. The expected effect on
membership numbers for the next three years is as follows:
Probability
0.4
0.6
Effect on membership numbers
Remain at their current level of 6,000 members per annum
Increase to 6,500 members per annum
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The effect on operational costs for the next three years is expected to be:
Probability
0.5
0.5
Effect on operational costs
Increase to $120 per member per annum
Increase to $180 per member per annum
A decision tree has been started to illustrate these options, but requires completion:
Option 1
5,250 members
0.5
A
D
0.5
6,000 members
Option 2
$(360k)
0.4
C
0.6
6,500 members
0.5
B
0.5
56 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Required:
(a)
Using the criterion of expected value, use the points on the decision tree to recommend the
decision that GB should make.
Note: Ignore time value of money.
(8 marks)
(b)
Calculate the maximum price that GB should pay for perfect information about the expansion’s
exact effect on MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS.
(6 marks)
(c)
Briefly discuss the problems of using expected values for decisions of this nature.
(d)
Discuss the usefulness of simulation, and worst and best case figures as methods of analysing
and assess the risk that exists in a business’s decision-making.
(4 marks)
(2 marks)
(20 marks)
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Tuition questions: 3: Budgeting and control
57
3: Budgeting and control
Budgetary systems and types of budget
1 PC CO (Q3, DECEMBER 2011)
You have recently been appointed as an assistant management accountant in a large company, PC Co.
When you meet the Production Manager, you overhear him speaking to one of his staff, saying:
‘Budgeting is a waste of time. I don’t see the point of it. It tells us what we can’t afford but it doesn’t
keep us from buying it. It simply makes us invent new ways of manipulating figures. If all levels of
management aren’t involved in the setting of the budget, they might as well not bother preparing
one.’
Required:
(a)
Identify and explain SIX objectives of a budgetary control system.
(b)
Discuss the concept of a participative style of budgeting in terms of the six objectives identified
in part (a).
(11 marks)
Materials mix and yield variances
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2 THE SAFE SOAP CO (DECEMBER 2014 AMENDED)
(9 marks)
(20 marks)
The Safe Soap Co makes environmentally-friendly soap using three basic ingredients. The standard
cost card for one batch of soap for the month of September was as follows:
Material
Lye
Coconut oil
Shea butter
Kilograms
0.25
0.6
0.5
Price per kilogram ($)
10
4
3
The budget for production and sales in September was 120,000 batches. Actual production and sales
were 136,000 batches. The actual ingredients used were as follows:
Material
Lye
Coconut oil
Shea butter
Kilograms
34,080
83,232
64,200
The Safe Soap Co has used activity-based costing to allocate its overheads for a number of years. One
of its main overheads is machine set-up costs. The following information was available in relation to
set-up costs for September.
Budget
Total number of set ups
Total set-up costs
30
$40,500
Actual
Total number of set ups
Total set-up costs
36
$45,400
58 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Required:
(a)
Calculate the total material mix variance and the total material yield variance for September.
(8 marks)
(b)
In October the materials mix and yield variances were as follows:
Mix: $6,000 adverse
Yield: $10,000 favourable
The production manager is pleased with the results overall, stating:
‘At the beginning of September I made some changes to the mix of ingredients used for the
soaps. As I expected, the mix variance is adverse in both months because we haven’t yet
updated our standard cost card but, in both months, the favourable yield variance more than
makes up for this. Overall, I think we can be satisfied that the changes made to the product mix
are producing good results and now we are able to produce more batches and meet the
growing demand for our product.’
The sales manager, however, holds a different view and says:
‘I’m not happy with this change in the ingredients mix. I’ve had to explain to the board why the
sales volume variance for October was $22,000 adverse. I’ve tried to explain that the quality of
the soap has declined slightly and some of my customers have realised this and simply aren’t
happy but no-one seems to be listening. Some customers are even demanding that the price of
the soap be reduced and threatening to go elsewhere if the problem isn’t sorted out.’
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Required:
(i)
Briefly explain what the adverse materials mix and favourable materials yield variances
indicate about production at Safe Soap Co in October.
(4 marks)
Note: You are NOT required to discuss revision of standards or operational and planning
variances.
(ii)
(c)
Discuss whether the sales manager could be justified in claiming that the change in the
materials mix has caused an adverse sales volume variance in October.
(2 marks)
Calculate the following activity-based variances in relation to the set-up cost of the machines:
(i)
(ii)
The expenditure variance
The efficiency variance
(3 marks)
(3 marks)
(20 marks)
Planning and operational variances
3 BEDCO (Q5, DECEMBER 2013)
Bedco manufactures bed sheets and pillowcases which it supplies to a major hotel chain. It uses a justin-time system and holds no inventories.
The standard cost for the cotton which is used to make the bed sheets and pillowcases is $5 per m2.
Each bed sheet uses 2 m2 of cotton and each pillowcase uses 0.5 m2. Production levels for bed sheets
and pillowcases for November were as follows.
Bed sheets
Pillowcases
Budgeted production
levels (units)
120,000
190,000
Actual production
levels (units)
120,000
180,000
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Tuition questions: 3: Budgeting and control
59
The actual cost of the cotton in November was $5.80 per m2. 248,000 m2 of cotton was used to make
the bed sheets and 95,000 m2 was used to make the pillowcases.
The world commodity prices for cotton increased by 20% in the month of November. At the beginning
of the month, the hotel chain made an unexpected request for an immediate design change to the
pillowcases. The new design required 10% more cotton than previously. It also resulted in production
delays and therefore a shortfall in production of 10,000 pillowcases in total that month.
The Production Manager at Bedco is responsible for all buying and any production issues which occur,
although he is not responsible for the setting of standard costs.
Required:
(a)
(b)
Calculate the following variances for the month of November, for both bed sheets and pillow
cases, and in total:
(i)
Material price planning variance;
(3 marks)
(ii)
Material price operational variance;
(3 marks)
(iii)
Material usage planning variance;
(3 marks)
(iv)
Material usage operational variance.
(3 marks)
Assess the performance of the production manager for the month of November.
(8 marks)
(20 marks)
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Performance analysis and behavioural aspects
4 JUMP (Q5, JUNE 2010)
Jump has a network of sports clubs which is managed by local managers reporting to the main board.
The local managers have a lot of autonomy and are able to vary employment contracts with staff and
offer discounts for membership fees and personal training sessions. They also control their own
maintenance budget but do not have control over large amounts of capital expenditure.
A local manager’s performance and bonus is assessed relative to three targets. For every one of these
three targets that is reached in an individual quarter, $400 is added to the manager’s bonus, which is
paid at the end of the year.
The maximum bonus per year is therefore based on 12 targets (three targets in each of the four
quarters of the year).
Accordingly, the maximum bonus that could be earned is 12 × $400 = $4,800, which represents 40% of
the basic salary of a local manager. Jump has a 31 March year end.
The performance data for one of the sports clubs for the last four quarters is as follows.
Number of members
Member visits
Personal training sessions booked
Staff days
Staff lateness days
Days in quarter
Qtr to
30 June
2009
3,000
20,000
310
450
20
90
Qtr to
30 September
2009
3,200
24,000
325
480
28
90
Qtr to
31 December
2009
3,300
26,000
310
470
28
90
Qtr to
31 March
2010
3,400
24,000
339
480
20
90
60 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Agreed targets are:
1.
Staff must be on time over 95% of the time (no penalty is made when staff are absent from
work)
2.
On average 60% of members must use the clubs’ facilities regularly by visiting at least 12 times
per quarter
3.
On average 10% of members must book a personal training session each quarter
Required:
(a)
Calculate the amount of bonus that the manager should expect to be paid for the latest
financial year.
(6 marks)
(b)
Discuss to what extent the targets set are controllable by the local manager (you are required to
make a case for both sides of the argument).
(9 marks)
(c)
Describe two methods as to how a manager with access to the accounting and other records
could unethically manipulate the situation so as to gain a greater bonus.
(5 marks)
(20 marks)
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Tuition questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
61
4: Performance measurement and control
Performance analysis in private sector organisations
1 WEB CO (Q3, DECEMBER 2012)
Web Co is an online retailer of fashion goods and uses a range of performance indicators to measure
the performance of the business. The company’s management have been increasingly concerned
about the lack of sales growth over the last year and, in an attempt to resolve this, made the following
changes right at the start of Quarter 2.
(a)
Advertising: Web Co placed an advert on the webpage of a well-known online fashion magazine
at a cost of $200,000. This had a direct link from the magazine’s website to Web Co’s online
store.
(b)
Search engine: Web Co also engaged the services of a website consultant to ensure that, when
certain key words are input by potential customers onto key search engines, such as Google and
Yahoo, Web Co’s website is listed on the first page of results. This makes it more likely that a
customer will visit a company’s website. The consultant’s fee was $20,000.
(c)
Website availability: During Quarter 1, there were a few problems with Web Co’s website,
meaning that it was not available to customers some of the time. Web Co was concerned that
this was losing them sales and the IT department therefore made some changes to the website
in an attempt to correct the problem.
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The following incentives were also offered to customers:
(a)
Incentive 1: A free ‘Fast Track’ delivery service, guaranteeing delivery within two working days,
for all continuing customers who subscribe to Web Co’s online subscription newsletter.
Subscribers are thought by Web Co to become customers who place further orders.
(b)
Incentive 2: A $10 discount to all customers spending $100 or more at any one time.
The results for the last two quarters are shown below, Quarter 2 being the most recent one. The
results for Quarter 1 reflect the period before the changes and incentives detailed above took place
and are similar to the results of other quarters in the preceding year.
Total sales revenue
Net profit margin
Total number of orders from customers
Total number of visits to website
Conversion rate – visitor to purchaser
The percentage of total visitors accessing website through magazine link
Website availability
Number of customers spending more than $100 per visit
Number of subscribers to online newsletter
Quarter 1
$2,200,000
25%
40,636
101,589
40%
0
95%
4,650
4,600
Quarter 2
$2,750,000
16.7%
49,600
141,714
35%
19.9%
95%
6,390
11,900
Required:
Assess the performance of the business in Quarter 2 in relation to the changes and incentives that the
company introduced at the beginning of this quarter. State clearly where any further information
might be necessary, concluding as to whether the changes and incentives have been effective.
(20 marks)
62 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
2 AT CO (Q2, DECEMBER 2010)
The Accountancy Teaching Co (AT Co) is a company specialising in the provision of accountancy tuition
courses in the private sector. It makes up its accounts to 30 November each year. In the year ending
30 November 2009, it held 60% of market share. However, over the last 12 months, the accountancy
tuition market in general has faced a 20% decline in demand for accountancy training leading to
smaller class sizes on courses. In 2009 and before, AT Co suffered from an ongoing problem with staff
retention, which had a knock-on effect on the quality of service provided to students. Following the
completion of developments that have been ongoing for some time, in 2010 the company was able to
offer a far-improved service to students. The developments included:
A new dedicated 24-hour student helpline
An interactive website providing instant support to students
A new training programme for staff
An electronic student enrolment system
An electronic marking system for the marking of students’ progress tests. The costs of marking
electronically were expected to be $4 million less in 2010 than marking on paper. Marking
expenditure is always included in cost of sales
Extracts from the management accounts for 2009 and 2010 are shown below:
$000
2009
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Turnover
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Indirect expenses:
Marketing
Property
Staff training
Interactive website running costs
Student helpline running costs
Enrolment costs
Total indirect expenses
Net operating profit
$000
72,025
(52,078)
19,947
3,291
6,702
1,287
–
–
5,032
2010
$000
$000
66,028
(42,056)
23,972
4,678
6,690
3,396
3,270
2,872
960
(16,312)
3,635
(21,866)
2,106
On 1 December 2009, management asked all ‘freelance lecturers’ to reduce their fees by at least 10%
with immediate effect (‘freelance lecturers’ are not employees of the company but are used to teach
students when there are not enough of AT Co’s own lecturers to meet tuition needs). All employees
were also told that they would not receive a pay rise for at least one year. Total lecture staff costs
(including freelance lecturers) were $41·663 million in 2009 and were included in cost of sales, as is
always the case. Freelance lecturer costs represented 35% of these total lecture staff costs. In 2010
freelance lecture costs were $12·394 million. No reduction was made to course prices in the year and
the mix of trainees studying for the different qualifications remained the same. The same type and
number of courses were run in both 2009 and 2010 and the percentage of these courses that was run
by freelance lecturers as opposed to employed staff also remained the same.
Due to the nature of the business, non-financial performance indicators are also used to assess
performance, as detailed below.
Percentage of students transferring to AT Co from another training provider
Number of late enrolments due to staff error
Percentage of students passing exams first time
Labour turnover
Number of student complaints
Average no of employees
2009
8%
297
48%
32%
315
1,080
2010
20%
106
66%
10%
84
1,081
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Tuition questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
63
Required:
Assess the performance of the business in 2010 using both financial performance indicators calculated
from the above information AND the non-financial performance indicators provided.
Note: Clearly state any assumptions and show all workings clearly. Your answer should be structured
around the following main headings: turnover; cost of sales; gross profit; indirect expenses; net
operating profit. However, in discussing each of these areas you should also refer to the non-financial
performance indicators, where relevant.
(20 marks)
Divisional performance and transfer pricing
3 BATH CO (Q2, DECEMBER 2011)
Bath Co is a company specialising in the manufacture and sale of baths. Each bath consists of a main
unit plus a set of bath fittings. The company is split into two divisions, A and B. Division A
manufactures the bath and Division B manufactures sets of bath fittings. Currently, all of Division A’s
sales are made externally. Division B, however, sells to Division A as well as to external customers.
Both of the divisions are profit centres.
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The following data is available for both divisions.
Division A
Fir
Current selling price for each bath
Costs per bath:
Fittings from Division B
Other materials from external suppliers
Labour costs
Annual fixed overheads
Annual production and sales of baths (units)
Maximum annual market demand for baths (units)
Division B
Current external selling price per set of fittings
Current price for sales to Division A
Costs per set of fittings:
Materials
Labour costs
Annual fixed overheads
Maximum annual production and sales of sets of fittings (units)
(including internal and external sales)
Maximum annual external demand for sets of fittings (units)
Maximum annual internal demand for sets of fittings (units)
$450
$75
$200
$45
$7,440,000
80,000
80,000
$80
$75
$5
$15
$4,400,000
200,000
180,000
80,000
The transfer price charged by Division B to Division A was negotiated some years ago between the
previous divisional managers, who have now both been replaced by new managers. Head Office only
allows Division A to purchase its fittings from Division B, although the new manager of Division A
believes that he could obtain fittings of the same quality and appearance for $65 per set, if he was
given the autonomy to purchase from outside the company. Division B makes no cost savings from
supplying internally to Division A rather than selling externally.
64 T u i t i o n q u e s t i o n s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Required:
(a)
Under the current transfer pricing system, prepare a profit statement showing the profit for
each of the divisions and for Bath Co as a whole. Your sales and costs figures should be split into
external sales and inter-divisional transfers, where appropriate.
(6 marks)
(b)
Head Office is considering changing the transfer pricing policy to ensure maximisation of
company profits without demotivating either of the divisional managers. Division A will be given
autonomy to buy from external suppliers and Division B to supply external customers in priority
to supplying to Division A.
Calculate the maximum profit that could be earned by Bath Co if transfer pricing is optimised.
(8 marks)
(c)
Discuss the issues of encouraging divisional managers to take decisions in the interests of the
company as a whole, where transfer pricing is used. Provide a reasoned recommendation of a
policy Bath Co should adopt.
(6 marks)
(20 marks)
4 HAMMER CO (Q4, JUNE 2010)
Hammer is a large garden equipment supplier with retail stores throughout Toolland. Many of the
products it sells are bought in from outside suppliers but some are currently manufactured by
Hammer’s own manufacturing division ‘Nail’.
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The prices (a transfer price) that Nail charges to the retail stores are set by head office and have been
the subject of some discussion. The current policy is for Nail to calculate the total variable cost of
production and delivery and add 30% for profit. Nail argues that all costs should be taken into
consideration, offering to reduce the mark-up on costs to 10% in this case. The retail stores are
unhappy with the current pricing policy arguing that it results in prices that are often higher than
comparable products available on the market.
Nail has provided the following information to enable a price comparison to be made of the two
possible pricing policies for one of its products.
Garden shears
Steel: the shears have 0.4kg of high quality steel in the final product. The manufacturing process loses
5% of all steel put in. Steel costs $4,000 per tonne (1 tonne = 1,000kg)
Other materials: Other materials are bought in and have a list price of $3 per kg although Hammer
secures a 10% volume discount on all purchases. The shears require 0.1kg of these materials.
The labour time to produce shears is 0.25 hours per unit and labour costs $10 per hour.
Variable overheads are absorbed at the rate of 150% of labour rates and fixed overheads are 80% of
the variable overheads.
Delivery is made by an outsourced distributor that charges Nail $0.50 per garden shear for delivery.
Required:
(a)
Calculate the price that Nail would charge for the garden shears under the existing policy of
variable cost plus 30%.
(6 marks)
(b)
Calculate the increase or decrease in price if the pricing policy switched to
total cost plus 10%.
(4 marks)
(c)
Discuss whether or not including fixed costs in a transfer price is a sensible policy.
(4 marks)
(d)
Discuss whether the retail stores should be allowed to buy in from outside suppliers if the prices
are cheaper than those charged by Nail.
(6 marks)
(20 marks)
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
65
PART 1 TUITION ANSWERS: Objective test and Scenario
1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
Activity based costing
1
7.50
$
Total number of batches = (15/2·5) + (25/5) + (20/4) = 16
Cost driver rate = $600,000 / 16 = $37,500
Cost per unit = $37,500 / 5,000 = $7·50
Alternatively cost per unit = $37,500 × 5/ 25,000 = 7.50
2
Facility
sustaining
4
Product
1
Product
sustaining
3
Batch
2
3
4
$
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Production scheduling
5.71
Cost driver rates
Set up costs
Inspection/quality costs
$200,000 / 800 = $250 per set up
$120,000 / 400 = $300 per test
Product W cost per unit
Direct materials
Direct labour
$2.50
$0.54
Set up costs: 15,000/150 units = 100 batches, 100 × $250 / 15,000 units = $1.67
Inspection / quality cost: 100 batches/2 = 50 inspections, 50 × $300 / 15,000 units = $1.00
Total production costs = $2.50 + $0.54 + $1.67 + $1.00 = $5.71
66 Tuition answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
DUFF CO
5
$
79.25
Total labour hours = (20,000 × 2.5) + (16,000 × 3) + (22,000 × 2) = 142,000
Overhead absorption rate = 1,377,400/142,000 = $9.70 per hour
Full cost per unit of X = $25 + $30 + ($9.70 × 2.5) = $79.25
6
$
65833
Budgeted production and sales volumes (units)
Batch size (units)
Number of batches
Number of purchase orders per batch
Number of purchase orders
20,000
500
40
4
160
16,000
800
20
5
100
22,000
400
55
4
220
Total number of purchase orders = 160 + 100 + 220 = 480 orders
Total ordering costs for Y = $316,000 × (100/480) = $65,833
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$
13.54
Total machine hours = (20,000 × 1.5) + (16,000 × 1.25) + (22,000 × 1.4) = 80,800 machine hours
Machine running and facility costs = $420,000 + $361,400 = $781,400
Machine running and facility costs allocated to Z = ($781,400/80,800) × (22,000 × 1.4) = $297,860
Machine running and general facility costs per unit of Z = $297,860/22,000 = $13.54
8
$
79.64
Overhead cost per unit of X = $492,824/20,000 = $24.64
Full cost per unit of X = $25 + $30 + $24.64 = $79.64
9
ABC is an absorption costing system.
ABC must be based on activities that are measurable in quantitative terms.
ABC can be used for production and non-production overheads and is only of limited use if
overheads are volume-related.
Target costing
10
$
170
Required return = 30% × $300,000 = $90,000
Target cost = (500 × $350) – $90,000 = $85,000
Per unit = $85,000/500 = $170
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
11
Tuition answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
67
$53.33
If profit = 25% sales, then target cost = 75% sales
Selling price = $40/0.75 = $53.33
12
Replace skilled workers with less skilled workers for the more basic production tasks
13
14
Calculate the
target cost
3
Calculate the
target cost gap
5
Calculate the
current cost
4
Set the required
profit
2
Set the selling
price
1
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It identifies the market price of a product and then subtracts a desired profit margin to
arrive at the desired cost.
A target cost is arrived at by identifying the market price of a product and then subtracting a
desired profit margin from it.
15
The cost gap will decrease and the target cost will remain the same.
The lower learning rate will mean costs are lower and the cost gap will decrease. The target cost
will not be affected by the change in the learning rate as it is determined by selling price and
desired margin.
16
Value analysis
Functional analysis
Iso-contribution analysis relates to limiting factor analysis. Variance analysis is a feedback
technique whereas target costing is a feedforward technique.
68 Tuition answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
EDWARD CO
17
Cost control can begin at the design stage.
The radio will only include features that the customer regards as valuable.
Target costing will mean that Edward Co has a greater external focus. The introduction of target
costing is likely to have been prompted by the market conditions that are forcing Edward Co to
accept a selling price and not subsequently being able to pass on cost increases to its customers.
18
$
0.75
Cost of labour idle time = (30/60) × $12.60 × (10/90) = $0.70
Cost of material waste = (25/100) × $4.80 × (4/96) = $0.05
Total cost reduction = $0.70 + $0.05 = $0.75
19
$
1.05
Desired cost = $44 × 80% = $35.20
Revised cost of material for radio = $4.40 × (25/100) × (100/96) = $1.15
Current cost = $4.70 + $1.15 + $8.10 + ((30/60) × ($12.60 + $20 + $12)) = $36.25
Cost gap = $36.25 – $35.20 = $1.05
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20
Only including standard components in the radio
Increasing the automation of the manufacturing process
Just using standard components is a legitimate way to reduce costs. Automation could reduce
costs by cutting down skilled labour time. Reducing the number of features will reduce the cost
gap – increasing the number of features will only work if Edward Co can charge a higher price.
Analysing costs into cost pools is the starting point of activity-based costing.
21
The repair work carried out will vary according to the problems found.
The repair service will be a potentially unique job in response to the problems that the
customer has had.
The outcome of the repair service can be specified – it is the problem being fixed and the radio
working properly again. Costing the time is not itself a problem as that will have to be done
whatever the costing method. Reducing labour time may however be problematic. The service
being carried out when required should not be an issue with costing this sort of service.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
69
Life cycle costing
22
Design costs
Testing costs
Production facility investment costs
Promotional costs are normally incurred at Introduction. Customer support costs increase from
the growth stage onwards. Inventory costs would only be relevant once production had started.
23
275
$
3,250,000 + 2,000,000+250,000 = 5,500,000/44,000units = $125
$125 + $150 = $275 per unit
24
Results in a market driven pricing strategy
This is a benefit of target costing.
25
Research and development
Planning and concept design
Testing
Production
Advertising
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Included
Excluded
Distribution and customer service
26
At the design/development stage
Throughput accounting
27
Stretching time
Material
Pressing time
Stretching time
Rolling time
28
$
Available resource
30,000 metres
13,000 hours
8,000 hours
7,750 hours
Required
10,000 + 15,000 = 25,000 metres
10,000 × 0.5 + 15,000 × 0.5 = 12,500 hrs
10,000 × 0.25 + 15,000 × 0.4 = 8,500 hrs
10,000 × 0.4 + 15,000 × 0.25 = 7,750 hrs
1.33
Time available = 24 × 5 × 5 = 600 hrs
Production = 300 units, hence time per unit = 2 hrs (600/300)
Return per machine hour = (65 ─ 25)/2 = $20
Conversion cost per hour = (20 + 10)/2 = $15
TAR = $20/15 = 1.33
70 Tuition answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
29
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Raise the selling price of the product
This will increase the throughput contribution.
30
2400
$
$320 – $80/(6/60) = $2,400
31
It does not attempt to maximise profit.
Work in progress is valued at material cost only.
Throughput assumes that only material costs are variable, whereas labour and other costs will also
be variable beyond a certain time horizon, and this will affect the calculation of maximum profit.
32
Direct labour price
GOPHER GARAGE
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MOTs
8000
Services
3125
Total garage hours per year = 10 × 5 × 50 = 2,500 hours
There are 4 mechanics, so total hours available = 2,500 hours × 4 = 10,000
Based on the time taken for each activity, they can perform 10,000/1.25 = 8,000 MOTs or
10,000/3.2 = 3,125 services
34
MOT 1.75 Service 1.14
MOT
Return per hour = (Selling price – Materials)/Time taken on the bottleneck
= ($120 – $15)/1.25 = $84
Throughput accounting ratio = Return per hour/Cost per hour = $84/$48 = 1.75
Service
Return per hour = (Selling price – Materials)/Time taken on the bottleneck
= ($200 – $25)/3.2 = $54.69
Throughput accounting ratio = Return per hour/Cost per hour = $54.69/$48 = 1.14
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
35
Tuition answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
71
The mechanics’ time would be a bottleneck for MOTs only.
The existing capacity for each activity is:
MOTs
8,000
15,000
20,000
Mechanic
Trainee (2,500 × 3 ÷ 0.5/1.5)
Receptionist (2,500 × 2 ÷ 0.25/0.3)
Service
3,125
5,000
16,667
Employing another three mechanics would mean that their hours available would be 17,500,
allowing them to carry out 14,000 MOTs or 5,469 services. As a result, the mechanics would still
be the bottleneck for MOTs but the trainees would be the bottleneck for services, as they can
only work on 5,000 services.
36
Decrease the time spent by the mechanics on each customer
Decrease the operating expenses of the garage
Throughput accounting is concerned with minimising the throughput activity, inventory and
operating expenses. The time taken by the trainees is not relevant, as it is not currently the
throughput activity. Decreasing the selling price will worsen the throughput ratio.
37
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It can be applied to the management of all external
factors affecting the organisation.
It is concerned with overcoming a bottleneck
identified in a single activity.
It aims to limit the amount of non-bottleneck
resources used.
It tries to avoid the build-up of inventories.
True
False
According to the theory of constraints, it is wasteful to use non-bottleneck resources above the
level required for maximum throughput, as it will lead to a build-up of excess inventory.
Using throughput accounting will not help manage external activities that the business cannot
control. Overcoming a bottleneck in one activity may result in another activity becoming a
bottleneck and throughput accounting will be applied to this as well.
72 Tuition answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Environmental accounting
38
A significant problem for environmental accounting is
that it is difficult to measure environmental costs.
An aim of environmental accounting is to encourage
organisations to quantify the costs and benefits of
improving environmental practices.
The use of input/output analysis forces an
organisation to monitor the cost of wasted material
and other environmental pollution.
It is not possible to use activity based costing to
identify cost drivers for environmental costs.
True
False
ABC principles can be used to identify cost drivers for environmental costs.
39
Image and relationship cost
40
Environment-related costs can be attributed to joint cost centres and environmentdriven costs cannot be.
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This is the correct option as environment-driven costs are allocated to general overheads, not
joint centres.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 2: Decision making techniques
73
2: Decision making techniques
Relevant cost analysis
1
9500
$
Relevant cost of A is replacement cost of $5,000.
Relevant cost of B is zero as material is surplus with no realisable value.
Relevant cost of C is best alternative use. L is better off selling C for $4,500 compared with using
it and not having to purchase D for $4,250.
Relevant cost = $5,000 + $4,500 = $9,500
2
$50,000
The company can either hire new workers at a cost of $60,000 or retrain the existing ones.
The incremental cost of using the existing workers is the training cost of $5,000 plus their
replacement cost of $45,000 = $50,000 in total. This is the cheaper option.
3
$14,000
Deprival value is the lower of
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Replacement cost ($14,000) and
The higher of NRV ($9,000) and economic value ($17,000) = $17,000
Hence relevant cost = $14,000
4
$
4957.50
Cost of the quantity to be bought = (1,500 – 945) × $4·25 = $2,358.75
Opportunity cost of quantity in hand = 945 × $2·75 = $2,598.75
Total relevant cost = $4,957.50
Cost volume profit analysis
5
23000
Fixed cost + Profit
Contribution per unit
920,000
=
40
= 23,000
74 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
6
Note:
7
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
𝐹𝑖𝑥𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑠
𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
𝐹𝑖𝑥𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑠
𝐶
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜
𝑆
is used to calculate break-even sales revenue ($)
4,500 units
Contribution required = $18,000 + $36,000 = $54,000
Contribution per unit = 40% × $30 = $12
Hence break-even sales = $54,000/$12 = 4,500 units
8
$
170000
One package makes (2 × $3.50) + $3 + $4 = total contribution of $14
Break-even no. of packages = $70,000/$14 = 5,000
Break-even sales revenue = (10,000 × $8) + (5,000 × $8) + (5,000 × $10) = S170,000
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Sales volume and profit
A break-even chart illustrates the relationship between sales volume, revenue and costs.
10
15000
Sales = $62,500
Break even sales = $13,000/0.4 = $32,500
Margin of safety (sales revenue) = $30,000
Margin of safety (units) $30,000/$2 =15,000 units
11
True
False
The investment is more sensitive to a change in sales
price than sales volume.
If variable costs increase by 25% the investment will
make a loss.
The margin of safety is 92.5%.
The investment’s sensitivity to incremental fixed costs
is 133%.
Price will have to fall by (105/600) × 100% = 17.5% for investment to breakeven. Volume will
have to fall by (105/150) × 100% = 70%.
An increase in variable costs of 25% = $450 × 0.25 = $112.50, greater than the profit of $105
Sales at breakeven point = 45/(150/200) = 60
Margin of safety = ((200 – 60)/200) × 100% = 70%
Sensitivity to fixed costs = (105/45) × 100% = 233%
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 2: Decision making techniques
75
CARDIO CO
60.92
12
%
Weighted average contribution to sales ratio (WA C/S ratio) = total contribution/total sales revenue.
T
$
672,000
(263,760)
408,240
Sales revenue
Variable costs
Contribution
C
$
720,000
(286,400)
433,600
R
$
532,000
(201,780)
330,220
WA C/S ratio = ($408,240 + $433,600 + $330,220)/($672,000 + $720,000 + $532,000) =
$1,172,060/$1,924,000 = 60·92%
13
$
325
000
Fixed costs = $73,940 + $78,100 + $59,320 = $211,360
Breakeven sales revenue = fixed costs/weighted average C/S ratio
= $211,360/65% = $325,169, say $325,000
14
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%
Breakeven sales revenue = fixed costs/weighted average C/S ratio
= $175,000/60% = $291,667
Margin of safety = ((Budgeted sales – Breakeven sales)/Budgeted sales sales) × 100%
= (($1,600,000 – $291,667)/$1,600,000) × 100% = 81.8%
15
The C/S ratio will rise.
If all the products are eventually sold, the total C/S ratio will remain the same. Even if they are
not, the products with the highest contribution per unit may not be the products with the
highest C/S ratio.
16
The sensitivity of its demand to price is uncertain.
It will generate high initial cash flows to cover the marketing expenditure.
Cardio Co is likely to play safe and start by charging a higher price to try to cover the large
marketing expenditure, if it is not sure of the responsiveness of demand to price. The product
may be a prestige product, where a higher price can be charged to gain the kudos of owning it.
A long life cycle is more likely to mean lower prices being charged initially, as the product has a
longer time to become profitable. A high price gives competitors who are prepared to undercut
similar products more opportunity to enter the market.
76 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Limiting factors
17
Material only
4,000 units require 16,000 kg material and 8,000 labour hours. Hence material is currently the
scarce resource.
18
1200
$
Since X makes the best contribution per labour hour (see working below), the company will
already be producing the maximum of X (800 units = 2,400 hours) and using the balance for Y.
Hence a further 90 hours would make 20 more units of Y and therefore $1,200 additional
contribution (profit).
Working
Contribution per unit
Labour hours
Contribution per hour
Product X
$45
3
$15
Maximum demand (units)
Current plan: 4,650 hours available
800 units of X
500 units of Y
800
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Product Y
$60
4.5
$13.33
1,500
2,400 hours
2,250 hours
1 only
Non-scarce resources are not being used to their maximum capacity so by definition will have
some slack. Resources that form the critical constraints limiting the optimal production plan will
have zero slack.
20
A
D
Product
Selling price per unit
Raw material cost
Direct labour cost at $11 per hour
Variable overhead cost
Contribution per unit
Direct labour hours per unit
Contribution per labour hour
Rank
Normal monthly hours
(total units × hours per unit)
A
$160
$24
$66
$24
$46
6
$7.67
2
1,800
B
$214
$56
$88
$18
$52
8
$6.50
4
1,000
If the strike goes ahead, only 2,160 labour hours will be available.
Therefore make all of D, then 1,360 hours’ worth of A (2,160 – 800 hrs).
C
$100
$22
$33
$24
$21
3
D
$140
$40
$22
$18
$60
2
$7
3
$30
1
720
800
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 2: Decision making techniques
77
21
Correct
Incorrect
Objective function 60x + 25y
Material constraint 3x + y ≤ 4,200
Labour constraint 4x + 0.5y ≥ 3,000
Contribution for X = $15 ($60 – $45)
Contribution for Y = $12 ($25 – $13)
Objective function = 15x + 12y
Constraints:
Material = 3x + y ≤ 4,200 (as X uses 3 kgs of material (15/5), Y uses 1 kg (5/5))
Labour = 4x + 0.5y ≤ 3,000 (as X uses 4 labour hrs (24/6), Y uses 0.5 hrs (3/6))
22
Contribution will be increased by $2 for each additional kg of material B purchased at the
current market price.
The maximum price which should be paid for an additional kg of material B is $2·80.
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The statement that the maximum price is £2 is wrong as it reflects the common misconception
that the shadow price is the maximum price which should be paid, rather than the maximum
extra over the current purchase price.
Fir
The statement about contribution being $1.20 is wrong but could be thought to be correct if the
statement about the maximum price being $2 was wrongly assumed to be correct.
Pricing decisions
23
$
36.75
Current cost = 80% × $35 = $28
New selling price = ($28 × 1.05) /0.80 = $36.75
24
P = 16 – 0.02Q
P = a – bQ and when P = 10, Q = 300, so 10 = a – 300b
b = change in price/change in quantity = 1/50 = 0.02
10 = a – (0.02 × 300)
10 = a – 6, so a = 16
25
1 only
In order for the company to charge different prices, each group of customers (market segment)
must have different price elasticity of demand.
78 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
26
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
$14.70
Total cost per carpet = 5 + 1 + 4.5 ($9,000/2,000) = $10.50
Selling price = $10.50 × 1.40 = $14.70
27
Penetration pricing
28
Price
discrimination
A
B
Penetration
pricing
Market
skimming
Make-or-buy and other short-term decisions
HERERA CO
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Both X and Y
Z makes a loss if it is bought in, whereas X and Y still make a contribution (see below).
30
X
3
Y
2
Z
1
Working:
Contribution per unit if make
Contribution if buy in
Labour saved if buy in
Lost contribution per $ labour
Order of making
31
Product X
30
25
30
$0.17
3
Product Y
45
25
15
$1.33
2
$10,000
Deprival value is the lower of:
Replacement cost ($10,000) and
The higher of NRV ($8,000) and economic value ($11,000) = $11,000
Hence relevant cost = $10,000
Product Z
35
(5)
n/a
n/a
1
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
32
Tuition answers: 2: Decision making techniques
79
Incremental costs plus opportunity costs
These are the costs that are relevant to the decision.
33
There must be little or no chance of a black market developing.
The lack of a black market means that Herera Co can enforce price discrimination.
Dealing with risk and uncertainty in decision-making
34
35
$
Risk seeking
240000
Expected value with the survey
= (0.4 × $400,000) + (0.6 × $1,000,000)
= $760,0000
Expected value without the survey
= $520,000
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Therefore maximum value of the survey = $760,000 – $520,000 = $240,000
36
125
The choice using maximax will be the choice that gives the best possible result, which is a profit
of $540 if demand and supply are 125 lunches.
37
50
Look at the worst possible outcome for each level of supply:
50
$200
75
$160
100
$125
125
$95
The best of these outcomes is $200 for 50 lunches supplied.
38
125
Minimax regret table is as follows:
50
Daily demand
(units)
50
75
100
125
$0
$100
$220
$340
Daily supply (units)
75
$40
$0
$120
$240
100
$75
$35
$0
$120
125
$105
$65
$30
$0
The highest regret figures are shown in bold, and 125 has the lowest of these, therefore choose
125.
80 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
LOUIEDEWIE CO
39
51750
$
Expected return = (0.35 × 150,000) + (0.20 × 75,000) + (0.45 × -35,000) = $51,750
40
0.35
The project will make a profit if returns exceed $80,000, which only applies in the no
competition situation.
41
$536,250
Expected value = (0.45 × $500k) + (0.2 × $550k) + (0.35 × $575k) = $536,250
42
$
952500
Expected value = $500k + (0.3 × $550k) + (0.5 × $575k) = $952,500
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43
2 only
Expected values support a risk-neutral attitude to decision-making. They are most useful when
they refer to events that will occur many times.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 3: Budgeting and control
81
3: Budgeting and control
Budgetary systems and types of budget
1
Objective
Not objective
Authorisation of expenditure
Business expansion
Performance monitoring
Resource allocation
2
True
False
A budget helps to control an organisation by forcing it
to create a plan.
A budget helps an organisation to co-ordinate the
allocation of resources.
A budget can help an organisation to motivate staff.
An organisation is legally required to prepare a master
budget annually.
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There is no legal obligation to prepare a budget.
3
Junior management
4
An example of feedback control
5
Feedforward control
6
Neither 1 nor 2
If a budget is too easy, staff will not necessarily give their greatest efforts.
A budget based on ideal conditions is likely to be demotivating. Budgets need to be challenging
but achievable in order to encourage improved efficiency.
82 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
7
Set at the start of the
year for various different
activity levels
Continually extended by
adding another budget
period when the first
budget period expires
Prepared by building on a
previous period’s
budgeted or actual figures
Uses adaptive
management processes
and procedures
Rolling
Incremental
Flexible
Zerobased
Beyond
budgeting
8
Budgets will take longer to produce
9
It is less time consuming.
10
It may be more difficult to co-ordinate the plans of different departments.
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Quantitative analysis in budgeting
11
$
10.00
Highest cost is $13,000 for an output of 800 units.
Lowest cost is $10,000 for an output of 500 units.
Using the high-low method to establish values for a and b:
Variable cost per unit =
12
$
$(13,000−10,000)
(800−500)
$3,000
= 300 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 = $10 per unit
12000
As above: Variable cost per unit =
$(13,000−10,000)
(800−500)
$3,000
= 300 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 = $10 per unit
Fixed costs can be calculated by reference to the total costs when output is 500 units
Total cost = $10,000 = Fixed cost + (500 units × $10)
Fixed cost = $10,000 ─ $5,000 = $5,000
So in June total cost = $5000 + (700 × $10) = $12,000
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
13
Tuition answers: 3: Budgeting and control
83
2.45 hours
b
Y = ax
Average time for six jobs: 3 × 6 – 0.074 = 2.627 hours
Total time required for six jobs = 6 × 2.627 hours = 15.762 hours
Average time for five jobs: 3 × 5 – 0.074 = 2.663 hours
Total time required for five jobs = 5 × 2.663 hours = 13.315 hours
Time required to perform the 6th job = Total time required for six jobs – total time required for
five jobs.
Therefore, time required to perform the 6th job = 15.762hours –13.315 hours = 2.447 hours
14
Both 1 and 2
15
Spreadsheets can easily take account of lots of
qualitative factors.
Spreadsheets are useful when the values of the inputs
to the budget are likely to change.
Spreadsheets are only as accurate as the formulae and
other inputs that they depend on.
Spreadsheets allow for the analysis of large volumes
of quantitative data.
True
False
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Spreadsheets are unable to deal with qualitative factors.
16
I only
The learning rate was actually better than expected and only I could cause it to improve.
17
$
4305000
90% production = 350,000 × 0.9 = 315,000
At each level of production, material cost = $6 per unit, labour cost = $5 per unit, so both are
fully variable, total variable cost = $11 per unit
315,000/40,000 = 7.875, so 8 supervisors will be required.
Total production costs = (315,000 × $11) + $600,000 + (8 × $30,000) = $4,305,000
84 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Standard costing
18
Standard costs should only ever be based on marginal
costing principles.
The use of basic standards is likely to give rise to
meaningful variances.
Current standards provide the best basis for
motivating employees to improve performance.
Basic standards are short-term targets and useful for
day-to-day control purposes.
True
False
Standard costs can be based on a variety of costing approaches e.g. total absorption costing,
marginal costing, ABC principles
Basic standards are often out-of-date and therefore unlikely to give rise to meaningful
variances.
Current standards reflect existing levels of efficiency and are unlikely to motivate employees to
improve performance.
Basic standards are likely to be out-of-date and may not be relevant for day-to-day control.
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Planning
Valuing inventory
Assessing performance
Motivating staff
1 only
AMAL O
20
The budget selling price was $90 ($540,000/6,000) and the actual price was $88
($633,600/7,200). Fixed overheads should not be affected by changes in sales volume.
21
$
269400
Budget contribution = $282,000 (213,000 + 69,000) = $47 per unit
Flexed profit = (7,200 @ 47) – 69,000 = $269,400
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
22
Tuition answers: 3: Budgeting and control
85
133000
$
Variance calculated using original budget = $610,000 – $560,000 = $50,000 F
Revised budget = $550,000 × 120% × 105% = $693,000
Variance calculated using revised budget = $610,000 – $693,000 = $83,000 A
Difference = $50,000 + $83,000 = $133,000
Note that this is the difference between the original and revised budget figures for the quarter.
23
Whether a marketing initiative should be undertaken
at all
Whether the marketing department should be
outsourced
Whether some or all of the activities that are part of a
proposed marketing campaign are justified
Whether some or all of the activities that are part of a
proposed marketing campaign can be done more
cheaply
Considered
Not considered
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All of these would be considered as part of zero-based budgeting.
24
Both 1 and 2
Rolling budgets are updated a short period at a time, so can more easily accommodate changes
in price and resource availability.
Zero-based budgeting starts with no preconceived assumptions about how activities should be
carried out, so budget-setters can identify the most efficient way to operate without being
influenced by whether it will mean changing the current way things are done.
Material mix and yield variances
25
$2400
Material
A
B
C
Adverse
Favourable
Actual quantity
Standard mix
kgs
4,000
3,500
2,500
10,000
Actual
quantity
Actual mix
kgs
4,300
3,600
2,100
10,000
Variance
kgs
(300)
(100)
400
Standard
cost
per kg
$
9
5
2
Variance
$
(2,700)
(500)
800
(2,400) A
86 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
26
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
1 only
The change will increase the cost of the mix at standard prices and most likely increase the
quality of the biscuit.
27
Training for customer service team
This will not affect the production process.
28
$1312
Material
W
X
Y
Adverse
Favourable
Standard quantity
Standard mix
kgs
912
1,368
1,520
3,800
Actual
quantity
Standard mix
kgs
864
1,296
1,440
3,600
Variance
kgs
48
72
80
Standard
cost per kg
$
5
6
8
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Variance
$
240
432
640
1312F
PRODUCT ED
29
1 only
We’re told that the price/litre is as budgeted.
Standard yield is 15/16 = 0.9375 × input quantity. Expected yield from actual input of 1,800
litres is 1,800 x 0.9375 = 1,687.5 litres. Actual yield is only 1,650 litres, less than expected.
30
$562.50
Standard
Actual
Adverse
Favourable
9/16
A
1,012.5
900
7/16
B
787.5
900
112.5
112.5
$10
$15
1,125 F
1,687.5 A
AQSM: A = 9/16 × 1,800 = 1, 012.50 litres; B = 7/16 × 1,800 = 787.50 litres
The Mix Variance is given by: T2 – T1 = $562.50 adverse
Total
1,800
1,800
562.5 A
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
31
Tuition answers: 3: Budgeting and control
87
Neither 1 nor 2
Material mix variances are concerned with quantity, not quality. A favourable materials mix is
more likely to lead to an adverse labour efficiency variance, because the cheaper materials may
be more difficult to use or take more time to use because there is more waste.
32
$1631.25
Adverse
Favourable
AM
Materials
A
B
Total
AQ
900
900
SQSM
SP
9,000
13,500
T1 = 22,500
SQ
1,113.75
866.25
SP
11,137.50
12,993.75
T2 = 24,131.25
SM: A = 9/16 and B = 7/16
Expected input for yield of 1,650 litres = 1,650 × (1,800/1,500) = 1,980 litres
SQSM: A = 9/16 × 1,980 = 1,113.75 litres; B = 7/16 × 1,980 = 866.25 litres
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Operational materials usage variance = $24,131.25 – $22,500 = $1,631.25 favourable
Fir
33
Explain
Not explain
Changes in the production process causing increased
loss of materials
A higher than expected level of waste of materials
Quality control identifying a high proportion of
materials as sub-standard
A new supplier supplying poorer quality materials
Advanced knowledge of changes in the production process and a new supplier supplying subquality materials could have influenced the planning process. Actual waste being higher is an
operational factor. Quality control rejecting a large amount of materials is generally an
operational factor, unless we know that quality control procedures were changed.
Sales mix and quantity variances
34
Cost-conscious customers are switching from premium products to lower margin cereals
in the range.
This will increase the proportion of low margin sales and have a negative impact on profitability.
88 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
35
$3720
Adverse
Favourable
The sales quantity contribution variance is calculated as follows:
Actual sales
in std mix
Product A
Product B
Total
Standard sales
in std mix
16,020
10,680
Difference
in units
15,840
10,560
180F
120F
Standard
contribution
$12
$13
Variance
$2,160F
$1,560F
$3,720F
MEMIA CO
36
2 only
The difference between budgeted and actual sales is 1,000 televisions. The volume variance
that would be expected due to the shrinking market is 2,000 units (revised sales would be 10% ×
100,000 units = 10,000 units). Therefore, there must be both a planning and operational sales
volume variance (see below).
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Sales price variance: actual revenue $2,200,000 – (11,000 units @$210) = $110,000 adverse
There is no information to suggest this is anything other than an operational variance.
37
Market size
$160000
Adverse
Favourable
Adverse
Favourable
Market share
$80000
Market size (Planning sales volume)
Revised budget sales
Original budget sales
Variance
Valued at STANDARD CONTRIBUTION
VARIANCE IN $
Televisions
10,000
12,000
2,000 (A)
$80
160,000 (A)
Market share (Operating sales volume)
Actual sales
Revised sales
Variance in televisions
Valued at STANDARD CONTRIBUTION
VARIANCE IN $
Televisions
11,000
10,000
1,000 (F)
$80
80,000 (F)
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 3: Budgeting and control
89
38
$80000
Adverse
Favourable
Actual sales
in std mix
Televisions
Computers
Total
Actual sales
in actual mix
15,000
10,000
11,000
14,000
Difference
in units
4,000A
4,000F
Standard
contribution
$80
$100
Variance
$320,000A
$400,000F
$80,000F
39
$440000
Adverse
Favourable
Weighted average budgeted contribution per unit = (12,000 × $80) + (8,000 × $100)
/(12,000 + 8,000) = $88
Sales quantity variance in units = (15,000 + 10,000) – (12,000 + 8,000) = 5,000 favourable
Sales quantity variance in $ = 5,000 × $88 = $440,000 favourable
40
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Fir
Performance has deteriorated in relation to product returns but improved in relation to
customer complaints
Sales volumes (units)
Number of returns (units)
No of customer complaints regarding late delivery
Returns as % of sales
Customer complaints as % of sales
Planning and operational variances
41
The use of the new machine
12,000
1,080
360
9.0%
3.0%
11,000
1,000
320
9.1%
2.9%
The price saving is the result of an operational decision. The budget should however have been
prepared on the basis that the new machine would be used.
42
An adverse labour efficiency planning variance
If the learning curve was overstated in error at the planning stage the work will have taken
longer than expected.
43
A change in working practices to comply with new regulatory restrictions on rest
practices
This is likely to have a negative impact on productivity but is due to an uncontrollable external
factor.
90 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
44
Adverse
Favourable
$12000
Planning variance = ($3·80 – $5) × 10,000 = $12,000 adverse
45
Materials planning price variance
Adverse
Favourable
$3937.50
4,375 kg × ($20 – $20.90) = $3,937.50 adverse
Materials operational price variance
Adverse
Favourable
$3062.50
(4,375kg × ($20.90 – $21.60)) = $3,062.50 adverse
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DEMIA CO
46
Neither 1 nor 2
There is no revised planning information for labour rate, any rate difference will be operational.
If Demia spent 29,000 hours making 11,000 units compared to an original flexed budget of
33,000 hours, there is clearly a labour efficiency variance of some sort.
Total labour efficiency variance = (29,000 hours – 33,000 hours) @ $20 = $80,000 favourable
47
Planning labour efficiency variance
$110000
Adverse
Favourable
Operational labour efficiency variance
$30000
Adverse
Favourable
Planning labour efficiency variance
(Standard hours for actual production (11,000 × $3) – revised hours for actual production
(11,000 × 2.5)) × standard rate
11,000 TVs: (33,000 –27,500) × $20 = $110,000 favourable
Operational labour efficiency variance
(Actual hours – revised standard hours for actual production) × standard rate
11,000 TVs: (29,000 – 27,500) × $20 = $30,000 adverse
Note: this approach uses the Examiner’s preferred method of calculating the P&O variances.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
48
Tuition answers: 3: Budgeting and control
91
13.33
$
Original standard = 2.5 @$20 = $50
For a nil variance, cost of 1.5 hours unskilled time must be no more than $50 – (1.5@$20) = $20
So max rate per hour = $20/1.5 = $13.33
49
20
$
400,000 – 9,000 VC = (504,000 – 12,000 VC)/1.2
480,000 – 10,800 VC = 504,000 – 12,000 VC
1,200 VC = $24,000
VC = $20
50
Better training for unskilled workers
Change in the packaging of the televisions
Better training should reduce inefficiencies and waste. Changing the packaging could either
make the packaging cheaper, or more durable (with any increase in costs because the packaging
was more durable being outweighed by the reduced risk of breakages).
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Fir
Use of standard components should help reduce costs. The length of life of components used
does not affect production costs.
Performance analysis
51
In a rapidly changing environment variances based on
standard costs are likely to provide a meaningful
analysis of performance.
When monitoring performance, a company only needs
to focus on adverse variances.
A desire to create a favourable material price variance
may result in the purchasing manager taking decisions
which are incompatible with TQM.
If a company operates a JIT policy, it is not likely to
experience any labour idle time variance.
True
False
Variances will be less meaningful in a rapidly changing environment as standards are likely to be
out of date. When monitoring performance, a company should focus on significant favourable
and adverse variances. A desire to create a favourable material price variance may result in the
Purchasing Manager buying cheaper quality material which would be incompatible with TQM. If
a company operates a JIT policy, it will produce to order and not for inventory and therefore
may experience a labour idle time variance.
92 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
4: Performance measurement and control
Performance management information systems
1
Strategic planning
2
Operational control
3
Provides summary information for the Board
Characteristic
Not a characteristic
Provides summary information for the Board
Provides information in a flexible format
Facilitates “what if” analysis
Can be used to assist resource planning
Providing summary information for the board is a characteristic of an Executive information
system.
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4
1 only
Open systems are preferable for performance management as they are able to take account of
external uncontrollable factors.
5
Cover
Not cover
Order processing
Manufacturing
Distribution
Customer service
Human resources
Finance
Sources of management information
6
Internal
External
Database of customer information
Inventory management system
Results of market research
Payroll system
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
7
Both 1 and 2
8
II only
Tuition answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
93
Use of bar coding and scanners are costs of direct data capture.
Lack of resource available to spend on other value-adding activities is an example of an indirect
cost.
9
Direct data
capture
Processing
Payroll department analysis of personnel costs
Completion of timesheets by employees
Use of bar coding and scanners
Input of timesheet information onto management
information system
Management reports
10
Completeness checks
Validation of input data
11
12
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True
False
A range check is a form of validation control.
Hierarchical passwords can be used to grant different
access rights to different users of a database.
Firewalls protect data from external access.
Encryption means that data can only be understood by
those transmitting and receiving it, and not by anyone
intercepting it.
Remote storage of back-up copies of data
94 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Performance analysis in private sector organisations
13
14
Financial
Non-financial
Product returns rate
Market share
Asset turnover
Staff turnover
Non-financial
The other perspective is Financial.
15
Dimensions
Rewards
Standards
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16
The Managing Director who has overall responsibility for the businesses costs and
revenues, including the administration and finance functions
18.2
17
%
ROCE can be calculated by multiplying the operating profit margin and the asset turnover.
28% × 65% = 18·2%
LIVER S ALON
18
$
20
20X8: Female clients paid $200,000 for 8,000 visits. This is an average price per visit of
$200,000/8,000 = $25
In 20X9 the female hairdressing prices did not increase and the mix of services did not change
so of the total revenue $170,000(6,800 × $25) was from female clients. This means that the
balance of $68,500 ($238,500 – $170,000) was from male clients at an average price of $20 per
visit ($68,500/3,425)
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
95
19
True
False
Gross and net profit margins have decreased in 20X9
compared with 20X8.
Average cost per staff member has increased in 20X9
compared with 20X8.
Gross margin: 20X8 – $106,000/$200,000 = 53%, 20X9 – $112,500/238,500 = 47.2%
Net margin: 20X8 – $78,000/200,000 = 39%, 20X9 – $80,000/238,500 = 33.5%
Both margins have fallen, so the first statement is true.
Average staff cost: 20X8 – $65,000/4 = $16,250, 20X9 – $91,000/6 = $15,167
Average staff cost has fallen, so the second statement is false.
20
The mix of services offered to female clients
We are told that the mix hasn’t changed. The others are all plausible explanations on the basis
of the information given.
21
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Resource utilisation of the property has increased and resource utilisation of specialist
female hairdressers has decreased.
Property used is the same, so resource allocation is reflected in the total number of cuts, which
have increased from 8,000 to 6,800 + 3,425 = 10,225
Average number of clients per specialist female hairdresser has fallen from (8,000/4) = 2,000 to
(6,800/5) = 1,360
22
It may be difficult to define measures for quality of
service provided.
Increasing the number of measures may increase the
chances of the measures giving a conflicting picture.
Increasing the number of measures will mean that the
business has more of an external focus, rather than
focusing on internal problems.
Oliver may have to spend more time himself on
measurement work and less on servicing customers.
Problem
Not a problem
The business needs to solve the internal problems that it has, but having an external focus
should mean that it concentrates on the measures that are more important to customers,
where its competitors may be doing better.
Some of the new measures are likely to involve assessment and inspection, which Oliver is likely
to have to carry out himself. He will also need to spend time making an overall assessment of
what the measures tell him.
96 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Divisional performance and transfer pricing
23
Control
No control
Revenue generation
Attributable costs
Apportioned head office costs
Investment in non-current assets
24
25
ROI
Dual pricing system
15.0
%
RI
0.36
$
million
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ROI = 1.8/12 = 15.0%
RI = 1.8 – (12% × 12) = 0.36
26
Division A only
Division A: Profit = $14·4m × 30% = $4·32m
Imputed interest charge = $32·6m × 10% = $3·26m
Residual income = $1·06m
Division B: Profit = 8·8m × 24% = $2·112m
Imputed interest charge = $22·2m × 10% = $2·22m
Residual income = $(0·108)m
27
$78000
Increase
Decrease
Increase in variable costs from buying in (2,200 units × $40 ($140 – $100)) = $88,000
Less the specific fixed costs saved if A is shut down = ($10,000)
Decrease in profit = $78,000
28
Control
No control
Investment in working capital
Apportioned head office costs
Generation of revenues
Investment in non-current assets
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
27.59
29
97
%
Opening capital employed: $4m + $0·5m = $4·5m
Closing capital employed: ($4m × 0·9) + ($0·5 × 1·2) = $3·6m + $0·6 = $4·2m
Average capital employed = $4·35m
Profit after depreciation = $1·2m
Therefore, ROI = $1·2m/$4·35m = 27·59%
ABEL CO
30
11.70
$
Marginal cost = $6 + share of overheads $3 ($300,000/100,000 units) = full cost $9
$9 × 1.3 = $11.70
31
Neither 1 or 2
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A full cost-based approach should only be used if there is no intermediate market for the
product. An opportunity cost approach should be used if the producing division is operating at
full capacity.
32
$11
If capacity is limited, it is better for the company to sell 100,000 components to the individual
consumer: contribution = $15 ─ $6 ─ $2.50 = $6.50 per unit, than to the commercial buyer at a
contribution of $5 ($11 ─ $6)
The production division will therefore want the TP to be at least $11.
The retail division will accept transfers provided the cost is less than its incremental net revenue
$15 ─ $2.50 = $12.50
33
$
600000
Now the production division can sell 100,000 components to the commercial buyer @$5
contribution = $500,000 and the retail division can buy in the components and earn
contribution from the individual consumers @ $1 per unit ($15 ─ $11.50 ─ $2.50) = $100,000
Total company contribution = $500,000 + $100,000 = $600,000
34
Setting the transfer price at market value if an external market exists for the product
There is no guarantee that the market value will be enough to cover fixed costs.
The other methods are all used in practice to resolve this problem.
98 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Performance analysis in not-for-profit organisations and the public sector
35
36
Characteristic
Not a characteristic
Some non-quantifiable objectives
Multiple stakeholders
Objectives may be subject to political pressures
Conflicting priorities for resource allocation
Economy, Efficiency, Effectiveness
37
Cutting departmental expenditure by 5%
Increasing the number of chargeable
hours handled by advisers to 6·2 per day
Obtaining a score of 4·7 or above on
customer satisfaction surveys
Retaining all current contracts with
government departments
Economy
Efficiency
Effectiveness
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External considerations and behavioural aspects
38
39
Manipulation of targets to ensure results achieved
Dysfunctional decision making
Both 1 and 2
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
99
PART 1 TUITION ANSWERS: Long form
2: Decision-making techniques
Limiting factors
1 CUT AND STITCH
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS
This was probably the least-well answered question on the paper overall. This is not really
surprising, since I find that few students enjoy linear programming, and I think this comes
from a fear of anything too mathematical.
Part (a) was fairly straightforward. This should have been really well answered and I think
the reason why it wasn’t is because candidates did not expect to be given the optimal
production point in a question. They expected to have to find it themselves. Because of this,
they didn’t read the question properly and many candidates performed lots of calculations
trying to find the optimal production point!
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It is so important to read questions carefully in all exams. An expectation of what the
requirement will read, based on past questions must not be developed as, when this
happens, candidates inevitably don’t answer the question that is currently being asked.
A good attempt at part (a) would have been to solve the two simultaneous equations for the critical
constraints at point B, in order to arrive at the optimum quantity of W and L to be produced. Then,
these numbers needed to be put into the objective function in order to find contribution.
It is essential to show all workings. Where workings are not shown, full marks cannot be
given. Also, it was not sufficient to simply try and read the optimum quantities off the graph.
The requirement said “find by appropriate calculation....”
(a)
The optimal production mix can be found by solving the two equations given for F and T.
7W + 5L = 3,500
2W + 2L = 1,200
Multiplying the second equation by 2.5 produces:
7W + 5L = 3,500
5W + 5L = 3,000
2W = 500
W = 250
Substituting W = 250 in the fabric equation produces:
2 × 250 + 2L = 1,200
2L = 700
L = 350
100 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
The optimal solution is when 250 work suits are produced and 350 lounge suits are produced.
The contribution gained is $26,000:
C = 48W + 40L
C = (48 × 250) + (40 × 350)
C = 26,000
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
Some candidates gave perfect answers to this but, admittedly, these candidates were in the minority.
Most answers were poor and this is clearly an area that needs to be revisited. A common
error was finding a total shadow price of $14 for fabric and tailor time jointly, rather than
calculating them separately. Such answer scored poorly.
EXAM SMART
Learning how to perform key techniques is really important in the exam. For example here
you need to know and be able to demonstrate that the shadow price is calculated by:
Adding one extra unit of resource to the constraint.
Recalculating the optimum point and the quantities of the two products at the new optimum point.
Recalculating the overall contribution at the new optimum point and
Identifying the increased contribution over and above the original optimum point.
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(b)
The shadow prices can be found by adding one unit to each constraint in turn.
Shadow price of T
7W + 5L = 3,501
2W + 2L = 1,200
Again multiplying the second equation by 2.5 produces:
7W + 5L = 3,501
5W + 5L = 3,000
2W = 501
W = 250.5
Substituting W = 250.5 in the fabric equation produces:
(2 × 250.5) + 2L = 1,200
2L = 1,200 – 501
L = 349.5
Contribution earned at this point would be = (48 × 250.5) + (40 × 349.5) = 26,004 which is an
increase of $4.
Hence the shadow price of T is $4 per hour.
Shadow price of F
7W + 5L = 3,500
2W + 2L = 1,201
Again, multiplying the second equation by 2.5 produces:
7W + 5L = 3,500.0
5W + 5L = 3,002.5
2W = 497.5
W = 248.75
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
101
Substituting W = 248.75 in the fabric equation produces:
(2 × 248·75) +2L = 1,201
2L = 1,201 – 497.5
L = 351.75
Contribution earned at this point would be = (48 × 248.75) + (40 × 351.75) = 26,010, which is an
increase of $10.
Hence the shadow price of F is $10 per metre.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (c)
If part (b) was poorly answered, part (c) was really poorly answered!
Many candidates could perform the calculations in part (b) but did not, on the whole,
understand that the shadow price is the premium OVER AND ABOVE the normal price that
could be paid for extra tailor time. Again, this area clearly needs revisiting.
EXAM SMART
The Examiner’s point raises a common issue with interpreting shadow prices. You need to
realise that the shadow price (in this case $4 per hour of tailor time) represents the
maximum amount over and above the current price of the resource ($1.50 per hour) that CS
might consider paying. Hence $1.50 + $5 = $5.50 per hour is the theoretical maximum per
hour that might be considered worth paying for extra tailor hours.
(c)
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The shadow price represents the maximum premium above the normal rate a business should
be willing to pay for more of a scarce resource. It is equal to the increased contribution that can
be gained from gaining that extra resource.
The shadow price of labour here is $4 per hour. The tailors have offered to work for $4.50 – a
premium of $3.00 per hour. At first glance the offer seems to be acceptable. However, many
businesses pay overtime at the rate of time and a half and some negotiation should be possible to
create a win/win situation. Equally some consideration should be given to the quality aspect here. If
excessive extra hours are worked then tiredness can reduce the quality of the work produced.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (d)
Candidates needed to appreciate that whilst fabric remained a critical constraint, maximum
demand for W now became the other critical constraint rather than tailor time. Therefore,
the constraints for fabric and W now needed to be solved in order to find the optimum
production mix. It was surprising to see that candidates who completed part (a) correctly
could not do part (d) as essentially, the technique required was the same.
(d)
If maximum demand for W falls to 200 units, the constraint for W will move left to 200 on the x
axis of the graph. The new optimum point will then be at the intersection of:
W = 200 and
2W + 2L = 1,200
Solving these equations simultaneously, if:
W = 200, then (2 × 200) + 2L = 1,200
Therefore L = 400.
So, the new production plan will be to make 400L and 200W.
102 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
EXAM SMART
A quick inspection of the graph for the maximum demand of W (line P) moving to 200 units
would identify that there would now be a new optimum point (not point B anymore).
Marking guide
(a)
Optimal point calculation
Contribution
Marks
3
1
4
(b) For each shadow price
3
6
(c)
3
3
6
Rate discussion
Other factors e.g. tiredness, negotiation
(d) Find optimum point
Solve 2 equations
Conclusion
1
2
1
Maximum marks available
Pricing decisions
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2 WX
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
It was surprising, even disappointing, to find that many candidates were not able to apply
the ‘high – low’ technique to calculate the total variable cost of the unit.
Part (a)(ii) was generally answered well, but a significant number of candidates made an
error when calculating the selling price that would maximise the company’s profit, and put
forward an answer that could not be possible in the context of the question.
Common errors
Unable to apply the high-low technique (part (a)(i)).
Incorrectly believing that the total variable cost was simply the sum of the direct
material and direct labour.
Unable to calculate the selling price that would maximise the company’s profits (part (a)(ii)).
EXAM SMART
From the information we can tell that material and labour are purely variable costs since the
total costs change in direct proportion to annual production units. Material costs are $2 per
unit and labour is $6 per unit.
Since the overhead costs do not vary in proportion to the units produced and are not
constant in total they must represent a semi variable cost.
4
20
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
103
(a)
(i)
The optimum selling price occurs where marginal cost = marginal revenue.
Marginal cost is assumed to be the same as variable cost. From the data it can be
determined that the costs of direct materials and direct labour are wholly variable and
total $8 per unit. [($200,000+ $600,000) / 100,000]
The overhead costs appear to be semi-variable and will be analysed using the High Low
method:
Units
200,000
100,000
100,000
High
Low
Difference
$000
1,460
880
580
Thus, the variable overhead cost per unit is $580,000 / 100,000 = $5.80. The total
variable cost per unit is therefore $13.80.
EXAM SMART
An alternative working for part (ii) for the price/demand relationship would be as follows.
1
𝑏 = 25,000 = 0.00004
Where P = $25, X = 150,000 and b = 0.00004
Therefore 25 = a - 0.00004 × 150,000
25 = a - 6
a = 31
Therefore P = 31 - 0.00004X
(ii)
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The price at which there is zero demand can be calculated to be $25 + ((150,000/25,000)
× $1)) = $31
There is a change in demand of 25,000 units for every $1 change in selling price so the
equation of the selling price is:
$31 ─ 0.00004x
And thus the equation for marginal revenue is:
$31 ─ 0.00008x
Equating marginal cost and marginal revenue gives:
13.80 = 31 ─ 0.00008x
─17.20 = ─0.00008x
─17.2/-0.00008 = x = 215,000
If x = 215,000 then the optimum selling price is:
$31 ─ (0.00004 × 215,000) = $22.40
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
The situation described above was compounded in part (b) when candidates attempted to
explain figures that were completely incorrect.
Example 1: explaining an optimum selling price of $5
Example 2: discussing an output figure of 3.34 million units
104 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Common errors
(b)
Submitting reasons in part (b) that did not relate to the figure calculated in part (a)(ii).
Unclear workings.
Submitting lengthy answers when addressing part (b) that were disproportionate to the
marks available.
There are many reasons why this price may not be used (candidates are expected to explain
TWO).
There may be inaccuracies in the demand forecasts at different prices because the model
assumes that demand is driven solely by price. In fact there are many different factors
that influence demand; these include advertising, competitor actions and changing
fashions / tastes.
The model also assumes that the relationship between price and demand is static
whereas in reality it is regularly changing.
There may be inaccuracies in the determination of the marginal cost, the assumption that
marginal cost equals variable cost may itself be invalid, but even if this is acceptable then
the assumption that all variable costs vary with volume is unrealistic. Some of these costs
may be driven by factors other than volume. Again there is an assumption the unit
variable cost is unchanging once it has been determined.
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(c)
Market skimming
Market skimming is a strategy that attempts to exploit those areas of the market which are
relatively insensitive to price changes. Initially, high prices for the webcam would be charged in
order to take advantage of those buyers who want to buy it as soon as possible, and are
prepared to pay high prices in order to do so.
The existence of certain conditions is likely to make the strategy a suitable one for WX. These
are as follows:
Where a product is new and different, so that customers are prepared to pay high prices
in order to gain the perceived status of owning the product early. The webcam has
superior audio sound and visual quality, which does make it different from other
webcams on the market.
Where products have a short life cycle this strategy is more likely to be used, because of
the need to recover development costs and make a profit quickly. The webcam does only
have a two-year life cycle, which does make it rather short.
Where high prices in the early stages of a product’s life cycle are expected to generate
high initial cash inflows. If this were to be the case for the webcam, it would be
particularly useful for WX because of the current liquidity problems the company is
suffering. Similarly, skimming is useful to cover high initial development costs, which
have been incurred by WX.
Where barriers to entry exist, which deter other competitors from entering the market;
as otherwise, they will be enticed by the high prices being charged. These might include
prohibitively high investment costs, patent protection or unusually strong brand loyalty.
It is not clear from the information whether this is the case for WX.
Where demand and sensitivity of demand to price are unknown. In WX’s case, market
research has been carried out to establish a price based on the customers’ perceived
value of the product. The suggestion therefore is that some information is available
about price and demand, although it is not clear how much information is available.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
It is not possible to say for definite whether this pricing strategy would be suitable for
WX, because of the limited information available. However, it does seem unusual that a
high-tech, cutting edge product like this should be sold at the same price over its entire,
short life cycle. Therefore, price skimming should be investigated further, presuming that
this has not already been done by WX.
Marking guide
Marks
(a)
Calculate the variable cost per unit
Determine the selling price equation
Calculate the optimum selling price per unit
2
2
2
(b)
Explain two reasons why the company might not use this optimum price – two marks each)
(c)
Explanation
Discussion of each condition – max two marks each
Conclusion
Maximum marks available
3 GYM BUNNIES
Option 1
Total annual income = $640 × 5,250 = $3.36m
If costs $120 per annum, net income = $720 – $120 = $600 per annum.
If costs $180 per annum, net income = $720 – $180 = $540 per annum.
Total annual income
If membership 6,000 (A):
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Net income = $720 – $80 = $640 per annum.
Option 2
4
20
Dealing with risk and uncertainty in decision making
(a)
105
$600 × 6,000 = $3.6m
$540 × 6,000 = $3.24m
If membership 6,500 (B):
$600 × 6,500 = $3.9m
$540 × 6,500 = $3.51m
Expected value and decision:
EV at A = (0.5 × $3.6m) + (0.5 × $3.24m) = $3.42m
EV at B = (0.5 × $3.9m) + (0.5 × $3.51m) = $3.705m
EV at C = (0.4 × $3.42m) + (0.6 × $3.705m) = $3.591m per annum
At D, compare EV of:
Option 1: (3 × $3.36m) = $10·08m
Option 2: (3 × $3.591m) – $360k = $10·413m
Therefore choose option 2 – expand exercise studio.
106 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Net income $3.36 per annum
Net income $600 per annum
Option 1
$10.413m 5,250 members: net
income $640 per annum
$3.42m
per annum
Net income $3.6 per annum
0.5
A
D
0.5
6,000 members
Option 2
$(360k)
Net income $540 per annum
Net income $3.24 per annum
Net income $600 per annum
Net income $3.9 per annum
0.4
$3.591m
per annum
C
0.6
6,500 members
$3.705
per annum
0.5
B
0.5
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Net income $540 per annum
Net income $3.51 per annum
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
Part (b) asked candidates to calculate the maximum price that the company should pay for
perfect information about the expansion’s exact effect on membership numbers. Very few
candidates answered part (b) correctly. Candidates must revise this area well.
EXAM SMART
Remember that the value of perfect information (VOPI) is calculated be working out the
difference between what the EV would be if you had perfect information (in this case this
would be knowledge of what the membership numbers would change to) compared to the
EV if you didn’t have this knowledge. It might help to consider this in tabular format. The
values in the table represent the net income figures over the full three-year period
6,000 members under option 2 (see note 1 below)
6,500 members under option 2
Expansion option
Option 1
Option 2
$
$
$10.08m
$9.9m
$10.08m
$10.755m
Note 1
If option 1 is undertaken you know you will get net income of $3.36m pa (5,250 × {720 –
80}), hence over three years this is $10.08m. If we choose option 2 and it turns out member
numbers are 6,000 then the return is $9.9m. (Net income of 3 yrs × $3.42m (see decision
tree) = $10.26m less the capital costs of $0.36m = $9.9m.)
If we don’t have perfect information about the membership levels then the EV’s are as per
the examiners workings above, namely;
Option 1 = $10.08m
Option 2 = $10.413m
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
107
So, without perfect information you’d choose option 2 per the tree and get an EV of
$10.413m. With perfect information the following can be concluded. If you knew membership
was going to be 6,000 (prob = 0.4), you would choose option 1 and get $10.08m whereas if
you knew membership was going to be 6,500 (prob = 0.6) you would choose option 2 and get
$10.755m, giving an overall EV of $10.485m ({0.4x$10.08m} + {0.6x$10.755m})
The VOPI is therefore $10.485m - $10.413m = $0.072m
(a)
With perfect information:
If membership numbers were 6,000:
EV = $3.42m × 3 = $10.26m
Less costs of $360k = $9.9m
Therefore, with these membership numbers, GB would choose option 1 instead.
If membership numbers were 6,500:
EV = $3.705 × 3 = $11.115m
Less costs of $360k = $10.755m
In this instance, GB would choose option 2.
So, if membership numbers are 6,000, of which there is a 0.4 probability, EV will be $10.08m
(option 1) and if membership numbers are 6,500, of which there is a 0.6 probability, then EV will
be $10.755m (option 2).
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Therefore EV with perfect information = (0.4 × $10.08m) + (0.6 × $10.755) = $10.485m.
Without perfect information the EV is $10·413m, therefore the value of it is $72k ($10.485m –
$10.413m). This represents the maximum price that GB should be prepared to pay for the
information.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (c)
Part (c) asked for a brief discussion of using expected values for a decision of this nature.
It was only worth two marks, which is why the requirement asked for only a ‘BRIEF’
discussion. Many candidates spotted the most obvious point, which is that the expected
value criterion is useful for decisions that are repeated but is less relevant to one off
decisions of this nature since it merely gives a long run average of what the outcome would
be if a decision were repeated many times. However, marks could still be earned for making
points such as the fact that probabilities are difficult to ascertain etc. Please note that the
marks available for a requirement are indicative of the length of answer expected. Writing a
whole page of answer for this requirement is simply wasting valuable time that could have
been spent elsewhere.
(b)
The expansion decision is a one-off decision, rather than a decision that will be repeated many
times. Expected values, on the other hand, give us a long run average of the outcome that
would be expected if a decision was to be repeated many times. The actual outcome may not
be very close to the expected value calculated and the technique is therefore not really very
useful here.
Also, estimating accurate probabilities is difficult because this exact situation has not arisen
before.
The expected value criterion for decision-making is useful where the attitude of the investor is
risk neutral. We do not know what the management of Gym Bunnies’ attitude to risk is, which
108 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
makes it difficult to say whether this criterion is a good one to use. In a decision such as this
one, it would be useful to see what the worst case scenario and best case scenario results
would be too, in order to assist decision-making.
(c)
Methods of uncertainty reduction
Simulation
Computer models can be built to simulate real life scenarios. The model will predict what range
of returns the business could expect from a given decision without having risked any actual
cash. The models use random number tables to generate possible values for the uncertainty the
business is subject to. Again, computer technology is assisting in bringing down the cost of such
risk analysis.
Calculation of worst and best case figures
A business will often be interested in range. It enables a better understanding of risk. An
accountant could calculate the worst case scenario, including poor demand and high costs while
being sensible about it. He could also calculate best case scenarios including good sales and
minimum running costs. This analysis can often reassure the business. The production of a
probability distribution to show the business the range of possible results is also useful to
explain risks involved. A calculation of standard deviation is also possible.
Marking guide
(a) Expected value and decision
EV at A
EV at B
EV at C
Compare EVs at D
Recommendation that follows
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(b) Price of perfect information
EV with 6,000 members
EV with 6,500 members
Price
(c) Discussion
(d) Simulation
Worst-best case figures
Maximum marks available
Marks
2
2
2
1
1
8
2
2
2
6
2
2
2
4
20
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 3: Budgeting and control
109
3: Budgeting and control
Budgetary systems and types of budget
1 PC CO
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
Part (a) was where the bulk of the easy marks were on this paper: a requirement to identify
and explain six objectives of a budgetary control system. A good number of answers scored
full marks. On the whole, candidates either knew the answer or didn’t; there wasn’t much in
between.
EXAM SMART
If you had identified that the bulk of the easy marks on this paper were in this question, it
would have been worth your while attempting this question first.
(a)
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Objectives of a budgetary control system
To compel planning
Budgeting makes sure that managers plan for the future, producing detailed plans in
order to ensure the implementation of the company’s long-term plan. Budgeting makes
managers look at the year ahead and consider the changes in conditions that might take
place and how to respond to those changes in conditions.
To co-ordinate activities
Budgeting is a method of bringing together the activities of all the different departments
into a common plan. If an advertising campaign is due to take place in a company in three
months’ time, for example, it is important that the production department know about
the expected increase in sales so that they can scale up production accordingly. Each
different department may have its own ideas about what is good for the organisation.
For example, the purchasing department may want to order in bulk in order to obtain
bulk quantity discounts, but the accounts department may want to order in smaller
quantities so as to preserve cash flow.
To communicate activities
Through the budget, top management communicates its expectations to lower level
management. Each department has a part to play in achieving the desired results of the
company, and the annual budget is the means of formalising these expectations. The
whole process of budget setting, whereby information is shared between departments,
facilitates this communication process.
To motivate managers to perform well
The budget provides a basis for assessing how well managers and employees are
performing. In this sense, it can be motivational. However, if the budget is imposed from
the top, with little or no participation from lower level management and employees, it
can have a seriously demotivational effect. This is discussed further in part (b).
110 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
To establish a system of control
Expenditure within any organisation needs to be controlled and the budget facilitates
this. Actual results are compared to expected results, and the reasons for any significant,
unexpected differences are investigated. Sometimes the reasons are within the control of
the departmental manager and he/she must be held accountable; at other times, they
are not.
To evaluate performance
Often, managers and employees will be awarded bonuses based on achieving budgeted
results. This makes more sense than evaluating performance by simply comparing the
current year to the previous year. The future may be expected to be very different than
the past as economic conditions change. Also, events happen that may not be expected
to reoccur. For example, if weather conditions are particularly wet one year, a company
making and selling umbrellas would be expected to make higher than usual sales. It
would not be fair to assess managers against these historical sales levels in future years,
where weather conditions are more normal.
(Other possible objectives include:
To delegate authority to budget holders
A formal budget permits budget holders to make financial decisions within the specified
limits agreed, i.e. to incur expenditure on behalf of the organisation.
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To ensure achievement of the management’s objectives
Objectives are set not only for the organisation as a whole but also for individual targets.
The budget helps to work out how these objectives can be achieved.)
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
Part (b) was a little more challenging: a requirement to discuss the concept of participative
budgeting in terms of the objectives identified in part (a). Answers to this were mixed, with
some good attempts but some poor ones too. A small number of candidates didn’t know
what participative budgeting was (the clue is in the title) so they scored nothing. Others
managed to score marks by making some valid observations about it, even if they didn’t
necessarily tackle it in the best way, which was by using the objectives in part (a) as headings
in order to give the answer some structure.
EXAM SMART
Remember that participative budgeting is sometimes referred to as bottom up budgeting,
where there is more involvement from all across the organisation.
(b)
Participative budgeting
‘Participative budgeting’ refers to a budgeting process where there is some level of involvement
from subordinates within the organisation, rather than budgets just being set by the top level of
management.
There are various views about whether participative budgeting is more effective than other
styles. Each of the objectives from part (a) is dealt with below, considering the extent to which
participative budgeting helps to achieve this.
To compel planning
Participative budgeting will compel planning. Although participation can take many
forms, often it will take the form of bottom-up budgeting, whereby the participation
starts at the lowest level of management and goes all the way up to the top. If this is the
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 3: Budgeting and control
111
case, then planning is taking place at many levels, and should be more accurate than if it
simply takes place at a high level, by individuals who are not familiar with the day to day
needs of the business.
To co-ordinate activities
Co-ordination of activities may become more time consuming if a participative style of
budgeting is used. This is because, not only does there need to be co-ordination between
departments but there also has to be co-ordination between the different levels of
management within each department. The process should be cumbersome but also
effective, with everyone knowing exactly what the plan is.
To communicate activities
Communication will be particularly effective with participative budgeting, although how
effective depends on the extent of the participation. If all levels of management are
involved, from the bottom up, then all levels of management know what the plan is.
However, the plan may change as different departments’ budgets are reviewed together
and the overall budgeted profit compared to the top level management’s expectations. Hence, it
may be the case that those people involved in the initial budgets, i.e. lower level
management, have to deal with their budgets being changed.
To motivate managers to perform well
If managers play a part in setting the budget, they are more likely to think that the figures
included in them are realistic.
Therefore, they are more likely to try their best to achieve them. However, it may be that
managers have built budgetary slack into their budgets, in an attempt to make
themselves look good. Therefore, managers could end up performing less well than they
would do had tougher targets been set by their superiors.
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To establish a system of control
In terms of establishing a system of control, it is largely irrelevant whether the budget
setting process is a participative one or not. What is important is that actual results are
compared to expected, and differences are investigated. This should happen irrespective
of the budget setting process. Having said that, control is only really effective if the
budgeted figures are sound. As stated above, whilst they are more likely to be realistic if
a participative style of budgeting is used, the system is open to abuse in the form of
budgetary slack.
To evaluate performance
Managers will be appraised by comparing the results that they have achieved to the
budgeted results. A participative budget will be an effective tool for this provided that
participation is real rather than pseudo and provided that the managers have not built
slack into their figures, which has gone uncorrected.
[Examiner’s note: candidates would not be required to write all of this for the available marks.]
Marking guide
(a)
Objectives
Each objective
Marks
1½
Max 9
(b) Participative style of budgeting
Explaining participative budgeting
Each objective discussed in relation to it
2
1½
Max 11
Maximum marks available
20
112 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Materials mix and yield variances
2 THE SAFE SOAP CO
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
The final question on the paper was for 15 marks and covered material mix and yield
variances. Part (a) asked for the calculations for these and was very well answered. It was
impressive to see the number of candidates who scored full marks here.
(a)
Variance calculations
Mix variance
Total kg of materials per standard batch = 0·25 + 0·6 + 0·5 = 1·35 kg
Therefore standard quantity to produce 136,000 batches = 136,000 × 1·35 kg = 183,600 kg
Actual total kg of materials used to produce 136,000 batches = 34,080 + 83,232 + 64,200
= 181,512 kg
Actual
quantity
Actual mix
Actual quantity
Standard mix
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Material
Lye
Coconut oil
Shea butter
kgs
181,512 × 0·25/1·35 =
181,512 × 0·6/1·35 =
181,512 × 0·5/1·35 =
33,613·33
80,672
67,226·67
181,512
kgs
34,080
83,232
64,200
181,512
Variance
kgs
(466·67)
(2,560)
3,026·67
Standard
cost
per kg
$
10
4
3
Variance
$
(4,666·70)
(10,240)
9,080·01
(5,826·69)A
Yield variance
Material
Lye
Coconut oil
Shea butter
Standard quantity
Standard mix
0·25 × 136,000 =
0·6 × 136,000 =
0·5 × 136,000 =
34,000
81,600
68,000
183,600
Actual
quantity
Standard mix
kgs
33,613·33
80,672
67,226·67
181,512
Variance
kgs
386·67
928
773·33
Standard
cost per kg
$
10
4
3
Variance
$
3,866·70
3,712
2,319·99
9,898·69F
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
Part b(i) asked for a brief explanation of what each of the variances indicates about
production at the company, Safe Soap Co. Some candidates did not read the question
properly and started discussing the manager’s performance. This was not what the question
asked so – future candidates – make sure that you always read requirements carefully. So,
for example, as regards the adverse material mix variance, answers should have stated that
it shows that the mix of materials used in October was more expensive than the standard
mix. It was surprising to see that many candidates did not know that this is what an adverse
materials mix variance shows. This was similar to some of the responses to question 2,
where the calculations were done reasonably well but understanding of what the
calculations actually meant was sometimes lacking.
Part b (ii) also proved problematic for a number of candidates. It read ‘discuss whether the
sales manager could be justified in claiming that the change in the materials mix has caused
an adverse sales volume variance in October.’ The expectation was that candidates would
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 3: Budgeting and control
113
identify the fact that the change in mix could have led to the adverse sales volume variance
but it cannot be definitively said that it did. Many answers tried to make it a black and white
matter i.e. yes or no, when in fact the answer was grey.
Quite a few candidates said that the sales manager couldn’t be justified in his claims because
a more expensive mix of materials was used and this means sales volumes should go up.
Again, it’s simply not as straight-forward as this. A more expensive mix might be used in
production but this doesn’t mean that a product will necessarily be better. In the case of
something like soap, adhering to a certain formula is very important.
(b)
(i)
A materials mix variance will occur when the actual mix of materials used in production is
different from the standard mix. So, it is inputs which are being considered. Since the
total mix variance is adverse for the Safe Soap Co, this means that the actual mix used in
September and October was more expensive than the standard mix.
A material yield variance arises because the output which was achieved is different from
the output which would have been expected from the inputs. So, whereas the mix
variance focuses on inputs, the yield variance focuses on outputs. In both September and
October, the yield variance was favourable, meaning that the inputs produced a higher
level of output than one would have expected.
(ii)
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Whilst the mix and yield variances provide Safe Soap Co with a certain level of
information, they cannot address any quality issues which arise because of the change in
mix. The consequences of the change may well have an impact on sales volumes. In Safe
Soap Co’s case, the sales volume variance is adverse, meaning that sales volumes have
fallen in October. It is not known whether they also fell in September but it would be
usual for the effects on sales of the change in mix to be slightly delayed, in this case by
one month, given that it is only once the customers start receiving the slightly altered
soap that they may start expressing their dissatisfaction with the product.
There may also be other reasons for the adverse sales volume variance but given the
customer complaints which have been received, the sales manager’s views should be
taken on board.
(c)
(i)
Expenditure variance
Cost driver rate = $40,500/30 = $1,350
Expected cost therefore = 36 × $1,350
Actual cost
Variance
(ii)
$48,600
$45,400
$3,200 F
Efficiency variance
Expected no. of batches per set up
120,000/30 = 4,000
Therefore, expected no. of set ups for 136,000 = 136,000/4,000 =
Actual number of set ups
Difference
34
36
2A
× standard rate per set up
$1,350
Variance
$2,700 A
114 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Marking guide
(a)
Marks
Variance calculations
Mix variance
Quantity variance
4
4
8
(b) (i)
Variances
Marks per variance explained
(ii) Discussion
Per valid point
(c)
2
4
1
2
(i) Expenditure variance
(ii) Efficiency variance
3
3
Maximum marks available
20
Planning and operational variances
3 BEDCO
(a)
Planning and operational variances
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(i)
Material Price Planning Variance (MPPV)
Sheets
Pillow cases
Total
(ii)
Material Price Operational Variance (MPOV)
Sheets
Pillow cases
Total
(iii)
(Standard price – revised price) × actual quantity
($5 – $6) × 248,000 = $248,000 adverse
($5 – $6) × 95,000 = $95,000 adverse
$343,000 adverse
(Revised price – actual price) × actual quantity
($6 – $5.80) × 248,000 = $49,600 favourable
($6 – $5.80) × 95,000 = $19,000 favourable
$68,600 favourable
Material Usage Planning Variance (MUPV)
(Standard quantity for actual production – revised quantity for
actual production) × standard price
RQ for each pillow case = 0·5 m × 1·1 = 0·55 m
Sheets
(240,000 – 240,000) × $5 = 0
Pillow cases
(90,000 – 99,000) × $5 = $45,000 adverse
Total
$45,000 adverse
(iv)
Material Usage Operational Variance (MUOV)
Sheets
Pillow cases
Total
(Actual quantity – revised quantity for actual production) ×
standard price
(248,000 – 240,000) × $5 = $40,000 adverse
(95,000 – 99,000) × $5 = $20,000 favourable
$20,000 adverse
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
(b)
Tuition answers: 3: Budgeting and control
115
Performance of the Production Manager
In total, there has been an overspend of $339,400, which looks poor. However, when the
reasons for this are examined, together with the variances calculated in (a), it is apparent that
the production manager cannot be held solely responsible for the overspend. In fact, he has had
little control over the situation.
Increase in cotton price
Since cotton is used to make bed sheets and the price of this rose in the world market by 20%,
the Production Manager’s performance has to be looked at in light of this. Because of the
increased market price, the adverse material price planning variance is very high, since the
budgeted cost of $5 per m2 was far below the actual market price of $6 per m2. The Production
Manager cannot be held responsible for this since he does not set the standard costs. He can
only be held responsible for any difference in price between the $6 market price and the $5.80
actual price paid. Since the $5.80 paid per m2 is less than the market price of $6 per m2, the
Production Manager performed well, as shown by the favourable material price operating
variance of $68,600.
Increase in amount of cotton used
Since more cotton was used for actual production than budgeted, a total adverse material
usage variance of $65,000 ($45,000 + $20,000) arose. However, of this, $45,000 (material usage
planning variance) arose because of the request for a change in the design of the pillowcases by
Bedco’s customer. This was not within the control of the Production Manager and his
performance should not therefore be assessed on it. However, an adverse material usage
operational variance of $20,000 also arose; the performance of the Production Manager is weak
here. Most of the adverse operational variance actually related to the production of bed sheets
rather than pillowcases. It is not clear why this arose but it is definitely poor. Bedco was also
unable to produce all the pillowcases ordered by its customer in November as the order fell
short by 10,000 units. If this was genuinely because of the late design change, however, it
seems unfair to judge the Production Manager on this.
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Marking guide
(a)
Variance calculations
MPPV
MPOV
MUPV
MUOV
Marks
3
3
3
3
Max 12
(b) Discussion
Each valid point
2
Max 8
Maximum marks available
20
116 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Performance analysis and behavioural aspects
4 JUMP
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
Part (a) examined the calculation of bonuses for a manager based on a set of given targets;
answers to this were good on the whole.
(a)
Bonus calculation:
Qtr to
30/06/09
Staff on time
On-time %
Qtr to
30/09/09
Qtr to
31/12/09
Qtr to
31/03/10
Bonus earned?
430/450 =
95.5%
Yes
452/480 =
94.2%
No
442/470 =
94.0%
No
460/480 =
95.8%
Yes
Members visits
Target visits
60% × 3,000 ×12
60% × 3,200 × 12
60% × 3,300 × 12
60% × 3,400 × 12
Actual visits
Bonus earned?
= 21,600
20,000
No
= 23,040
24,000
Yes
= 23,760
26,000
Yes
= 24,480
24,000
No
10% × 3,000
= 300
310
Yes
10% × 3,200
= 320
325
Yes
10% × 3,300
= 330
310
No
10% × 3,400
= 340
339
No
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Personal training
Target
Actual sessions
Bonus earned
Total
Bonus hits
2
2
2
6
The bonus earned by the manager would be 6 × $400 = $2,400, which is 50% of the total bonus available.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
Part (b) required a discussion of the extent to which the three targets set were controllable
by managers. For a narrative requirement, this was fairly well answered overall.
A minority of candidates did misread the requirement though and instead gave commentary
on the extent to which the targets had been met in the year.
EXAM SMART
Follow the clues given by the Examiner in the requirement. Here:
There are three targets given: a sub-heading for each one would give a clear line of
demarcation between each part of the question.
There are nine marks awarded for this requirement: three marks per target.
The requirement states that you need to make a case for both sides of the argument.
Therefore your answer needs to be balanced.
Focus on how much control you think the manager has. Form a conclusion on this for
each target if you can.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
(b)
Tuition answers: 3: Budgeting and control
117
An important principle of any target-based bonus system is that the targets must be based on
controllable aspects of the manager’s role.
Staff on time
The way in which a manager manages staff can have a big bearing on whether or not an
individual staff member is keen to work and arrive on time. We are told that the local manager
has the power to vary employment contracts so he should be able to agree acceptable shift
patterns with staff and reward them for compliance. In this respect the lateness of staff is
controllable by the manager.
On the other hand, an individual staff member may be subject to home pressures or problems
with public or other transport meaning that even they cannot control the time of arrival at work
on some days. The manager cannot control these events either. If this problem became regular
for a member of staff, then the local manager could vary the contract of employment
accordingly.
Overall, lateness to work is controllable by the local manager.
Member use of facilities
The local manager controls the staff and hence the level of customer service. Good quality
customer services would probably encourage members to use the facilities more often. Equally,
by maintaining the club to a high standard, then the local manager can remove another
potential reason for a member not to use the facilities regularly.
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On the other hand, customers are influenced by many factors outside of the club. Their state of
health or their own work pressures can prevent members being able to come to the club.
Overall, the local manager can only partly control the number of member visits.
Personal training sessions
Again, the local manager controls the level of customer service and the standard of
maintenance in the personal training department. He also has control over prices so, if the
bookings fall, he is able to reduce prices or make special offers to encourage use of the facilities.
On the other hand, personal training sessions may be seen as a luxury by customers and in
times of financial difficulty they are expendable by them. Personal training sessions are often
available from other sources and competition can force down the sales of the club. The
manager can respond to that by improving services. He cannot, however, make significant
investment in improving the facilities without board approval.
Overall, the local manager can only partly control the number of personal training sessions
booked.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (c)
Again, there were some good answers here, with only a minority of candidates talking about
manipulating profits, which wasn’t relevant to a business where profit based targets weren’t
being used.
EXAM SMART
In this requirement you should have focused on the instances where no bonus would be
received and think about whether it would have been possible to manipulate the figures to
hit a bonus target in any of those situations.
118 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
(c)
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
There are a variety of methods by which the performance data can be manipulated.
Cut off
The unethical manager could record visits in a different period than was actually the case. For
example, in quarter three the target for personal training sessions was not met by 20 sessions.
This was probably obvious to the manager in the last few days of that quarter. He could have
therefore recorded some sessions as having taken place in the next quarter. Indeed, only one
session would have to be moved in this way in order for the manager to meet the target in the
final quarter and gain another $400 of bonus.
Reduce prices to below economic levels to encourage use
The targets that the manager is subject to are mainly volume driven. A reduction in prices would
harm profitability but would not damage the manager’s bonus potential. More sessions are
bound to follow if the price is set low enough. (Other ideas would be acceptable, including
advising staff to take the day off if they were going to be late. This would damage service levels
admittedly, but would potentially gain a bonus for lateness.)
Marking guide
(a)
Per target
(b) For each target – supporting controllability
For each target – denying controllability
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For each idea of manipulation, up to
Maximum marks available
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Marks
2
Max 6
1½
1½
Max 9
2½
Max 5
20
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
119
4: Performance measurement and control
Performance analysis in private sector organisations
1 WEB CO
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS
This was a classic performance management question and was generally well-answered by
candidates compared to other questions on the paper. The company in the question had
made certain changes and introduced some incentives in order to boost sales and the
requirement asked for a discussion of whether these changes and incentives had been
effective. As usual, it was necessary to do some preliminary calculations in order to assess
performance and candidates should be reminded that absolute figures are rarely useful and
percentage changes are far more informative.
The most common weakness in answers was the classic commentary stating that, for
example, “Sales have gone up, which is good.” Comments such as these simply won’t score
marks. Candidates needed to consider the relationship between the data and calculations
with the information given in the question, in this case relating to the changes and incentives
introduced. If this link is not being made, rarely will comments score marks.
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Good candidates identified that, although sales had increased by 25%, net profit had
decreased by 33%, but this was due to the mass of expenses that had been incurred in
bringing about the changes. Consequently, the benefits of these changes would be expected
to continue for some time, and it would certainly be useful to see quarter 3’s results when
these were available.
Poorer candidates seemed to think that the decrease in net profit margin was a sign that
things were going wrong and cost of sales must be increasing dramatically. Again, I would
emphasise that, at this level, candidates are expected to link the information in the scenario
with the data and their calculations in order to draw valid conclusions. The candidates
producing weaker answers appeared almost not to have read the scenario and simply to
have read the data. In a question like this, it is really useful to annotate the written parts of
the scenario and where, for example, it states that $200,000 has been spent on advertising,
note down next to it the calculations that might help to analyse the effect of that (NPM,
increase in sales.) Then, when writing answers, the link has already been noted down and is
ready to be discussed.
As far as the calculations go, it is useful to produce a small schedule either at the beginning
or end of the answer with all workings on. This makes it easy to mark and see where the
calculations have come from, so that credit can still be given even where minor errors have
been made.
EXAM SMART
In exams it is important to not make silly mistakes. For example, it is very easy to misread a
calculator and see the increase in subscriptions as 259% and not 159%. You need to work
steadily and methodically, clearly showing workings as you progress.
Also do be imaginative in your calculations and make sure you talk about them too!
120 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
For example, if the profit margin had been maintained at 25% then profit would have been:
$2750k × 25% = $687.5k. With the actual profit only being $459,250, this is a shortfall of
$228,250. This then gives you room to think why this has happened and what the impact
could be.
You could calculate the average spend per visit – it has risen from $54.14 to $55.44, a 2%
increase and so on.
Since you have to relate the performance to changes in incentives you should start off by
identifying what the changes in incentives are. Then use clear subheadings to break your
answer down for the Examiner to make it easy for the markers to award you marks.
Web Co has made three changes and introduced two incentives in an attempt to increase sales. Using
the performance indicators given in the question, it is possible to assess whether these attempts have
been successful.
Total sales revenue
This has increased from $2.2 million to $2.75m, an increase of 25% (W1). This is a substantial increase,
especially considering the fact that a $10 discount has been given to all customers spending $100 or
more at any one time. However, because a number of changes and incentives have been introduced, it
is not possible to assess how effective each of the individual changes/incentives has been in increasing
sales revenue without considering the other performance indicators.
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Net profit margin (NPM)
This has decreased from 25% to 16.7%. In $ terms this means that net profit was $550,000 in Quarter 1
and $459,250 in Quarter 2 (W2). If the 25% NPM had been maintained in Quarter 2, the net profit
would have been $687,500 for Quarter 2. It is therefore $228,250 lower than it would have been. This
is mainly because of the $200,000 paid out for advertising and the $20,000 paid to the consultant for
the search engine work. The remaining $8,250 difference could be a result of the cost of the $10
discounts given to customers who spent more than $100, depending on how these are accounted for.
Alternatively, it could be due to the costs of providing the Fast Track service. More information would
be required on how the discounts are accounted for (whether they are netted off sales revenue or
instead included in cost of sales) and also on the cost of providing the Fast Track service.
While it is not clear how long the advert is going to run for in the fashion magazine, $200,000 does
seem to be a very large cost.
This expense is largely responsible for the fall in NPM. This is discussed further under ‘number of visits
to website’.
Number of visits to website
These have increased dramatically from 101,589 to 141,714, an increase of 40,125 visits (39.5% W3).
The reason for this is a combination of visitors coming through the fashion magazine’s website (28,201
visitors W5), with the remainder of the increase most probably being due to the search engine
consultants’ work. Both of these changes can therefore be said to have been effective in improving the
number of people who at least visit Web Co’s online store. However, given that the search engine
consultant only charged a fee of $20,000 compared to the $200,000 paid for magazine advertising, in
relative terms, the consultant’s work provided value for money. Web Co’s sales are not really high
enough to withstand a hit of $200,000 against profit, hence the fall in NPM.
Number of orders/customers spending more than $100
The number of orders received from customers has increased from 40,636 to 49,600, an increase of
22% (W4). This shows that, while most of the 25% sales revenue increase is due to a higher number of
orders, 3% of it is due to orders being of a higher purchase value. This is also reflected in the fact that
the number of customers spending more than $100 per visit has increased from 4,650 to 6,390, an
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
121
increase of 1,740 orders. So, for example, if each of these 1,740 customers spent exactly $100 rather
than the $50 they might normally spend, it would easily explain the 3% increase in sales that is not due
to increased order numbers. It depends partly on how the sales discounts of $10 each are accounted
for. As stated above, further information is required on these.
An increase in the number of orders would also be expected, given that the number of visitors to the
site has increased substantially.
This leads on to the next point.
Conversion rate – visitor to purchaser
The conversion rate of visitors to purchasers has gone down from 40% to 35%. This is not surprising,
given the advertising on the fashion magazine’s website. Readers of the magazine may well have
clicked on the link out of curiosity and may come back and purchase something at a later date. It may
be useful to have a breakdown of the visitor to purchaser rate, showing one statistic for visitors who
have come from the online magazine and one for those who have not. This would help clarify the
position.
Website availability
Rather than improving after the work completed by Web Co’s IT department, the website’s availability
has stayed the same. This means that the IT department’s changes to the website have not corrected
the problem. Lack of availability is not good for business, although its exact impact is difficult to
ascertain. It may be that visitors have been part of the way through making a purchase only to find
that the website then becomes unavailable. More information would need to be available about
aborted purchases, for example, before any further conclusions could be drawn.
Subscribers to online newsletter
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These have increased by a massive 159%. It is not clear what impact this has had on the business as we
do not know whether the level of repeat customers has increased. This information is needed.
Surprisingly, it seems that there has not been an increased cost associated with providing Fast Track
delivery, as the whole fall in net profit has been accounted for, so one can only assume that Web Co
managed to offer this service without incurring any additional cost itself.
Conclusion
With the exception of the work carried out to make the system more available, all of the other
measures seem to have increased sales or, in the case of Incentive 1, increased subscribers. More
information is needed in relation to a couple of areas, as noted above. The business has therefore
been responsive to changes made and incentives implemented but the cost of the advertising was so
high that, overall, profits have declined substantially. This expenditure seems too high in relation to
the corresponding increase in sales volumes.
Workings
1
Increase in sales revenue ($2.75m ─ $2.2m)/$2.2m = 25% increase.
2
NPM: 25% × $2.2m = $550,000 profit in Quarter 1.
16.7% × $2.75m = $459,250 profit in Quarter 2.
3
No. of visits to website: increase = (141,714 ─ 101,589)/101,589 = 39.5%
4
Increase in orders = (49,600 ─ 40,636)/40,636 = 22%
5
Customers accessing website through magazine line = 141,714 × 19.9% = 28,201
6
Increase in subscribers to newsletter = (11,900 ─ 4,600)/4,600 = 159%
122 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Marking guide
Calculations
Missing info
Discussion and further analysis (2 to 3 marks per point)
Conclusion
Marks
4
3
18
2
Maximum marks available
2 AT CO
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS
This was a typical performance measurement question. There was quite a lot of information
to absorb but I strongly believe that, unless you are given plenty of information to work
with, it is only possible to make very generalised, insipid comments. This is not what F5 is all
about. I want candidates to be able to handle information and make some quality analysis
about it. It requires common sense and ability to link information. This should not be too
much to ask of a part-qualified accountant, who would have to exhibit these qualities in the
workplace.
Needless to say, answers were poor. Anyone who had read my article on this area, or indeed
my predecessor’s article on this area, would know that insipid comments such as ‘turnover
decreased by 8.3%, which is poor’ will score only a calculation mark, for working out the
8.3%. Is this decrease in turnover poor? Well, it depends on the market in which the
company is operating. You have to read the scenario. When you take into account the fact
that there has been a 20% decline in the demand for accountancy training, AT Co’s 8.3%
looks relatively good. You must link information; this is an essential skill for any accountant.
Nothing is ever what it seems...ask any auditor!
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Let me also take the opportunity to distinguish between an acceptable comment, which
might earn one mark, compared to a good point, which might earn two marks. Cost of sales
fell by $10.022m in the year. Part of this reduction was down to a fall in freelance lecture
costs. A good candidate would have commented that, whilst the company requested that
freelance lecturers reduce their fees by 10%, the actual fee reduction gained was 15%, a
strong performance. A comment such as this would have earned two marks. A less
observant comment, earning one mark, would have been that the reduction in cost of sales
was partly due to the fact that the company requested freelance lecturers to reduce their
fees by 10%.
I hope that this question will serve as a good revision question to future examinees of F5.
The information given is there to help you make worthwhile comments. It is not there to trip
you up. When planning the question, you should annotate it carefully, cross-referencing
different parts of the question, linking financial and non-financial information etc.
EXAM SMART
Let’s develop the examiner’s points about the good commentary about the freelance
lecturer costs. A good style is to think:
What has happened (often the number calculated)?
Why has it happened (root cause – often given in the question)?
So what or what then (your judgement and/or the possible consequence)?
Max 20
20
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
123
By thinking of this, you should be able to not only pick up the computation marks but also
the ‘good’ standard narrative marks.
For example:
Cost of sales:
This fell by $10.022m (19.2%) over the year (what). This impressive cost reduction was
largely caused by (so what) AT Co requiring freelance tutors to reduce their fees by 10%
(why). Freelance fees were however cut by 15.0% (W1), creating major cost savings (why).
AT Co will need to maintain freelance tutor goodwill, so seeking future major fee reductions
may not be possible (what then).
Working 1
2009 freelance fees: 35% x $41.663m = $14.582m
2010 freelancer fees = $12.394m
% fall =
12.394−14.582
14.582
× 100% = -15.0%
Turnover
Turnover has decreased from $72.025 million in 2009 to $66.028 million in 2010, a fall of 8.3%.
However, this must be assessed by taking into account the change in market conditions, since there
has been a 20% decline in demand for accountancy training. Given this 20% decline in the market
place, AT Co’s turnover would have been expected to fall to $57.62m if it had kept in line with market
conditions. Comparing AT Co’s actual turnover to this, its actual turnover is 14.6% higher than
expected. As such, AT Co has performed fairly well, given market conditions.
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It can also be seen from the non-financial performance indicators that 20% of students in 2010 are
students who have transferred over from alternative training providers. It is likely that they have
transferred over because they have heard about the improved service that AT Co is providing. Hence, they
are most likely the reason for the increased market share that AT Co has managed to secure in 2010.
Cost of sales
Cost of sales has decreased by $10.022m (19.2%) in 2010. This must be considered in relation to the
decrease in turnover as well. In 2009, cost of sales represented 72·3% of turnover and in 2010 this
figure was 63.7%. This is quite a substantial decrease. The reasons for it can be ascertained by, firstly,
looking at the freelance staff costs.
In 2009, the freelance costs were $14.582m. Given that a minimum 10% reduction in fees had been
requested to freelance lecturers and the number of courses run by them was the same year on year,
the expected cost for freelance lecturers in 2010 was $13.124m. The actual costs were $12.394m
($2.2m lower than 2009). These show that a fee reduction of 15% was actually achieved. This can be
seen as a successful reduction in costs.
Other cost savings must have occurred. Permanent staff numbers have remained constant as have
their salaries at about $27m. Given that of the $10.0m overall reduction in cost of sales, $2.2m savings
arose from freelancer savings, $7.8m will have come from other sources. $4m savings have been
gained by moving to electronic marking of progress tests. This appears to be a sensible move and will
lead to lower marking costs going forward. The remaining $3.8m savings may have arisen due to less
costs being incurred in other activities relating to student numbers. The fall in student numbers over
the year causing cost savings.
Gross profit
As a result of the above, the gross profit margin has increased in 2010 from 27.7% to 36.3%. This is a
big increase and reflects very well on management.
124 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Indirect expenses
Marketing costs: These have increased by 42.1% in 2010. Although this is quite significant, given
all the improvements that AT Co has made to the service it is providing, it is very important that
potential students are made aware of exactly what the company now offers. The increase in
marketing costs has been rewarded with higher student numbers relative to the competition in
2010 and these will hopefully continue increasing next year, since many of the benefits of
marketing won’t be felt until the next year anyway. The increase should therefore be viewed as
essential expenditure rather than a cost that needs to be reduced.
Property costs: These have largely stayed the same in both years.
Staff training: These costs have increased dramatically by over $2 million, a 163.9% increase.
However, AT Co had identified that it had a problem with staff retention, which was leading to a
lower quality service being provided to students. Also, due to the introduction of the interactive
website, the electronic enrolment system and the online marking system, staff would have
needed training on these areas. If AT Co had not spent this money on essential training, the
quality of service would have deteriorated further and more staff would have left as they
became increasingly dissatisfied with their jobs. Again, therefore, this should be seen as
essential expenditure.
Given that the number of student complaints has fallen dramatically in 2010 to 84 from 315, the
staff training appears to have improved the quality of service being provided to students.
Interactive website and the student helpline: These costs are all new this year and result from
an attempt to improve the quality of service being provided and, presumably, improve pass
rates. Therefore, given the increase in the pass rate for first time passes from 48% to 66% it can
be said that these developments have probably contributed to this. Also, they have probably
played a part in attracting new students, hence improving turnover.
Enrolment costs have fallen dramatically by 80·9%. This huge reduction is a result of the new
electronic system being introduced. This system can certainly be seen as a success, as not only
has it dramatically reduced costs but it has also reduced the number of late enrolments from
297 to 106.
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Net operating profit
This has fallen from $3.635m to $2.106m. On the face of it, this looks disappointing but it has to be
remembered that AT Co has been operating in a difficult market in 20Y0. It could easily have been
looking at a large loss. Going forward, staff training costs will hopefully decrease. Also, market share
may increase further as word of mouth spreads about improved results and service at AT Co. This may,
in turn, lead to a need for less advertising and therefore lower marketing costs.
It is also apparent that AT Co has provided the student website free of charge when really it should
have been charging a fee for this. The costs of running it are too high for the service to be provided
free of charge and this has had a negative impact on net operating profit.
[Note: Students would not have been expected to write all this in the time available.]
Workings (Workings in $000)
1
Turnover
Decrease in turnover = $72,025 – $66,028/$72,025 = 8.3%
Expected 2010 turnover given 20% decline in market = $72,025 × 80% = $57,620
Actual 2010 turnover CF expected = $66,028 – $57,620/$57,620 = 14.6% higher
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
2
Tuition answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
125
Cost of sales
Decrease in cost of sales = $42,056 – $52,078/$52,078 = 19·2%
Cost of sales as percentage of turnover: 2009 = $52,078/$72,025 = 72.3%
2010 = $42,056/$66,028 = 63.7%
Freelance staff costs: in 2009 = $41,663 × 35% = $14,582
Expected cost for 2010 = $14,582 × 90% = $13,124
Actual 2010 cost = $12,394
$12,394 – $14,582 = $2,188 decrease
$2,188/$14,582 = 15% decrease in freelancer costs
3
Gross profit margin
2009: $19,947/$72,025 = 27.7%
2010: $23,972/$66,028 = 36.3%
4
Increase in marketing costs = $4,678 – $3,291/$3,291 = 42.1%
5
Increase in staff training costs = $3,396 – $1,287/$1,287 = 163.9%
6
Decrease in enrolment costs = $960 – 5,032/5,032 = 80.9%
7
Net operating profit
Decreased from $3,635 to $2,106. This is fall of 1,529/3,635 = 42.1%
Marking guide
Turnover:
8.3% decrease
Actual turnover 14.6% higher
Performed well CF market conditions
Transfer of students
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Marks
½
½
1
1
Max 3
Cost of sales:
19.2% decrease
63.7% of turnover
15% fee reduction from freelance staff
Other costs of sale fell by $3.8m
Online marketing saving $4m
½
½
2
2
1
Max 5
Gross profit – numbers and comment
1
Indirect expenses:
Marketing costs 42.1% increase
Increase necessary to reap benefits of developments
Benefits may take more than one year to be felt
½
1
½
Property costs – stayed the same
½
Staff training:
163.9% increase
Necessary for staff retention
Necessary to train staff on new website etc
Without training staff would have left
Less student complaints
Interactive website and student helpline:
Attracted new students
Increase in pass rate
½
1
1
1
1
1
1
126 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Marking guide
Enrolment costs:
Fall of 80.9%
Result of electronic system being introduced
Reduced number of late enrolments
Marks
½
1
1
Max 9
Net operating profit:
Fallen to $2.106m
Difficult market
Staff training costs should decrease in future
Future increase in market share
Lower advertising cost in future
Charge for website
½
1
1
1
1
1
Max 3
Maximum marks available
Divisional performance and transfer pricing
3 BATH CO
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EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
This question covered transfer pricing and really separated out the strong candidates from
the weak ones. Part (a) contained the easy marks, with a simple requirement to prepare a
profit statement under the current transfer pricing system. There were many perfect
answers here, because the requirement was not difficult. However, weaker candidates
simply didn’t know what the words ‘profit statement’ meant, and just produced some
workings showing total profit for the company. These candidates scored very few marks.
EXAM SMART
It is really important to take your time to read the question set. A profit statement implies
that some sort of income statement is needed – clearly showing the revenues and costs of
each division and also the company in total.
The best approach was to use a table, set out with columns for Division A, Division B and the
company as a whole. The rows need to show each key revenue source and cost and also the
key sub-totals. Remember, in the individual division’s profit statement, the transfer price
needs to appear. Here it is a revenue for Division B, being exactly matched by a cost in
Division A. From the company’s perspective these amounts cancel (as would any intercompany trading in a group).
20
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
(a)
Tuition answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
127
Profit statement
Sales revenue:
External (1)
Inter-divisional transfers
Total
Variable costs:
External material costs (2)
Inter-divisional transfers (3)
Labour costs (4)
Total
Fixed costs
Profit
Division A
$000
Division B
$000
Division C
$000
36,000
0
36,000
9,600
6,000
15,600
45,600
(16,000)
(6,000)
(3,600)
(25,600)
(7,440)
2,960
(1,000)
0
(3,000)
(4,000)
(4,400)
7,200
(17,000)
45,600
(6,600)
(23,600)
(11,840)
10,160
Workings ($000)
1
External sales
Div A: 80,000 × $450 = $36,000
Div B: 120,000 × $80 = $9,600
Div B: 80,000 × $75 = $6,000
2
External material costs
3
Inter-divisional transfers
Div A: 80,000 × $75 = $6,000
4
Labour costs
Div A: 80,000 × $45 = $3,600
Div B: 200,000 × $15 = $3,000
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
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Div A: 80,000 × $200 = $16,000
Div B: 200,000 × $5 = $1,000
Part (b) asked for a calculation of the maximum profit that could be earned if transfer pricing
was optimised. ‘Optimised’ meant set at a level that would make the total company profit as
high as possible. In order for this to be the case, the transfer price needed to be set
somewhere between Division B’s marginal cost of $20 and the current market price of the
fittings of $65 per set. Any price between this range would make sure that Division A bought
the fittings from Division B, provided that Division A was told that it could only buy the
fittings from outside the group if the price was lower than the price being charged by
Division B. If Division B was allowed to sell to the external market too, then the profit could
be maximised at $11,060.
This logic was totally lost on the majority of candidates. However, many of them managed to
get to the maximum profit by having Division B selling 180,000 sets of fittings outside the
group and then selling the remaining 20,000 sets of fittings to B at $75. This was a half
decent attempt at the question but the reality would be, of course, that, in the real world,
Division A would not want to pay $75 for the fittings if it could buy them from an external
supplier for only $65. This is not, therefore, optimisation of transfer pricing, because this
would require the company to have a policy of making Division A buy from B, EVEN if fittings
were cheaper elsewhere and this would cause behavioural issues, with Division A’s manager
becoming de-motivated.
128 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
EXAM SMART
It is important to think of the behavioural aspects of the question and how that affects your
numerical calculations. Try to think of the divisions as if they were stand-alone entities.
They will want to maximise their own profits, particularly if their management receive profitrelated incentives.
The transfer price will have to be $65 or lower, if Division A’s manager will see it as more
profitable to buy from Division B as opposed to externally.
Similarly, Division B’s manager, knowing that the division is not at full capacity (and must
therefore be selling externally all that it can), will be willing to accept a transfer price bigger
than its variable costs per unit (here $20 variable production cost).
Therefore, any transfer price between $20 and $65 per unit should be acceptable to both
managers and would have gained full marks in the exam.
(b)
Bath Co’s profit if transfer pricing is optimised
Division A
$000
Division B
$000
Division C
$000
36,000
0
36,000
14,400
1,300
15,700
50,400
0
50,400
(19,900)
(1,300)
(3,600)
(24,800)
(7,440)
3,760
(1,000)
0
(3,000)
(4,000)
(4,400)
7,300
(20,900)
0
(6,600)
(27,500)
(11,840)
11,160
Sales revenue:
External (1)
Internal sales (2)
Total
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Variable costs:
External material costs (3)
Inter-divisional transfers (2)
Labour costs
Total
Fixed costs
Profit
Note: A transfer price of $65 has been used on the assumption that the company will introduce
the policy discussed in (c). Provided that the transfer price is set between the minimum of $20
(Division B’s marginal cost) and $65 (the cost to Division A of buying from outside the group), the
actual transfer price is irrelevant in this calculation. The overall profit of the company will be the
same.
Workings ($000)
1
External sales
Div A: 80,000 × $450 = $36,000
Div B: 180,000 × $80 = $14,400
2
Internal sales/inter-divisional transfers
20,000 × $65 = $1,300
3
Material costs
Div A: 60,000 × $265 + (20,000 x $200) = $19,900
Div B: 200,000 × $5 = $1,000
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
129
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (c)
Part (c) was a narrative requirement and was generally poorly answered. There was a certain
element of follow on from (b), although not entirely, so problems of lack of understanding in
(b) fed through to (c). It was surprising how many candidates attempted part (c) before parts
(a) and (b). While it’s always advisable to get the easy marks first where possible, and these
are often the discussion marks, this is not possible where the narrative fully or partly follows
on from the numbers.
EXAM SMART
Be careful to identify sub requirements where you need to have tackled the earlier parts of
the question first. This is one of them! Failure to do this will mean your answer to part (c) is
little more than a sterile textbook answer.
(c)
Issues and suitable transfer price
Divisional managers’ performance is assessed using a metric as decided by the company. This
may simply be the profit for the period, or, depending on the type of responsibility centre being
used, a metric such as residual income or return on capital employed. Whatever the metric
being used, the division’s profit figure is going to affect it and divisional managers are therefore
going to be keen to maximise their individual profits. By focusing on individual decisions,
divisional managers are often not aware of the impact of their decisions on the company as a
whole. This would particularly be the case where a decision which is in the best interests of the
company actually makes an individual division’s performance look worse.
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The transfer pricing system in place needs to take into account the behavioural impact of the
prices being charged. Sometimes, this can mean that a ‘dual transfer pricing system’ needs to
be introduced in order to ensure that divisional managers act in the interests of the company as
a whole.
It can be seen from part (b) that the best decision for the company is that:
Division A buys 60,000 sets of fittings from an outside supplier and buys the remaining
20,000 sets of fittings from Division B in order to ensure that Division B is working to full
capacity.
Division B sells as many sets of fittings as possible externally, at $80 per set. Since the
maximum external demand is 180,000 units, Division B sells the remaining 20,000 sets of
fittings to Division A. The minimum transfer price that would be acceptable to Division B
is its marginal cost of $20 per unit, since it has spare capacity. However, if this transfer
price is used, Division B becomes worse off than before the autonomy was given, and
Division B’s manager will not like this. As far as Division A is concerned, it will not want to
pay more than the $65 that it can buy from outside the Group.
Bath Co’s policy therefore needs to ensure that, first, Division A’s manager is prepared to buy
20,000 sets of fittings from Division B and second, Division B is prepared to sell them at $65 per
set. Since it is in Division B’s best interest to work to full capacity and the manager of Division B
knows that Division A can obtain fittings for $65 per set, it should not be difficult for B to agree
to sell to A at this price. A policy of negotiated transfer prices would achieve this fairly quickly.
However, the company also needs to have a policy that divisions buy internally first, where this
would be in the best interests of the overall profitability of the company. This would ensure that
Division A buys the 20,000 sets of fittings from Division B. This way, the overall profit of the
company is maximised while also ensuring that divisional managers do not become
demotivated.
130 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Marking guide
Profit statement
Sales revenue:
External
Inter-divisional transfers (revenue – Div B)
External material costs
Inter-divisional transfers (costs – Div A)
Labour costs
Fixed costs
Profit
Marks
(a)
1
½
1
½
1
1
1
6
(b) Revised profit
External sales
Inter-divisional transfers (revenue – Div B)
Material costs
Internal transfers (materials) (costs – Div A)
Labour costs
Fixed costs
Profit
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
8
(c)
Transfer price difficulties and policies
Each well explained point on difficulties
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Well reasoned recommendation
Maximum for (c) overall
1
Max 4
4
Maximum marks available
AMMER O
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS
The numerical parts were quite well answered by most candidates. However, a disappointing
number of answers included the fixed costs within part (a) and part (b) which defied the
purpose of the whole question really.
That having been said, most answers were good.
EXAM SMART
Requirements (a) and (b) represent a fairly simple 10 marks which students at this level
should be expecting to get. Essentially this is just cost plus pricing workings.
6
20
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
(a)
Tuition answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
Price under existing policy
$
1.68
0.27
2.50
3.75
0.50
8.70
2.61
11.31
Steel (0.4/0.95 × $4.00)
Other materials ($3.00 × 0.9 × 0.1)
Labour (0.25 × $10)
Variable overhead (0.25 × $15)
Delivery
Total variable cost
Mark-up 30%
Transfer price
(b)
131
The only difference would be to add the fixed costs and adjust the mark-up %.
$
8.70
3.00
11.70
1.17
12.87
Existing total variable cost
Extra fixed cost (0.25 × $15 × 0.8)
Total cost
Mark-up 10%
Transfer price
The price difference is therefore 12.87 – 11.31 = $1.56 per unit
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (c)
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In part (c), a discussion of whether fixed costs should be included in a transfer price was
required. The quality of answers was really poor.
The question was looking for a couple of key points, for example, that including fixed costs
guarantees a profit for the seller but invites manipulation of overheads and passes on
inefficiencies from one part of the business to another.
Also, that this strategy causes fixed costs of one division to be turned into a variable cost for
another division.
EXAM SMART
Following on from the examiners point about turning a fixed cost into a variable cost, this in
a transfer pricing scenario can always run the risk of leading to sub-optimal decision making
from the group’s perspective.
The danger is that by incorporating the fixed cost into the transfer price leads to the selling
division charging a price that is above that of an external supplier.
(c)
As far as the manufacturer is concerned, including fixed costs in the transfer price will have the
advantage of covering all the costs incurred. In theory this should guarantee a profit for the
division (assuming the fixed overhead absorption calculations are accurate). In essence the
manufacturer is reducing the risk in his division.
The accounting for fixed costs is notoriously difficult with many approaches possible. Including
fixed costs in the transfer price invites manipulation of overhead treatment.
One of the main problems with this strategy is that a fixed cost of the business is being turned
into a variable cost in the hands of the seller (in our case the stores). This can lead to poor
decision-making for the group since, although fixed costs would normally be ignored in a
decision (as unavoidable), they would be relevant to the seller because they are part of their
variable buy in price.
132 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (d)
Part (d) also rarely produced answers scoring full marks.
It asked whether retail stores should be allowed to buy in from outside suppliers. Key points
in any answer should have been that the overall profitability of the company is key, as is goal
congruence; these points were rarely made.
Thankfully, many candidates did spot the more obvious points such as the fact that the
quality and reliability of any external supplier would need to be assessed.
EXAM SMART
A balanced argument here is important. There are likely to be advantages and
disadvantages of allowing the purchase of the shears or other products from outside
suppliers.
However, once again keep your ideas practical and applied to the scenario! An answer could
look like this:
Local managers may like the autonomy and freedom to purchase from outside. It may
allow Hammer to make more profit if manager’s can locally bargain with suppliers.
However control may be needed if local managers are buying inferior products. Poor
local purchasing may damage customer goodwill and ultimately Hammer’s brand.
Similarly careful attention to the service levels of suppliers should be paid. If suppliers
were to dramatically raise prices then local managers may not be able to respond
effectively. Only a centralised buying department may have the power to negotiate
more strongly on Hammer’s behalf.
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(d)
Degree of autonomy allowed to the stores in buying policy
If the stores are allowed too much freedom in buying policy Hammer could lose control of its
business. Brand could be damaged if each store bought a different supplier’s shears (or other
products). On the other hand, flexibility is increased and profits could be made for the business
by entrepreneurial store managers exploiting locally found bargains. However, the current
market price for shears may only be temporary (sale or special offer) and therefore not really
representative of their true market ‘value’. If this is the case, then any long-term decision to
allow retail stores to buy shears from external suppliers (rather than from Nail) would be wrong.
The question of comparability is also important. Products are rarely ‘identical’ and
consequently, price differences are to be expected. The stores could buy a slightly inferior
product (claiming it is comparable) in the hope of a better margin. This could seriously damage
Hammer’s brand.
Motivation is also a factor here, however. Individual managers like a little freedom within which
to operate. If they are forced to buy what they see as an inferior product (internally) at high
prices it is likely to de-motivate. Also with greater autonomy, the performance of the stores will
be easier to assess as the store managers will have control over greater elements of their
business.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Tuition answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
Marking guide
(a)
Marks
Steel
Other material
Labour
Variable overhead
Delivery
Mark-up
1
1
1
1
1
1
6
(b) Fixed cost
Mark-up
2
2
4
(c)
1
1
1
2
Max 4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Max 6
Covers all cost
Risk
Fixed cost accounting
Converts a FC to VC
(d) Market price may be temporary
Brand
Profitability
Flexibility
Control
Motivation
Performance assessment
Comparability
Maximum marks available
133
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134 T u i t i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
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AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Part 2 Revision questions
135
PART 2 REVISION QUESTIONS
Objective test and Scenario
Question
no
Syllabus area
Page ref
Q
A
1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
Activity based costing
Scenario question: Wash Co
1-4
5-9
139
140
229
230
Target costing
10-16
141
232
Scenario question: Helot Co
Life cycle costing
17-21
22-25
143
145
233
234
Scenario question: Fit Co
26-30
146
235
31-35
36-40
147
149
236
238
41-43
151
239
1-3
153
240
4-8
9-14
154
155
241
242
15-19
157
243
20-24
25-29
159
161
244
246
30-35
36-40
162
164
248
249
41
165
250
42-46
47-51
165
167
251
252
Throughput accounting
Scenario question: Sweet Treats Bakery
Environmental accounting
2: Decision-making techniques
Relevant cost analysis
Scenario question: Losmetic Co
Cost volume profit analysis
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Scenario question: Hare Events
Limiting factors
Scenario question: Higgins Co
Pricing decisions
Scenario question: ALG Co
Make-or-buy and other short-term decisions
Scenario question: Three departments
Scenario question: Chemco
Dealing with risk and uncertainty in decision-making
52-55
168
253
Scenario question: Three products
Scenario question: Sandrunner
56-60
61-65
169
170
254
255
Scenario question: Mylo
66-70
170
256
136 P a r t 2 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s
Syllabus area
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Question
no
Page ref
Q
A
3: Budgeting and control
Budgetary systems and type of budget
Scenario question: Kenneth Co
1-10
11-15
174
176
258
260
Quantitative analysis in budgeting
Scenario question: Comfynap Co
16-21
22-26
178
179
262
263
27
181
265
28-32
33-36
181
183
265
266
37-41
185
268
Sales mix and quantity variances
Scenario question: Cut Co
42-43
44-48
186
187
269
270
Planning and operational variances
49-52
188
271
Scenario question: Fedia Co
Performance analysis
53-57
58-59
190
191
272
274
Performance management information systems
1-4
192
275
Sources of management information
5-6
193
276
7-9
10-13
193
194
276
276
14-18
196
278
19-23
24-29
198
199
279
280
30-34
35-39
202
203
283
284
40-41
205
285
42-46
205
285
47
207
286
Standard costing
Scenario question: Corfe Co
Material mix and yield variances
Scenario question: Romeo Co
4: Performance measurement and control
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Management reports
Performance analysis in private sector organisations
Scenario question: Bus Co
Scenario question: Jamair Co
Divisional performance and transfer pricing
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Scenario question: Cardale Co
Scenario question: Andover and Winchester
Performance analysis in not-for-profit organisations and the public
sector
Scenario question: Seatown Council
External considerations and behavioural aspects
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Part 2 Revision questions
137
Long form
Question name
Based on
Past exam
Syllabus area
Page ref
Q
A
2: Decision-making techniques
1
The Telephone Co
Relevant costs
Q1, D11, (a)
209
287
2
Hair Co
CVP
Q1, D12, (a) and (b)
210
292
3
CSC Co
Limiting factors
Q2, S16
211
295
4
Heat Co
Pricing, Learning curves
Q2, J11, (a)
213
298
5
Robber Co
Make or Buy and other short term
decisions
Q1, J12, (a) and (c)
214
302
6
Cement Co
Risk and uncertainty in decision
making
Q1, J11
215
306
3: Budgeting and control
1
Newtown School
Budgetary systems/Types of budget
Q5, J13, (c) and (d)
216
311
2
Mic Co
Quantitative analysis in budgeting
Q3, D13
217
314
3
Noble
Standard costing, including sales mix Q3, J11, (a) and (c)
and quantity variances
218
316
4
Block Co
Sales mix and quantity variances
including Planning and operational
variances
Q4, J13
220
320
5
Truffle Co
Planning and operational variances
Q2, D12
221
323
6
Sticky Wicket
Performance analysis and
behavioural aspects
Q2, J10
221
326
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4: Performance measurement and control
1
Squarize
Performance analysis in private
sector organisations
Q2, J13
223
330
2
Jungle Co
Performance analysis in private
sector organisations
Q1, S16
224
332
3
Protect against Fire Co Divisional performance and transfer Q4, D13
pricing
225
336
4
Biscuits and Cakes
Divisional performance and transfer Q5, J12, (a),(b),(c) and
pricing
(e)
226
338
5
Man Co
Divisional performance and transfer Q4, M/J 16 amended
pricing/ Performance analysis in
private sector organisations
227
341
138 P a r t 2 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
139
PART 2 REVISION QUESTIONS: Objective test and Scenario
1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
Activity based costing
1
Which of the following statements about activity-based costing is/are true?
True
False
ABC can only be used within a manufacturing
environment.
ABC assumes that most overhead costs are incurred at
the product level.
A cost driver is a factor which causes a change in the
cost of an activity.
Traditional absorption costing tends to under-estimate
overhead costs for high volume products.
2
A company manufactures two products, C and D, for which the following information is available:
Total production set up costs
Total inspection costs
Other overhead costs
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Budgeted production (units)
Labour hours per unit/in total
Number of production runs required
Number of inspections during production
Product C
1,000
8
13
5
Product D
4,000
10
15
3
Total
5,000
48,000
28
8
$140,000
$80,000
$96,000
Other overhead costs are absorbed on the basis of labour hours per unit.
Using activity-based costing, what is the budgeted overhead cost per unit of product D, to the
nearest $0.01?
$
3
Teddy Co makes two products using the same type of material and the same workforce. The
following information is available:
Budgeted production (units)
Material per unit ($)
Labour per unit ($)
Product
Lou
5,000
20
40
Product
Dew
4,000
25
60
Fixed overheads relating to materials are $150,000. The cost driver for these costs is the cost of
material purchased.
General fixed overheads are $374,000. These are absorbed on the basis of labour cost.
Using activity-based costing, what is the budgeted fixed overhead cost per unit of product
Lou, to the nearest $0.01?
$
140 Revision questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
4
ACCA F5 Question Bank
A company makes two products using the same type of materials and skilled workers. The
following information is available:
Budgeted volume (units)
Material per unit ($)
Labour per unit ($)
Product A
1,000
10
5
Product B
2,000
20
20
Fixed costs relating to material handling amount to $100,000. The cost driver for these costs is
the volume of material purchased.
General fixed costs, absorbed on the basis of labour hours, amount to $180,000.
Using activity-based costing, what is the total fixed overhead amount to be absorbed into
each unit of product B (to the nearest whole $)?
$113
$120
$40
$105
WASH CO
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The following scenario relates to questions 5-9. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Wash Co assembles and sells two types of washing machines – the Spin (S) and the Rinse (R).
The company’s policy is to transfer the machines from its assembly division to its retail division at full
cost plus 10%.
The overhead costs are currently allocated to the products on the basis of labour hours, but Wash Co’s
Chief Management Accountant is contemplating using machine hours or activity-based costing (ABC)
for absorption.
You have obtained the following information for the last month from the assembly division.
Production and sales (units)
Materials cost
Labour cost (at $12 per hour)
Machine hours (per unit)
Total no. of production runs
Total no. of purchase orders
Total no. of deliveries to retail division
Overhead costs:
Machine set-up costs
Machine maintenance costs
Ordering costs
Delivery costs
Total
5
Product S
3,200
$117
$6
2
30
82
64
Product R
5,450
$95
$9
1
12
64
80
$
306,435
415,105
11,680
144,400
877,620
Calculate a transfer price to the nearest $ for Product S if machine hours are used as the basis
for absorption.
$
ACCA F5 Question Bank
6
Revision questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
141
Using ABC, calculate to the nearest $ the machine overheads (set-up and maintenance costs)
that will be absorbed by each unit of Product S.
$
7
Using ABC, calculate to the nearest $ the selling overheads (ordering and delivery costs) that will
be absorbed by each unit of Product R.
$
8
The Chief Accountant is also considering using ABC when analysing environmental costs.
Which of the following statements relating to environmental activity-based costing
(environmental ABC) is/are true?
Environmental ABC will be concerned with prevention
activities as well as detection and correction activities.
Environmental ABC helps identify environment-driven
costs, which may be hidden within general overheads.
Volume of emissions may be a cost driver in
environmental ABC.
Environmental ABC can measure cost savings resulting
from measures to reduce environmental impact.
9
True
False
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As well as environmental ABC, the Chief Accountant is looking at other techniques for
accounting for environmental impacts.
Which TWO of the following statements relating to accounting for environmental costs are
true?
Flow cost accounting involves analysing materials flows into two categories, material and
disposal
Input/output analysis aims to identify residual or waste.
Environmental life cycle costing looks at costs up until the point production ceases.
Environment-related costs are connected with activities for which costs can be directly
traced.
Target costing
10
Which of the following statements in relation to costing techniques is/are true?
True
False
Target costing is a market driven approach to pricing.
Using target costing to set selling prices guarantees
that a company will make a profit on its products.
Unlike traditional costing methods, in ABC production
overheads are not absorbed across product units.
An organisation which switches to ABC may find that
some of its existing products, which require minimal
labour hours, no longer appear profitable.
142 Revision questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
11
ACCA F5 Question Bank
The unit selling price of Product Z has been set at $200. The company requires a profit margin of
40%. The product specification includes material, labour and overheads at $55, $75 and $15
respectively.
What is the cost gap for each unit of Product Z?
$
12
13
Which of the following is/are characteristics of a service industry?
Characteristic
Not characteristic
Homogenity
Intangibility
Perishability
Spontaneity
Which TWO of the following methods of reducing an organisation’s costs in order that its target cost
gap can be closed would be most effective in reducing the costs in a service industry context?
Use a lower grade of labour
Renegotiate terms with suppliers
Reduce the time spent in terms of labour hours
Attempt to increase sales volumes to achieve economies of scale
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14
S Company is a manufacturer of multiple products and uses target costing. It has been noted
that Product P currently has a target cost gap and the company wishes to close this gap.
Which of the following may be used to close the target cost gap for product P?
15
Use overtime to complete work ahead of schedule
Substitute current raw materials with cheaper versions
Raise the selling price of P
Negotiate cheaper rent for S Company’s premises
The selling price of Product X is set at $550 for each unit and sales for the coming year are
expected to be 800 units.
A return of 30% on the investment of $500,000 in Product X will be required in the coming year.
What is the target cost for each unit of Product X, to the nearest $0.01?
$
16
Which of the following techniques is NOT relevant to target costing?
Value analysis
Variance analysis
Functional analysis
Activity analysis
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
143
HELOT CO (SECTION B, SEPTEMBER 2016)
The following scenario relates to Questions 17–21. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Helot Co develops and sells computer games. It is well known for launching innovative and interactive
role-playing games and its new releases are always eagerly anticipated by the gaming community.
Customers value the technical excellence of the games and the durability of the product and
packaging.
Helot Co has previously used a traditional absorption costing system and full cost plus pricing to cost
and price its products. It has recently recruited a new finance director who believes the company
would benefit from using target costing. He is keen to try this method on a new game concept called
Spartan, which has been recently approved.
After discussion with the board, the finance director undertook some market research to find out
customers’ opinions on the new game concept and to assess potential new games offered by
competitors. The results were used to establish a target selling price of $45 for Spartan and an
estimated total sales volume of 350,000 units. Helot Co wants to achieve a target profit margin of 35%.
The finance director has also begun collecting cost data for the new game and has projected the following:
Production costs per unit
Direct material
Direct labour
Direct machining
Set-up
Inspection and testing
Total non-production costs
Design (salaries and technology)
Marketing consultants
Distribution
17
$
3·00
2·50
5·05
0·45
4·30
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$000
2,500
1,700
1,400
Which of the following statements would the finance director have used to explain to Helot Co’s
board what the benefits were of adopting a target costing approach so early in the game’s lifecycle?
1
Costs will be split into material, system, and delivery and disposal categories for
improved cost reduction analysis
2
Customer requirements for quality, cost and timescales are more likely to be included in
decisions on product development
3
Its key concept is based on how to turn material into sales as quickly as possible in order
to maximise net cash
4
The company will focus on designing out costs prior to production, rather than cost
control during live production
1, 2 and 4
2, 3 and 4
1 and 3
2 and 4
144 Revision questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
18
What is the forecast cost gap for the new game?
19
ACCA F5 Question Bank
$2·05
$0·00
$13·70
$29·25
The board of Helot Co has asked the finance director to explain what activities can be
undertaken to close a cost gap on its computer games.
Which of the following would be appropriate ways for Helot Co to close a cost gap?
1
2
3
4
Buy cheaper, lower grade plastic for the game discs and cases
Using standard components wherever possible in production
Employ more trainee game designers on lower salaries
Use the company’s own online gaming websites for marketing
1, 2 and 3
1, 3 and 4
2 and 4
2 and 3
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20
The direct labour cost per unit has been based on an expected learning rate of 90% but now the
finance director has realised that a 95% learning rate should be applied.
Which of the following statements is true?
21
The target cost will decrease and the cost gap will increase
The target cost will increase and the cost gap will decrease
The target cost will remain the same and the cost gap will increase
The target cost will remain the same and the cost gap will decrease
Helot Co is thinking about expanding its business and introducing a new computer repair service
for customers. The board has asked if target costing could be applied to this service.
Which of the following statements regarding services and the use of target costing within the
service sector is true?
The purchase of a service transfers ownership to the customer
Labour resource usage is high in services relative to material requirements
A standard service cannot be produced and so target costing cannot be used
Service characteristics include uniformity, perishability and intangibility
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
145
Life cycle costing
22
Which TWO of the following statements about life cycle costing are correct?
23
What is the name of the costing approach which identifies a product’s selling price and
establishes ways of making the product that will earn an acceptable profit?
24
25
A disadvantage of life cycle costing is that it may be difficult, at the start of a product’s
life, to arrive at a realistic estimate of the product’s costs over a number of years.
Life cycle costing is particularly suitable for innovative organisations which incur high
costs during the early stages of a product's life cycle.
Life cycle costing is particularly useful for organisations that develop products with a long
life.
The life cycle approach is designed to help organisations analyse product costs each year
easily.
Absorption costing
Activity based costing
Life cycle costing
Target costing
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Which of the following statements that have been made about life cycle costing is/are true?
Fir
True
False
It focuses on the short-term by identifying costs at the
beginning of a product’s life cycle.
It identifies all costs which arise in relation to the
product each year and then calculates the product’s
profitability on an annual basis.
It accumulates a product’s costs over its whole life time
and works out the overall profitability of a product.
It allocates costs to each stage of a product’s life cycle
and writes them off at the end of each stage.
A manufacturing company which produces a range of products has developed a budget for the
life-cycle of a new product, P. The information in the following table relates exclusively to
product P:
Design costs
Direct manufacturing costs
Depreciation costs
Decommissioning costs
Machine hours
Production and sales units
Lifetime total
$800,000
$500,000
$20,000
300,000
Per unit
$20
4
The company’s total fixed production overheads are budgeted to be $72 million each year and
total machine hours are budgeted to be 96 million hours. The company absorbs overheads on a
machine hour basis.
146 Revision questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
ACCA F5 Question Bank
What is the budgeted life-cycle cost per unit for product P?
$24·40
$25·73
$27·40
$22·73
FIT CO
The following scenario relates to questions 26-30. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Fit Co specialises in the manufacture of a small range of high-tech products for the fitness market. It is
currently considering the development of a new type of fitness monitor, which would be the first of its
kind in the market. It would take one year to develop, with sales then commencing at the beginning of
the second year. The product is expected to have a life cycle of two years, before it is replaced with a
technologically superior product. The following cost estimates have been made.
Units manufactured and sold
Research and development costs
Product design costs
Marketing costs
Manufacturing costs:
Variable cost per unit
Fixed production costs
Distribution costs:
Variable cost per unit
Fixed distribution costs
Selling costs:
Variable cost per unit
Fixed selling costs
Administration costs
27
$160,000
$800,000
$1,200,000
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Year 1
Year 2
100,000
Year 3
200,000
$1,000,000
$1,750,000
$40
$650,000
$42
$1,290,000
$4
$120,000
$4.50
$120,000
$3
$180,000
$900,000
$3.20
$180,000
$1,500,000
$200,000
Which of the following costs would be included as part of the calculation of life cycle costs?
Included
Not included
Research and development costs
Product design costs
Marketing costs
Distribution costs
Selling costs
Administration costs
Which TWO of the following are benefits of using life cycle costing?
It attempts to distinguish clearly between the costs of different periods.
It gives a good indication of the success of research and development and design activities.
It ensures that products do not enter a decline stage of their life cycle.
It matches initial costs to the revenues that the product finally earns.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
28
147
In which TWO of the following circumstances is life cycle costing particularly useful?
29
Revision questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
Products with a short life
Products with an even spread of costs and revenues over their lives
Very simple products
Products being launched in a competitive environment where time to market is very
important
After preparing the cost estimates above, Fit Co realises that it has not taken into account the
effect of the learning curve on the production process. The variable manufacturing cost per unit
above, of $40 in Year 2 and $42 in Year 3, includes a cost for 0.5 hours of labour. The Year 2 cost
per hour for labour is $24 and the Year 3 cost is $26 per hour. Subsequently, it has been
estimated that, although the first unit is expected to take 0.5 hours, a learning curve of 95% is
expected to occur until the 100th unit has been completed. The result will be that it takes a
total labour time of 35.56 hours for the first 100 units.
Calculate to the nearest $10,000, the labour cost that will be included for Year 2 in the
calculation of the life cycle cost.
$
30
000
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Further analysis has been undertaken of the costs of the new product. Now the total
manufacturing life cycle costs of the monitor are estimated to be $12,600,000 and total life
cycle costs overall of $23,000,000. The sales director believes that the maximum price of the
new monitor would be $85 and the board wishes to make a 20% profit margin on it. The
research and development and product design teams have estimated that they could undertake
extra work, with the aim of finding ways to reduce total manufacturing costs by 25%.
Calculate the maximum level of costs that could be incurred by the research and development
and product design teams if a 20% profit margin is to be achieved, assuming that the changes
they suggest successfully reduce manufacturing costs by 25%.
$
Throughput accounting
31
000
Which of the following statements about throughput accounting is/are true?
True
False
Throughput accounting is based on the concept that
there is a finite capacity at certain critical points in an
organisation’s production schedule.
Throughput accounting treats labour as a fixed cost in
the short-term.
Throughput accounting focusses on improving
efficiency by using all production facilities to their
maximum capacity.
The aim of throughput accounting is to increase the
speed with which products move through an
organisation in order to maximise profit.
148 Revision questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
32
ACCA F5 Question Bank
S Ltd manufactures three products, A, B and C. The products use a series of different machines
but there is a common machine, P, that is a bottleneck.
The selling price and standard cost for each product for the forthcoming year is as follows:
Selling price
Direct materials
Conversion costs
Machine P - minutes
A
$
200
41
55
12
B
$
150
20
40
10
C
$
150
30
66
7
Using a throughput accounting approach, what would be the ranking of the products for best
use of the bottleneck?
A
B
C
33
A company manufactures a product which requires four hours per unit of machine time.
Machine time is a bottleneck resource as there are only ten machines which are available for
12 hours per day, five days per week. The product has a selling price of $130 per unit, direct
material costs of $50 per unit, labour costs of $40 per unit and factory overhead costs of
$20 per unit. These costs are based on weekly production and sales of 150 units.
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What is the throughput accounting ratio (to 2 decimal places)?
34
1.33
2.00
0.75
0.31
Which of the following statements about the concepts underlying throughput accounting
is/are correct?
True
False
Inventory levels should be kept to a minimum.
All machines within a factory should be 100% efficient,
with no idle time.
The distinction between direct and indirect costs is not
useful.
Labour should be treated as a fixed cost that is part of
total factory cost.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
35
Revision questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
149
A manufacturing company uses three processes to make its two products, X and Y. The time
available on the three processes is reduced because of the need for preventative maintenance
and rest breaks.
The table below details the process times per product and daily time available:
Process
1
2
3
Hours
available
per day
22
22
18
Hours required
to make one unit
of product X
1·00
0·75
1·00
Hours required
to make one unit
of product Y
0·75
1·00
0·50
Daily demand for product X and product Y is 10 units and 16 units respectively.
Which of the following will improve throughput?
Increasing the efficiency of the maintenance routine for Process 2
Increasing the demand for both products
Reducing the time taken for rest breaks on Process 3
Reducing the time product X requires for Process 1
SWEET TREATS BAKERY (SECTION B, DECEMBER 2016)
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The following scenario relates to questions 36-40. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Sweet Treats Bakery makes three types of cake: brownies, muffins and cupcakes. The costs, revenues
and demand for each of the three cakes are as follows:
Batch size (units)
Selling price ($ per unit)
Material cost ($ per unit)
Labour cost ($ per unit)
Overhead ($ per unit)
Minimum daily demand (units)
Maximum daily demand (units)
Brownies
40
1.50
0.25
0.40
0.15
30
140
Muffins
30
1.40
0.15
0.45
0.20
20
90
Cupcakes
20
2.00
0.25
0.50
0.30
10
100
The minimum daily demand is required for a long-term contract with a local cafe and must be met.
The cakes are made in batches using three sequential processes; weighing, mixing and baking. The
products must be produced in their batch sizes but are sold as individual units. Each batch of cakes
requires the following amount of time for each process:
Weighing (minutes)
Mixing (minutes)
Baking (minutes)
Brownies
15
20
120
Muffins
15
16
110
Cupcakes
20
12
120
The baking stage of the process is done in three ovens which can each be used for eight hours a day, a
total of 1,440 available minutes. Ovens have a capacity of one batch per bake, regardless of product
type.
Sweet Treats Bakery uses throughput accounting and considers all costs, other than material, to be
'factory costs' which do not vary with production.
150 Revision questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
On Monday, in addition to the baking ovens, Sweet Treat Bakeries has the following process
resources available:
Process
Weighing
Mixing
Minutes available
240
180
Which of the three processes, if any, is a bottleneck activity?
37
Weighing
Mixing
Baking
There is no bottleneck
On Wednesday, the mixing process is identified as the bottleneck process. On this day, only 120
minutes in the mixing process are available.
Assuming that Sweet Treats Bakery wants to maximise profit, what is the optimal production
plan for Wednesday?
80 brownies, 30 muffins and 100 cupcakes
0 brownies, 90 muffins and 100 cupcakes
120 brownies, 0 muffins and 100 cupcakes
40 brownies, 60 muffins and 100 cupcakes
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Sweet Treats Bakery has done a detailed review of its products, costs and processes.
Which TWO of the following statements will improve the throughput accounting ratio?
39
The café customer wants to negotiate a loyalty discount.
A bulk discount on flour and sugar is available from suppliers.
There is additional demand for the cupcakes in the market.
The rent of the premises has been reduced for next year.
On Friday, due to a local food festival at the weekend, Sweet Treats Bakery is considering
increasing its production of cupcakes. These cupcakes can be sold at the festival at the existing
selling price.
The company has unlimited capacity for weighing and mixing on Friday but its existing three
ovens are already fully utilised, therefore in order to supply cupcakes to the festival, Sweet
Treats Bakery will need to hire another identical oven at a cost of $45 for the day.
How much will profit increase by if the company hires the new oven and produces as many
cupcakes as possible?
$31.00
$55.00
$95.00
$140.00
ACCA F5 Question Bank
40
Revision questions: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
151
In a previous week, the weighing process was the bottleneck and the resulting throughput ratio
(TPAR) for the bakery was 1.45.
State which of the following statements about the TPAR for the previous week are true and
which are false.
True
False
The bakery’s operating costs exceeded the total throughput
contribution generated from the three products.
Less idle time in the mixing department would have
improved the TPAR
Improved efficiency during the weighing process would have
improved the TPAR.
Environmental accounting
41
Which of the following statements about environmental cost accounting is/are true?
True
False
The majority of environmental costs are already
captured within a typical organisation’s accounting
system. The difficulty lies in identifying them.
Input/output analysis divides material flows within an
organisation into three categories: material flows,
system flows, and delivery and disposal flows.
Input/output analysis enables classification of output
as finished production, scrap and waste.
Environmental life cycle costing enables analysis of
clean-up and disposal activities relating to a product.
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42
The following are types of management accounting techniques:
I
II
III
IV
Flow cost accounting
Input/output analysis
Life-cycle costing
Absorption costing
Which of the above techniques could be used by a company to account for its environmental
costs?
I only
II and III only
I, II and III only
All of the above
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
Different management accounting techniques can be used to account for environmental costs.
One of these techniques involves analysing costs under three distinct categories: material,
system, and delivery and disposal.
What is this technique known as?
Activity-based costing
Life-cycle costing
Input-output analysis
Flow cost accounting
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Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
153
2: Decision-making techniques
Relevant cost analysis
1
Which of the following statements about relevant costing is/are true?
Decisions should always be based on future
incremental accounting profits.
When a required resource is in scarce supply, the
opportunity cost of the next best alternative use
needs to be considered.
Sunk costs are irrelevant to decision making as the
expenditure has already been incurred.
Depreciation may be a relevant cost if it is incremental
to the project being considered.
2
True
False
A company has received a special order which needs 1,000 metres of material Z. It has
800 metres of material Z in inventory, which it purchased for $5 per metre. If the inventory is
not used for this order, it would be sold for $3.75 per metre. The current price of material Z is
$4.50 per metre.
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What is the total relevant cost of material B for the special order?
$
3
The Fruit Company (F Co) currently grows fruit which customers pick themselves from the fields
before paying. F Co is concerned that a large number of customers are eating some of the fruit
whilst picking it and are therefore not paying for all of it. As a result, it has to decide whether to
hire staff to pick and package the fruit instead.
Which of the following values and costs are relevant to the decision?
Relevant
Not relevant
The total sales value of the fruit currently picked and
paid for by customers
The cost of growing the fruit
The cost of hiring staff to pick and package the fruit
The total sales value of the fruit if it is picked and
packaged by staff instead
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
LOSMETIC CO
The following scenario relates to questions 4-8. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Losmetic Co is a company producing a variety of cosmetic creams and lotions. The company has just
been asked by one of its biggest customers, a chain of stores, to produce a one-off order of creams for
a special promotion that the stores are running. The order needs to be completed within three weeks.
The following cost estimate has been prepared:
Materials
Silk powder
Silk amino acids
Aloe vera
Labour
Skilled
Unskilled
Factory overheads
Total production cost
General fixed overheads
Total cost
15,000 grams at $2.20 per gram
5,000 grams at $0.80 per gram
20,000 grams at $1.40 per gram
500 hours at $12 per hour
250 hours at $8 per hour
750 hours at $4 per hour
15% of total production cost
$
33,000
4,000
28,000
6,000
2,000
3,000
76,000
11,400
87,400
As the order is a one-off order, Losmetic Co will be quoting on a relevant cost basis, so that it can offer
as competitive a price as possible.
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Losmetic Co has sufficient inventory of all materials currently to fulfil the order. The current
replacement costs from the company’s normal supplier are silk powder $2.50 per gram, silk
amino acids $1 per gram, aloe vera $1.70 per gram.
The silk amino acids are not needed currently for any other purposes. Both the silk powder and
aloe vera are in regular use. However, owing to temporary problems with the normal supplier,
15,000 grams of aloe vera will have to be purchased from another supplier at $2 per gram, in
order to fulfil other orders if the one-off order is accepted.
Calculate the cost of materials that should be included in the quotation.
$
5
The skilled labour force is paid a guaranteed annual salary based on a 40-hour week at a rate of
$12 per hour. There is no spare capacity for the next three weeks. Overtime is paid at time and
a half. Skilled labour could be brought in from outside at a rate of $16 per hour.
There are two spare members of staff who are unskilled labour. They must be paid a minimum
of $8 per hour for a 30-hour week. Additional hours are paid at the hourly rate, but they will be
paid time and a half for the next three weeks for every hour that exceeds what they would have
worked if they worked an average 40-hour week each week.
Calculate the cost of labour that should be included in the quotation.
$
ACCA F5 Question Bank
6
Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
155
Of the factory overheads, $1.60 relates to the electricity costs connected with running the
machinery. The other $2.40 is the cost of the supervisor’s salary. The supervisor is paid an
annual salary that is the equivalent of $40 per hour. He receives a premium of 25% on this rate
for overtime, which he is paid on an hourly basis. He is expected to work 15 hours’ overtime if
Losmetic Co accepts this order.
Calculate the cost that should be included in the quotation for factory overheads.
$
7
How should the general fixed overheads be treated when preparing the quotation?
8
The overheads should be included because they are production costs.
The overheads should be excluded because they are not opportunity costs.
The overheads should be excluded because they are not incremental costs.
The overheads should be included to ensure Losmetic Co makes a profit from the order.
Which of the following statements about relevant costing is/are true?
True
False
All cash expenses are relevant costs, all non-cash
expenses are non-relevant costs.
Notional costs are never relevant costs.
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Fixed costs are never relevant costs.
Not all future costs are relevant costs.
Cost volume profit analysis
9
The following statements have been made about CVP analysis:
Which of the following statements about CVP analysis is/are true?
10
True
False
CVP can help a company assess how sensitive its profits
might be to below budget performance.
CVP analysis uses a total absorption costing approach.
CVP analysis is flexible enough to deal with changes in
both variable and fixed costs at different levels of activity.
Break-even analysis can only be used for a single product
or for multiple products which are sold in a constant mix.
A company makes a single product which it sells for $3 per unit.
Fixed costs are $18,000 per month.
The contribution/sales ratio is 60%.
Sales revenue is $43,500.
What is the margin of safety in units?
156 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
11
ACCA F5 Question Bank
P Co makes two products – P1 and P2 – budgeted details of which are as follows:
Selling price
Cost per unit:
Direct materials
Direct labour
Variable overhead
Fixed overhead
Profit per unit
P1
$
10·00
P2
$
8·00
3·50
1·50
0·60
1·20
3·20
4·00
1·00
0·40
1·00
1·60
Budgeted production and sales for the year ended 30 November 2015 are:
Product P1
Product P2
10,000 units
12,500 units
The fixed overhead costs included in P1 relate to apportionment of general overhead costs only.
However, P2 also includes specific fixed overheads totalling $2,500.
If only product P1 were to be made, how many units (to the nearest unit) would need to be
sold in order to achieve a profit of $60,000 each year?
25,625 units
19,205 units
18,636 units
26,406 units
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13
Which of the following are required in order to calculate the break-even sales revenue for a
manufacturing company which produces multiple products?
Required
Not required
Product mix ratio
Contribution to sales ratio for each product
General fixed costs
Method of apportioning general fixed costs
Christine Co makes two products, the sara and the cristina. Production and sales of the sara are
three times that of the cristina. Each unit of the sara makes a contribution of $12, each unit of
the cristina makes a contribution of $7. Fixed costs are $269,000.
How many units of both products taken together must be made and sold to achieve a profit of
$75,000?
14
A company makes and sells product X and product Y. Twice as many units of product Y are made
and sold as that of product X. Each unit of product X makes a contribution of $10 and each unit
of product Y makes a contribution of $4. Fixed costs are $90,000.
What is the total number of units which must be made and sold to make a profit of $45,000?
7,500
22,500
15,000
16,875
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
157
HARE EVENTS (SECTION B, DECEMBER 2016)
The following scenario relates to questions 15-19. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Hare Events is a company which specialises in organising sporting events in major cities across
Teeland. It has approached the local council of Edglas, a large city in the north of Teeland, to request
permission to host a running festival which will include both a full marathon and a half marathon race.
Based on the prices it charges for entry to similar events in other locations, Hare Events has decided
on an entry fee of $55 for the full marathon and $30 for the half marathon. It expects that the
maximum entries will be 20,000 for the full marathon and 14,000 for the half marathon.
Hare Events has done a full assessment of the likely costs involved. Each runner will receive a race pack
on completion of the race which will include a medal, t-shirt, water and chocolate. Water stations will
need to be available at every five kilometre (km) point along the race route, stocked with sufficient
supplies of water, sports drinks and gels. These costs are considered to be variable as they depend on
the number of race entries.
Hare Events will also incur the following fixed costs. It will need to pay a fixed fee to the Edglas council
for permits, road closures and support from the local police and medical services. A full risk
assessment needs to be undertaken for insurance purposes. A marketing campaign is planned via
advertising on running websites, in fitness magazines and at other events Hare Events is organising in
Teeland, and the company which Hare Events usually employs to do the race photography has been
approached.
Race packs
Water stations
Council fees
Risk assessment and insurance
Marketing
Photography
15
Full marathon
$
15.80
2.40
Half marathon
$
10.80
1.20
$
300,000
50,000
30,000
5,000
If Hare Events decides to host only the full marathon race, what is the margin of safety?
16
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The details of these costs are shown below:
35.0%
47.7%
52.3%
65.0%
Assuming that the race entries are sold in a constant sales mix, based on the expected race
entry numbers, what is the sales revenue that Hare Events needs to achieve in order to break
even (to the nearest $000)
$385,000
$575,000
$592,000
$597,000
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
Hare Events wishes to achieve a minimum total profit of $500,000 from the running festival.
What are the number of entries Hare Events will have to sell for each race in order to achieve
this level of profit, assuming a constant sales mix based on the expected race entry numbers
applies? Work to the nearest whole number.
18
Full marathon: 17,915 entries Half marathon: 12,540 entries
Full marathon: 14,562 entries Half marathon: 18,688 entries
Full marathon: 20,000 entries Half marathon: 8,278 entries
Full marathon: 9,500 entries Half marathon: 6,650 entries
Hare Events is also considering including a 10 km race during the running festival. It expects the
race will have an entry fee of $20 per competitor and variable costs of $8 per competitor. Fixed
costs associated with this race will be $48,000.
If the selling price per competitor, the variable cost per competitor and total fixed costs for
this 10 km race all increase by 10%, which of the following statements will be true?
Break-even volume will increase by 10% and break-even revenue will increase by 10%.
Break-even volume will remain unchanged but break-even revenue will increase by 10%.
Break-even volume will decrease by 10% but break-even revenue will remain unchanged.
Break-even volume and break-even revenue will both remain the same.
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19
Which of the following statements relating to cost volume profit analysis are true?
(i)
Production levels and sales levels are assumed to be the same so there is no inventory
movement.
(ii)
The contribution to sales (C/S ratio) can be used to indicate the relative profitability of
different products.
(iii)
CVP analysis assumes that fixed costs will change if output either falls or increases
significantly.
(iv)
Sales prices are recognised to vary at different levels of activity especially if higher
volume of sales is needed
(i), (ii) and (iii)
(ii), (iii) and (iv)
(i) and (ii)
(iii) and (iv)
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
159
Limiting factors
20
A company uses the linear programming model to find the optimal production plan for its two
products X and Y. The model considers ‘x’ to be number of units of product X and ‘y’ to be the
number of units of product Y.
It has identified the following equations:
Objective function = Maximise 8x + 12y
Subject to the following constraints:
Material 2x + y ≤ 2,000
Unskilled labour: x + y ≤ 1,500
and x ≥ 400
What is the optimal solution for the output of X and Y?
X
Y
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Taylor Co manufactures two products, A and B, and any quantities produced can be sold for
$30 per unit and $25 per unit respectively.
Fir
Variable costs per unit of the two products are as follows:
Materials (at $2 per kg)
Labour (at $5 per hour)
Other variable costs
Total
Product A
$
8
10
7
25
Product B
$
6
5
3
14
Next month, only 3,200 kg of material and 2,000 labour hours will be available. The company
aims to maximise its profits each month and wants to use the linear programming model to
establish an optimum production plan.
The model considers ‘x’ to be number of units of Product A and ‘y’ to be the number of units of
Product B.
Which of the following statements of objective function and constraints is correct?
Objective function
30x + 25y
5x + 11y
5x + 11y
30x + 25y
Material constraint
4x +3y ≤ 3,200
4x + 3y ≥ 3,200
4x + 3y ≤ 3,200
4x + 3y ≥ 3,200
Labour constraint
2x + y ≤ 2,000
2x + y ≥ 2,000
2x + y ≤ 2,000
2x + y ≥ 2,000
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
A linear programming model has been formulated for two products, X and Y. The objective
function is depicted by the formula C = 5X + 6Y, where C = contribution, X = the number of
product X to be produced and Y = the number of product Y to be produced.
Each unit of X uses 2 kg of material Z and each unit of Y uses 3 kg of material Z. The standard
cost of material Z is $2 per kg.
The shadow price for material Z has been worked out and found to be $2·80 per kg.
If an extra 20 kg of material Z becomes available at $2 per kg, what will the maximum
increase in contribution be?
23
Increase of $96
Increase of $56
Increase of $16
No change
A company manufactures three products using different amounts of the same grade of labour,
which is in short supply.
The following budgeted data relates to the products:
Per unit:
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Selling price
Materials ($2 per kg)
Labour ($10 per hour
Variable overheads
Fixed overheads
Profit per unit
P1
$
120
(40)
(10)
(20)
(6)
44
P2
$
140
(32)
(20)
(28)
(9)
51
Rank the products 1,2,3 in the order they should be manufactured, assuming that the
company wants to maximise profits.
Ranking
P1
P2
P3
P3
$
95
(22)
(11)
(24)
(12)
26
ACCA F5 Question Bank
24
Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
161
A jewellery company makes rings (R) and necklaces (N).
The resources available to the company have been analysed and two constraints have been
identified:
Labour time
Machine time
3R + 2N ≤ 2,400 hours
0·5R + 0·4N ≤ 410 hours
The management accountant has used linear programming to determine that R = 500 and N =
400.
Which of the following is/are slack resources?
1
Labour time available
2
Machine time available
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
HIGGINS CO
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The following scenario relates to questions 25-29. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Higgins Co (HC) manufactures and sells pool cues and snooker cues. The cues both use the same type
of good quality wood (ash), which can be difficult to source in sufficient quantity. The supply of ash is
restricted to 5,400 kg per period. Ash costs $43.20 per kg.
The cues are made by skilled craftsmen who are well known for their workmanship. HC’s craftsmen
are generally only able to work for 12,000 hours in a period. The craftsmen are paid $18 per hour.
HC sells the cues to a large market. Demand for the cues is strong and the company has estimated that
up to 15,000 pool cues and 12,000 snooker cues can be sold in any period. The selling price for pool
cues is $41 and the selling price for snooker cues is $69.
Manufacturing details for the two products are as follows.
Craftsmen time per cue
Ash per cue
Other variable costs per cue
Pool cues
0.5 hours
250 g
$1.20
Snooker cues
0.75 hours
250 g
$4.70
HC does not keep inventory.
25
Calculate the maximum contribution that HC could earn if ash and labour were not constraints.
$
26
Calculate the number of pool and snooker cues HC would manufacture if demand for both types
of cue was not a constraint and assuming HC continues to manufacture both types of cue.
162 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
27
If the amount of ash available was increased to 7,000 kg and the amount of skilled labour
available was increased to 16,000 hours, which of the following statements would be true,
assuming maximum demand for pool cues was 15,000 and maximum demand for snooker cues
was 12,000?
28
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Labour would remain a constraint but ash would no longer be a constraint.
Ash would remain a constraint but labour would no longer be a constraint.
Both labour and ash would still be constraints.
Neither labour nor ash would be constraints.
Assume that the constraints that limit HC are the constraints on labour available and the
demand for snooker cues. Under these constraints 6,000 pool cues are made. The contribution
for snooker cues has recently increased to $45 per cue and for pool cues to $25 per cue.
Some of the craftsmen have offered to work overtime, provided that they are paid double time
for the extra hours over the contracted 12,000 hours. HC has estimated that up to 1,200 hours
per period could be gained in this way.
Calculate the shadow price of labour.
$
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29
Which of the following statements relating to limited factor analysis or linear programming
is/are true?
True
False
The objective function is the function relating to the
limitation of the scarce resource.
The constraints in graphical linear programming analysis
are drawn as straight lines.
The shadow price is only significant for constraints that
are binding.
There will be slack if less than the maximum amount
available of a limited resource is needed.
Pricing decisions
30
Which of the following statements about price elasticity of demand is/are true?
True
False
If PED < 1, total revenue will rise if the selling price of
the product is increased.
If PED >1, the demand is said to be inelastic.
PED may be at different levels at different points on the
demand curve.
If a downward demand curve changes to become
steeper, demand is becoming more elastic.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
31
Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
163
A company’s demand curve is P = 34 – 0.05Q. It experiences some cost discounts if it produces
200 units or more, so its cost function is as follows:
TC = 1,500 + 3Q (up to Q = 199)
TC = 1,900 + 2.8Q (if Q = 200 or more)
What is the optimum selling quantity and price, to the nearest $0.01?
Quantity
Price $
32
A company wishes to enter two different new markets.
In market A, it has estimated that demand will be relatively elastic.
In market B, demand is likely to be relatively inelastic initially.
Which price strategy is most appropriate for the company to use in each market?
33
34
Price
discrimination
Penetration
pricing
Market
skimming
A
B
True
False
Target costing results in a market driven selling price.
Cost-plus pricing only works if the % mark-up is applied
to total absorption costing.
A cost-plus pricing policy will always result in a profit for
the company.
Penetration pricing aims to recover the high initial costs
of product development.
Which TWO of the following circumstances that may arise in relation to the launch of a new
product favour a penetration pricing policy?
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Which of the following statements about pricing is/are true?
Demand is relatively inelastic.
There are significant economies of scale.
The firm wishes to discourage new entrants to the market.
The product life cycle is particularly short.
Which of the following statements regarding market penetration as a pricing strategy is/are
correct?
1
2
It is useful if significant economies of scale can be achieved
It is useful if demand for a product is highly elastic
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
ALG CO
The following scenario relates to questions 36-40. Each question is worth 2 marks.
ALG Co is launching two new, innovative, products onto the market and is trying to decide on the right
launch price for them.
The first product’s expected life is three years. Given the high level of costs which have been incurred
in developing the product, ALG Co wants to ensure that it sets its price at the right level and has
therefore consulted a market research company to help it do this. The research, which relates to
similar but not identical products launched by other companies, has revealed that at a price of $60,
annual demand would be expected to be 250,000 units.
However, for every $2 increase in selling price, demand would be expected to fall by 2,000 units and
for every $2 decrease in selling price, demand would be expected to increase by 2,000 units.
A forecast of the annual production costs which would be incurred by ALG Co in relation to the new
product are as follows:
Annual production (units)
Direct material
Direct labour
Overheads
200,000
$
2,400,000
1,200,000
1,400,000
250,000
$
3,000,000
1,500,000
1,550,000
300,000
$
3,600,000
1,800,000
1,700,000
350,000
$
4,200,000
2,100,000
1,850,000
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36
Calculate the total fixed overheads for this product, using the high-low method.
$
37
Given the data above, which of the following is the correct formulation of the demand function?
38
P = 190 – 0·001x
P = 250 – 0·001x
P = 250 – 0·0005x
P = 310 – 0·001x
The second product’s variable costs have been identified as $20 per unit and its demand
function has been formulated as 240 – 0.001x.
Calculate the expected revenue for the product.
$
39
ALG Co plans to adopt a policy of market skimming for the two new products.
In which TWO of the following situations is market skimming an appropriate policy?
Customers are prepared to pay high prices to obtain a new product.
Products have a long life cycle.
Barriers to entry deter competitors.
There are significant economies of scale connected with output.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
40
Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
165
One of the directors has read about the market penetration pricing policy and wishes to have an
idea of what the differences are between market penetration and market skimming policies.
In which of the following situations would a market skimming policy be more likely to be
used, and in which situations would a market penetration policy be more likely to be used?
Skimming
Penetration
The level of demand is unknown.
Demand is expected to be elastic.
ALG Co can discourage competitors from entering the
market.
ALG has excess production capacity.
Make-or-buy and other short-term decisions
41
A business makes two components which it uses to produce one of its products. Details are:
Component A
$
14
Per unit information:
Buy in price
Material
Labour
Variable overheads
General fixed overheads
Total absorption cost
Component B
$
17
2
4
6
4
16
5
6
7
3
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The business wishes to maximise contribution and is considering whether to continue making
the components internally or buy in from outside.
Which components should the company buy in from outside in order to maximise its
contribution?
A only
B only
Both A and B
Neither A nor B
THREE DEPARTMENTS
The following scenario relates to questions 42-46. Each question is worth 2 marks.
The following are performance figures for three retail departments operated by a shop.
Sales
Variable costs
Share of fixed shop overheads
Profit/loss
Café
$
10,000
7,000
5,000
(2,000)
Bedding
$
25,000
13,000
6,000
6,000
Furniture
$
50,000
29,000
8,000
13,000
Total
$
85,000
49,000
19,000
17,000
The furniture department is located on the ground floor of the shop, and the bedding department and
café are located on the fifth floor.
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
The following statements have been made about the café:
1
The café should be closed down as it is loss making.
2
Without the café, the shop’s total profit would be higher.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
43
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
You have been informed that if the café is shut down, fixed shop overheads of $3,500 would be
saved, but the bedding department is likely to lose 10% of its revenues.
If the café is closed, what will the new profit figure be?
$
44
Which of the following is the most likely explanation of why the bedding department will lose
10% of its revenues?
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45
If the café is shut, what measure can the shop take that is most likely to prevent the bedding
department losing 10% of its revenues?
46
Customers often visit the café after they have been in the bedding department.
Customers have to go through the bedding department to get to the café.
Customers often visit the furniture department and the café department together.
The bedding department and café are complementary.
Let the bedding department also occupy the area formerly occupied by the café
Relocate the bedding department next to the furniture department on the ground floor
Adopt a policy of product line pricing on beds
Adopt a policy of relevant cost pricing on beds
One of the directors has argued that one argument for keeping the café is that it increases the
overall level of customer satisfaction with the store. Which of the following is the most helpful
measure of the customer satisfaction generated by the café?
New items added to the café’s menu
Length of queues in the café
% occupancy of the tables in the café
Profits made by the café
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
167
CHEMCO
The following scenario relates to questions 47-51. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Chemco imports different grades of fertiliser which it sells in bulk to farmers. All products currently
make a profit. Chemco has now decided to consider refining the fertilisers by further processing, in
order to sell it to individuals for domestic use.
The quantities and associated costs are as follows:
Fertiliser
Current monthly sales quantity
Current sales price per kg (farmers)
After further processing:
Sales price per kg (individual customers)
Further processing cost per kg
47
Basic
100 kg
$5
Medium
grade
40 kg
$7
$5.5
$0.60
$8
$0.80
Premium
60 kg
$10
$13
$2
The following statements have been made about the fertilisers:
1
The basic fertiliser should only ever be sold in bulk to farmers.
2
If Chemco can obtain additional supplies, medium grade fertiliser should be sold to both
farmers and to individuals for domestic use.
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Which of the above statements is/are true?
48
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
Assume the available quantity of fertiliser that Chemco can obtain is limited each month by
import quotas, but that there are no restrictions on sales demand.
To which type or types of customer should each fertiliser be sold, in order to maximise
profits?
Basic
49
Farmers
Individual customers
Medium grade
Premium
Chemco has just gained a new contract. The fertiliser it has agreed to supply needs a chemical
added as part of the refining process. The chemical is in stock but is in short supply and is also
needed by the company on an existing contract. Since the chemical is relatively unstable, any
excess inventory has to be disposed of after six months.
What is the total relevant cost of the chemical required for the new contract?
The replacement cost of the chemical
The price at which the chemical could be sold in the outside market
The contribution (excluding chemical cost) foregone from using the chemical in the
existing contract
The disposal cost of the chemical
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
Another fertiliser that Chemco sells requires two chemicals as part of the refining process. To
produce 100 kg of the fertiliser, a standard input mix of 6 litres of Chemical A and 14 litres of
Chemical B is required.
Chemical A has a standard cost of $30 per litre and Chemical B has a standard cost of $40 per litre.
During last month, the actual results showed that 5,000 kg of the fertiliser X were produced,
using a total input of 31,000 litres of Chemical A and 72,500 litres of Chemical B (103,500 litres
in total).
The actual costs of Chemicals A and B were at the standard cost of $20 and $25 per litre respectively.
Calculate the materials mix variance.
$...................
51
Adverse
Favourable
In which of the following circumstances would it NOT be reasonable to calculate a materials mix
variance?
Proportions in the mix are changeable.
Proportions in the mix can be controlled.
The chemicals used in the mix are discrete.
The usage variance of individual chemicals is of limited value.
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Dealing with risk and uncertainty in decision-making
52
53
Which of the following statements about uncertainty in decision-making is/are true?
True
False
Mystery shopping may be used to reduce the
uncertainty associated with making changes to an
existing product or launching a new one.
Sensitivity involves identifying a number of possible
outcomes that may arise if the project goes ahead.
Focus groups are used to provide qualitative data
about new products.
Pay-off tables record all possible outcomes.
Tree Co is considering employing a sales manager. Market research has shown that a good sales
manager can increase profit by 30%, an average one by 20% and a poor one by 10%. Experience
has shown that the company has attracted a good sales manager 35% of the time, an average
one 45% of the time and a poor one 20% of the time.
The company’s normal profits are $180,000 per annum and the sales manager’s salary would be
$40,000 per annum.
Based on the expected value criterion, which of the following represents the correct advice
which Tree Co should be given?
Do not employ a sales manager as profits would be expected to fall by $1,300
Employ a sales manager as profits will increase by $38,700
Employ a sales manager as profits are expected to increase by $100
Do not employ a sales manager as profits are expected to fall by $39,900
ACCA F5 Question Bank
54
Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
169
The Mobile Sandwich Co prepares sandwiches which it delivers and sells to employees at local
businesses each day. Demand varies between 325 and 400 sandwiches each day. As the day
progresses, the price of the sandwiches is reduced and, at the end of the day, any sandwiches
not sold are thrown away. The company has prepared a regret table to show the amount of
profit which would be foregone each day at each supply level, given the varying daily levels of
demand.
Regret table
Daily supply of sandwiches (units)
325
350
375
$0
$21
$82
$36
$0
$44
$82
$40
$0
$142
$90
$52
325
350
375
400
Daily demand
for sandwiches (units)
400
$120
$78
$34
$0
Applying the decision criterion of minimax regret, how many sandwiches should the company
decide to supply each day?
55
325
350
375
400
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Which THREE of the following statements about the use of Expected values (EV) are correct?
They are useful because they take account of the spread of possible returns
They can be used for one-off investment decisions
The average value generated may not actually represent a possible outcome
They allow different possible outcomes to be built into a decision
They represent a long-run average if an event is repeated many times
The probabilities of different possible outcomes are usually easy to estimate
THREE PRODUCTS
The following scenario relates to questions 56-60. Each question is worth 2 marks.
The matrix below shows the various contribution outcomes for three products, X, Y, and Z, depending
on whether the product price is $10 or the product price is $15.
Product
X
Y
Z
56
P = $10
60
-28
50
Profit
P = $15
80
160
90
Using expected values, which product should be chosen?
Project X
Project Y
Project Z
It is impossible to say
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If the two product prices are equally likely to occur, which product or products should be chosen?
58
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Product X
Product Y
Product Z
Either Project X or Project Z
If the variable cost of Product X is $7, calculate the fall in the number of units sold if the Product
price is $15 compared with if it is $10.
units
59
If the quantity sold of Product Z was 10 when the price was $10 and 9 when the price was $15,
what would be the demand function for Product Z?
5 – 0.2Q
50 – 0.2Q
50 – 5Q
60 – 5Q
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60
Which of the following is/are disadvantages of using marginal cost plus pricing?
Disadvantage
Not disadvantage
It ignores fixed costs.
The mark-up % cannot be varied.
Budgeted output volume needs to be established.
The basis it uses for absorption of fixed overheads is
arbitrary.
SANDRUNNER
The following scenario relates to questions 61-65. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Sandrunner golf club is setting its annual membership fee, which will affect the number of members.
The forecast annual cash inflows from membership fees are shown below.
Membership fee
$300
$400
$450
$500
61
Low
$000
180
200
180
160
Membership fees
Average
$000
210
220
205
190
If the maximax decision-making technique is applied the fee set would be:
$300
$400
$450
$500
High
$000
270
240
245
210
ACCA F5 Question Bank
62
It presupposes an attitude of risk aversion.
It ignores the probabilities of different outcomes.
It ignores outcomes that are less than the best possible.
It assumes there are opportunity losses.
If the minimax regret decision making technique is applied the fee set would be:
64
171
Which TWO of the following are criticisms of using the maximax technique?
63
Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
$300
$400
$450
$500
The committee has now decided to set the fee at $300 or $400 for the next year. For both
outcomes the probabilities are Low 0.5 Average 0.3 High 0.2. A golf club member who is a
marketing consultant has offered to carry out a survey of possible members to determine with
certainty what the outcome will be.
Calculate the maximum amount that the marketing consultant should be paid for his work.
$
65
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Over the longer-term, the committee are concerned with the increased costs of running the golf
club. It believes that it may be able to maximise cash flow from members by introducing
differential membership fees, so that the fees members pay will depend to some extent on how
frequently they use facilities offered by the club.
Which TWO of the following is the committee MOST likely to take into account when
considering whether to introduce differential membership fees?
The subscriptions charged by other golf clubs in the area
The profits made by the club shop
The amount of usage of the course at weekends (the busiest time of the week)
The number of members using the club’s restaurant facilities
172 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
ACCA F5 Question Bank
MYLO (SECTION B, SEPTEMBER 2016)
The following scenario relates to Questions 66 – 70. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Mylo runs a cafeteria situated on the ground floor of a large corporate office block. Each of the five
floors of the building are occupied and there are in total 1,240 employees.
Mylo sells lunches and snacks in the cafeteria. The lunch menu is freshly prepared each morning and
Mylo has to decide how many meals to make each day. As the office block is located in the city centre,
there are several other places situated around the building where staff can buy their lunch, so the level
of demand for lunches in the cafeteria is uncertain.
Mylo has analysed daily sales over the previous six months and established four possible demand
levels and their associated probabilities. He has produced the following payoff table to show the daily
profits which could be earned from the lunch sales in the cafeteria:
Demand level
Probability
450
620
775
960
0·15
0·30
0·40
0·15
450
$
1,170
1,170
1,170
1,170
Supply level
620
775
$
$
980
810
1,612
1,395
1,612
2,015
1,612
2,015
960
$
740
1,290
1,785
2,496
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66
If Mylo adopts a maximin approach to decision-making, which daily supply level will he choose?
67
If Mylo adopts a minimax regret approach to decision-making, which daily supply level will he
choose?
68
450 lunches
620 lunches
775 lunches
960 lunches
450 lunches
620 lunches
775 lunches
960 lunches
Which of the following statements is/are true if Mylo chooses to use expected values to assist in
his decision-making regarding the number of lunches to be provided?
1
2
3
4
Mylo would be considered to be taking a defensive and conservative approach to his
decision
Expected values will ignore any variability which could occur across the range of possible
outcomes
Expected values will not take into account the likelihood of the different outcomes
occurring
Expected values can be applied by Mylo as he is evaluating a decision which occurs many
times over
1, 2 and 3
2 and 4
1 and 3
4 only
ACCA F5 Question Bank
69
Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
173
The human resources department has offered to undertake some research to help Mylo to
predict the number of employees who will require lunch in the cafeteria each day. This
information will allow Mylo to prepare an accurate number of lunches each day.
What is the maximum amount which Mylo would be willing to pay for this information (to the
nearest whole $)?
70
$191
$359
$478
$175
Mylo is now considering investing in a speciality coffee machine. He has estimated the following
daily results for the new machine:
$
1,300
(845)
455
(70)
385
Sales (650 units)
Variable costs
Contribution
Incremental fixed costs
Profit
Which of the following statements are true regarding the sensitivity of this investment?
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1
The investment is more sensitive to a change in sales volume than sales price
2
If variable costs increase by 44% the investment will make a loss
3
The investment’s sensitivity to incremental fixed costs is 550%
4
The margin of safety is 84·6%
1, 2 and 3
2 and 4
1, 3 and 4
3 and 4
174 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
3: Budgeting and control
Budgetary systems and type of budget
1
Which of the following statements about budgeting is/are true?
True
False
A rolling budget is a budget that starts at nil every
period and requires managers to justify every item of
expenditure.
A cash flow budget is a good example of feed-forward
control.
An incremental budget is a budget which, having been
established at the beginning of a period is then
constantly amended and extended on account of
developing circumstances.
An advantage of activity-based budgets is that they
enable more efficient improvement programmes to be
implemented.
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2
Match the following examples of information to the category of information to which they relate.
Internal
historic
External
historic
Internal
anticipated
External
anticipated
Purchases made by
customers
Cash flow forecast for
the next five years
Inventory movement
records
Government inflation
statistics
3
Match the following descriptions of standards to the standards which they describe
Attainable
Basic
Ideal
Current
Kept unchanged over a
period of time
Makes no allowance for
normal losses, waste and
machine downtime
Assumes an efficient level of
operation, but includes
allowances for normal loss,
waste and machine
downtime
Based on working conditions
and prices that apply now
ACCA F5 Question Bank
4
5
6
7
175
Which of the following statements about changing budgetary systems is/are true?
True
False
The costs of implementation may outweigh the benefits.
Employees will always welcome any new system which
improves planning and control within the organisation.
The time and cost involved in the system transition may initially
lead to control being worse not better.
Employees will adapt easily to the new system and this will
increase their motivation.
Which of the following statements about the master budget is/are true?
True
False
It sets out the timetable for budget preparation.
It is usually prepared before the functional budgets.
It includes a budgeted statement of profit or loss,
statement of financial position and cash budget.
It is always prepared on a top-down basis.
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Which of the following statements about zero based budgeting is/are true?
True
False
It makes it easier for employees to artificially inflate
budgets.
It facilitates improvements in processes.
Employees will focus on eliminating wasteful
expenditure.
Short-term benefits could be emphasised over longterm benefits.
Which FOUR of the following are purposes of budgeting?
8
Revision questions: 3: Budgeting and control
Co-ordination
Communication
Quantification
Motivation
Quality control
Authorisation
Jen Co operates in a dynamic environment.
Which budgeting approach is most likely to be suitable for Jen Co?
Fixed budgets
Incremental budgeting
Bottom-up budgeting
Zero-based budgeting
176 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
9
ACCA F5 Question Bank
RS has recently introduced an activity based budgeting system. RS manufactures two products,
details of which are given below:
Product R
80,000
100
3
3
Budgeted production per annum (units)
Batch size (units)
Machine set-ups per batch
Processing time per unit (minutes)
Product S
60,000
50
3
5
The budgeted annual costs for two activities are as follows:
Machine set-up $180,000 Processing
$108,000
What is the budgeted processing cost per unit of Product R, to the nearest $0.01?
$
10
Which TWO of the following are advantages of flexible budgeting?
It is useful for decision-making purposes.
It is quicker to carry out than fixed budgeting.
It provides appropriate benchmarks for cost control.
It encourages the organisation to review the value of all its activities.
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KENNETH CO
The following scenario relates to questions 11-15. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Kenneth Co makes many products, one of which is Product Z. Kenneth Co is considering making
various changes to the way it approaches the budgeting process, including adopting an activity-based
costing approach in place of the current practice of absorbing overheads using direct labour hours.
The main budget categories and cost driver details for October are set out below, excluding direct
material costs:
Budget category
Direct labour
Set-up costs
Quality testing costs*
Other overhead costs
$
128,000
22,000
34,000
32,000
Cost driver details
8,000 direct labour hours
88 set-ups each month
40 tests each month
absorbed by direct labour hours
* A quality test is performed after every 75 units produced
The following data for Product Z is also provided:
Direct materials: budgeted cost of $21·50 per unit
Direct labour: budgeted at 0·3 hours per unit
Batch size: 30 units
Set-ups: 2 set-ups per batch
Budgeted volume for October: 150 units
11
Calculate, to the nearest $0.01, the budgeted unit cost of Product Z for October using a direct
labour-based absorption method for all overheads.
$
ACCA F5 Question Bank
12
Revision questions: 3: Budgeting and control
177
Calculate, to the nearest $0.01, the budgeted unit cost of Product Z for October using an
activity-based costing approach for all overheads.
$
13
Kenneth Co is currently using an incremental approach to budgeting, but its Finance Director
wishes to switch to a zero-based approach.
Which of the following are advantages of the incremental approach to budgeting?
14
Advantage
Not advantage
It encourages managers to spend up to the maximum
allowed in the budget.
It is a straightforward approach for inexperienced
managers to apply.
It is suitable for organisations where historic costs are
a good guide to future costs.
It forces employees to avoid wasteful expenditure.
Which of the following describes a zero-based budgeting approach?
15
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Updating the budget regularly and controlling performance with the use of variance
analysis that analyses variances into planning and operational variances
Using the current year’s results as a starting point and updating the budget for changes in
activity or inflation
Analysing the cost of each activity, identifying alternative ways of performing the activity
and assessing the consequences of performing the activity at different levels or not at all
Using an adaptive management process to prepare budgets that are focused on cash
flows rather than cost control
Which TWO of the following are disadvantages of the zero-based approach to budgeting?
Zero-based budgeting does not respond to changes in the economic environment.
It is difficult to rank activities that have qualitative rather than quantitative benefits.
It restricts management from changing plans once the budget has been approved.
Operational managers will become less motivated if zero-based budgeting is introduced,
as they will not be involved in the budgeting process.
178 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Quantitative analysis in budgeting
16
The total costs for a factory’s first four month’s production are as follows:
Month
January
February
March
April
Output
(units)
11,000
15,000
10,000
13,000
Total cost
($)
12,000
17,500
12,500
16,000
If a = total fixed costs and b = variable cost per unit, the values of a and b determined by the
high-low method are as follows:
a$
b$
17
A worker takes 2 hours to produce the first unit of a product, but gets faster so that after a total
of 11.664 hours, 8 units have been completed in total.
What is the learning rate, to the nearest 0.1%?
%
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18
A company’s production process involves a learning effect but the Production Manager has
indicated this will cease after 200 units have been made for the following reasons:
I
II
III
Restrictions on availability of other resources e.g. machine time
Staff working at maximum physical capacity
Lack of incentives to encourage further improvement
Which of the above are valid reasons for reaching a steady state or production?
19
I only
I and II only
II and III only
All of the above
A learning curve would be expected to apply in the production of items which exhibit which of
the following features?
Apply
Not apply
Simple to make
Made largely by labour efforts
Mass-produced
New product
Continuous production
ACCA F5 Question Bank
20
Revision questions: 3: Budgeting and control
179
The following table shows the number of clients who attended a particular accountancy practice
over the last four weeks and the total costs incurred during each of the weeks:
Week
Number of clients
1
2
3
4
400
440
420
460
Total cost
$
36,880
39,840
36,800
40,000
Applying the high low method to the above information, which of the following could be used
to forecast total cost ($) from the number of clients expected to attend (where x = the
expected number of clients)?
21
7,280 + 74x
16,080 + 52x
3,200 + 80x
40,000/x
Tech World is a company which manufactures mobile phone handsets. From its past
experiences, Tech World has realised that whenever a new design engineer is employed, there
is a learning curve with a 75% learning rate which exists for the first 15 jobs.
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A new design engineer has just completed his first job in five hours.
Fir
Note: At the learning rate of 75%, the learning factor (b) is equal to –0·415.
How long would it take the design engineer to complete the sixth job?
2·377 hours
1·442 hours
2·564 hours
5 hours
COMFYNAP CO
The following scenario relates to questions 22-26. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Comfynap Co manufactures beds and other types of recliners.
The company has been developing a new bed, designed to give extra comfort. The estimated time for
the first bed is 15 hours but the Production Director expected a learning curve of 80% to apply to the
first 32 units produced, meaning that the cumulative total time for 32 units is expected to be 157.25
hours.
The cost of labour is $60 per hour.
22
Calculate the expected labour cost of the 32nd unit to the nearest $.
$
180 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
23
ACCA F5 Question Bank
32 units of the bed have now been produced. The first bed actually took 25 hours to make and the
total time for the first 32 beds was 110 hours, at which point the learning effect came to an end.
Calculate the actual rate of learning that occurred, to the nearest 0.1%.
%
24
Comfynap Co has also been developing a lounge recliner. The Production Director had assumed
that a learning rate of 75% would apply to the manufacture of the recliner. However, after
initial production had been completed, it was found that a learning rate of 83% had applied.
Which TWO of the following statements could explain the difference between the expected
learning rate and the actual learning rate?
25
Assembly of the recliner was labour-intensive and repetitive.
There was high staff turnover during the initial phase of production.
There were a number of delays in the production process.
The design of the recliner was changed once the initial phase of production was over.
Comfynap Co is also developing a garden recliner. The Production and Sales Directors are trying
to formulate a budget for this product. The Production Director has guaranteed that production
will be matched to demand, but demand is uncertain.
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The directors have identified the following as possible outcomes.
Worst possible outcome
Most likely outcome
Best possible outcome
Demand
(units)
15,000
28,000
50,000
Probability
0.2
0.7
0.1
The selling price will be $100. The variable cost is $40 for any production level up to 20,000
units. If production is higher than 20,000 units, then the variable cost per unit will fall to $35.
The $35 variable cost will be expected to apply to all units at that level.
Expected fixed costs are $200,000.
Using probabilistic budgeting, calculate the expected budgeted contribution of the product.
$
26
The Head Office of Comfynap Co is concerned about the number of problems that have
occurred with the budgets that managers have prepared using spreadsheets.
Which of the following is/are significant disadvantages with using spreadsheets for budgeting?
Disadvantage
Not disadvantage
It can be difficult to manipulate information on
spreadsheets.
It can be difficult to identify errors in formulae used in
spreadsheets.
Spreadsheets only take account of qualitative
information.
It is very difficult to set common standards for the use
of spreadsheets for budgeting by managers.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 3: Budgeting and control
181
Standard costing
27
Which of the following statements about different types of standards in standard costing
systems is/are true?
Basic standards provide the best basis for budgeting because
they represent an achievable level of productivity.
Ideal standards are short-term targets and useful for day-to-day
control purposes.
An attainable standard is always based on current efficiency
levels and costs.
Current standards are particularly useful when inflation is high.
True
False
CORFE CO (SECTION B, SEPTEMBER 2016)
The following scenario relates to Questions 28 – 32. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Corfe Co is a business which manufactures computer laptop batteries and it has developed a new
battery which has a longer usage time than batteries currently available in laptops. The selling price of
the battery is forecast to be $45.
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The maximum production capacity of Corfe Co is 262,500 units. The company’s management
accountant is currently preparing an annual flexible budget and has collected the following
information so far:
Production (units)
Material costs
Labour costs
Fixed costs
185,000
$
740,000
1,017,500
750,000
200,000
$
800,000
1,100,000
750,000
225,000
$
900,000
1,237,500
750,000
In addition to the above costs, the management accountant estimates that for each increment of
50,000 units produced, one supervisor will need to be employed. A supervisor’s annual salary is
$35,000.
The production manager does not understand why the flexible budgets have been produced as he has
always used a fixed budget previously.
28
Assuming the budgeted figures are correct, what would the flexed total production cost be if
production is 80% of maximum capacity?
$2,735,000
$2,770,000
$2,885,000
$2,920,000
182 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
29
ACCA F5 Question Bank
The management accountant has said that a machine maintenance cost was not included in the
flexible budget but needs to be taken into account.
The new battery will be manufactured on a machine currently owned by Corfe Co which was
previously used for a product which has now been discontinued. The management accountant
estimates that every 1,000 units will take 14 hours to produce. The annual machine hours and
maintenance costs for the machine for the last four years have been as follows:
Machine
time
(hours)
5,000
4,400
4,850
1,800
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Maintenance
costs
($’000)
850
735
815
450
What is the estimated maintenance cost if production of the battery is 80% of maximum
capacity (to the nearest $’000)?
$575,000
$593,000
$500,000
$735,000
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30
In the first month of production of the new battery, actual sales were 18,000 units and the sales
revenue achieved was $702,000. The budgeted sales units were 17,300.
Based on this information, which of the following statements is true?
31
When the budget is flexed, the sales variance will include both the sales volume and sales
price variances
When the budget is flexed, the sales variance will only include the sales volume variance
When the budget is flexed, the sales variance will only include the sales price variance
When the budget is flexed, the sales variance will include the sales mix and quantity
variances and the sales price variance
Which of the following statements relating to the preparation of a flexible budget for the new
battery are true?
1
The budget could be time-consuming to produce as splitting out semi-variable costs may
not be straightforward
2
The range of output over which assumptions about how costs will behave could be
difficult to determine
3
The flexible budget will give managers more opportunity to include budgetary slack than
a fixed budget
4
The budget will encourage all activities and their value to the organisation to be reviewed
and assessed
1 and 2
1, 2 and 3
1 and 4
2, 3 and 4
ACCA F5 Question Bank
32
Revision questions: 3: Budgeting and control
183
The management accountant intends to use a spreadsheet for the flexible budget in order to
analyse performance of the new battery.
Which of the following statements are benefits regarding the use of spreadsheets for
budgeting?
1
The user can change input variables and a new version of the budget can be quickly
produced
2
Errors in a formula can be easily traced and data can be difficult to corrupt in a
spreadsheet
3
A spreadsheet can take account of qualitative factors to allow decisions to be fully
evaluated
4
Managers can carry out sensitivity analysis more easily on a budget model which is held
in a spreadsheet
1, 3 and 4
1, 2 and 4
1 and 4
2 and 3
Material mix and yield variances
33
34
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Which of the following statements about materials variances is/are true?
True
False
Mix and yield variances are most appropriate where a product
requires a set amount of different types of material.
The materials yield variance assesses whether the finished
output was greater or less than expected, given the amount of
material that was input.
Mix and yield variances are most appropriate where the input
proportions of the materials used in a product can be varied
without substantially changing the nature of the output.
The materials mix variance assesses the impact of varying the
proportions of the different materials used in a product.
To produce 19 litres of product X, a standard input mix of 8 litres of chemical A and 12 litres of
chemical B is required.
Chemical A has a standard cost of $20 per litre and chemical B has a standard cost of $25 per
litre.
During September, the actual results showed that 1,850 litres of product X were produced,
using a total input of 900 litres of chemical A and 1,100 litres of chemical B (2,000 litres in total).
The actual costs of chemicals A and B were at the standard cost of $20 and $25 per litre
respectively.
It was expected that an actual input of 2,000 litres would yield an output of 1,900 litres (95%).
The actual yield for September was only 1,850 litres, which was 50 litres less than expected.
184 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
For the total materials mix variance and total materials yield variance, was there a favourable
or adverse result in September?
35
The total mix variance was adverse and the total yield variance was favourable.
The total mix variance was favourable and the total yield variance was adverse.
Both variances were adverse.
Both variances were favourable.
Isaacs Co has a process in which the standard mix for producing 1 unit of output is as follows:
$
40.00
30.00
8.00
5 litres of R at $8 per litre
3 litres of S at $10 per litre
4 litres of T at $2 per litre
During November 2,000 units were produced and usage was:
9,700 litres of R
6,300 litres of S
7,400 litres of T
What was the materials yield variance for November?
Adverse
Favourable
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$...................
36
Product GX consists of a mix of three materials, J, K and L. The standard material cost of a unit
of GX is as follows:
Material J
Material K
Material L
5 kg at $4 per kg
2 kg at $12 per kg
3 kg at $8 per kg
$
20
24
24
During March, 3,000 units of GX were produced, and actual usage was:
Material J
Material K
Material L
What was the materials yield variance for March?
$6,800 favourable
$6,800 adverse
$1,000 favourable
$1,000 adverse
13,200 kg
6,500 kg
9,300 kg
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 3: Budgeting and control
185
ROMEO CO (SECTION B, DECEMBER 2016)
The following scenario relates to questions 37 – 41. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Romeo Co is a business which makes and sells fresh pizza from a number of mobile food vans based at
several key locations in the city centre. It offers a variety of toppings and dough bases for the pizzas
and has a good reputation for providing a speedy service combined with hot, fresh and tasty food to
customers.
Each van employs a chef who is responsible for making the pizzas to Romeo Co's recipes and two sales
staff who serve the customers. All purchasing is done centrally to enable Romeo Co to negotiate bulk
discounts and build relationships with suppliers.
Romeo Co operates a standard costing and variances system and the standard cost card for Romeo
Co's basic tomato pizza is as follows:
Ingredient
Weight
kg
0.20
0.08
0.12
0.02
0.42
Dough
Tomato sauce
Cheese
Herbs
Price
$ per kg
7.60
2.50
20.00
8.40
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In Month 3, Romeo Co produced and sold 90 basic tomato pizzas and actual results were as follows:
Ingredient
Dough
Tomato sauce
Cheese
Herbs
37
What was the total adverse materials mix variance for Month 3?
39
Actual cost
per kg
6.50
2.45
21.00
8.10
What was the total favourable material price variance for Month 3 (to 2 decimal places)?
$
38
Kgs brought
and used
18.9
6.6
14.5
2.0
42
$38.14
$41.92
$42.88
$81.02
In Month 4, Romeo Co produced and sold 110 basic tomato pizzas. Actual results were as
follows:
Ingredient
Dough
Tomato sauce
Cheese
Herbs
Kgs brought
and used
21.3
7.5
14.2
2.0
45
Actual cost
per kg
6.60
2.45
20.00
8.50
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
What was the total materials yield variance for Month 4? (Calculate all workings to 2 decimal
places).
40
$11.63 favourable
$12.21 favourable
$9.75 adverse
$21.95 adverse
In Month 5, Romeo Co reported a favourable materials mix variance for the basic tomato pizza.
Which of the following statements would explain why this variance has occurred?
41
The proportion of the relatively expensive ingredients used in production was less than
the standard.
The prices paid for the ingredients used in the mix were lower than the standard prices.
Each pizza used less of all the ingredients in actual production than expected.
More pizzas were produced than expected given the level of ingredients input.
In Month 6, 100 basic tomato pizzas were made using a total of 42 kg of ingredients. A new chef
at Romeo Co used the expected amount of dough and herbs but used less cheese and more
tomato sauce per pizza than the standard. It was noticed that the sales of the basic tomato
pizza had declined in the second half of the month.
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Based on the above information, which TWO of the following statements are correct?
The actual cost per pizza in Month 6 was lower than the standard cost per pizza.
The sales staff should lose their Month 6 bonus because of the reduced sales.
The value of the ingredients usage variance and the mix variance are the same.
The new chef will be responsible for the material price, mix and yield variances.
Sales mix and quantity variances
42
Which of the following statements about materials and sales mix variances is/are true?
True
False
Sales mix and quantity variances are only meaningful when the
company’s products are independent of each other.
The sales mix variance considers how the profit has been affected
by selling products in a different ratio than initially expected.
The materials mix variance can be calculated by taking the
difference between the actual quantity in the standard mix and
the actual quantity in the actual mix, then multiplying it by the
actual cost per kg.
The materials mix variance arises because there is a difference
between what the input should have been for the output
achieved and the actual output.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
43
Revision questions: 3: Budgeting and control
187
If a budget for a single product is flexed, which of the following variances will be the sales
variance?
Price variance
Quantity variance
Mix variance
Yield variance
CUT CO
The following scenario relates to questions 44-48. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Cut Co produces and sells disposable razors and non-disposable razors with replaceable blades.
Its monthly budget is as follows:
Non-disposable
razors
1,000
15
8
Sales volume (units)
Selling price/unit ($)
Variable cost/unit ($)
Non-disposable
razors
900
16
8
Sales volume (units)
Selling price/unit ($)
Variable cost/unit ($)
Disposable
razors
700
4.50
2
1
As Cut Co sold 100 more non-disposable razors at $1 more per item and 200 more
disposable razors at $0.50 less per item, there is no overall price variance.
2
The total sales volume variance was favourable.
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
What was the total sales mix variance in July?
$...................
46
Pack of
blades
2,600
8
3
The following statements have been made about July:
Which of the above statements are true?
45
Disposable
razors
500
5
2
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Actual results for July are:
44
Pack of
blades
2,000
8
3
Adverse
Favourable
What was the total sales quantity variance in July?
$...................
Adverse
Favourable
188 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
47
ACCA F5 Question Bank
48
Which of the following is/are possible causes of the sales mix variance?
Possible cause
Not possible cause
The size of the market for non-disposable razors
increased.
The production costs were as budgeted.
Price-conscious customers switched to cheaper
disposable razors.
A close competitor withdrew its non-disposable razor
after safety concerns.
Which of the following statements about pricing strategies is/are true:
True
False
If product prices are set based on standard costs, then a
business will be unable to pass the cost of production
inefficiencies on to the customer.
The prices of complementary products cannot be set
independently.
If a company is using target costing, the price set will be
determined by the target cost.
Price discrimination can be achieved by setting different
prices for different versions of the same product.
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Planning and operational variances
49
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Conrad Co budgeted that it would sell 10,000 units based on an expected total market of
200,000 units. However, after producing the budget there was a 10% increase in industry
demand due to better economic forecasts.
Which of the following is this most likely to give rise to?
A favourable sales price variance
A favourable sales mix variance
A favourable market share variance
A favourable market size variance
ACCA F5 Question Bank
50
51
Revision questions: 3: Budgeting and control
189
Which of the following statements about variances is/are true?
True
False
The use of planning and operational variances splits
responsibility for performance between managers in charge of
day-to-day activities and decisions and those in charge of
budgeting.
The revision of budgets for operational difficulties that have
been experienced is likely to lead to more meaningful variance
analysis.
Splitting variances into planning and operational variances will
always make operational managers more receptive to variance
analysis.
Those in charge of budgeting are not always responsible for
planning variances.
The following data relate to Product Z and its raw material content for September.
Budget
Output 11,000 units of Z
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Standard materials content 3 kg per unit at $4.00 per kg
Actual output 10,000 units of Z
Fir
Materials purchased and used 32,000 kg at $4.80 per kg
It has now been agreed that the standard price for the raw material purchased in September
should have been $5 per kg.
What were the following variances for September?
Materials planning price variance
...................
Adverse
Favourable
Materials operational usage variance
...................
52
Adverse
Favourable
PlasBas Co uses recycled plastic to manufacture shopping baskets for local retailers. The
standard price of the recycled plastic is $0·50 per kg and standard usage of recycled plastic is 0·2
kg for each basket. The budgeted production was 80,000 baskets.
Due to recent government incentives to encourage recycling, the standard price of recycled
plastic was expected to reduce to $0·40 per kg. The actual price paid by the company was $0·42
per kg and 100,000 baskets were manufactured using 20,000 kg of recycled plastic.
What is the materials operational price variance?
$2,000 favourable
$1,600 favourable
$400 adverse
$320 adverse
190 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
FEDIA CO
The following scenario relates to questions 53-57. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Fedia Co makes a specialist chemical product. The original prime costs for each canister, based on
budgeted production of 12,000 canisters, are as follows:
$
75
60
135
Materials 2.5kg @ $30 per kg
Labour 3hrs @ $20 per hour
Prime cost
Before the period started, Fedia’s supplier announced that it was closing down. Fedia Co was forced to
find a new supplier and purchased better quality replacement material at a price of $80 for each
canister. Fedia produced 11,000 canisters of the product and spent $809,600 on 25,300 kg of material.
53
The following statements have been made about the total material variances:
1
2
The total material price variance is $50,600 adverse.
The total material usage variance is $70,400 favourable.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
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54
Calculate the material price planning variance. You should calculate this using the actual
quantity purchased.
$...................
55
Favourable
Calculate the material usage variance. You should calculate this using the original standard cost
per kg.
$...................
56
Adverse
Adverse
Favourable
Assuming there are no changes to budgeted costs and revenues other than material costs,
which of the following variances is likely to be favourably affected by use of better quality
materials?
Labour rate
Sales yield
Variable overhead expenditure
Fixed overhead volume
ACCA F5 Question Bank
57
Revision questions: 3: Budgeting and control
191
Which of the following is/are advantages of having a system of planning and operational
variances in place?
Advantage
Not an advantage
The system will highlight non-controllable operational
variances.
Managers can justify variances as being due to bad
planning.
Planning variances can highlight out-of-date
standards.
The system will be based on realistic standards that
are easy to establish.
Performance analysis
58
59
Which of the following statements about both standard costing and total quality management
is/are true?
True
False
They focus on assigning responsibility solely to senior
managers.
They work well in rapidly changing environments.
The philosophy of continuous improvement behind TQM is
incompatible with predetermined standards.
Standard costs may allow for a predetermined level of scrap,
whereas TQM aims for no scrap.
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A profit centre manager claims that the poor performance of her division is entirely due to
factors outside her control. She has submitted the following table along with notes from a
market expert, which she believes explains the cause of the poor performance:
Category
Sales volume (units)
Budget
this year
500
Actual
this year
300
Actual
last year
400
Sales revenue
$50,000
$28,500
$40,000
Total material cost
$10,000
$6,500
$8,000
Market expert notes
The entire market has
decreased by 25% compared
to last year. The product will
be obsolete in four years
Rivalry in the market saw
selling prices fall by 10%
As demand for the raw
materials is decreasing,
suppliers lowered their
prices by 5%
After adjusting for the external factors outside the manager’s control, in which
category/categories is there evidence of poor performance?
Material cost only
Sales volume and sales price
Sales price and material cost
Sales price only
192 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
4: Performance measurement and control
Performance management information systems
1
Match the descriptions of how the system is used to the system being described.
Transaction
processing
system
Executive
information
system
Enterprise
resource planning
system
Integrated system overseen centrally
Provides summary information for
strategic decisions
Includes data analysis and modelling
tools
Captures all the day-to-day routine
transactions within a business
2
Which of the following statements about Management information systems is/are true?
True
False
They are designed to provide information for internal and
external use.
They provide information for planning, control and decision
making.
They are designed to report on existing operations.
They are designed to integrate an organisation’s processes to
provide a single system for the whole organisation.
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The following statements have been made about planning and control as described in the three
tiers of Robert Anthony’s decision-making hierarchy:
1
2
Strategic planning is concerned with making decisions about the efficient and effective
use of existing resources.
Operational control is about ensuring that specific tasks are carried out efficiently and
effectively.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
4
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
A manufacturer and retailer of kitchens introduces an enterprise resource planning system.
Which of the following is NOT likely to be a potential benefit of introducing this system?
Schedules of labour are prepared for manufacturing
Inventory records are updated automatically
Sales are recorded into the financial ledgers
Critical strategic information can be summarised
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
193
Sources of management information
5
Scowen Co decided to employ a researcher on a part-time contract to undertake a telephone
survey into the preferences of consumers for a variety of different packaging.
Which TWO of the following costs that Scowen Co has incurred are costs of data collection?
6
Cost of telephone calls
Cost of researcher
Cost of time spent analysing results of survey
Costs of disseminating results to managers and staff
Which of the following is/are internal sources of management accounting information and
which are external sources?
Internal
External
Value of sales, analysed for each customer
Value of purchases, analysed for each supplier
Prices of similar products, analysed for each
competitor company
Hours worked, analysed for each employee
Management reports
7
Which of the following control(s) help to ensure the security of highly confidential information?
Logical access controls
Database controls
Hierarchical passwords
Range checks
8
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XYZ Co creates archive copies of its database regularly.
What is the purpose of this type of control?
Ensure the accuracy of the data
Preserve data confidentiality
Prevent unauthorised access to the data
Minimise the risk of data loss
Ensure security
Don’t ensure
security
194 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
9
ACCA F5 Question Bank
A government department generates information which should not be disclosed to anyone who
works outside of the department. There are many other government departments working
within the same building.
Which of the following would NOT be an effective control procedure for the generation and
distribution of the information within the government department?
If working from home, departmental employees must use a memory stick to transfer
data, as laptop computers are not allowed to leave the department
All departmental employees must enter non-disclosed and regularly updated passwords
to access their computers
All authorised employees must swipe an officially issued, personal identity card at the
entrance to the department before they can gain access
All hard copies of confidential information must be shredded at the end of each day or
locked overnight in a safe if needed again
Performance analysis in private sector organisations
10
The following statements have been made about short-termism:
1
A focus solely on non-financial performance measures is likely to encourage shorttermism
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Investing in R&D is an example of a decision which is intended to improve long-term
profitability
Which of the above statements is/are true?
11
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
Which of the following statements about performance frameworks is/are true?
True
False
In the balanced scorecard the set of indicators which measure
whether value is being added to the shareholders is known as
the innovation and learning perspective.
The balanced scorecard looks at both internal and external
matters concerning the organisation.
The Building Blocks model focuses solely on non-financial
measures.
The Building Blocks model considers competitiveness, resource
utilisation and flexibility as dimensions of performance.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
12
Revision questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
195
A company has had some problems with staff motivation and retention and has decided to
introduce some targets.
Which target is it likely to face the biggest potential difficulty setting?
13
Staff turnover rate
Level of absenteeism
Number of working hours
Level of staff satisfaction
A company’s sales and cost of sales figures have remained unchanged for the last two years.
The following information has been noted:
Year ended
Inventory turnover period
Payables payment period
Receivables payment period
Current ratio
Quick ratio
31 May 2015
45 days
40 days
60 days
1·1
1·3
31 May 2014
38 days
35 days
68 days
1·3
1·4
The following statements have been made about the company’s performance for the most
recent year:
1
Customers are taking longer to pay and this may have contributed to the decline in the
company’s current ratio.
2
Inventory levels have increased and this may have contributed to the decline in the
company’s quick ratio.
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Which of the above statements is/are true?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
BUS CO
The following scenario relates to questions 14-18. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Bus Co is a large bus operator, operating long-distance bus services across the country. There are three
other national operators in the country. Last month, an independent survey of 40,000 passengers was
carried out, the results of which are shown in the table below:
Table: Bus passenger satisfaction % by national operator
Operator
Bus
Prime
Express
Transit
Value for
money
68
58
67
62
Punctuality
80
80
76
78
Journey time
82
83
85
86
Based on feedback that it has had from a recent survey it has undertaken of its own customers, Bus Co
has calculated a rating for overall customer satisfaction, based on a weighted average which, it asserts,
reflects the importance customers surveyed placed on each of the three criteria above. The weightings
used were as follows:
Value for money
Punctuality
Journey time
40%
32%
28%
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The managing director (MD) of Bus Co made a public statement saying that: ‘Independent research
has shown that our customers are the most satisfied of any national bus operator. Independent
research confirms that we lead our competitors on what matters most to customers. We are ahead of
them on value for money and punctuality. We are also striving to lower our environmental footprint. ’
In order to improve customer satisfaction, the MD has proposed that Bus Co should introduce an
greater variety of tickets. Currently all four operators offer standard daily single or return, or weekly
tickets, on particular routes. The MD has proposed that Bus Co should introduce Rover tickets,
allowing unlimited daily or weekly travel on all routes in certain areas, and off-peak fares, which would
apply to certain routes outside the rush hours. He has also proposed the introduction of Smartcard
tickets on the busiest routes, allowing customers to swipe their tickets on electronic readers as they
enter and leave the bus.
14
Using the customer satisfaction criteria calculated by Bus Co, rank the four bus operators, with
the operator with the highest customer satisfaction ranked first.
Bus
Prime
Express
Transit
ACCA F5 Question Bank
15
16
17
197
State which of the following assertions made by the managing director are true and which are
false.
True
False
Independent research has shown that Bus Co’s passengers
are the most satisfied of any national bus operators.
Independent research confirms that Bus Co leads its
competitors on what matters most to customers.
Independent research confirms that Bus Co is ahead of its
competitors on value for money.
Independent research confirms that Bus Co is ahead of its
competitors on punctuality.
Match the following measures to the value for money criteria of Economy, Efficiency and
Effectiveness.
Economy
Efficiency
Effectiveness
Occupancy rate of buses
Utilisation rate for drivers
Percentage of customers satisfied with cleanliness of
buses
Percentage of carbon emissions relative to target set
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Which of the following is least likely to improve punctuality on Bus Co’s routes?
18
Revision questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
No longer accepting cash on buses and only accepting prepaid tickets
Amending the timetable to allow for longer journey times on certain routes during busy
periods
Introducing a greater range of tickets on some routes
Allowing customers to use Smartcard tickets on busiest routes
Which of the following Building Block dimensions proposed by Fitzgerald and Moon is the
introduction of off-peak fares least likely to address?
Competitiveness
Quality
Resource utilisation
Flexibility
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
JAMAIR CO
The following scenario relates to questions 19-23. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Jamair was founded in September 20X1 and is one of a growing number of airlines in the country of
Shania. Jamair’s strategy is to operate as a low-cost, high efficiency airline.
The airline was given an ‘on time arrival’ ranking of seventh best by Shania’s aviation authority, who
rank all 50 of the country’s airlines based on the number of flights which arrive on time at their
destinations. 48 Jamair flights were cancelled in 20X7 compared to 35 in 20X6. This increase was due
to an increase in the staff absentee rate at Jamair from 3 days per staff member per year to 4·5 days.
The average ‘ground turnaround time’ for airlines in Shania is 50 minutes, meaning that, on average,
planes are on the ground for cleaning, refuelling, etc for 50 minutes before departing again. Jamair has
increased the number of cleaners and also the number of spot checks of cleaners’ work
The number of passengers carried by the airline has grown from 300,000 passengers on a total of
3,428 flights in 20X1 to 920,000 passengers on 7,650 flights in 20X7.
Media reports suggest that other aircraft companies may be interested in bidding for Jamair Co.
19
Which TWO of the following strategies are likely to aid Jamair Co’s objective of operating as a
low-cost, high efficiency airline?
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21
Operating mostly in capital cities to reduce landing costs
Using only one type of aircraft
Having Premium, Business and Economy seat classes
Focusing on e-commerce with customers booking tickets and checking in for flights online
Match the following objectives of Jamair Co to the perspective of the balanced scorecard to
which they relate.
Financial
Customer
Internal
Learning
Ensuring flights are on time
Using fewer planes to transport
customers
Improving turnaround times
Improving cleanliness of planes by
spot checks
Match the following performance measures used by Jamair Co to the perspective of the
balanced scorecard to which they relate.
Financial
Customer
Internal
Learning
Absentee rates of employees
Planes’ lease costs per customer
Revenue per passenger mile
Number of flights cancelled
ACCA F5 Question Bank
22
It steers Jamair away from solely focusing on financial measures.
It cannot resolve conflicts between short-term and long-term objectives.
An improvement in one perspective of the balanced scorecard can be made without
affecting the other three perspectives.
It can be difficult to gain an overall impression of the results provided.
There is no direct link between the overall results of the scorecard and the creation of
shareholder value.
The balanced scorecard will be of limited effectiveness if Jamair’s strategy is unclear.
The following statistics are available about Jamair and two of its principal competitors.
Jamair
Competitor
1
Competitor
2
Profit attributable to shareholders ($ million)
371
546
286
Share price at year-end ($)
9.0
6.0
4.5
Shares in issue at year-end (million)
520
1,100
600
Fleet size (number of aircraft)
17
29
25
Kilometres flown (million)
56
92
65
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Are the following statement relating to the data above true or false?
True
False
Jamair Co has a higher P/E ratio than its competitors, which
may reflect the rumours about a takeover
Competitor 2 appears to do a greater proportion of long-haul
flights than Jamair or Competitor 1.
Divisional performance and transfer pricing
24
199
Which FOUR of the following are disadvantages with using the balanced scorecard?
23
Revision questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
Which of the following statements about transfer pricing is/are true?
True
False
Cost-based transfer prices are most appropriate where there is
an intermediate market for the product.
When the producing division is operating at full capacity, an
opportunity cost based approach should be used for the transfer
price.
The maximum transfer price is the sum of the supplying
division’s marginal cost and opportunity cost of the item
transferred.
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25
26
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Which of the following statements about divisional performance measures is/are true?
True
False
Residual income is better for comparing divisions of different
sizes.
Return on investment may cause a manager to reject a project
that exceeds the head office target, if the project will earn less
than the division’s existing Return on investment.
A disadvantage of Residual income is that it requires an estimate
of cost of capital.
A disadvantage of both Return on investment and Residual
income is that they may appear to improve as a division’s assets
get older.
On the last day of the financial year a division has net assets with a total carrying amount of
$720,000. The return on investment for the division is 15%. The division manager is considering
selling a non-current asset immediately prior to the year end. The non-current asset has a
carrying amount of $36,000 and will sell for a profit of $14,000.
What would be the division’s return on investment (ROI) immediately after the sale of the asset
at the end of the year, to the nearest 0.1%?
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27
A division is considering investing in capital equipment costing $2·7m. The useful economic life
of the equipment is expected to be 50 years, with no resale value at the end of the period. The
forecast return on the initial investment is 15% per annum before depreciation. The division’s
cost of capital is 7%.
What is the expected annual residual income of the initial investment?
$
28
Tom has been questioned about the performance of his division, which has been worse than his
Chief Executive expected. Tom has submitted the following comments on the performance of
his division:
Category
Sales volume (units)
Budget
this year
6,000
Actual last
year
5,000
Actual this
year
4,200
Sales revenue
$600,000
$450,000
$317,000
Material cost
$113,400
$105,000
$81,600
15,000
11,500
Material usage (kgs)
16,200
There has been a 20%
decrease in the market
compared with last year.
Market selling prices have
fallen by 15% compared
with last year.
Suppliers have increased
their prices by 5%
compared with last year.
Changes in production have
meant that each unit
produced used 10% less
material than last year.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
201
After taking account of the factors that are not under Tom’s control, in which categories did
his division perform poorly (defined as performing below budget AND performing below what
would have been expected, based on Tom’s comments)?
29
Poor
performance
Not poor
performance
Sales volume
Sales price
Material cost
Material usage
At the end of 20X1, an investment centre has net assets of $1m and annual operating profits of
$190,000. However, the bookkeeper forgot to account for the following:
A machine with a net book value of $40,000 was sold at the start of the year for $50,000 and
replaced with a machine costing $250,000. Both the purchase and sale are cash transactions. No
depreciation is charged in the year of purchase or disposal. The investment centre calculates
return on investment (ROI) based on closing net assets.
Assuming no other changes to profit or net assets, what is the return on investment (ROI) for
the year?
18·8%
19·8%
15·1%
15·9%
Co
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
CARDALE CO
The following scenario relates to questions 30-34. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Cardale Industrial Metal Co (CIM Co) is a large supplier of industrial metals, that is split into a number
of divisions. Each division operates separately as an investment centre, with each one having full
control over its non-current and current assets. Head Office imposes common accounting policies
including monthy rates of depreciation.
Each divisional manager is paid a salary of $120,000 per annum plus an annual performance-related
bonus, based on the return on investment (ROI) achieved by their division for the year. Each divisional
manager is expected to achieve a minimum ROI for their division of 10% per annum. If a manager only
meets the 10% target, they are not awarded a bonus. However, for each whole percentage point
above 10% which the division achieves for the year, a bonus equivalent to 2% of annual salary is paid,
subject to a maximum bonus equivalent to 40% of annual salary.
The following figures relate to Division N for the year ended 31 August 20X5:
Sales
Net profit
Non-current assets
Inventory, cash and trade receivables
Trade payables
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Division N
$’000
8,700
1,286
14,980
3,260
1,400
Net profit is stated after deducting $684,000 apportioned Head Office costs.
Division N’s manager is concerned that his bonus may be lower in comparison with the manager of
Division F, a smaller division than Division N. He has found out that the manager of Division F has
achieved a return on investment of 28.5% for the year ended 31 August 20X5, which Division N’s
manager regards as very high.
Division F’s manager has stated that his figures are good because he runs his department very
efficiently and is always looking to improve the decision-making process. To that end he invested in a
strategic executive information system just before 31 August 20X5.
Division N’s manager believes that it would be better if Cardale Co switched to basing its bonus system
on the size of residual income generated by each Division, based on a cost of capital of 10%.
30
Calculate, to the nearest 0.1%, the return on investment for Division N for the year ended 31
August 20X5.
%
31
Calculate the bonus that the manager of Division F will be paid for the year ended 31 August
20X5.
$
ACCA F5 Question Bank
32
33
203
Which of the following is/are possible reasons why the manager of Division F has achieved a
high ROI for the year ended 31 August 20X5?
Possible
reason
Not possible
reason
Division F’s manager has kept cash balances high.
The accumulated depreciation on Division F’s non-current
assets is low.
Division F’s manager invested in the strategic management
information system just before the year-end.
For which TWO of the following reasons might Division F’s manager be concerned about the
fairness of basing bonus on RI in the way proposed by Division N’s manager?
34
Revision questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
Division F is smaller than Division N.
It reduces the incentive for Division F to undertake investments where the benefits may
be marginal.
Division F has a lower risk profile than Division N.
Division F’s manager is more likely to be penalised for taking decisions that are in the
best interests of Cardale Co.
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For which of the following reasons is the manager of Division F most likely to have invested in a
strategic executive information system?
The system lists in detail all the accounting information relating to his department.
The system allows easier access to external sources of information.
The system will help integrate information needs across Cardale Co.
The system provides expert knowledge and assistance in decision-making in areas where
the manager lacks expertise.
ANDOVER AND WINCHESTER
The following scenario relates to questions 35-39. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Andover and Winchester are divisions within Petersfield Co, a large diversified business. The Andover
division was only created last year. The following performance statements are available for the year:
Revenue
Variable costs
Contribution
Fixed costs
Divisional profit before central costs
Apportioned central costs
Divisional net profit
Divisional net assets (@NBV)
Andover
$000
200
(60)
140
(25)
115
(60)
55
375
Winchester
$000
450
(200)
250
(70)
180
(120)
60
200
The overall cost of financing for the company is 10%. The managers have full discretion over incurring
fixed costs.
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35
ACCA F5 Question Bank
What is the correct RI (in $000) for appraising the managers of the two divisions?
Andover
$
000
Winchester
$
36
000
Andover
$77.5
$102.5
$17.5
$23
Winchester
$160
$230
$40
$46
The following statements have been made:
1
Andover division’s ROI is less than half that of Winchester division
2
One reason Winchester division appears to be performing better could be due to the fact
that it is significantly older than Andover division
Which of the above statements is/are true?
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37
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the following options shows the words that correctly fill in the gaps in the sentence?
The managers of Andover and Winchester divisions should be assessed on costs, revenue and
investments that are ............... their division. To promote goal-congruent behaviour by the two
divisions, .............. should be used to compare them. Efficiency variances ............... be used to
assess the managers of the two centres.
38
controllable by/RI/can
incurred by/RI/cannot
controllable by/ROI/can
incurred by/ROI/cannot
One of the non-executive directors at Petersfield Co has queried the means for rewarding the
managers of its divisions. He wonders whether managers can increase their rewards by trying to
manipulate the short-term results of their divisions.
Which of the following measures would be MOST effective in addressing the possible
problems of short-term manipulation of results?
Rewarding managers for the performance of their division only
Linking manager rewards to the overall performance of the company and not divisional
results
Rewarding managers if they fulfil a number of financial and non-financial targets
Only rewarding managers by means of a basic salary and not providing any rewards for
short-term performance
ACCA F5 Question Bank
39
Revision questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
205
The board has agreed that the performance of each division should be partly judged by
customer satisfaction.
Which of the following measures is MOST likely to be an indication of how satisfied customers
are?
The number of items rejected by internal quality control processes
The level of staff turnover
The number of new products launched by the division
The % of on-time deliveries
Performance analysis in not-for-profit organisations and the public sector
40
Which of the following is LEAST suitable as a method of evaluating the performance of a public
sector organisation?
41
Assessing Value-for-money
Measuring actual performance in relation to financial targets
Appointment of a regulator to undertake monitoring
Conducting a survey of the users of the service
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A government is trying to assess schools by using a range of financial and non-financial factors.
One of the chosen methods is the percentage of students passing five exams or more.
Fir
Which of the three Es in the value for money framework is being measured here?
Economy
Efficiency
Effectiveness
Expertise
SEATOWN COUNCIL
The following scenario relates to questions 42-46. Each question is worth 2 marks.
Seatown is located on the coast. The town’s main industry is tourism, with an emphasis on family
holidays. Consequently, the cleanliness of the town’s beaches is a major factor in the town’s success.
The town council has a cleaning department that is responsible for keeping the beaches clean and tidy.
Early every morning the beaches are swept using equipment that is towed behind tractors. Most litter
takes the form of paper and plastic packaging, but it can include glass bottles and aluminium cans.
To try to prevent litter being left on the beach the town council also places bins on the beaches above
the high water mark. Litter bins need to be emptied regularly, otherwise holidaymakers pile their
rubbish beside the bins. This leads to litter being spread by the wind or by seabirds scavenging for food
scraps.
The cost of cleaning the beaches is a major expense for the town council. The management team of
the town council has asked the internal audit department to investigate whether the town is getting
good “value for money” from this expenditure.
206 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
42
Which TWO of the following could be used as performance measures of the efficiency of the
beach cleaning operations?
43
Tractor running costs
How much time is spent sweeping the sands
Amount of litter collected
How frequently bins are being emptied
Which THREE of the following could be used as performance measures of the effectiveness of
the beach cleaning operations?
44
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Spot checks on litter bins by council officers
The number of litter bins used
Time spent by employees on each area of the beaches
Ratings of beaches by external agencies
Complaints by visitors
Amount of vehicle miles covered by tractors
To help with its analysis, the council wishes to estimate the number of visitors to Seatown annually.
Which of the following is likely to be the least reliable indicator of the number of visitors to
Seatown during the year?
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45
46
Number of people on beaches ascertained by regular spot counts
Number of hotel rooms in Seatown
Number of users of car parks
Number of visitors to tourist information centres
Which of the following would be a difficulty/difficulties in analysing the effectiveness of beach
and litter bin cleaning activities compared with each other and over the year?
Difficulty
Not a difficulty
Some refreshment kiosks will only be open at certain
times of the year.
The number of visitors will be less in winter.
Certain areas of Seatown’s beaches are more difficult
to sweep.
Sweeping should pick up litter that poses a threat to
beach user safety.
Seatown Council is considering using Fitzgerald and Moon’s Building Block model as well as
Value for Money analysis.
Which of the following completes this paragraph?
The variation in frequency of sweeping beaches during the year is a measure of _____, whereas
the number of visitors compared with other resorts is a measure of ______.
resource usage/service quality
flexibility/service quality
resource usage/competitiveness
flexibility/competitiveness
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
207
External considerations and behavioural aspects
47
The performance of an organisation can be influenced by internal and external factors. Which of
the following are internal factors and which are external factors?
Internal
External
Growth in the economy
Director leaves to join a competitor
Market shortage of labour
New health and safety regulations
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
209
PART 2 REVISION QUESTIONS: Long form
2: Decision-making techniques
Relevant cost analysis
1 THE TELEPHONE CO (Q1, DECEMBER 2011)
The Telephone Co (T Co) is a company specialising in the provision of telephone systems for
commercial clients. There are two parts to the business:
Installing telephone systems in businesses, either first time installations or replacement
installations;
Supporting the telephone systems with annually renewable maintenance contracts.
T Co has been approached by a potential customer, Push Co, who wants to install a telephone system
in new offices it is opening. While the job is not a particularly large one, T Co is hopeful of future
business in the form of replacement systems and support contracts for Push Co. T Co is therefore keen
to quote a competitive price for the job. The following information should be considered:
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(1)
One of the company’s salesmen has already been to visit Push Co, to give them a demonstration
of the new system, together with a complimentary lunch, the costs of which totalled $400.
(2)
The installation is expected to take one week to complete and would require three engineers,
each of whom is paid a monthly salary of $4,000. The engineers have just had their annually
renewable contract renewed with T Co. One of the three engineers has spare capacity to
complete the work, but the other two would have to be moved from contract X in order to
complete this one. Contract X generates a contribution of $5 per engineer hour. There are no
other engineers available to continue with Contract X if these two engineers are taken off the
job. It would mean that T Co would miss its contractual completion deadline on Contract X by
one week. As a result, T Co would have to pay a one-off penalty of $500. Since there is no other
work scheduled for their engineers in one week’s time, it will not be a problem for them to
complete Contract X at this point.
(3)
T Co’s technical advisor would also need to dedicate eight hours of his time to the job. He is
working at full capacity, so he would have to work overtime in order to do this. He is paid an
hourly rate of $40 and is paid for all overtime at a premium of 50% above his usual hourly rate.
(4)
Two visits would need to be made by the site inspector to approve the completed work. He is
an independent contractor who is not employed by T Co, and charges Push Co directly for the
work. His cost is $200 for each visit made.
(5)
T Co’s system trainer would need to spend one day at Push Co delivering training. He is paid a
monthly salary of $1,500 but also receives commission of $125 for each day spent delivering
training at a client’s site.
(6)
120 telephone handsets would need to be supplied to Push Co. The current cost of these is
$18.20 each, although T Co already has 80 handsets in inventory. These were bought at a price
of $16.80 each. The handsets are the most popular model on the market and frequently
requested by T Co’s customers.
(7)
Push Co would also need a computerised control system called ‘Swipe 2’. The current market
price of Swipe 2 is $10,800, although T Co has an older version of the system, ‘Swipe 1’, in
inventory, which could be modified at a cost of $4,600. T Co paid $5,400 for Swipe 1 when it
ordered it in error two months ago and has no other use for it. The current market price of
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Swipe 1 is $5,450, although if T Co tried to sell the one they have, it would be deemed to be
‘used’ and therefore only worth $3,000.
(8)
1,000 metres of cable would be required to wire up the system. The cable is used frequently by
T Co and it has 200 metres in inventory, which cost $1.20 per metre. The current market price
for the cable is $1·30 per metre.
(9)
You should assume that there are four weeks in each month and that the standard working
week is 40 hours long.
Required:
(a)
Prepare a cost statement, using relevant costing principles, showing the minimum cost that T Co
should charge for the contract. Make DETAILED notes showing how each cost has been arrived
at and EXPLAINING why each of the costs above has been included or excluded from your cost
statement.
(14 marks)
(b)
Explain the relevant costing principles used in part (a) and explain the implications of the
minimum price that has been calculated in relation to the final price agreed with Push Co.
(6 marks)
(20 marks)
Cost volume analysis
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2 HAIR CO (Q1, DECEMBER 2012 AMENDED)
Hair Co manufactures three types of electrical goods for hair: curlers (C), straightening irons (S) and
dryers (D.) The budgeted sales prices and volumes for the next year are as follows.
Selling price
Units
C
$110
20,000
S
$160
22,000
D
$120
26,000
Each product is made using a different mix of the same materials and labour. Product S also uses new
revolutionary technology for which the company obtained a ten-year patent two years ago. The
budgeted sales volumes for all the products have been calculated by adding 10% to last year’s sales.
The standard cost card for each product is shown below.
Material 1
Material 2
Skilled labour
Unskilled labour
C
$
12
8
16
14
S
$
28
22
34
20
D
$
16
26
22
28
Both skilled and unskilled labour costs are variable.
The general fixed overheads are expected to be $640,000 for the next year.
Required:
(a)
Calculate the weighted average contribution to sales ratio for Hair Co.
Note: round all workings to TWO decimal places.
(b)
(6 marks)
Calculate the total break-even sales revenue for the next year for Hair Co.
Note: round all workings to TWO decimal places.
(2 marks)
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
(c)
Rank the products according to their C/S ratios. Calculate the revenue and profit for each
product, and the cumulative revenues and profits on the basis that the product with the highest
C/S ratio is sold first.
(5 marks)
(d)
Briefly comment on your findings in (c).
(e)
Explain how a multi-product profit-volume (PV) chart may assist a business in its decisionmaking.
(3 marks)
211
(4 marks)
(20 marks)
Limiting factors
3 CSC CO (Q32, SEPTEMBER 2016)
CSC Co is a health food company producing and selling three types of high-energy products: cakes,
shakes and cookies, to gyms and health food shops. Shakes are the newest of the three products and
were first launched three months ago. Each of the three products has two special ingredients, sourced
from a remote part the world. The first of these, Singa, is a super-energising rare type of caffeine. The
second, Betta, is derived from an unusual plant believed to have miraculous health benefits.
CSC Co’s projected manufacture costs and selling prices for the three products are as follows:
Per unit
Selling price
Costs:
Ingredients: Singa ($1·20 per gram)
Ingredients: Betta ($1·50 per gram)
Other ingredients
Labour ($10 per hour)
Variable overheads
Contribution
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Cakes
$
5·40
Cookies
$
4·90
Shakes
$
6·00
0·30
0·75
0·25
1·00
0·50
2·60
0·60
0·30
0·45
1·20
0·60
1·75
1·20
1·50
0·90
0·80
0·40
1·20
For each of the three products, the expected demand for the next month is 11,200 cakes, 9,800
cookies and 2,500 shakes.
The total fixed costs for the next month are $3,000.
CSC Co has just found out that the supply of Betta is going to be limited to 12,000 grams next month.
Prior to this, CSC Co had signed a contract with a leading chain of gyms, Encompass Health, to supply it
with 5,000 shakes each month, at a discounted price of $5·80 per shake, starting immediately. The
order for the 5,000 shakes is not included in the expected demand levels above.
Required:
(a)
Assuming that CSC Co keeps to its agreement with Encompass Health, calculate the shortage of
Betta, the resulting optimum production plan and the total profit for next month.
(6 marks)
One month later, the supply of Betta is still limited and CSC Co is considering whether it should breach
its contract with Encompass Health so that it can optimise its profits.
Required:
(b)
Discuss whether CSC Co should breach the agreement with Encompass Health.
Note: No further calculations are required.
(4 marks)
Several months later, the demand for both cakes and cookies has increased significantly to 20,000 and
15,000 units per month respectively. However, CSC Co has lost the contract with Encompass Health
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and, after suffering from further shortages of supply of Betta, Singa and of its labour force, CSC Co has
decided to stop making shakes at all. CSC Co now needs to use linear programming to work out the
optimum production plan for cakes and cookies for the coming month. The variable ‘x’ is being used to
represent cakes and the variable ‘y’ to represent cookies.
The following constraints have been formulated and a graph representing the new production
problem has been drawn:
Singa: 0·25x + 0·5y ≤ 12,000
Betta: 0·5x + 0·2y ≤ 12,500
Labour: 0·1x + 0·12y ≤ 3,000
x ≤ 20,000
y ≤ 15,000
x, y ≥ 0
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Required:
(c)
(i)
Explain what the line labelled ‘C = 2·6x + 1·75y’ on the graph is and what the area
represented by the points 0ABCD means.
(4 marks)
(ii)
Explain how the optimum production plan will be found using the line labelled ‘C = 2·6x +
1·75y’ and identify Explain what the line labelled ‘C = 2·6x + 1·75y’ on the graph is and
what the area represented by the points 0ABCD means.the optimum point from the
graph.
(2 marks)
(iii)
Explain what a slack value is and identify, from the graph, where slack will occur as a
result of the optimum production plan.
(4 marks)
Note: No calculations are needed for part (c).
(20 marks)
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
213
Pricing decisions
4 HEAT CO (Q2, JUNE 2011)
Heat Co specialises in the production of a range of air conditioning appliances for industrial premises.
It is about to launch a new product, the ‘Energy Buster’, a unique air conditioning unit which is capable
of providing unprecedented levels of air conditioning using a minimal amount of electricity. The
technology used in the Energy Buster is unique so Heat Co has patented it so that no competitors can
enter the market for two years. The company’s development costs have been high and it is expected
that the product will only have a five-year life cycle.
Heat Co is now trying to ascertain the best pricing policy that they should adopt for the Energy Buster’s
launch onto the market. Demand is very responsive to price changes and research has established
that, for every $15 increase in price, demand would be expected to fall by 1,000 units. If the company
set the price at $735, only 1,000 units would be demanded.
The costs of producing each air conditioning unit are as follows.
Direct materials
Labour
Fixed overheads
Total cost
Note
$
42
12
6
60
(1.5 hours at $8 per hour. See note below)
(Based on producing 50,000 units per annum)
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The first air conditioning unit took 1.5 hours to make and labour cost $8 per hour. A 95% learning
curve exists, in relation to production of the unit, although the learning curve is expected to finish
after making 100 units. Heat Co’s management have said that any pricing decisions about the Energy
Buster should be based on the time it takes to make the 100th unit of the product. You have been told
that the learning co-efficient, b = -0.0740005.
All other costs are expected to remain the same up to the maximum demand levels.
Required:
(a)
(b)
(i)
Establish the demand function (equation) for air conditioning units;
(3 marks)
(ii)
Calculate the marginal cost for each air conditioning unit after adjusting the
labour cost as required by the note above;
(6 marks)
(iii)
Equate marginal cost and marginal revenue in order to calculate the optimum price and
quantity,
(3 marks)
Explain what is meant by a ‘penetration pricing’ strategy and a ‘market skimming’ strategy and
discuss whether either strategy might be suitable for Heat Co when launching the Energy
Buster.
(8 marks)
(20 marks)
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
Make or buy and other short-term decisions
5 ROBBER CO (Q1, JUNE 2012)
Robber Co manufactures control panels for burglar alarms, a very profitable product. Every product
comes with a one-year warranty offering free repairs if any faults arise in this period.
It currently produces and sells 80,000 units per annum, with production of them being restricted by
the short supply of labour. Each control panel includes two main components – one keypad and one
display screen. At present, Robber Co manufactures both of these components in-house. However, the
company is currently considering outsourcing the production of keypads and/or display screens.
A newly established company based in Burgistan is keen to secure a place in the market, and has
offered to supply the keypads for the equivalent of $4.10 per unit and the display screens for the
equivalent of $4.30 per unit. This price has been guaranteed for two years.
The current total annual costs of producing the keypads and the display screens are as follows.
Production
Direct materials
Direct labour
Heat and power costs
Machine costs
Depreciation and insurance costs
Total annual production costs
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Keypads
80,000 units
$000
160
40
64
26
84
374
Display
screens
80,000 units
$000
116
60
88
30
96
390
Notes:
(1)
Materials costs for keypads are expected to increase by 5% in six months’ time; materials costs
for display screens are only expected to increase by 2%, but with immediate effect.
(2)
Direct labour costs are purely variable and not expected to change over the next year.
(3)
Heat and power costs include an apportionment of the general factory overhead for heat and
power as well as the costs of heat and power directly used for the production of keypads and
display screens. The general apportionment included is calculated using 50% of the direct labour
cost for each component and would be incurred irrespective of whether the components are
manufactured in-house or not.
(4)
Machine costs are semi-variable; the variable element relates to set up costs, which are based
upon the number of batches made. The keypads’ machine has fixed costs of $4,000 per annum
and the display screens’ machine has fixed costs of $6,000 per annum. Whilst both components
are currently made in batches of 500, this would need to change, with immediate effect, to
batches of 400.
(5)
60% of depreciation and insurance costs relate to an apportionment of the general factory
depreciation and insurance costs; the remaining 40% is specific to the manufacture of keypads
and display screens.
Required:
(a)
Advise Robber Co whether it should continue to manufacture the keypads and display screens
in-house or whether it should outsource their manufacture to the supplier in Burgistan,
assuming it continues to adopt a policy to limit manufacture and sales to 80,000 control panels
in the coming year.
(8 marks)
ACCA F5 Question Bank
(b)
Revision questions: 2: Decision-making techniques
215
Robber Co takes 0.5 labour hours to produce a keypad and 0.75 labour hours to produce a
display screen. Labour hours are restricted to 100,000 hours and labour is paid at $1 per hour.
Robber Co wishes to increase its supply to 100,000 control panels (i.e. 100,000 each of keypads
and display screens).
Advise Robber Co as to how many units of keypads and display panels they should either
manufacture and/or outsource in order to minimise their costs.
(7 marks)
(c)
Discuss the non-financial factors that Robber Co should consider when making a decision about
outsourcing the manufacture of keypads and display screens.
(5 marks)
(20 marks)
Risk and uncertainty in decision making
6 CEMENT CO (Q1, JUNE 2011)
Cement Co is a company specialising in the manufacture of cement, a product used in the building
industry. The company has found that when weather conditions are good, the demand for cement
increases since more building work is able to take place. Last year, the weather was so good, and the
demand for cement was so great, that Cement Co was unable to meet demand. Cement Co is now
trying to work out the level of cement production for the coming year in order to maximise profits.
The company doesn’t want to miss out on the opportunity to earn large profits by running out of
cement again. However, it doesn’t want to be left with large quantities of the product unsold at the
end of the year, since it deteriorates quickly and then has to be disposed of. The company has received
the following estimates about the probable weather conditions and corresponding demand levels for
the coming year:
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Weather
Good
Average
Poor
Probability
25%
45%
30%
Demand
350,000 bags
280,000 bags
200,000 bags
Each bag of cement sells for $9 and costs $4 to make. If cement is unsold at the end of the year, it has
to be disposed of at a cost of $0.50 per bag.
Cement Co has decided to produce at one of the three levels of production to match forecast demand.
It now has to decide which level of cement production to select.
Required:
(a)
Construct a pay-off table to show all the possible profit outcomes.
(b)
Decide the level of cement production the company should choose, based on the following
decision rules:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Maximin
Maximax
Expected value
(8 marks)
(1 mark)
(1 mark)
(4 marks)
You must justify your decision under each rule, showing all necessary calculations.
(c)
Describe the ‘maximin’ and ‘expected value’ decision rules, explaining when they might be used
and the attitudes of the decision makers who might use them.
(6 marks)
(20 marks)
216 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
3: Budgeting and control
Budgetary systems and types of budget
1 NEWTOWN SCHOOL (Q5, JUNE 2013)
Newtown School’s head teacher has prepared the budget for the year ending 31 May 2014. The
government pays the school $1,050 for each child registered at the beginning of the school year, which
is June 1, and $900 for any child joining the school part-way through the year. The school does not
have to refund the money to the government if a child leaves the school part-way through the year.
The number of pupils registered at the school on 1 June 2013 is 690, which is 10% lower than the
previous year. Based on past experience, the probabilities for the number of pupils starting the school
part-way through the year are as follows.
Probability
0.2
0.3
0.5
No. of pupils joining late
50
20
26
The head teacher admits to being ‘poor with numbers’ and does not understand probabilities so, when
calculating budgeted revenue, he just calculates a simple average for the number of pupils expected to
join late. His budgeted revenue for the year ending 31 May 2014 is therefore as follows:
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Pupils
Pupils registered at beginning of school year
Average expected number of new joiners
690
32
Rate per
pupil
$
1,050
900
Total
income
$
724,500
28,800
753,300
The head teacher uses incremental budgeting to budget for his expenditure, taking actual expenditure
for the previous year as a starting point and simply adjusting it for inflation, as shown below.
Note
Repairs and maintenance
Salaries
Capital expenditure
Total budgeted expenditure
Budget surplus
1
2
3
Actual cost for
y/e 31 May 2013
$
44,000
620,000
65,000
Inflationary
adjustment
+3%
+2%
+6%
Budgeted cost for
y/e 31 May 2014
$
45,320
632,400
68,900
746,620
6,680
Notes
(1)
$30,000 of the costs for the year ended 31 May 2013 related to standard maintenance checks
and repairs that have to be carried out by the school every year in order to comply with
government health and safety standards. These are expected to increase by 3% in the coming
year. In the year ended 31 May 2013, $14,000 was also spent on redecorating some of the
classrooms. No redecorating is planned for the coming year.
(2)
One teacher earning a salary of $26,000 left the school on 31 May 2013 and there are no plans
to replace her. However, a 2% pay rise will be given to all staff with effect from 1 December
2013.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
(3)
Revision questions: 3: Budgeting and control
217
The full $65,000 actual costs for the year ended 31 May 2013 related to improvements made to
the school gym. This year, the canteen is going to be substantially improved, although the
extent of the improvements and level of service to be offered to pupils is still under discussion.
There is a 0·7 probability that the cost will be $145,000 and a 0·3 probability that it will be
$80,000. These costs must be paid in full before the end of the year ending 31 May 2014.
The school’s board of governors, who review the budget, are concerned that the budget surplus has
been calculated incorrectly. They believe that it should have been calculated using expected income,
based on the probabilities provided, and using expected expenditure, based on the information
provided in notes 1 to 3. They believe that incremental budgeting is not proving a reliable tool for
budget setting in the school since, for the last three years, there have been shortfalls of cash despite a
budget surplus being predicted. Since the school has no other source of funding available to it, these
shortfalls have had serious consequences, such as the closure of the school kitchen for a considerable
period in the last school year, meaning that no hot meals were available to pupils. This is thought to
have been the cause of the 10% fall in the number of pupils registered at the school on 1 June 2013.
Required:
(a)
Considering the views of the board of governors, recalculate the budget surplus/deficit for the
year ending 31 May 2014.
(6 marks)
(b)
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using incremental budgeting.
(4 marks)
(c)
Briefly outline the three main steps involved in preparing a zero-based budget.
(6 marks)
(d)
Discuss the extent to which zero-based budgeting could be used by Newtown School to improve
the budgeting process.
(4 marks)
Quantitative analysis
2 MIC CO
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(Q3, DECEMBER 2013)
(20 marks)
Mic Co produces microphones for mobile phones and operates a standard costing system. Before
production commenced, the standard labour time per batch for its latest microphone was estimated
to be 200 hours. The standard labour cost per hour is $12 and resource allocation and cost data were
therefore initially prepared on this basis.
Production of the microphone started in July and the number of batches assembled and sold each
month was as follows:
Month
July
August
September
October
November
No of batches assembled and sold
1
1
2
4
8
The first batch took 200 hours to make, as anticipated, but, during the first four months of production,
a learning effect of 88% was observed, although this finished at the end of October. The learning
formula is shown on the formula sheet and at the 88% learning rate the value of b is – 0·1844245.
Mic Co uses ‘cost plus’ pricing to establish selling prices for all its products. Sales of its new
microphone in the first five months have been disappointing. The sales manager has blamed the
production department for getting the labour cost so wrong, as this, in turn, caused the price to be too
high. The production manager has disclaimed all responsibility, saying that, ‘as usual, the managing
218 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
director prepared the budgets alone and didn’t consult me and, had he bothered to do so, I would
have told him that a learning curve was expected.’
Required:
(a)
Calculate the actual total monthly labour costs for producing the microphones for each of the
five months from July to November.
(9 marks)
(b)
Discuss the implications of the learning effect coming to an end for Mic Co, with regard to
costing, budgeting and production.
(4 marks)
(c)
Discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of involving senior staff at Mic Co in the
budget setting process, rather than the managing director simply imposing the budgets on
them.
(7 marks)
(20 marks)
Standard costing
3 NOBLE (Q3, JUNE 2011)
Noble is a restaurant that is only open in the evenings, on SIX days of the week. It has eight restaurant
and kitchen staff, each paid a wage of $8 per hour on the basis of hours actually worked. It also has a
restaurant manager and a head chef, each of whom is paid a monthly salary of $4,300. Noble’s budget
and actual figures for the month of May was as follows.
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Number of meals
Budget
1,200
Revenue: Food
Drinks
$
48,000
12,000
Variable costs:
Staff wages
Food costs
Drink costs
Energy costs
Contribution
Fixed costs:
Manager’s and chef’s pay
Rent, rates and depreciation
Operating profit
(9,216)
(6,000)
(2,400)
(3,387)
(8,600)
(4,500)
Actual
1,560
$
$
60,840
11,700
60,000
(21,003)
38,997
(13,100)
25,897
$
72,540
(13,248)
(7,180)
(5,280)
(3,500)
(8,600)
(4,500)
(29,208)
43,332
(13,100)
30,232
The budget above is based on the following assumptions.
(1)
The restaurant is only open six days a week and there are four weeks in a month. The average
number of orders each day is 50 and demand is evenly spread across all the days in the month.
(2)
The restaurant offers two meals: Meal A, which costs $35 per meal and Meal B, which costs
$45 per meal. In addition to this, irrespective of which meal the customer orders, the average
customer consumes four drinks each at $2.50 per drink. Therefore, the average spend per
customer is either $45 or $55 including drinks, depending on the type of meal selected. The
May budget is based on 50% of customers ordering Meal A and 50% of customers ordering
Meal B.
(3)
Food costs represent 12.5% of revenue from food sales.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 3: Budgeting and control
(4)
Drink costs represent 20% of revenue from drinks sales.
(5)
When the number of orders per day does not exceed 50, each member of hourly paid staff is
required to work exactly six hours per day. For every incremental increase of five in the average
number of orders per day, each member of staff has to work 0.5 hours of overtime for which
they are paid at the increased rate of $12 per hour.
219
You should assume that all costs for hourly paid staff are treated wholly as variable costs.
(6)
Energy costs are deemed to be related to the total number of hours worked by each of the
hourly paid staff, and are absorbed at the rate of $2.94 per hour worked by each of the eight
staff.
Required:
(a)
Prepare a flexed budget for the month of May, assuming that the standard mix of customers
remains the same as budgeted.
(12 marks)
(b)
After preparation of the flexed budget, you are informed that the following variances have
arisen in relation to total food and drink sales:
Sales mix contribution variance
$1,014
Adverse
Sales quantity contribution variance
$11,700
Favourable
Required:
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BRIEFLY describe the sales mix contribution variance and the sales quantity contribution
variance. Identify why each of them has arisen in Noble’s case.
(4 marks)
(c)
Fir
Noble’s owner told the restaurant manager to run a half-price drinks promotion at Noble for the
month of May on all drinks. Actual results showed that customers ordered an average of six
drinks each instead of the usual four but, because of the promotion, they only paid half of the
usual cost for each drink. You have calculated the sales margin price variance for drink sales
alone and found it to be a worrying $11,700 adverse. The restaurant manager is worried and
concerned that this makes his performance for drink sales look very bad.
Required:
BRIEFLY discuss TWO other variances that could be calculated for drinks sales or food sales in
order to ensure that the assessment of the restaurant manager’s performance is fair. These
should be variances that COULD be calculated from the information provided above although
no further calculations are required here.
(4 marks)
(20 marks)
220 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Sales mix and quantity variances
4 BLOCK CO (Q4, JUNE 2013)
Block Co operates an absorption costing system and sells three types of product – Commodity 1,
Commodity 2 and Commodity 3. Like other competitors operating in the same market, Block Co is
struggling to maintain revenues and profits in face of the economic recession which has engulfed the
country over the last two years. Sales prices fluctuate in the market in which Block Co operates.
Consequently, at the beginning of each quarter, a market specialist, who works on a consultancy basis
for Block Co, sets a budgeted sales price for each product for the quarter, based on his expectations of
the market. This then becomes the ‘standard selling price’ for the quarter. The sales department itself
is run by the company’s sales manager, who negotiates the actual sales prices with customers. The
following budgeted figures are available for the quarter ended 31 May 2013.
Product
Commodity 1
Commodity 2
Commodity 3
Budgeted production
and sales units
30,000
28,000
26,000
Standard selling price
per unit
$30
$35
$41.60
Standard variable
production costs per unit
$18
$28.40
$26.40
Block Co uses absorption costing. Fixed production overheads are absorbed on the basis of direct
machine hours and the budgeted cost of these for the quarter ended 31 May 2013 was $174,400.
Commodity 1, 2 and 3 use 0.2 hours, 0.6 hours and 0.8 hours of machine time respectively.
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The following data shows the actual sales prices and volumes achieved for each product by Block Co
for the quarter ended 31 May 2013 and the average market prices per unit.
Product
Commodity 1
Commodity 2
Commodity 3
Actual production and
sales units
29,800
30,400
25,600
Actual selling price
per unit
$31
$34
$40·40
Average market price
per unit
$32·20
$33·15
$39·10
The following variances have already been correctly calculated for Commodities 1 and 2:
Sales price operational variances
Commodity 1: $35,760 Adverse
Commodity 2: $25,840 Favourable
Sales price planning variances
Commodity 1: $65,560 Favourable
Commodity 2: $56,240 Adverse
Required:
(a)
Calculate, for Commodity 3 only, the sales price operational variance and the sales price
planning variance.
(4 marks)
(b)
Using the data provided for Commodities 1, 2 and 3, calculate the total sales mix variance and
the total sales quantity variance.
(11 marks)
(c)
Briefly discuss the performance of the business and, in particular, that of the sales manager for
the quarter ended 31 May 2013.
(5 marks)
(20 marks)
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 3: Budgeting and control
221
Planning and operational variances
5 TRUFFLE CO (Q2, DECEMBER 2012)
Truffle Co makes high quality, handmade chocolate truffles which it sells to a local retailer. All
chocolates are made in batches of 16, to fit the standard boxes supplied by the retailer. The standard
cost of labour for each batch is $6.00 and the standard labour time for each batch is half an hour. In
November, Truffle Co had budgeted production of 24,000 batches; actual production was only 20,500
batches. 12,000 labour hours were used to complete the work and there was no idle time. All workers
were paid for their actual hours worked. The actual total labour cost for November was $136,800.
The Production Manager at Truffle Co has no input into the budgeting process.
At the end of October, the Managing Director decided to hold a meeting and offer staff the choice of
either accepting a 5% pay cut or facing a certain number of redundancies. All staff subsequently
agreed to accept the 5% pay cut with immediate effect.
At the same time, the retailer requested that the truffles be made slightly softer. This change was
implemented immediately and made the chocolates more difficult to shape. When recipe changes
such as these are made, it takes time before the workers become used to working with the new
ingredient mix, making the process 20% slower for at least the first month of the new operation.
The standard costing system is only updated once a year in June and no changes are ever made to the
system outside of this.
Required:
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(a)
Calculate the total labour rate and total labour efficiency variances for November, based on the
standard cost provided above.
(4 marks)
(b)
Analyse the total labour rate and total labour efficiency variances into component parts for
planning and operational variances in as much detail as the information allows.
(8 marks)
(c)
Assess the performance of the production manager for the month of November.
(8 marks)
(20 marks)
Performance analysis and behavioural aspects
6 STICKY WICKET (Q2, JUNE 2010)
Sticky Wicket (SW) manufactures cricket bats using high quality wood and skilled labour using mainly
traditional manual techniques. The manufacturing department is a cost centre within the business and
operates a standard costing system based on marginal costs.
At the beginning of April 2010 the production director attempted to reduce the cost of the bats by
sourcing wood from a new supplier and de-skilling the process a little by using lower grade staff on
parts of the production process. The standards were not adjusted to reflect these changes.
The variance report for April 2010 is shown below (extract).
Variances
Material price
Material usage
Labour rate
Labour efficiency
Labour idle time
Adverse
$
7,500
48,800
5,400
Favourable
$
5,100
43,600
222 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
The Production Director pointed out in his April 2010 board report that the new grade of labour
required significant training in April and this meant that productive time was lower than usual. He
accepted that the workers were a little slow at the moment but expected that an improvement would
be seen in May 2010. He also mentioned that the new wood being used was proving difficult to cut
cleanly, resulting in increased waste levels.
Sales for April 2010 were down 10% on budget and returns of faulty bats were up 20% on the previous
month. The sales director resigned after the board meeting stating that SW had always produced
quality products but the new strategy was bound to upset customers and damage the brand of the
business.
Required:
(a)
Assess the performance of the Production Director using all the information above, taking into
account both the decision to use a new supplier and the decision to de-skill the process.
(7 marks)
In May 2010 the budgeted sales were 19,000 bats and the standard cost card is as follows.
Materials
(2kg at $5/kg)
Labour
(3hrs at $12/hr)
Marginal cost
Selling price
Contribution
Std cost
$
10
36
Std cost
$
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68
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In May 2010 the following results were achieved.
40,000kg of wood were bought at a cost of $196,000, this produced 19,200 cricket bats. No inventory
of raw materials is held. The labour was paid for 62,000 hours and the total cost was $694,000. Labour
worked for 61,500 hours.
The sales price was reduced to protect the sales levels. However, only 18,000 cricket bats were sold at
an average price of $65.
Required:
(b)
Calculate the materials, labour and sales variances for May 2010 in as much detail as the
information allows. You are not required to comment on the performance of the business.
(13 marks)
(20 marks)
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
223
4: Performance measurement and control
Performance analysis in private sector organisations
1 SQUARIZE
(Q2, JUNE 2013)
Squarize is a large company which, for many years, operated solely as a pay-tv broadcaster. However,
five years ago, it started product bundling, offering broadband and telephone services to its pay-tv
customers. Customers taking up the offer were then known in the business as ‘bundle customers’ and
they had to take up both the broadband and telephone services together with the pay-tv service.
Other customers were still able to subscribe to pay-tv alone but not to broadband and telephone
services without the pay-tv service.
All contracts to customers of Squarize are for a minimum three-month period. The pay-tv box is sold to
the customer at the beginning of the contract; however, the broadband and telephone equipment is
only rented to them.
In the first few years after product bundling was introduced, the company saw a steady increase in
profits. Then, Squarize saw its revenues and operating profits fall. Consequently, staff bonuses were
not paid, and staff became dissatisfied. Several reasons were identified for the deterioration of results:
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(1)
In the economy as a whole, discretionary spending had been severely hit by rising
unemployment and inflation. In a bid to save cash, many pay-tv customers were cancelling their
contracts after the minimum three-month period as they were then able to still keep the pay-tv
box. The box comes with a number of free channels, which the customer can still continue to
receive free of charge, even after the cancellation of their contract.
(2)
The company’s customer service call centre, which is situated in another country, had been the
cause of lots of complaints from customers about poor service, and, in particular, the number of
calls it sometimes took to resolve an issue.
(3)
Some bundle customers found that the broadband service that they had subscribed to did not
work. As a result, they were immediately cancelling their contracts for all services within the 14day cancellation period permitted under the contracts.
In a response to the above problems and in an attempt to increase revenues and profits, Squarize
made the following changes to the business:
(1)
It made a strategic decision to withdraw the pay-tv–broadband–telephone package from the
market and, instead, offer each service as a standalone product.
(2)
It guaranteed not to increase prices for a 12-month period for each of its three services.
(3)
It transferred its call centre back to its home country and increased the level of staff training
given for call centre workers.
(4)
It investigated and resolved the problem with customers’ broadband service.
It is now one year since the changes were made and the Finance Director wants to use a balanced
scorecard to assess the extent to which the changes have been successful in improving the
performance of the business.
224 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Required:
(a)
For each perspective of the balanced scorecard, identify two goals (objectives) together with a
corresponding performance measure for each goal which could be used by the company to
assess whether the changes have been successful. Justify the use of each of the performance
measures that you choose.
(16 marks)
(b)
Discuss how the company could reduce the problem of customers terminating their pay-tv
service after only three months.
(4 marks)
(20 marks)
2 JUNGLE CO (Q31, SEPTEMBER 2016)
Jungle Co is a very successful multinational retail company. It has been selling a large range of
household and electronic goods for some years. One year ago, it began using new suppliers from the
country of Slabak, where labour is very cheap, for many of its household goods. In 20X4, Jungle Co also
became a major provider of ‘cloud computing’ services, investing heavily in cloud technology. These
services provide customers with a way of storing and accessing data and programs over the internet
rather than on their computers’ hard drives.
All Jungle Co customers have the option to sign up for the company’s ‘Gold’ membership service,
which provides next day delivery on all orders, in return for an annual service fee of $40. In September
20X5, Jungle Co formed its own logistics company and took over the delivery of all of its parcels,
instead of using the services of international delivery companies.
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Over the last year, there has been worldwide growth in the electronic goods market of 20%. Average
growth rates and gross profit margins for cloud computing service providers have been 50% and 80%
respectively in the last year. Jungle Co’s prices have remained stable year on year for all sectors of its
business, with price competitiveness being crucial to its continuing success as the leading global
electronic retailer.
The following information is available for Jungle Co for the last two financial years:
Notes
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Administration expenses
Distribution expenses
Other operating expenses
Net profit
1
2
3
31 August 20X6
$’000
94,660
(54,531)
40,129
(2,760)
(13,420)
(140)
23,809
31 August 20X5
$’000
82,320
(51,708)
30,612
(1,720)
(13,180)
(110)
15,602
Notes
(1)
Breakdown of revenue
Household goods
Electronic goods
Cloud computing services
Gold membership fees
31 August 20X6
$’000
38,990
41,870
12,400
1,400
94,660
31 August 20X5
$’000
41,160
32,640
6,520
2,000
82,320
ACCA F5 Question Bank
(2)
Revision questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
Breakdown of cost of sales
31 August 20X6
$’000
23,394
26,797
4,240
100
54,531
Household goods
Electronic goods
Cloud computing services
Gold membership fees
(3)
225
31 August 20X5
$’000
28,812
21,216
1,580
100
51,708
Administration expenses
Included in these costs are the costs of running the customer service department ($860,000 in
20X5; $1,900,000 in 20X6.) This department deals with customer complaints.
(4)
Non-financial data
Percentage of orders delivered on time
No. of customer complaints
No. of customers
Percentage of late ‘Gold’ member deliveries
31 August 20X6
74%
1,400,000
7,100,000
14·00%
31 August 20X5
92%
320,000
6,500,000
2·00%
Required:
Discuss the financial and non-financial performance of Jungle Co for the year ending 31 August 20X6.
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Note: There are 7 marks available for calculations and 13 marks available for discussion.
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(20 marks)
Divisional performance and transfer pricing
3 PROTECT AGAINST FIRE CO
(Q4, DECEMBER 2013)
Protect Against Fire Co (PAF Co) manufactures and sells fire safety equipment and also provides fire
risk assessments and fire safety courses to businesses. It has been trading for many years in the
country of Calana, where it is the market leader.
Five years ago, the directors of PAF Co established a similar operation in its neighbouring country,
Sista, renting business premises at various locations across the country. The fire safety market in Sista
has always been dominated by two other companies, and when PAF Co opened the Sista division, its
plan was to become market leader there within five years. Both the Calana division (Division C) and the
Sista division (Division S) usually restrict themselves to a marketing budget of $0.5 million per annum
but in 2013, Division S launched a $2m advertising campaign in a final push to increase market share.
It also left its prices for products and services unchanged in 2013 rather than increasing them in line
with its competitors.
Although the populations of both countries are similar, geographically, the country of Sista is twice as
large as Calana and its customers are equally spread across the country. The products and services
offered by the two divisions to their customers require skilled staff, demand for which is particularly
high in Sista. Following the appointment of a new government in Sista at the end of 2012, stricter fire
safety regulations were immediately introduced for all companies. At the same time, the government
introduced a substantial tax on business property rents which landlords passed on to their tenants.
International shortages of fuel have led to a 20% increase in fuel prices in both countries in the last
year.
Summary statements of profit or loss for the two divisions for the two years ended 30 November 2012
and 30 November 2013 are shown below.
226 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
Revenue
Material costs
Payroll costs
Property costs
Gross profit
Distribution and marketing costs
Administrative overheads
Operating profit
Employee numbers
Market share
Division S
2013
$000
38,845
(3,509)
(10,260)
(3,200)
21,876
(10,522)
(7,024)
4,330
380
30%
Division S
2012
$000
26,937
(2,580)
(6,030)
(1,800)
16,527
(7,602)
(6,598)
2,327
241
25%
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Division C
2013
$000
44,065
(4,221)
(8,820)
(2,450)
28,574
(7,098)
(12,012)
9,464
420
55%
Division C
2012
$000
40,359
(3,385)
(7,700)
(2,320)
26,954
(5,998)
(11,974)
8,982
385
52%
Required:
Using all the information above, assess the financial performance of Division S in the year ended
30 November 2013. State clearly where further information might be required in order to make more
reasoned conclusions about the division’s performance.
Note: Up to 7 marks are available for calculations.
(20 marks)
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4 BISCUITS AND CAKES (Q5, JUNE 2012)
The Biscuits division (Division B) and the Cakes division (Division C) are two divisions of a large,
manufacturing company. While both divisions operate in almost identical markets, each division
operates separately as an investment centre. Each month, operating statements must be prepared by
each division and these are used as a basis for performance measurement for the divisions.
Last month, senior management decided to recharge head office costs to the divisions. Consequently,
each division is now going to be required to deduct a share of head office costs in its operating
statement before arriving at ‘net profit’, which is then used to calculate return on investment (ROI).
Prior to this, ROI has been calculated using controllable profit only. The company’s target ROI,
however, remains unchanged at 20% per annum. For each of the last three months, Divisions B and C
have maintained ROIs of 22% per annum and 23% per annum respectively, resulting in healthy
bonuses being awarded to staff. The company has a cost of capital of 10%.
The budgeted operating statement for the month of July is shown below.
Sales revenue
Less variable costs
Contribution
Less controllable fixed costs
Controllable profit
Less apportionment of head office costs
Net profit
Divisional net assets
B
$000
1,300
(700)
600
(134)
466
(155)
311
C
$000
1,500
(800)
700
(228)
472
(180)
292
$23.2m
$22.6m
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Revision questions: 4: Performance measurement and control
227
Required:
(a)
Calculate the expected annualised Return on Investment (ROI) using the new method as
preferred by senior management, based on the above budgeted operating statements, for each
of the divisions.
(2 marks)
(b)
The divisional Managing Directors are unhappy about the results produced by your calculations
in (a) and have heard that a performance measure called ‘residual income’ may provide more
information.
Calculate the annualised residual income (RI) for each of the divisions, based on the net profit
figures for the month of July.
(3 marks)
(c)
Discuss the expected performance of each of the two divisions, using both ROI and RI, and
making any additional calculations deemed necessary. Conclude as to whether, in your opinion,
the two divisions have performed well.
(6 marks)
(d)
Division B has now been offered an immediate opportunity to invest in new machinery at a cost
of $2.12 million.
The machinery is expected to have a useful economic life of four years, after which it could be
sold for $200,000. Division B’s policy is to depreciate all of its machinery on a straight-line basis
over the life of the asset. The machinery would be expected to expand Division B’s production
capacity, resulting in a 10% increase in contribution per month.
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Recalculate Division B’s expected annualised ROI and annualised RI, based on July’s budgeted
operating statement after adjusting for the investment. State whether the Managing Director
will be making a decision that is in the best interests of the company as a whole if ROI is used as
the basis of the decision.
(5 marks)
(e)
Fir
Explain any behavioural problems that will result if the company’s senior management insist on
using solely ROI, based on net profit rather than controllable profit, to assess divisional
performance and reward staff.
(4 marks)
(20 marks)
5 MAN CO (Q4 MARCH/JUNE 2016 AMENDED)
A manufacturing company, Man Co, has two divisions: Division L and Division M. Both divisions make a
single standardised product. Division L makes component L, which is supplied to both Division M and
external customers. Division M makes product M using one unit of component L and other materials. It
then sells the completed product M to external customers. To date, Division M has always bought
component L from Division L.
The following information is available:
Selling price
Direct materials:
Component L
Other
Direct labour
Variable overheads
Selling and distribution costs
Contribution per unit before fixed costs
Annual fixed costs
Annual external demand (units)
Capacity of plant
Component L
$
40
(12)
(6)
(2)
(4)
16
$500,000
160,000
300,000
Product M
$
96
(40)
(17)
(9)
(3)
(1)
26
$200,000
120,000
130,000
228 R e v i s i o n q u e s t i o n s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Division L charges the same price for component L to both Division M and external customers.
However, it does not incur the selling and distribution costs when transferring internally.
Division M has just been approached by a new supplier who has offered to supply it with component L
for $37 per unit. Prior to this offer, the cheapest price which Division M could have bought component
L for from outside the group was $42 per unit.
It is head office policy to let the divisions operate autonomously without interference at all.
Required:
(a)
Calculate the incremental profit/(loss) per component for the group if Division M accepts the
new supplier’s offer and recommend how many components Division L should sell to Division M
if group profits are to be maximised.
(3 marks)
(b)
Using the quantities calculated in (a) and the current transfer price, calculate the total annual
profits of each division and the group as a whole.
(6 marks)
(c)
Discuss the problems which will arise if the transfer price remains unchanged and advise the
divisions on a suitable alternative transfer price for component L.
(6 marks)
The Finance Director of Man Co is about to introduce balanced scorecard reporting to Division L and
Division M. As there have been queries from the divisions about how the balanced scorecard will work,
in particular the three non-financial perspectives, he will need to provide more guidance before the
approach can be implemented.
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Required:
(d)
Explain the significance of the three non-financial perspectives in the balanced scorecard
approach to performance measurement.
(5 marks)
(20 marks)
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
229
PART 2 REVISION ANSWERS: Objective test and Scenario
1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
Activity based costing
1
True
False
ABC can only be used within a manufacturing
environment.
ABC assumes that most overhead costs are incurred at
the product level.
A cost driver is a factor which causes a change in the
cost of an activity.
Traditional absorption costing tends to under-estimate
overhead costs for high volume products.
ABC can be used for manufacturing and service businesses. Traditional absorption costing assumes
that most overhead costs are incurred at the product level and overestimates costs for high value
items. ABC considers more of the overheads relate to batch and product sustaining activities.
2
$
46.25
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Set-up costs per production run = $140,000/28 = $5,000
Cost per inspection = $80,000/8 = $10,000
Other overhead costs per labour hour = $96,000/48,000 = $2
Overheads costs of product D:
Set-up costs (15 × $5,000)
Inspection costs (3 × $10,000)
Other overheads (40,000 × $2)
Overhead cost per unit = 185,000/4,000 = $46·25
3
$
49.00
Total material budget = (5,000 × $20) + (4,000 × $25) = $200,000
Fixed overheads related to materials = $150,000
OAR = $150,000/$200,000 = $0.75 per $ of material
Lou material fixed overhead = $0.75 × $20 = $15
Total labour budget = (5,000 × $40) + (4,000 × $60) = $440,000
General fixed overheads = $374,000
OAR = $374,000/$440,000 = $0.85 per $ of labour
Lou general fixed overhead = $0.85 × $40 = $34
Total fixed overhead cost per unit of Lou = $15 + $34 = $49
$
75,000
30,000
80,000
185,000
230 Revision answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
4
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
$120
Total material budget ((1,000 units × $10) + (2,000 units × $20)) = $50,000
Fixed costs related to material handling = $100,000
OAR = $2/$ of material
Product B = $2 x $20 = $40
Total labour budget ((1,000 units × $5) + (2,000 units x $20) = $45,000
General fixed costs = $180,000
OAR = $4/$ of labour
Product B = $4 × $20 = $80
Total fixed overhead cost per unit of Product B ($40 + $80) = $120
WASH CO
5
$
298
Total overhead costs = $877,620
Total machine hours = (3,200 × 2) + (5,450 × 1) = 11,850
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Overhead absorption rate = $877,620/11,850 = $74.06
Overhead cost for S = 2 × $74.06 = $148.12
Product S
$
117.00
6.00
148.12
271.12
27.11
298.23
Materials cost
Labour cost (at $12 per hour)
Overhead costs
Total cost
10% mark-up
Transfer price using machine hours
6
$
138
Machine set up costs: driver = number of production runs
30 + 12 = 42
Therefore, cost per set up = $306,435/42 = $7,296.07
Machine maintenance costs: driver = machine hours: 11,850 as above
$415,105/11,850 = $35.03
Machine set-up costs ($7,296.07 × 30/3,200)
Machine maintenance costs ($35.03 × 3,200 × 2/3,200)
Total overheads absorbed
Product S
$
218,882
224,192
443,074
Per unit
68.40
70.06
138.46
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
7
Revision answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
231
16
$
Ordering costs: driver = number of purchase orders
82 + 64 = 146
Therefore, cost per order = $11,680/146 = $80
Delivery costs: driver = number of deliveries.
64 + 80 = 144
Therefore, cost per delivery = $144,400/144 = $1,002.78
Product R
$
5,120
80,222
85,342
Ordering costs ($80 × 64/5,450)
Delivery costs ($1,002.78 × 80/5,450)
Total overheads absorbed
Per unit
0.94
14.72
15.66
8
True
False
Environmental ABC will be concerned with prevention
activities as well as detection and correction activities.
Environmental ABC helps identify environment-driven
costs, which may be hidden within general overheads.
Volume of emissions may be a cost driver in
environmental ABC.
Environmental ABC can measure cost savings resulting
from measures to reduce environmental impact.
All the statements are true.
9
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Input/output analysis aims to identify residual or waste.
Environment-related costs are connected with activities for which costs can be directly
traced.
Flow cost accounting has a third category – System – that relates to in-house handling of materials.
Environmental life cycle costing also considers costs of clean-up and decommissioning after
production has ceased.
232 Revision answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Target costing
10
True
False
Target costing is a market driven approach to pricing.
Using target costing to set selling prices guarantees
that a company will make a profit on its products.
Unlike traditional costing methods, in ABC production
overheads are not absorbed across product units.
An organisation which switches to ABC may find that
some of its existing products, which require minimal
labour hours, no longer appear profitable.
Using target costing to set selling prices will only result in a profit if the company ensures that it
can actually produce the product for less than the selling price.
ABC, like traditional costing methods, attempts to absorb production overheads across product
units. However, this is done in a different way, using cost drivers, rather than labour or machine
hours, to establish an overhead absorption rate. This can result in quite different product costs.
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11
25
$
Profit required = 40% × $200 = $80. Hence target cost = $120
Product cost = $55 + $75 + $15 = $145
So cost gap = $25
12
Characteristic
Not characteristic
Homogenity
Intangibility
Perishability
Spontaneity
Typically, the services provided will differ according to the customer so heterogeneity/variability
rather than homogeneity is normally a characteristic of a service industry.
13
Use a lower grade of labour
Reduce the time spent in terms of labour hours
In most service industries the majority of the cost is likely to be related to labour.
14
Substitute current raw materials with cheaper versions
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
15
$
Revision answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
233
362.50
Return: $500,000 × 30% = $150,000
Total sales revenue: $550 × 800 = $440,000
Therefore, total cost = $440,000 – $150,000 = $290,000
Unit cost = $290,000/800 = $362.50
16
Variance analysis
Variance analysis is not relevant to target costing as it is a technique used for cost control at the
production phase of the product life cycle. It is a feedback control tool by nature and target
costing is feedforward.
Value analysis can be used to identify where small cost reductions can be applied to close a cost
gap once production commences.
Functional analysis can be used at the product design stage. It ensures that a cost gap is reached
or to ensure that the product design is one which includes only features which customers want.
Activity analysis identifies and describes activities in an organisation and evaluates their impact
on operations to assess where improvements can be made.
HELOT CO
17
2 and 4
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Target costing does encourage looking at customer requirements early on so that features
valued by customers are included, so Statement 2 is correct. It will also force the company to
closely assess the design and is likely to be successful if costs are designed out at this stage
rather than later once production has started, so Statement 4 is correct.
Statement 1 explains a benefit of flow cost accounting. Statement 3 explains the concept of
throughput accounting.
18
$2.05
Target price is $45 and the profit margin is 35% which results in a target cost of $29·25. The
current estimated cost is $31·20 which results in a cost gap of $2·05.
19
2 and 4
EXAM SMART
The word ‘appropriate’ in the requirement is important here – the methods chosen should
not impact on the target selling price.
Using more standardised components and using its own websites for marketing will reduce
processing and marketing costs.
Using cheaper materials and trainee designers will reduce costs but could impact the quality
and customer perception of the product which would impact the target price.
234 Revision answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
20
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
The target cost will remain the same and the cost gap will increase.
The change in the learning rate will increase the current estimated cost which will increase the
cost gap.
The target cost will be unaffected as this is based on the target selling price and profit margin;
neither of which are changing.
21
Labour resource usage is high in services relative to material requirements.
Services do use more labour relative to materials.
The other three statements are incorrect as uniformity is not a characteristic of services, there is
no transfer of ownership and although it is difficult to standardise a service due to the human
influence, target costing can still be used.
Life cycle costing
22
A disadvantage of life cycle costing is that it may be difficult, at the start of a product’s
life, to arrive at a realistic estimate of the product’s costs over a number of years.
Life cycle costing is particularly suitable for innovative organisations which incur high
costs during the early stages of a product's life cycle.
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Life cycle costing is better for organisations that develop products with short lives. Life cycle
costing is concerned with product costs over a number of periods, and is not concerned with
the split of costs between each year.
23
Target costing
24
True
False
It focuses on the short-term by identifying costs at the
beginning of a product’s life cycle.
It identifies all costs which arise in relation to the
product each year and then calculates the product’s
profitability on an annual basis.
It accumulates a product’s costs over its whole life time
and works out the overall profitability of a product.
It allocates costs to each stage of a product’s life cycle
and writes them off at the end of each stage.
Life cycle costing goes beyond the short-term by looking at a product’s whole life cycle and
looks at costs for the entire period, not on an annual basis and not writing costs off at the end
of each stage.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
25
Revision answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
235
$27.40
OAR for fixed production overheads ($72 million/96 million hours) = $0·75 per hour
Total manufacturing costs (300,000 units × $20) = $6,000,000
Total design, depreciation and decommissioning costs = $1,320,000
Total fixed production overheads (300,000 units × 4 hours × $0·75) = $900,000 Total life-cycle
costs = $8,220,000
Life-cycle cost per unit ($8,220,000/300,000 units) = $27·40
FIT CO
26
Included
Not included
Research and development costs
Product design costs
Marketing costs
Distribution costs
Selling costs
Administration costs
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All the costs listed are part of the life cycle cost calculation.
27
It gives a good indication of the success of research and development and design
activities.
It matches initial costs to the revenues that the product finally earns.
Life cycle costing is not primarily concerned with splitting costs into periods, but a single set of
costs over a product’s whole lifetime.
It cannot normally prevent a product entering a decline stage as most products will reach that
point at some stage.
28
Products with a short life
Products being launched in a competitive environment where time to market is very
important
Life cycle costing is particularly useful where products have a short life, since costs and revenues
can be estimated fairly accurately upfront. Life cycle costing also means that launch costs
incurred to speed up the launch are accounted for fairly.
Life cycle costing is less useful where the spread of costs is even, because it addresses the
problems of the mismatching of costs and revenues over time. It is also of limited use if
products are simple, since upfront costs are unlikely to be significant.
236 Revision answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
29
$
790
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
000
Total labour time for first 100 units = 35.56 hours
Time for 99th unit
y = 0.5 × 99–0·074
= 0.3559 hours per unit.
Therefore total hours for 99 units = 35.23 hours.
Therefore, time for 100th unit = 35.56 hours – 35.23 hours = 0.33 hours
Total labour cost over life of product
Year 2
100 units
99,900 at 0.33 hours per unit
Total hours
36
32,967
33,003
at $24 per hour
30
$
550
hours
hours
hours
$792,072
000
Total revenue = 300,000 × $85 = $25,500,000
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Total desired costs = $25,500,000 × 80% = $20,400,000
Reduction in manufacturing costs = $12,600,000 × 25% = $3,150,000
Total costs before extra R and D/design costs = $23,000,000 – $3,150,000 = $19,850,000
Maximum R and D/design costs = $20,400,000 – $19,850,000 = $550,000
Throughput accounting
31
True
False
Throughput accounting is based on the concept that
there is a finite capacity at certain critical points in an
organisation’s production schedule.
Throughput accounting treats labour as a fixed cost in the
short-term.
Throughput accounting focusses on improving efficiency
by using all production facilities to their maximum
capacity.
The aim of throughput accounting is to increase the
speed with which products move through an organisation
in order to maximise profit.
Only the bottleneck resources will be used to maximum capacity.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
237
32
A
2
B
3
C
1
A
$
200
41
159
159/12
13.25
nd
2
Selling price
Direct materials
Throughput contribution
Throughput/Limiting factor
Ranking
33
B
C
$
150
20
130
130/10
13
rd
3
$
150
30
120
120/7
17.14
1st
1.33
Return per factory hour = ($130 – $50)/4 hours = $20
Factory costs per hour = $20 + $40/4 = $15
TAR = $20/$15 = 1·33
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34
True
False
Inventory levels should be kept to a minimum.
All machines within a factory should be 100% efficient,
with no idle time.
The distinction between direct and indirect costs is not
useful.
Labour should be treated as a fixed cost that is part of
total factory cost.
Throughput accounting discourages production for inventory purposes and is often used in a
just in time environment.
In throughput accounting it is the bottleneck resource which should be 100% efficient which
actually may mean unused capacity and idle time elsewhere.
35
Increasing the efficiency of the maintenance routine for Process 2
Throughput is determined by the bottleneck resource. Process 2 is the bottleneck as it has
insufficient time to meet demand.
The only option to improve Process 2 is to improve the efficiency of the maintenance routine.
All the other three options either increase the time available on non-bottleneck resources or
increase demand for an increase in supply which cannot be achieved.
238 Revision answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
SWEET TREATS BAKERY
36
Mixing
Process
Weighing
Mixing
Baking
Available
minutes
240
180
1,440
Brownies
60
80
480
Muffins
Cupcakes
45
48
330
100
60
600
Total minutes
required
205
188
1,410
The bottleneck is the mixing process as 188 minutes are required to meet maximum demand
but there are only 180 minutes available.
Note: Four batches of brownies need to be made in order to have sufficient cakes to meet
maximum demand as the cakes must be made in their batch sizes.
37
80 brownies, 30 muffins, 100 cupcakes
Brownies
Muffins
Cupcakes
Throughput contribution ($)
50
37.5
35
Mixing minutes
20
16
12
2.50
2.34
2.91
2
3
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Throughput per mixing minute ($)
Ranking
Optimal production plan
Fulfil customer order
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i
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Number of
cakes
Mixing
minutes
1 batch of cupcakes
20
12
1 batch of brownies
40
20
1 batch of muffins
30
16
4 batches of cupcakes
80
48
1 batch of brownies
40
20
General production (based on ranking)
Therefore the bakery should produce 80 brownies, 30 muffins and 100 cupcakes.
38
A bulk discount on flour and sugar is available from suppliers.
The rent of the premises has been reduced for the next year.
Reduction in rent and discounts on materials will reduce costs and will improve the TPAR.
Giving a customer a loyalty discount will reduce sales revenue and as a result the TPAR. Demand
for cupcakes can increase but it will not impact the TPAR as demand is not the restriction.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
39
Revision answers: 1: Specialist cost and management accounting techniques
239
$95.00
Each oven has a capacity of eight hours and each cupcake batch takes two hours so four extra
batches can be made.
Extra throughput = four batches x $35 = $140
Less the hire costs will result in an additional profit of $95.
40
True
False
The bakery’s operating costs exceeded the total throughput
contribution generated from the three products.
Less idle time in the mixing department would have
improved the TPAR
Improved efficiency during the weighing process would have
improved the TPAR.
As the TPAR exceeds 1 then the throughput contribution exceeds operating costs so Statement
1 is false.
Less idle time on a non-bottleneck process would not improve the TPAR, so Statement 2 is false.
Improving efficiency during the weighing process would improve the TPAR, as any actions to
improve throughput on a bottleneck will improve the TPAR so Statement 3 is true.
Environmental accounting
41
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True
False
The majority of environmental costs are already
captured within a typical organisation’s accounting
system. The difficulty lies in identifying them.
Input/output analysis divides material flows within an
organisation into three categories: material flows,
system flows. and delivery and disposal flows.
Input/output analysis enables classification of output
as finished production, scrap and waste.
Environmental life cycle costing enables analysis of
clean-up and disposal activities relating to a product.
Flow cost accounting enables analysis into material flows, system flows and delivery and
disposal flows.
42
I, II, and III only
As specified by the United Nations Division for Sustainable Development (2003).
43
Flow cost accounting
Under a system of flow cost accounting material flows are divided into three categories –
material, system, and delivery and disposal.
240 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
2: Decision-making techniques
Relevant cost analysis
1
True
False
Decisions should always be based on future
incremental accounting profits.
When a required resource is in scarce supply, the
opportunity cost of the next best alternative use
needs to be considered.
Sunk costs are irrelevant to decision making as the
expenditure has already been incurred.
Depreciation may be a relevant cost if it is incremental
to the project being considered.
Decisions should always be based on future incremental cash flows which are more objective
than accounting profits.
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Depreciation is never relevant as it is not a cash flow.
2
$
3900
Cost of the quantity to be bought = 200 × $4.50 = $900
Opportunity cost of quantity in hand = 800 × $3.75 = $3,000
Total relevant cost = $3,900
3
Relevant
Not relevant
The total sales value of the fruit currently picked and
paid for by customers
The cost of growing the fruit
The cost of hiring staff to pick and package the fruit
The total sales value of the fruit if it is picked and
packaged by staff instead
The cost of growing the fruit is not relevant since it is a common cost.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
241
LOSMETIC CO
4
$
76000
Silk powder: (15,000 × $2.50) + Aloe vera: (15,000 × $2) + (5,000 × $1.70) = $76,000
5
$
8600
Skilled labour – overtime will required for employees at $12 × 150% = $18, therefore better to
bring in workers from outside, 500 hours × $16 = $8,000
Unskilled labour – 250 hours required. If they worked a 40 hour week for the next three weeks,
total hours would be 40 × 3 × 2 = 240 hours. They are guaranteed payment for 30 × 3 × 2 = 180
hours. Therefore cost = (8 × 1.5 × (250 – 240)) + (8 × (240 – 180)) = $600
Total labour cost = $8,000 + $600 = $8,600
6
$
1950
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(750 × $1.60) + (15 × $40 × 125%) = $1,950
Fir
The salary element is excluded but the full overtime payment is included.
7
The overheads should be excluded because they are not incremental costs.
The overheads are excluded as they do not arise specifically as a result of the order. Not all
relevant costs are opportunity costs. The fact that the costs are production costs is not a factor,
and we’re told that the pricing is based on relevant costs, not all costs.
8
True
False
All cash expenses are relevant costs, all non-cash
expenses are non-relevant costs.
Notional costs are never relevant costs.
Fixed costs are never relevant costs.
Not all future costs are relevant costs.
Non-cash expenses are non-relevant costs, but some cash expenses (for example past expenses)
are not relevant. Notional costs are not cash flows, so are not relevant. Fixed costs may relate
specifically to the decision, so may be relevant. Some future costs may be incurred whatever
decision is taken, so are not relevant.
242 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
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Cost volume profit analysis
9
True
False
CVP can help a company assess how sensitive its profits
might be to below budget performance.
CVP analysis uses a total absorption costing approach.
CVP analysis is flexible enough to deal with changes in
both variable and fixed costs at different levels of activity.
Break-even analysis can only be used for a single product
or for multiple products which are sold in a constant mix.
CVP focuses on contribution which is a marginal costing approach.
A limitation of CVP analysis is that it assumes constant variable costs per unit and a constant
fixed cost.
4500
10
Current sales volume = $43,500/$3 = 14,500 units
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Contribution per unit = 60% × $3 = $1.80
Break-even = $18,000/$1.80 = 10,000 units
Hence margin of safety = 14,5000 – 10,000 = 4,500 units
11
18,636 units
Number of units required to make target profit = fixed costs + target profit/contribution per unit
of P1.
Fixed costs = ($1·2 × 10,000) + ($1 × 12,500) – $2,500 = $22,000
Contribution per unit of P = $3·20 + $1·20 = $4·40
($22,000 + $60,000)/$4·40 = 18,636 units
12
Required
Not required
Product mix ratio
Contribution to sales ratio for each product
General fixed costs
Method of apportioning general fixed costs
The method of apportioning general fixed costs is not required to calculate the break-even sales
revenue.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
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243
32000
13
Contribution per each ‘package’ of 4 units (3 sara 1 cristina) = (3 × $12) + $7 = $43
Contribution required for $75,000 profit = $269,000 + $75,000 = $344,000
Number of ‘packages’ required = $344,000/$43 = 8,000
Number of units required = 8,000 × 4 = 32,000
14
22,500
Two units of Y and one unit of X would give total contribution of $18.
Weighted average contribution per unit = $18/3 units = $6
Sales units to achieve target profit = ($90,000 + $45,000)/$6 = 22,500
HARE EVENTS
15
47.7%
Total fixed costs = $385,000
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Contribution per marathon entry ($55 – $18.20) = $36.80
BEP = 10,462
Margin of safety (20,000 - 10,462)/20,000 = 47.7%
16
$592,000
Weighted average C/S ratio = ((2 x $36.80) + (1.4 x $18.00))/((2 x $55) + (1.4 x $30)) =
$98.80/$152 = 65%
BER = $385,000/65% = $592,308
17
Full marathon: 17,915 entries Half marathon: 12,540 entries
Weighted average C/S ratio = 65%
Revenue to achieve target profit = $885,000/65% = $1,361,538
Marathon revenue = ($110/$152) x $1,361,538 = $985,324
Number of entries = $985,324/$55 = 17,915 entries
Half marathon revenue ($42/$152) x $1,361,538 = $376,214
Number of entries = $376,214/$30 = 12,540 entries
244 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
18
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Break-even volume will remain unchanged but break-even revenue will increase by 10%.
Current contribution = $12
Current BEV = $48,000/$12 = 4,000 entries
Current BER = $48,000/($12/$20) = $80,000
Revised contribution = (($20 x1.1) + ($8 x 1.1)) = $13.20
Revised fixed costs = $48,000 x 1.1 = $52,800
Revised BEV = $52,800/$13.20 = 4,000 entries
Revised BER = $52,800/($13.20/$22) = $88,000
The BEV hasn't changed but the BER has increased by 10%.
19
Statements (i) and (ii)
CVP analysis assumes no movement in inventory and the C/S ratio can be used to indicate the
relative profitability of different products so Statements (i) and (ii) are correct.
Limiting factors
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EXAM SMART
Although you won’t have to draw a graph for linear programming questions in the exam,
sketching a graph in questions like this can help you see what’s happening.
20
X
400
Y
1100
Constraints are:
Material 2x + y ≤ 2,000
Unskilled labour: x + y ≤ 1,500
and x ≥ 400
For material:
Point where x is maximum possible, y is minimum is x = 1,000 y = 0
Point where x is minimum possible (ie 400), y is maximum possible is x = 400 y = 1,200
For unskilled labour:
Point where x is maximum possible, y is minimum is x = 1,500 y = 0
Point where x is minimum possible, y is maximum possible is x = 400 y = 1,100
Feasible points per these constraints are: x = 1,000 y = 0, x = 400 y = 1,100
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
245
Other boundaries of feasible region are:
x = 400, y = 0, which can be ignored as lower than x = 1,000 y = 0
x = 500, y = 1,000, point that solves material and labour simultaneous equations
Applying objective function 8x + 12y
x = 1,000 y = 0: (8 × 1,000) = 8,000
x = 400 y = 1,100: (8 × 400) + (12 × 1,100) = 16,400
x = 500 y = 1,000: (8 × 500) + (12 × 1,000) = 16,000
y
2,000
1,500
1,000
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500
Objective function
500
1,000
1,500
x
21
Objective function
Material constraint
Labour constraint
5x + 11y
4x + 3y ≤ 3,200
2x + y ≤ 2,000
Contribution per unit: A = $30-$25 = $5 and B = $25-$14 = $11
As resources are limited, the constraints are of the “less than or equal” variety.
22
Increase of $56
By definition, a shadow price is the amount by which contribution will increase if an extra kg of
material becomes available. 20 × $2·80 = $56.
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AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
23
P1
1
P2
3
P3
2
Labour hours per unit
Profit per unit
Add back fixed costs
Contribution per unit
Contribution per labour hour
Ranking
24
P1
1
$
44
6
50
50
st
1
P2
2
$
51
9
60
30
rd
3
P3
1.1
$
26
12
38
34.55
nd
2
1 only
If the values for R and N are substituted into the constraints:
Labour required = (3 × 500) + (2 × 400) = 2,300 hours which is less than what is available so
there is slack.
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Machine time required = (0·5 × 500) + (0·4 × 400) = 410 hours which is exactly what is available
and so there is no slack.
IGGINS O
25
$
780000
Contribution per cue
Selling price
Material cost at $43.20/kg
Craftsmen cost at $18/hr
Other variable cost
Contribution per cue
Total contribution = (15,000 × 20) + (12,000 × 40) = $780,000
21600
26
0.5P + 0.75S =12,000 (1)
0.25P + 0.25S = 5,400 (2)
0.5P + 0.5S = 10,800 (2) × 2 = (3)
0.25S = 1,200 (1) – (3)
S = 4,800
Pool cue
$
41.00
(10.80)
(9.00)
(1.20)
20.00
Snooker
cue
$
69.00
(10.80)
(13.50)
(4.70)
40.00
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
247
Substituting in (2)
0.25P + (0.25 × 4,800) = 5,400
0.25P = 4,200
P = 16,800
Total number of cues = 4,800 + 16,800 = 21,600
27
Labour would remain a constraint but ash would no longer be a constraint.
Ash required = (0.25 × 15,000) + (0.25 × 12,000) = 6,750, less than the 7,000 kg available, so ash
is no longer a constraint.
Labour required = (0.5 × 15,000) + (0.75 × 12,000) = 16,500, more than the 16,000 hours
available so labour remains a constraint.
28
$
50
Maximum demand S = 12,000 (1)
Labour 0.5P + 0.75S = 12,001 (2)
0.5P + (0.75 × 12,000) = 12,001
0.5P + 9,000 = 12,001
0.5P = 3,001
P = 6,002
Number of extra cues = 6,002 – 6,000 = 2
Increase in contribution = 2 × $25 = $50
29
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Substituting S = 12,000 in equation (2)
True
False
The objective function is the function relating to the
limitation of the scarce resource.
The constraints in graphical linear programming
analysis are drawn as straight lines.
The shadow price is only significant for constraints
that are binding.
There will be slack if less than the maximum amount
available of a limited resource is needed.
The objective function relates to the solution to the problem, it is formulated in terms of
maximising or minimising.
248 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
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Pricing decisions
30
True
False
If PED < 1, total revenue will rise if the selling price of
the product is increased.
If PED >1, the demand is said to be inelastic.
PED may be at different levels at different points on
the demand curve.
If a downward demand curve changes to become
steeper, demand is becoming more elastic.
If PED >1, the demand is said to be elastic. If the curve becomes steeper, demand is becoming
more inelastic.
31
Quantity
312
Price $
18.40
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P = 34 – 0.05Q so MR = 34 – 0.1Q
Up to Q = 199, MC = 3
Let MR = MC: 34 – 0.1Q = 3
31 = 0.1Q, so Q = 310
At this volume, cost discounts apply so MC becomes 2.8
34-0.1Q = 2.8
31.2 = 0.1Q
Q = 312 and P = 34 – 0.05(312) = $18.40
32
A
Price
discrimination
Penetration
pricing
Market
skimming
B
Demand will be much more price sensitive in market A than market B.
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249
33
Target costing results in a market driven selling price.
Cost-plus pricing only works if the % mark-up is
applied to total absorption costing.
A cost-plus pricing policy will always result in a profit
for the company.
Penetration pricing aims to recover the high initial
costs of product development.
True
False
In cost-plus pricing the % mark-up can be applied to a number of different costs.
A cost-plus pricing policy will only result in a profit for the company if demand at the chosen
price is enough to cover total costs.
Price skimming aims to recover the high initial costs of product development.
34
There are significant economies of scale.
The firm wishes to discourage new entrants to the market.
Penetration pricing will be the preferred policy if demand is elastic and the product life cycle is long.
35
Both 1 and 2
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Penetration pricing involves setting a low price when a product is first launched in order to
obtain strong demand.
It is particularly useful if significant economies of scale can be achieved from a high volume of
output and if demand is highly elastic and so would respond well to low prices.
ALG CO
36
$
800000
Variable overhead cost using high-low method: ($1,850,000 – $1,400,000)/(350,000 – 200,000)
= $3 per unit.
Fixed costs = $1,400,000 – (200,000 × $3) = $800,000
37
P = 310 – 0·001x
Demand function is P = a – bx, where P = price and x = quantity, therefore find a value for a and
b firstly.
B = ΔP/ΔQ = 2/2,000 = 0·001 (ignore the minus sign as it is already reflected in the formula
P = a – bx)
Therefore P = a – 0·001x
Find value for ‘a’ by substituting in the known price and demand relationship from the question,
matching ‘p’ and ‘x’ accordingly.
60 = a – (0·001 × 250,000)
60 = a – 250
310 = a
P = 310 – 0·001x
250 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
38
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
14300000
$
Identify MC
MC = $20
State MR
MR = 240 – 0·002x
Equate MC and MR to find Q
20 = 240 – 0·002x
0·002x = 220
x = 110,000
Substitute x into demand function to find P
P = 240 – (0·001 × 110,000)
P = $130
Sales revenue = 110,000 × $130 = $14,300,000
39
Customers are prepared to pay high prices to obtain a new product.
Barriers to entry deter competitors.
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Market skimming is charging a high price initially, which a company is more likely to do if there
is high initial demand and lack of competitive pressure. It is more likely to be associated with
products with a short life cycle, in order to maximise returns quickly. Economies of scale will
drive down costs, which may drive down price as well.
40
Skimming
Penetration
The level of demand is unknown.
Demand is expected to be elastic.
ALG Co can discourage competitors from entering
the market.
ALG has excess production capacity.
High prices (skimming) are more likely to be charged if there is uncertainty about the demand.
Low Prices (penetration) are more likely to be charged if demand is elastic and sensitive to
prices levels. Low prices and hence low profits may deter competitors. Low prices can ensure
that a substantial market share is gained quickly, using spare production capacity to cope with
the demand.
Make-or-buy and other short-term decisions
41
B only
The marginal cost of making A is $12 per unit and of making B is $18 per unit. It is the marginal
cost which is the relevant cost for the make or buy decision since the fixed costs will be incurred
anyway. Therefore, it is cheaper to make A ($12 marginal cost CF $14 buy in cost) but it is
cheaper to buy in B ($17 buy in cost CF $18 make cost).
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
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251
THREE DEPARTMENTS
42
Neither 1 nor 2
Assuming the fixed overheads will be incurred anyway, the café makes a $3,000 contribution to
fixed costs and therefore profit without the café would be lower, not higher.
43
$
16300
Without the café:
Bedding
$
22,500
11,700
10,800
Sales (10% of bedding lost)
Variable costs
Contribution
Fixed shop overheads
($3,500 saved)
Profit
44
Furniture
$
50,000
29,000
21,000
Total
$
72,500
40,700
31,800
15,500
16,300
Customers have to go through the bedding department to get to the café.
Shutting the café would reduce the footfall through the bedding department. The bedding and
café products are not linked strongly, so cannot be said to be complementary.
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Relocate the bedding department next to the furniture department
Customers looking for new furniture may also be considering buying a new bed and this will
make it easier for them to view both together. A product line pricing policy relates to offering
for sale several related products, which would probably not apply to the bedding department. A
relevant cost pricing strategy is a minimum pricing strategy that is unlikely to help here.
46
% occupancy of the tables in the cafe
% occupancy should be a reliable measure if taken over time. New items added to the menu
won’t show customer satisfaction unless customers actually buy them. Length of queues in the
café may show how popular the café is, but may ultimately be self-defeating as customers get
fed up with waiting in queues. Profits made by the café will depend on the pricing policy as well
as the number of customers.
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AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
CHEMCO
47
Both 1 and 2
Basic fertiliser is not worth processing further, as the additional costs exceed the additional income.
Medium grade fertiliser is worth processing further. If there are limited quantities it should be
sold in the individual market as the contribution is increased, but if there are unlimited supplies,
both markets are profitable.
Fertiliser
Current Sales price per kg (farmers)
After further processing:
Additional sales price per kg
Further processing cost per kg
Net additional contribution
Basic
$5
Medium grade
$7
$0.50
$0.60
$(0.10)
Premium
$10
$1.00
$0.80
$0.20
$3
$2
$1
48
Basic
Medium grade
Premium
Farmers
Individual customers
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49
The contribution foregone from using the chemical in the existing contract
When a required resource is in scarce supply, the opportunity cost of the next best alternative
use needs to be considered.
50
$500
Should
Did
Adverse
Favourable
6/20
A
31,050
31,000
50 F
14/20
B
72,450
72,500
50 A
$30
$40
$1,500 F
$2,000 A
Total
103,500
103,500
$500 A
SM: A = 0.3 and B = 0.7
AQ = 31,000 + 72,500 = 103,500
AQSM: A = 0.3 × 103,500 = 31,050 litres; B = 0.7 × 103,500 = 72,450 litres
The Mix Variance is given by: T2 – T1 = $500 Adverse
51
The chemicals used in the mix are discrete.
This means the amounts used of each chemical are independent of each other and it is not
relevant to think in terms of controlling the proportion of each.
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Dealing with risk and uncertainty in decision-making
52
True
False
Mystery shopping may be used to reduce the uncertainty
associated with making changes to an existing product or
launching a new one.
Sensitivity involves identifying a number of possible
outcomes that may arise if the project goes ahead.
Focus groups are used to provide qualitative data about
new products.
Pay-off tables record all possible outcomes.
Simulation involves identifying a number of possible outcomes that may arise if the project goes
ahead.
Sensitivity involves seeing how much the estimates used to make the original decision can
change before the decision becomes incorrect.
53
Do not employ a sales manager as profits would be expected to fall by $1,300
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New profit figures before salary paid:
Good manager: $180,000 × 1·3 = $234,000
Average manager: $180,000 × 1·2 = $216,000
Poor: $180,000 × 1·1 = $198,000
EV of profits = (0·35 × $234,000) + (0·45 × $216,000) + (0·2 × $198,000) = $81,900 + $97,200 +
$39,600 = $218,700
Deduct salary cost and EV with manager = $178,700
Therefore do not employ manager as profits will fall by $1,300.
54
375
EXAMINER’S COMMENT
Candidates often struggle with minimax regret questions as the concept can be a little difficult to
understand. Taking each corresponding level of supply and demand, it is necessary to work out
the regret from choosing one supply level rather than another, taking into account the actual
demand level. This is why, when the supply and demand levels are the same, there is always a
value of $0 as there is no regret because exactly the correct level of supply was anticipated. In
order to decide on the optimum supply level using minimax regret as the decision criterion, the
business should firstly identify what the highest regret is for each level of supply. Then, it should
choose the minimum of those maximum regrets in order to decide the appropriate level of supply.
So, in this question, the maximum regret at each supply level is as follows:
At 325: $142
At 350: $90
At 375: $82
At 400: $120
The minimum of these is $82 at 375, therefore the answer is C.
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AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
The maximum regret at each supply level is as follows:
At 325: $142
At 350: $90
At 375: $82
At 400: $120
The minimum of these is $82 at 375.
55
The average value generated may not actually represent a possible outcome
They allow different outcomes to be built into a decision
They represent a long-run average if an event is repeated many times
Risk and uncertainty
THREE PRODUCTS
56
It is impossible to say
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Without the probabilities to assign, it is impossible to calculate the expected value of each
project.
57
Either Product X or Product Z
If the prices are equally likely then EV of Product X = $70 ,Y = $66 and Z = $70
10
58
units
Q1 is quantity sold at $60 profit
60 = Q1 (10 – 7)
Q1 = 20
Q2 is quantity sold at $60 profit
80 = Q2 (15 – 7)
Q2 = 10
Q1 – Q2 = 10 units
59
60 – 5Q
P = a – bQ and when P = 10, Q = 10, so 10 = a – 10b
b = change in price/change in quantity = 5/1 = 5
10 = a – (5 ×10)
10 = a – 50, so a = 60
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255
60
Disadvantage
Not disadvantage
It ignores fixed costs.
The mark-up % cannot be varied.
Budgeted output volume needs to be established.
The basis it uses for absorption of fixed overheads is
arbitrary.
The mark-up % can be varied with marginal costing. Marginal cost plus pricing does not need to
budgeted volume of output to be established. Absorption does not take place when marginal
costing is used.
SANDRUNNER
61
$300
The best possible outcome is a cash inflow of $270,000 when a fee of $300 is set.
62
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It ignores the probabilities of different outcomes.
It ignores outcomes that are less than the best possible.
Fir
Maximax presupposes an attitude of risk seeking, not risk aversion.
Opportunity losses are to do with the minimax regret technique.
63
$300
Regret matrix is constructed based on the fact that the best fee for each membership level will
have a regret of zero:
Membership fee
$300
$400
$450
$500
Low
$000
20
0
20
40
Membership fees
Average
$000
10
0
15
30
High
$000
0
30
25
60
Maximum regret
20
30
25
60
To minimise maximum regret, set fee at $300.
64
$
6000
Expected value of $300 = (180 × 0.5) + (210 × 0.3) + (270 × 0.2) = $207,000
Expected value of $400 = (200 × 0.5) + (220 × 0.3) + (240 × 0.2) = $214,000
Therefore choose $400 on EV basis.
With perfect information Expected value = (200 × 0.5) + (220 × 0.3) + (270 × 0.2) = $220,000
Value of perfect information = $220,000 – $214,000 = $6,000
256 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
65
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
The subscriptions charged by other golf clubs in the area
The amount of usage of the course at weekends (the busiest time of the week)
The committee will have to consider the possibility that members could go to other clubs if they
do not like the fee package being offered. One means of differentiation would be to charge a
lower fee to members who only use the course at quieter times (during the week). The profits
made by the club shop may affect the level of subscriptions, but not how subscriptions are
differentiated. Members are most likely to be charged separately for the food and drink they
consume in the restaurant facilities – it is not likely to affect their level of subscriptions.
MYLO
66
450 lunches
The maximin rule selects the maximum of the minimum outcomes for each supply level. For
Mylo the minimum outcomes are:
450 lunches – $1,170
620 lunches – $980
775 lunches – $810
960 lunches – $740
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The maximum of these is at a supply level of 450 lunches.
67
960 lunches
The minimax regret rule selects the minimum of the maximum regrets.
Demand level
450
620
775
960
Max regret
450
$
–
442
845
1,326
1,326
Supply level
620
$
190
–
403
884
884
775
$
360
217
–
481
481
The minimum of the maximum regrets is $430, so suggests a supply level of 960 lunches.
EXAM SMART
Note that probabilities affect the expected value calculation, but the result of the expected
value calculation does not tell you the range of possible outcomes or the probability of
undesirable results.
960
$
430
322
230
–
430
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
68
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
257
2 and 4
Expected values do not take into account the variability which could occur across a range of
outcomes; a standard deviation would need to be calculated to assess that, so Statement 2 is
correct.
Expected values are particularly useful for repeated decisions where the expected value will be
the long-run average, so Statement 4 is correct.
Expected values are associated with risk-neutral decision-makers. A defensive or conservative
decision-maker is risk averse, so Statement 1 is incorrect.
Expected values will take into account the likelihood of different outcomes occurring as this is
part of the calculation, so Statement 3 is incorrect.
EXAM SMART
Remember that the expected value with perfect information assumes that you pick the
supply level that will maximise profits whatever the demand level.
69
$191
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Fir
This requires the calculation of the value of perfect information (VOPI).
Expected value with perfect information = (0·15 × $1,170) + (0·30 × $1,612) + (0·40 × $2,015) +
(0·15 x $2,496) = $1,839·50
Expected value without perfect information would be the highest of the expected values for the
supply levels = $1,648·25 (at a supply level of 775 lunches).
The value of perfect information is the difference between the expected value with perfect
information and the expected value without perfect information = $1,839·50 – $1,648·25 =
$191·25, therefore $191 to nearest whole $.
70
3 and 4
The investment’s sensitivity to fixed costs is 550% ((385/70) × 100), so Statement 3 is correct.
The margin of safety is 84·6%. Budgeted sales are 650 units and BEP sales are 100 units (70/0·7),
therefore the margin of safety is 550 units which equates to 84·6% of the budgeted sales, so
Statement 4 is therefore correct.
The investment is more sensitive to a change in sales price of 29·6%, so Statement 1 is incorrect.
If variable costs increased by 44%, it would still make a very small profit, so Statement 2 is
incorrect.
258 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
3: Budgeting and control
Budgetary systems and type of budget
1
True
False
A rolling budget is a budget that starts at nil every
period and requires managers to justify every item of
expenditure.
A cash flow budget is a good example of feed-forward
control.
An incremental budget is a budget which, having been
established at the beginning of a period is then
constantly amended and extended on account of
developing circumstances.
An advantage of activity-based budgets is that they
enable more efficient improvement programmes to be
implemented.
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A zero-based budget is a budget that starts at nil every period and requires managers to justify
every item of expenditure.
A rolling budget is a budget which, having been established at the beginning of a period is then
constantly amended and extended on account of developing circumstances.
An incremental budget is a budget that is based on the existing budget adjusted for changes in
factors such as inflation.
2
Internal
historic
External
historic
Internal
anticipated
External
anticipated
Purchases made by
customers
Cash flow forecast for the
next five years
Inventory movement
records
Government inflation
statistics
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
259
3
Attainable
Basic
Ideal
Current
Makes no allowance for normal
losses, waste and machine
downtime
Assumes an efficient level of
operation, but includes
allowances for normal loss,
waste and machine downtime
Based on working conditions
and prices that apply now
Kept unchanged over a period
of time
4
True
False
The costs of implementation may outweigh the benefits.
Employees will always welcome any new system which improves
planning and control within the organisation.
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The time and cost involved in the system transition may initially
lead to control being worse not better.
Employees will adapt easily to the new system and this will
increase their motivation.
Fir
Employees may take time to adapt to change and may need training/persuasion to overcome
any resistance to new methods.
5
True
False
It sets out the timetable for budget preparation.
It is usually prepared before the functional budgets.
It includes a budgeted statement of profit or loss, statement of
financial position and cash budget.
It is always prepared on a top-down basis.
The budget manual sets out the timetable for the preparation of the budget. The master budget
is usually prepared after the functional budgets and may be prepared on a bottom-up basis.
6
True
False
It makes it easier for employees to artificially inflate budgets.
It facilitates improvements in processes.
Employees will focus on eliminating wasteful expenditure.
Short-term benefits could be emphasised over long-term
benefits.
A zero-based budget is more likely to detect an inflated budget.
260 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
7
Co-ordination
Communication
Motivation
Authorisation
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Quantification is part of budgeting but not why budgeting is undertaken. Quality control is
generally separate from budgeting.
8
Zero-based budgeting
Budgets will need to be flexible and reflect the current environment.
9
$
0.60
Budgeted production per annum (units)
Number of batches
Number of machine set-ups
Total processing time (minutes)
Product R
80,000
800
2,400
240,000
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Product S
60,000
1,200
3,600
300,000
Total
140,000
2,000
6,000
540,000
Cost driver rate = $108,000 / 540,000 = $0.20
Total processing costs = $0.20 × 240,000 = $48,000
Processing costs per unit = $48,000 / 80,000 = $0.60
10
It is useful for decision-making purposes.
It provides appropriate benchmarks for cost control.
Flexible budgeting is likely to take longer than fixed budgeting because of the need to analyse
fixed and variable costs separately. Encouraging the organisation to review the value of all its
activities is an advantage of zero-based budgeting.
KENNETH CO
11
$
29.60
Total overhead cost ($22,000 + $34,000 + $32,000)
Direct labour hours
Direct labour cost per hour ($128,000/8,000)
Absorption rate
$88,000
8,000
$16
$11 per direct labour hour
Budgeted unit cost for product Z for October is:
Direct materials
Direct labour (0.3 × $16)
Overhead costs (0.3 × $11)
Total unit cost
$
21.50
4.80
3.30
29.60
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
12
$
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
261
55.50
Cost driver rates are needed:
Set-ups ($22,000/88)
Quality tests ($34,000/40)
Other overheads ($32,000/8,000)
(note this is not a true cost driver)
$250 per set-up
$850 per test
$4 per direct labour hour
$
21.50
4.80
16.67
11.33
1.20
55.50
Direct materials
Direct labour (0.3 × $16)
Set-up costs (2 × $250/30)
Quality tests ($850/75)
Other overhead costs (0.3 × $4)
Activity-based cost for October
13
Advantage
Not advantage
It encourages managers to spend up to the maximum
allowed in the budget.
It is a straightforward approach for inexperienced
managers to apply.
It is suitable for organisations where historic costs are
a good guide to future costs.
It forces employees to avoid wasteful expenditure.
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Encouraging managers to spend up to the maximum allowed is a disadvantage of incremental
budgeting. Forcing employees to avoid wasteful expenditure is an advantage of zero-based
budgeting. If wasteful expenditure has been built into the budget, incremental budgeting can
ensure it is perpetuated.
14
Analysing the cost of each activity, identifying alternative ways of performing the activity
and assessing the consequences of performing the activity at different levels or not at all.
Zero-based budgeting is more than updating; it requires a reassessment of what should be
incurred every time it is undertaken. This complex process should mean that planning variances
are not a regular feature of analysis.
Using the current year’s results as a starting point and updating the budget for changes in
activity or inflation is a description of incremental budgeting.
Using an adaptive management process to prepare budgets that are focused on cash flows
rather than cost control is a description of Beyond Budgeting.
262 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
15
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
It is difficult to rank activities that have qualitative rather than quantitative benefits.
It restricts management from changing plans once the budget has been approved.
Zero-based budgeting involves ranking activities by their benefits, and if these benefits are
qualitative they may be difficult to assess. Zero-based budgeting is a complex process, so can
only be undertaken periodically. As such, it is less flexible when there are subsequent changes in
circumstances that affect the benefits produced by different activities.
Zero-based budgeting encourages managers to take account of changes in the economic
environment. Because of their knowledge, operational managers must be involved in the zerobased budgeting process, so lack of participation is not a demotivating factor. (They may not
like however the pressure that zero-based budgeting puts on them.)
Quantitative analysis in budgeting
16
a $
2500
b $
1
Highest output is 15,000 units in Feb, costing $7,500.
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Lowest output is 10,000 units in March, costing $12,500
(NB we take highest and lowest output and their associated cost, not the highest and lowest
cost ─ here the lowest cost is actually $12,000).
Using the high-low method to establish values for a and b:
Variable cost per unit =
$(17,500−12,500)
(15,000−10,000)
$5,000
= 5,000 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 = $1 per unit = b
Fixed costs can be calculated by reference to the total costs when output is 15,000 units in
February and total cost is $17,500.
Total cost = $17,500 = Fixed cost + (15,000 units × $1)
Fixed cost = $17,500 - $15,000 = $2,500 = a = 2,500
90.0
17
%
Units
Total time
Ave time/unit
1
2hrs
2 hrs
2
2×L
4
2 × 𝐿2
8
11.664 hrs
1.458 = 2 × 𝐿3, so 𝐿3 = 1.458/2 = 0.729
Learning rate = 0.9
18
All of the above
1.458 hrs
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
263
19
Apply
Not apply
Simple to make
Made largely by labour efforts
Mass-produced
New product
Continuous production
20
16,080 + 52x
460 – 400 = 60 clients
$40,000 – $36,880 = $3,120
VC per unit = $3,120/60 = $52
Therefore FC = $40,000 – (460 × $52) = $16,080
EXAM SMART
You could get the same answer for fixed costs by using the data for the low level of clients,
as follows:
21
FC = 36,880 – (400 × $52) = $16,080
1.442 hours
b
Y = ax
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Average time for six jobs: 5 × 6–0·415 = 2.377 hours
Total time required for six jobs = 6 × 2.377 hours = 14.262 hours
Average time for five jobs: 5 x 5–0·415 = 2.564 hours
Total time required for five jobs = 5 × 2.564 hours = 12.820 hours
Time required to perform the 6th job = Total time required for six jobs – total time required for
five jobs.
Therefore, time required to perform the 6th job = 14.262 hours – 12.820 hours = 1.442 hours
COMFYNAP CO
22
$
201
Learning curve formula y = axb
b = log 0.8/log 2 = - 0.322
Cumulative total time for 32 units = 157.25 hours
Cumulative average time for 31 units = 15 × 31-0.322 = 4.9645 hours
Cumulative total time for 31 units = 31 × 4.9645 hours = 153.90 hours
Incremental time for 32 units = 157.25 hours – 153.90 hours = 3.35 hours
Total labour cost for 32nd unit = 3.35 × $60 = $201.00
264 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
67.2
23
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
%
Cumulative
total hours
25
Cumulative number of beds produced
1
2
4
8
16
32
110
Cumulative
average hours
per unit
25
3.4375
1-32 is five doublings.
25LR5 = 3.4375
LR5 = 0.1375
LR = 0.672 or 67.2%
24
There was high staff turnover during the initial phase of production.
There were a number of delays in the production process.
New staff not being used to the process and delays meaning production is non-continuous will
both mean that production takes longer and learning is reduced. The fact the production is
labour-intensive and repetitive should lead to a greater learning effect. Changes in design
during the initial phase would explain slower learning, not changes once the initial phase had
been completed.
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25
$
1779000
Demand (units)
15,000
28,000
50,000
Contribution
per unit
$
60
65
65
Total
contribution
$
900,000
1,820,000
3,250,000
Probability
0.2
0.7
0.1
Expected
contribution
$
180,000
1,274,000
325,000
1,779,000
26
Disadvantage
Not disadvantage
It can be difficult to manipulate information on
spreadsheets.
It can be difficult to identify errors in formulae used in
spreadsheets.
Spreadsheets only take account of qualitative
information.
It is very difficult to set common standards for the use
of spreadsheets for budgeting by managers.
Errors in formulae may result in answers that are not obviously wrong and may only be found
by inspecting the spreadsheet in detail and comparing the formulae with other information.
The ease of manipulating information on spreadsheets is one of the main advantages of using
them. Spreadsheets only take account of quantitative, not qualitative information. Head office
should easily be able to specify the formats and level of detail that budgets use.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
265
Standard costing
27
True
False
Basic standards provide the best basis for budgeting
because they represent an achievable level of
productivity.
Ideal standards are short-term targets and useful for
day-to-day control purposes.
An attainable standard is always based on current
efficiency levels and costs.
Current standards are particularly useful when
inflation is high.
Basic standards are unlikely to be the best basis because they remain unchanged over the years.
Ideal standards are long-term targets and are not useful for day-to-day control. An attainable
standard may be higher than the standard currently being achieved.
CORFE CO
28
$2,920,000
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An 80% activity level is 210,000 units.
Material and labour costs are both variable. Material is $4 per unit and labour is $5·50 per unit.
Total variable costs = $9·50 × 210,000 units = $1,995,000
Fixed costs = $750,000
Supervision = $175,000 as five supervisors will be required for a production level of 210,000
units. Total annual budgeted cost allowance = $1,995,000 + $750,000 + $175,000 = $2,920,000
29
$593,000
Variable cost per hour ($850,000 – $450,000)/(5,000 hours – 1,800 hours) = $125 per hour
Fixed cost ($850,000 – (5,000 hours × $125)) = $225,000
Number of machine hours required for production = 210 batches × 14 hours = 2,940 hours
Total cost ($225,000 + (2,940 hours × $125)) = $592,500, therefore $593,000 to the nearest
$’000.
30
When the budget is flexed, the sales variance will only include the sales price variance.
If the budget is flexed, then the effect on sales revenue of the difference between budgeted and
actual sales volumes is removed and the variance which is left is the sales price variance.
266 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
31
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
1 and 2
Flexible budgeting can be time-consuming to produce as splitting out semi-variable costs could
be problematic, so Statement 1 is correct.
Estimating how costs behave over different levels of activity can be difficult to predict, so
Statement 2 is correct. A flexible budget will not encourage slack compared to a fixed budget, so
Statement 3 is incorrect.
It is a zero-based budget, not a flexible budget, which assesses all activities for their value to the
organisation, so Statement 4 is incorrect.
32
1 and 4
Spreadsheets can be used to change input variables and new versions of the budgets can be
more quickly produced, so Statement 1 is correct.
Sensitivity analysis is also easier to do as variables are more easily changed and manipulated to
assess their impact, so Statement 4 is correct.
A common problem of spreadsheets is that it is difficult to trace errors in a spreadsheet and
data can be easily corrupted if a cell is changed or data is input in the wrong place, so Statement
2 is incorrect.
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Spreadsheets do not show qualitative factors; they show predominantly quantitative data, so
Statement 3 is incorrect.
Material mix and yield variances
33
True
False
Mix and yield variances are most appropriate where a product
requires a set amount of different types of material.
The materials yield variance assesses whether the finished
output was greater or less than expected, given the amount of
material that was input.
Mix and yield variances are most appropriate where the input
proportions of the materials used in a product can be varied
without substantially changing the nature of the output.
The materials mix variance assesses the impact of varying the
proportions of the different materials used in a product.
Separate price and usage variances are most appropriate where a product requires a set
amount of different types of material.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
34
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
267
The total mix variance was favourable and the total yield variance was adverse.
AM
Materials
A
B
Total
AQ
900
1,100
SP
18,000
27,500
T1 = 45,500
(w1) AQSM
AQ
SP
800
16,000
1,200
30,000
T2 = 46,000
(w2) SQSM
SQ
SP
779
15,580
1,168
29,200
T3 = 44,780
SM: A = 0.4 and B = 0.6
(w1) AQSM: A = 0.4 × 2,000 = 800 litres; B = 0.6 × 2,000 = 1,200 litres
(w2) SQSM: A = 0.4 × 1,947 = 779 litres; B = 0.6 × 1,947 = 1,168 litres
Actual production of 1,850 litres requires an input of 1,947 litres (1,850 × 0.95) in total of A and
B. Therefore, the SQ = 1,947 litres.
The Mix Variance is given by: T2 – T1 = $500 Favourable
The Yield Variance is given by: T3 – T2 = $1,220 Adverse
35
$3900
Adverse
Favourable
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Standard cost per unit = $40 + $30 + $8= $78
Fir
Number of litres used = 9,700 + 6,300 + 7,400 = 23,400
Actual yield
Standard yield 23,400 /12
VARIANCE in units
Valued at the standard cost per unit
VARIANCE in $
36
$6,800 favourable
Units
2,000
1,950
50 (F)
$78
3,900 (F)
3,000 units should use 10 kg each (3,000 × 10) = 30,000 kg
3,000 units did use = 29,000 kg
Difference = 1,000 kg favourable
Valued at $6·80 per kg ($68/10 kg)
Variance = $6,800 favourable
268 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
ROMEO CO
37
7.22
$
Dough 18.9 kg × ($7.60 – $6.50) = $20.79 favourable
Tomato sauce 6.6 kg × ($2.50 – $2.45) = $0.33 favourable
Cheese 14.5 kg × ($20.00 – $21.00) = $14.50 adverse
Herbs 2 kg × ($8.40 – $8.10) = $0.60 favourable
Total material price variance = $7.22 favourable
38
$38.14
Dough
Sauce
Cheese
Herbs
AQSM
kg
20
8
12
2
42
AQAM
kg
18.9
6.6
14.5
2
42
Difference
kg
1.1F
1.4F
2.5A
-
AQSM
kg
21.43
8.57
12.86
2.14
45
Difference
kg
0.57F
0.23F
0.34F
0.06F
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Variance
$
8.36F
3.50F
50.00A
38.14A
Std Cost
$
7.60
2.50
20.00
8.40
Variance
$
4.33F
0.58F
6.80F
0.50F
12.21F
$12.21 favourable
Dough
Sauce
Cheese
Herbs
40
Std Cost
$
7.60
2.50
20.00
8.40
SQSM
kg
22
8.8
13.2
2.2
46.2
The proportion of the relatively expensive ingredients used in production was less than
the standard.
A favourable mix variance indicates that a higher proportion of cheaper ingredients were used
in production compared to the standard mix.
41
The actual cost per pizza in Month 6 was lower than the standard cost per pizza.
The value of the ingredients usage variance and the mix variance are the same.
The actual cost per pizza will be lower than the standard cost per pizza because expensive
cheese has been replaced with cheaper tomato sauce.
The usage variance equals the mix and yield variances combined. The yield variance is zero as
100 pizzas used 42 kg so the mix and usage variances will be the same.
Sales staff should not automatically lose their bonus as the reduced sales could be a result of
the change in mix affecting the quality of the pizza. The new chef will only be responsible for the
mix and yield variances as they have no control over the purchase costs of ingredients.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
269
Sales mix and quantity variances
42
True
False
Sales mix and quantity variances are only meaningful when the
company’s products are independent of each other.
The sales mix variance considers how the profit has been affected
by selling products in a different ratio than initially expected.
The materials mix variance can be calculated by taking the
difference between the actual quantity in the standard mix
and the actual quantity in the actual mix, then multiplying it
by the actual cost per kg.
The materials mix variance arises because there is a difference
between what the input should have been for the output
achieved and the actual output.
Sales mix and quantity variances are only meaningful when the company’s products are
interdependent or linked in some way.
The difference between actual quantity in standard mix and the actual quantity in the actual
mix is valued at the standard cost per kg, not the actual cost.
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The difference between what the input should have been for the output achieved and the
actual output is the definition of the yield variance.
43
Price variance
The budget will be flexed for sales quantity, so quantity variance will not apply. Mix and yield
variances will only apply if more than one product is produced.
270 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
CUT CO
The following workings apply to the next three answers.
Sales price
Actual sales
Actual selling price
Budgeted selling price
Unit difference
VARIANCE in $
R
900
16
15
1(F)
900 (F)
B
2,600
8
8
nil
Nil
D
700
4.50
5
0.50 (A)
350 (A)
Total
4,200
R
900
1,000
100 (A)
7
700 (A)
B
2,600
2,000
600 (F)
5
3,000 (F)
D
700
500
200 (F)
3
600 (F)
Total
4,200
3,500
R
1,200
900
300(A)
7
2,100(A)
B
2,400
2,600
200(F)
5
1,000(F)
D
600
700
100(F)
3
300(F)
550(F)
Sales volume
Actual sales
Budget sales
VARIANCE in units
Valued at the standard contribution
VARIANCE in $
2,900 (F)
Sales mix
Actual sales @ std mix
Actual sales @ actual mix
VARIANCE in units
Valued at the standard contribution
VARIANCE in $
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Total
4,200
4,200
NIL
800(A)
2 only
The price variance is calculated based on the actual quantity sold, not the change in quantity.
(See workings above)
45
$800
Adverse
Favourable
Adverse
Favourable
46
$3700
Weighted average budget contribution per unit = (1,000 × $7) + (2,000 × $5) + (500 × $3)/3,500
= $5.29 per unit
Variance in units = 4,200 – 3,500 = 700 favourable
Variance in $ = 700 × $5.29 = $3,700 favourable
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
271
47
Possible cause
Not possible cause
The size of the market for non-disposable razors
increased.
The production costs were as budgeted.
Price-conscious customers switched to cheaper
disposable razors.
A close competitor withdrew its non-disposable razor
after safety concerns.
The size of the market increasing and a competitor withdrawing its razor would affect sales
volume. The production costs being as budgeted would not impact on sales.
48
True
False
If product prices are set based on standard costs, then
a business will be unable to pass the cost of
production inefficiencies on to the customer.
The prices of complementary products cannot be set
independently.
If a company is using target costing, the price set will
be determined by the target cost.
Price discrimination can be achieved by setting
different prices for different versions of the same
product.
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Inefficiencies will be reflected in actual costs, not standard costs, so prices based on standard
costs won’t reflect production inefficiencies.
Complementary products are linked products whose demand is not independent, so a price rise
for one will affect demand for both products.
With target costing, the target cost is determined by the price that the market will tolerate, not
the other way round.
Price discrimination by versions of product can be achieved if there is a basic model with a
variety of optional add on features.
Planning and operational variances
49
A favourable market size variance
The market size has increased.
272 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
50
True
False
The use of planning and operational variances splits responsibility
for performance between managers in charge of day-to-day
activities and decisions and those in charge of budgeting.
The revision of budgets for operational difficulties that have been
experienced is likely to lead to more meaningful variance analysis.
Splitting variances into planning and operational variances will
always make operational managers more receptive to variance
analysis.
Those in charge of budgeting are not always responsible for
planning variances.
Budgets should only be revised for known planning issues otherwise the operational managers
will not be allocated responsibility for the results of their operational decisions. Operational
managers may resist variance analysis whatever form it takes.
Some planning variances may be outside the control of the organisation, for example changes in
external conditions.
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Materials planning price variance
$32000
Adverse
Favourable
32,000 × ($4·00 – $5·00) = $32,000 adverse
Materials operational usage variance
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$8000
Adverse
Favourable
[30,000 – 32,000] × $4·00 = $8,000 adverse
$400 adverse
An operational variance compares revised price to actual price.
20,000 kg should cost $0·40 per kg at the revised price (20,000 kg × $0·40) = $8,000
20,000 kg did cost $0·42 per kg (20,000 kg × $0·42) = $8,400
Variance = $400 adverse
FEDIA CO
53
1 only
Material price variance = $809,600 – (25,300kg @$30) = $50,600 adverse
Materials usage variance = 25,300kg – (11,000@2.5kg) = 2,200kg favourable @ $30 = $66,000
favourable
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
273
54
$50600
Adverse
Favourable
Price per kg = $80/2.5 = $32
Variance = 25,300 × ($32 – $30) = $50,600 adverse
This approach uses the Examiner’s preferred method of calculating the variance. The variance
could be calculated using the revised quantity according to the flexed budget, rather than the
actual quantity purchased.
55
$66000
Adverse
Favourable
Revised usage (11,000 × 2.5)
Did use
Variance in kg
Valued at STANDARD COST
VARIANCE IN $
kg
27,500
25,300
2,200(F)
$30
66,000 (F)
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This approach uses the Examiner’s preferred method of calculating the variance. The variance
could be calculated using the revised price rather than the original standard price.
56
Fixed overhead volume
Use of better quality materials should lead to greater efficiency. The fixed overhead volume
variance is the only variance that has an efficiency element.
57
Advantage
Not an advantage
The system will highlight non-controllable operational
variances.
Managers can justify variances as being due to bad
planning.
Planning variances can highlight out-of-date
standards.
The system will be based on realistic standards that
are easy to establish.
Planning and operational variances will highlight non-controllable planning variances. Managers
justifying variances as being due to bad planning can be a weakness, as they could be hiding
operational failures. Realistic standards may not necessarily be easy to establish – they may
involve subjective estimates.
274 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Performance analysis
58
True
False
They focus on assigning responsibility solely to senior
managers.
They work well in rapidly changing environments.
The philosophy of continuous improvement behind
TQM is incompatible with predetermined standards.
Standard costs may allow for a predetermined level of
scrap, whereas TQM aims for no scrap.
Staff generally have responsibility under both systems. Standard costing works best in a stable
environment.
59
Material cost only
The material price when flexed is higher than budget whilst the external environment shows
that prices are reducing. This indicates that although suppliers lowered their prices, the
manager has still overspent which indicates poor performance.
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AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
275
4: Performance measurement and control
Performance management information systems
1
Transaction
processing
system
Executive
information
system
Enterprise
resource planning
system
Integrated system overseen
centrally
Provides summary information for
strategic decisions
Includes data analysis and
modelling tools
Captures all the day-to-day routine
transactions within a business
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2
True
False
They are designed to provide information for internal
and external use.
They provide information for planning, control and
decision making.
They are designed to report on existing operations.
They are designed to integrate an organisation’s
processes to provide a single system for the whole
organisation.
MIS are designed to provide information for internal use by management. Not all MIS provide a
single system for the whole organisation, this is a feature specifically of enterprise resource
planning systems.
3
2 only
4
Critical strategic information can be summarised
The tracking and summarising of critical strategic information is done by an Executive
Information System (EIS).
The other three options are all likely to be potential benefits which would result from the
introduction of an ERPS.
276 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Sources of management information
5
Cost of telephone calls
Cost of researcher
Analysis and dissemination costs are management costs.
6
Internal
External
Value of sales, analysed for each customer
Value of purchases, analysed for each supplier
Prices of similar products, analysed for each
competitor company
Hours worked, analysed for each employee
Ensure security
Don’t ensure
security
Logical access controls
Database controls
Hierarchical passwords
Range checks
Management reports
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Minimise the risk of data loss
9
If working from home, departmental employees must use a memory stick to transfer
data, as laptop computers are not allowed to leave the department
A memory stick is much more likely to get mislaid and compromise security than a password
protected laptop. It is likely that memory sticks could get lost or that information is left on home
computers.
In the context of the scenario all the other options are good practice.
Performance analysis in private sector organisations
10
2 only
A focus solely on financial performance measures is likely to encourage short-termism.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
277
11
True
False
In the balanced scorecard the set of indicators which measure
whether value is being added to the shareholders is known as
the innovation and learning perspective.
The balanced scorecard looks at both internal and external
matters concerning the organisation.
The Building Blocks model focuses solely on non-financial
measures.
The Building Blocks model considers competitiveness, resource
utilisation and flexibility as dimensions of performance.
In the balanced scorecard the set of indicators which measure whether value is being added to
the shareholders is known as the Financial perspective.
The Building Block model of appraising performance takes account of financial and non-financial
performance measures.
12
Level of staff satisfaction
This is much more subjective.
13
Neither 1 nor 2
The first statement is wrong because customers are actually paying more quickly.
The second statement is wrong because the quick ratio excludes inventory.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS
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It would have been easy to make a mistake on this question as firstly, if customers were taking
longer to pay, it would contribute to the decline in the current ratio. Remember: question every
aspect of what the statements are telling you. Similarly, as regards statement 2, although the quick
ratio has declined inventory is excluded from the quick ratio, so this makes the statement false.
Again, it would have been easy to slip up by not questioning every aspect of the statement.
278 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
BUS CO
14
Bus
1
Prime
4
Express
2
Transit
3
Bus: (40% × 68) + (32% × 80) + (0.28 × 82) = 75.76%
Prime: (40% × 58) + (32% × 80) + (0.28 × 83) = 72.04%
Express: (40% × 67) + (32% × 76) + (0.28 × 85) = 74.92%
Transit: (40% × 62) + (32% × 78) + (0.28 × 86) = 73.84%
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True
False
Independent research has shown that Bus Co’s passengers
are the most satisfied of any national bus operators.
Independent research confirms that Bus Co leads its
competitors on what matters most to customers.
Independent research confirms that Bus Co is ahead of its
competitors on value for money.
Independent research confirms that Bus Co is ahead of its
competitors on punctuality.
Independent research does not provide any overall ranking of customer satisfaction. Only if Bus
Co was ahead of all its competitors in all categories (which it isn’t) could it make this claim.
Similarly there is no independent evidence of which criteria matter most to customers. Bus Co is
ahead of all its competitors on value for money, but has the same rating as Prime for punctualiy,
so is not ahead on that criteria.
16
Economy
Efficiency
Effectiveness
Occupancy rate of buses
Utilisation rate for drivers
Percentage of customers satisfied with cleanliness
of buses
Percentage of carbon emissions relative to target
set
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
17
Revision answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
279
Introducing a greater range of tickets on some routes
A greater range of tickets is likely to result in more passenger queries when they buy tickets,
delaying the departure of buses. No longer allowing cash and allowing Smartcards will eliminate
passenger time spent buying tickets when they get on buses. Amending the timetable is a
method that has worked for some transport companies, although it is likely to mean a fall in the
journey time measure of satisfaction.
18
Quality
The ticket options available are not linked to the quality of service. Bus Co will aim to score over
its competitors by providing more flexible ticket arrangements. Introducing cheaper fares for
off-peak services should mean that more passengers use buses at times where there are more
spare seats.
JAMAIR CO
19
Using only one type of aircraft
Focusing on e-commerce with customers both booking tickets and checking in for flights
online
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Using only one type of aircraft should reduce maintenance and operational costs. Focusing on ecommerce should mean a reduction in time spent dealing with bookings and check-ins.
Landing costs are likely to be higher in capital cities than in other cities. Having more than one
class of seat may lead to booking problems, more queries and increased complications because
of providing different services for different passengers during flights.
20
Financial
Customer
Internal
Learning
Ensuring flights are on time
Using fewer planes to transport
customers
Improving turnaround times
Improving cleanliness of planes
by spot checks
Financial
Customer
Internal
Learning
Absentee rates of employees
Planes’ lease costs per customer
Revenue per passenger mile
Number of flights cancelled
21
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AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
It cannot resolve conflicts between short-term and long-term objectives.
It can be difficult to gain an overall impression of the results provided.
There is no direct link between the overall results of the scorecard and the creation of
shareholder value.
The balanced scorecard will be of limited effectiveness if Jamair’s strategy is unclear.
One of the balanced scorecard’s advantages is that it should steer Jamair the business away
from solely focusing on financial measures. The balanced scorecard emphasises links between
the different perspectives.
23
True
False
Jamair Co has a higher P/E ratio than its competitors, which
may reflect the rumours about a takeover.
Competitor 2 appears to do a greater proportion of long-haul
flights than Jamair or Competitor 1.
P/E ratios
Jamair (520 × 9)/371 = 12.61
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Competitor 1 (1,100 × 6)/546 = 12.09
Competitor 2 (600 × 4.5)/286 = 9.44
Thus Jamair Co has a higher P/E ratio than its competitors, and an explanation could be the
takeover rumours.
Average kilometres (million) per plane
Jamair 56/17 = 3.29
Competitor 1 92/29 = 3.17
Competitor 2 65/25 = 2.60
Competitor 2 has a lower number of kilometres per plane, suggesting that it specialises more in
short-haul flights.
Divisional performance and transfer pricing
24
True
False
Cost-based transfer prices are most appropriate where there is
an intermediate market for the product.
When the producing division is operating at full capacity, an
opportunity cost based approach should be used for the transfer
price.
The maximum transfer price is the sum of the supplying division’s
marginal cost and opportunity cost of the item transferred.
Cost-based transfer prices are most appropriate where there is NO intermediate market for the
product. The sum of the supplying division’s marginal cost and opportunity cost of the item
transferred is the minimum transfer price, not the maximum.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
281
25
True
False
Residual income is better for comparing divisions of
different sizes.
Return on investment may cause a manager to reject a
project that exceeds the head office target, if the
project will earn less than the division’s existing
Return on investment.
A disadvantage of Residual income is that it requires
an estimate of cost of capital.
A disadvantage of both Return on investment and
Residual income is that they may appear to improve as
a division’s assets get older.
Residual income is not good for comparing divisions of different sizes as inevitably a bigger
division will have a bigger RI figure.
16.6
26
%
Original profits $720,000 × 15%
Profit on sale
Revised profit
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Original net asset value
Less carrying amount of asset sold
Plus cash received from sale of asset
Revised ROCE after sale of asset = ($122,000/$734,000) × 100% = 16.6%
27
$
162000
Divisional profit before depreciation = $2·7m × 15% = $405,000 per annum.
Less depreciation = $2·7m × 1/50 = $54,000 per annum.
Divisional profit after depreciation = $351,000
Imputed interest = $2·7m × 7% = $189,000
Residual income = $162,000
$
108,000
14,000
122,000
$
720,000
(36,000)
50,000
734,000
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AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
28
Poor
performance
Not poor
performance
Sales volume
Sales price
Material cost
Material usage
Sales volume
Sales are less than the (optimistic) budgeted figure of 6,000. Expected sales volume based on
last year’s figures = 5,000 × 0.8 = 4,000. 4,200 sold is better than this.
Sales price
Budgeted figure = $600,000/6,000 = $100 per unit
15% reduction on last year = ($450,000/5,000) × 0.85 = $76.50 per unit
Average sale price achieved = $317,000/4,200 = $75.48 per unit, below both figures
Material cost
Both budgeted figure and cost last year = $7 per kg ($113,400/16,200 and $105,000/15,000)
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Expected cost this year = 11,500 × $7 × 1.05 = $84,525. Actual cost = $81,600, better than
expected
Material usage
Material usage last year = 15,000/5,000 = 3 kg per unit
Expected figure based on last year and taking account of production changes = 3 kg × 0.9 = 2.7
kg. This is the same as the budgeted figure (16,200 kg/6,000)
Actual usage = 11,500 kg/4,200 = 2.74 kg, higher than expected.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS
Firstly, a machine with NBV of $40k was sold for $50k. This will reduce non-current assets by
$40k and, as we are told this was a cash transaction, increase cash by $50k – increasing net
assets by $10k. As a profit has been made on disposal, it will also increase profits by $10k.
Secondly, another machine was purchased for $250k. This will increase non-current assets
by $250k, but as this was also a cash transaction, decrease cash by $250k, so no net effect.
As no depreciation is charged on either machine there is no further effect.
The net effect is therefore +10k to both profit and net assets, so the ROI is ($200k/$1,010k) ×
100%=19.8%. Therefore answer B.
18.8% was obtained by omitting the profit on disposal from profits – ($190k/$1,010k) =18.8%.
15.1% was obtained by omitting the profit on disposal and increasing net assets by the
$250k machine purchase but not subtracting the cash – ($190/$1,260k) =15.1%.
15.9% was obtained with the correct profit figure but the incorrect net assets of $1,260k –
($200/$1,260) =15.9%.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
29
Revision answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
283
19.8%
Revised annual profit = $190,000 + $10,000 profit on the sale of the asset = $200,000
Revised net assets = $1,000,000 – $40,000 NBV + $50,000 cash – $250,000 cash + $250,000
asset = $1,010,000
ROI = ($200,000/$1,010,000) x 100 = 19·8%
CARDALE CO
11.7
30
%
Controllable profit = $1,970k
Total assets less trade payables = $14,980k + $3,260k – $1,400k = $16,840k
ROI = 11·7%
31
$
43200
Bonus to be paid for each percentage point = $120,000 × 2% = $2,400
Maximum bonus = $120,000 × 0·4 = $48,000
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Division F: ROI = 28·5% = 18 whole percentage points above minimum ROI of 10%.
18 × $2,400 = $43,200
This is below the maximum and so Division F’s manager will be paid this amount.
32
Possible
reason
Not possible
reason
The accumulated depreciation on Division F’s non-current
assets is low.
Division F’s manager invested in the strategic management
information system just before the year-end.
Division F’s manager has kept cash balances high.
High cash balances will mean current assets are higher and return on investment is lower. A
low accumulated depreciation figure will mean that non-current assets are high, depressing the
ROI. Using surplus cash at the year-end to buy a new information system will be exchanging one
asset (cash) for another (strategic management information system). The depreciation of the
newly-acquired asset is unlikely to be significant as it is being charged monthly.
33
Division F is smaller than Division N.
Division F has a lower risk profile than Division N.
If Division F is smaller, its profits and hence its residual income are likely to be lower. If it has a
lower risk profile, it should be allowed to use a lower cost of capital than Division N.
Marginal investments may have a positive RI, but be rejected on the grounds that they run the risk of
lowering ROI. Similarly, the use of RI and an appropriate cost of capital should provide incentives to
undertake any investments with a positive RI, which would be in the interest of Cardale Co.
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AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
The system allows easier access to external sources of information.
The system described should have an external focus and allow the manager of Division F to
integrate internal and external sources of information.
The manager will want a summary of the detailed information that relates to his department,
not to have to wade through the information himself.
As the manager appears to be taking the investment decision himself, integration with other
departments is unlikely to be most important – a decision about a system that integrates
information across Cardale Co is likely to be made centrally.
Expert assistance may help the manager make a limited number of decisions but it appears that
he invested in something that would help him generally.
ANDOVER AND WINCHESTER
35
Andover
77.5
$
000
Winchester
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$
160
000
Division manager assessment should be based on controllable profits:
Andover 115 – (10% × 375) = 77.5
Winchester 180 – (10% × 200) = 160
36
Both 1 and 2
Divisional ROI is based on divisional net profit:
Andover = 55/375 = 14.7% and Whitchurch = 60/200 = 30%
Andover was set up recently, so its assets will be less depreciated than those of Whitchurch,
which will reduce its ROI.
37
controllable by/RI/can
The managers of Andover and Winchester divisions should be assessed on costs, revenue and
investments that are controllable by their division. To promote goal-congruent behaviour by
the two divisions, RI should be used to compare them. Efficiency variances can be used to
assess the managers of the two centres.
38
Rewarding managers if they fulfil a number of financial and non-financial targets
Both sorts of target can be short-term and long-term, and often non-financial targets link well
to longer-term performance. Managers need to have some incentive to improve their
performance - paying a basic salary or linking to company-wide performance which they may
not be able to influence much won’t provide enough incentive. Only rewarding managers for
the performance of their division is at the heart of the problem that’s been identified.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
39
Revision answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
285
The % of on-time deliveries
Customers can clearly see performance here and it will influence their views. What matters to
customers on quality is not what happens before they see the products, but the poor quality
products that they see (internal quality control may pick up a number of faulty products, but
may equally miss others). Customers may be influenced by the level of staff turnover, but only if
it clearly links to poor performance. The number of new products is a good measure of
innovation, but customers may not buy them.
Performance analysis in not-for-profit organisations and the public sector
40
Measuring actual performance in relation to financial targets
Non-financial targets are more likely to be appropriate.
41
Effectiveness
Exam success will be a given objective of a school, so it is a measure of effectiveness.
SEATOWN COUNCIL
42
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How much time is spent sweeping the sands
How frequently bins are being emptied
Tractor running costs are likely to be used in measuring economy. The amount of litter collected
will not itself indicate efficiency, as the council will be concerned with the resources used to
collect the litter.
43
Spot checks on litter bins by council officers
Ratings of beaches by external agencies
Complaints by visitors
Agency ratings and complaints provide external indications of the effectiveness of operations.
Spot checks on litter bins will show whether rubbish is piling up beside bins.
The number of litter bins, the time spent by employees and the amount of vehicle miles are all
measures of usage of resources, not whether resources used have produced results.
44
Number of hotel rooms in Seatown
The number of hotel rooms is not an indication by itself of the number of visitors – the council
would need to know occupancy rates. Also perhaps a large number of visitors would not stay in
hotels.
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45
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Certain areas of Seatown’s beaches are more difficult to sweep.
Difficulty
Not a difficulty
Some refreshment kiosks will only be open at certain
times of the year.
The number of visitors will be less in winter.
Certain areas of Seatown’s beaches are more difficult
to sweep.
Sweeping should pick up litter that poses a threat to
beach user safety.
Records of time spent on sweeping different areas should mean that this is taken into account
when considering efficiency, but ultimately all litter has to be picked up from these areas
throughout the year.
Refreshment kiosks only being open at certain times and fewer visitors coming in winter will be
seasonal variations in litter generated, which it might be difficult to estimate for analysis over
the year. Finding hazardous litter on the beach is a qualitative aspect of the effectiveness of
sweeping that may be difficult to measure, but is relevant to the council’s ultimate
responsibilities for the beaches – the council cannot just rely on the public disposing of
hazardous waste in the litter bins.
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flexibility/competitiveness
The variation in frequency of sweeping beaches during the year is a measure of flexibility,
whereas the number of visitors compared with other resorts is a measure of competitiveness.
Analysis of variations will show whether the council is able to commit more resources at busier
times of the year when more litter is being generated. It will not show whether resources are
being used fully.
Comparison of number of visitors is a measure of how popular the resort is compared with
other resorts, so is a measure of competitiveness that will concern the council. It may be partly
determined by service quality, but there will be other issues influencing visitor numbers as well.
External considerations and behavioural aspects
47
Internal
External
Growth in the economy
Director leaves to join a competitor
Market shortage of labour
New health and safety regulations
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
287
PART 2 REVISION ANSWERS: Long form
2: Decision-making techniques
Relevant cost analysis
1 THE TELEPHONE CO
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
This was a nice, straightforward relevant costing question, which should have been wellanswered by most people. This was definitely not the case, however, and it proved to be one
of the most poorly answered questions on the paper.
Part (a) asked candidates to prepare a cost statement using relevant costing principles,
showing the minimum cost that a company should charge for a contract. The requirement
also asked for detailed notes to explain the numbers being used. It is very easy in this type of
question to focus purely on the numbers, without giving adequate weight to the words. This
would have been a mistake, because the words were actually worth eight marks compared
to the six marks for the numbers. Some candidates definitely fell into this trap. However, the
biggest problem with this question was that many candidates clearly don’t understand
relevant costing, so they simply couldn’t get either the numbers or the words right anyway.
Out of all the scripts that I personally looked at, and this was a lot, I only saw two candidates
score full marks on part (a).
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Common errors included:
Erroneously including the lost contribution from Contract X when calculating the three
engineers’ costs. The only relevant cost here was the $500 fine for delayed completion
of Contract X. The contribution from this contract was never going to be lost as the
contract was only delayed and not lost altogether.
Including the 120 telephone handsets that were held in inventory at their historical cost
of $16.80 each, rather than the replacement cost of $18.20. Historical costs are never
relevant because they are sunk. This was a really basic error.
Erroneously including the site inspector’s costs of $400. The note stated that the site
inspector charged the client directly for the work rather than invoicing the company in
question. This error was down to poor reading.
Few candidates managed to work out the cost of the computerised control system. It
was simply a question of comparing the total lost sale proceeds and modification cost
of Swipe 1 to the cost of buying the new Swipe 2, and selecting the cheapest option for
the company.
Apart from these common errors, another problem was that the notes given by candidates
didn’t explain the figures being used well enough. Many candidates just wrote down that a
cost was included because it was ‘relevant’ but didn’t say why. This is not an explanation and
didn’t score marks.
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AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
EXAM SMART
It is really important to take heed of the Examiner’s warnings here. If more of the marks are
going for why have you included or excluded a cost then the marker will expect to see a
good explanation. The question requirement quite clearly asked for detailed notes and
explanations, so there was no excuse for not giving them.
For example:
Site visits – This is not a cash outflow for T Co but for its customer Push Co. Therefore, it is
not a relevant cash flow for Push Co and is ignored in the costing statement.
Handsets – The required handsets are in regular use by T Co. The 80 handsets in inventory, if
used, will have to be replaced at the prevailing market price to fulfil future contracts with
other customers. The balance of 40 handsets will have to be purchased on the open market.
This will cause a relevant cost of: (40 + 80) × $18.20 = $2,184 because undertaking the Push
Co contract causes T Co to incur an incremental cash outflow.
The words ‘because’ and ‘therefore’ (as well as words like ‘so’, ‘since’, ‘means that’, ‘results
in’, ‘causing’ etc), force you to try to explain yourself and add value.
In the exam, think what was it that made me think that the cost was relevant or not
relevant. Then write it down!
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EXAM SMART
If you struggle with deciding how to utilise the numbers, think about the actual cash flows
that will happen if:
The project is accepted
The project is rejected
For example:
Control system
Cash flow if project is accepted:
Swipe 1 modification cost
Cash Flow if project is rejected:
Swipe 1 sales proceeds
(a)
($4,600)
Net difference (future incremental cash flow)
$3,000
($7,600)
Cost statement
$
Lunch
Engineers’ costs
Technical advisor
Site visits
Training costs
Handsets
Control system
Cable
0
500
480
0
125
2,184
7,600
1,300
12,189
Note
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
289
Notes
Note 1: Lunch
This past cost is a ‘sunk cost’ and should therefore be excluded from the cost statement. It has
already arisen and is therefore not incremental.
Note 2: Engineers’ costs
Since one of the engineers has spare capacity, the relevant cost of his hours is Nil. This is
because relevant costs must arise as a future consequence of the decision, and since his wage
will be paid regardless of whether he now works on the contract for Push Co, it is not an
incremental cost.
EXAM SMART
Read the whole question first! If you just look at note 2 and do your calculations before you
read note 9 – you will miss key information. One idea is to annotate the question paper as
you read through with rough workings. You can always change your mind before writing up
your final answer. Otherwise, in this scenario, you may make some complicated
assumptions and calculations about working hours before you stumble across note 9!
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The situation for the other two engineers is slightly different. Their time is currently fully utilised
and earning a contribution of $5 per hour each. This is after deducting their hourly cost which,
given a salary of $4,000 per month each, is $25 per hour ($4,000/4 × 40). However, in one
week’s time – when they would otherwise be idle – they can complete Contract X and earn the
contribution anyway. Therefore, the only relevant cost is the penalty of $500 that will be
payable for the delay on Contract X.
Fir
Note 3: Technical advisor
Since the advisor would have to work overtime on this contract, the relevant cost is the
overtime rate of $60 ($40 × 1.5) per hour. This would total $480 for the whole job.
Note 4: Site visits
This is a cost paid directly by Push Co to a third party. Since it is not a relevant cost for T Co,
it has been excluded.
Note 5: Training costs
Since the trainer is paid a monthly salary irrespective of what work he does, this element of his
cost is not relevant to the contract, since it is not incremental. However, the commission of
$125 will arise directly as a consequence of the decision and must therefore be included.
Note 6: Handsets
Although T Co has 80 of the 120 handsets required already in inventory, they are clearly in
regular use in the business. Therefore, if the 80 are used on this contract, they will simply need
to be replaced again. Consequently, the relevant cost for both the 40 that need to be bought
and the 80 already in inventory is the current purchase price of $18.20 each. 120 × $18.20 =
$2,184.
Note 7: Control system
The historic cost of Swipe 1, $5,400, is a ‘sunk’ cost and not relevant to this decision. However,
since the company could sell it for $3,000 if it did not use it for this contract, the $3,000 is an
opportunity cost here. The current market price for Swipe 1 of $5,450 is totally irrelevant to the
decision as T Co has no intention of replacing Swipe 1, since it was bought in error. In addition
to the $3,000, there is a modification cost of $4,600, bringing the total cost of converting Swipe
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AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
1 to $7,600. This is still a cheaper option than buying Swipe 2 for $10,800, therefore the
company would choose to do the modification to Swipe 1. The cost of $10,800 of a new Swipe 2
system is therefore irrelevant now.
Note 8: Cable
The cable is in regular use by T Co, therefore all 1,000 metres should be valued at the current
market price of $1.30 per metre. The $1·20 per metre is a sunk cost and not relevant.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
Part (b) asked for an explanation of the costing principles used in (a) and of the implications
of the minimum price that had been calculated. Answers to both parts of this requirement
were poor. All that candidates had to do for the first part was explain that a relevant cost is a
‘future incremental cash flow’, saying what each one of those three words meant. Then, as
regards the implications of the minimum price, the question just required the candidate to
identify that this price didn’t include a profit element and a mark-up needed potentially to
be added. Also, it could have been stated that the customer might expect this low price in
the future etc. Again, out of all the scripts I saw, few candidates scored full marks here.
(b)
Relevant costing principles
Relevant costs are those costs that change as a result of making a particular decision. In simple
terms, a relevant cost is a future cash flow arising as a direct consequence of a decision. In order
for a cost to be relevant to a decision, it must therefore meet all three of these criteria.
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Future – any costs which have already been incurred are regarded as ‘sunk’ costs and will
prevent a cost from being considered relevant.
Cash flow – the cost must be a cash flow and not just an accounting adjustment, such as a
provision for a debt or depreciation. Also, cash flows that are the same for all alternatives are
not relevant.
Direct consequence – this criterion means that the cash flow must be incremental. For example,
if a cost has already been committed to, then it will arise irrespective of whether the decision
goes ahead. It will not therefore meet the ‘direct consequence’ criterion.
Opportunity cost – this is the value of the best alternative that is foregone as a result of making
a decision. In the case of the telephone system that Push Co needs for the contract, the
foregone sales proceeds of $3,000 are an example of an opportunity cost since, by using the
system for this contract, Push Co foregoes these sales proceeds.
[Examiner’s note: candidates would not be required to write all of this for the available marks.]
Significance of minimum price calculated
The cost calculated in part (a) is a starting point only, showing the minimum cost that could be
charged to the customer. If T Co charged this price, it would be no better or worse off than if it
did not carry out the work, i.e. it would make no profit or loss. This means that T Co would not
be rewarded for the risk that it takes in completing the work, unless some kind of a mark-up is
also incorporated.
Also, other costs – such as the lunch of $400 – while not incremental to the decision now, have
been incurred. Ideally, therefore, T Co should seek to recover them.
It could also be that, for example, in one week’s time, when the engineers are busy completing
the delayed contract X, another opportunity comes up that the company has to reject because
the engineers are busy on Contract X. Therefore, with hindsight, it would be seen that there was
an opportunity cost associated with using the engineers on this work and delaying Contract X.
Furthermore, none of the business’s overheads have been considered in the cost statement
and, in the long term, these would need to be covered.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
291
It is clear, therefore, that the relevant cost calculated in part (a) is only a starting point for T Co
to use when deciding how to price the contract. The purpose of accepting contracts is to make
profit and increase shareholder wealth. This will only be done if a price higher than the relevant
cost of the contract is charged. In setting this price, however, T Co also needs to give
consideration to the fact that it hopes to attract future work from Push Co. The price needs to
be attractive enough for the customer to return in the future.
EXAM SMART
Pay careful attention to the marking guide for part (b). For six marks in total there are
eleven points in the Examiner’s marking guide. The question is also split between:
Relevant costing principles and
Pricing implications.
Therefore, aim to make at least six good points spread across these two sub-requirements.
Even if you can think of four relevant costing principle issues and only two pricing
implications, the marking guide has been adjusted to allow for this!
The Examiner has been very flexible in the marking guide. You could have scored a maximum of four
marks on either part of the sub answer with the overall maximum marks available being six.
Marking guide
(a)
Costing statement
Lunch
Engineer costs
Technical advisor
Site visits
Training costs
Handsets
Control system
Cable
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Marks
1
3
1
1
2
2
3
1
14
(b) Explanation
Relevant costing
Future cost / sunk cost
Cash flow not accounting adjustment
Incremental
Committed cost
Opportunity cost
Price to be charged
Doesn’t incorporate profit
Doesn’t cover all costs
Ignores fixed costs
Contract X – engineer’s time
Starting point only
Need to make a profit
Need to attract future work
Maximum for price
Maximum for (b) overall
Maximum marks available
1
1
1
1
1
Max 4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Max 4
6
20
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AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Cost volume analysis
2 HAIR CO
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
Part (a) of this question required candidates to calculate the weighted average contribution
to sales ratio for Hair Co. Using the most simple approach for this, firstly then, it was
necessary to calculate the individual contribution for each of the products. From this, the
total contribution could be calculated by applying the sales volumes to the unit
contributions. Then, the total sales figure could be calculated, finishing with the calculation
of the ratio by dividing the first figure by the second.
The majority of candidates were able to calculate the unit contributions, which is obviously a
very basic F2 skill.
However, many students seemed unclear where to go from here. The most common error
was that candidates then simply added together the three unit contributions, added
together the three unit selling prices, and divided the former by the latter, giving a
contribution to sales ratio of 36.9%. The problem with this calculation is that it does not take
into account the relative sales volume of each product and it is not therefore a weighted
average contribution to sales ratio but rather just an average contribution to sales ratio.
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EXAM SMART
In part (a) you assume that the budgeted sales volumes of the three products represent the
standard sales mix. This provides the ‘weightings’ for the contribution to sales ratio.
(a)
Weighted average contribution to sales ratio (WA C/S ratio) = total contribution/total sales
revenue.
Per unit:
Selling price
Material 1
Material 2
Skilled labour
Unskilled labour
Contribution
Sales units
Total sales revenue
Total contribution
C
$
110
(12)
(8)
(16)
(14)
60
S
$
160
(28)
(22)
(34)
(20)
56
D
$
120
(16)
(26)
(22)
(28)
28
20,000
$2,200,000
$1,200,000
22,000
$3,520,000
$1,232,000
26,000
$3,120,000
$728,000
WA C/S ratio = ($1,200,000 + $1,232,000 + $728,000)/($2,200,000 + $3,520,000 + $3,120,000)
= $3,160,000/$8,840,000 = 35.75%
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
293
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
Part (b) asked candidates to calculate the break-even sales ratio for the company. This is a
very simple calculation and was answered correctly by about half of candidates. Follow-on
marks were given for using the ratio calculated in part a, even if this ratio was incorrect. All
that needed to be done to calculate the break-even sales revenue was for the fixed costs of
$640,000 to be divided by the ratio.
EXAM SMART
The importance of keeping going in an exam is evident here. Even if you got stuck on part
(a), then marks can still be achieved here using your calculations in part (a) even if it is
wrong.
(b)
Breakeven sales revenue = fixed costs/C/S ratio
Therefore, breakeven sales revenue = $640,000/35.75% = $1,790,209.70
EXAM SMART
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Once the products have been ranked according to their C/S ratios you will need workings for.
(c)
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Cumulative revenue (starting from NIL).
Cumulative profit (starting from a loss equal to the fixed costs ($640k) since if you sell
nothing you will make a loss equal to your fixed costs).
Calculate the individual C/S ratio for each product then rank them according to the highest one
first.
Per unit
Contribution
Selling price
C/S ratio
Ranking
Product
0
Make C
Make S
Make D
Revenue
$
0
2,200,000
3,520,000
3,120,000
C
$
60
110
S
$
56
160
D
$
28
120
0.55
1
0.35
2
0.23
3
Cumulative revenue
$
0
2,200,000
5,720,000
8,840,000
Profit
$
(640,000)
1,200,000
1,232,000
728,000
Cumulative profit
$
(640,000)
560,000
1,792,000
2,520,000
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (d)
Answers to this were weak. The main point to identify was the fact that the company would
break even earlier if it sold products in order of their CS ratios first. The reality is, however,
that the company would neither sell the products in a constant mix or in order of their
profitability, therefore the true break-even point would really lie somewhere in the middle
of the two.
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(d)
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
If the products are sold in order of the highest ranking first, breakeven can be worked out by
taking the fixed costs of $640,000 and dividing them by Product C’s C/S ratio of 0.55, i.e. the
exact BEP is $1,163,636. This is substantially earlier than the breakeven point which occurs if the
products are all sold in a constant mix, which is $1,790,209, as calculated in (b) above.
The reason for this is obviously because the more profitable product, C, contributes more per
unit to fixed costs when being sold on its own, than when a mix of products C, S and D are sold.
The weighted average C/S ratio of all three products is only 35.75%, compared to C’s C/S ratio of
55%. Obviously, then, breakeven will occur earlier if C is sold in priority.
In reality, however, the mix of sales will vary throughout the year and Hair Co can neither
assume that the products are sold in a constant mix, nor that the most profitable can be sold
first.
(e)
A multi-product P/V chart shows clearly the minimum the business has to do to breakeven, on
the assumption that it sells first the products with the highest C/S ratio.
By highlighting the products with the highest C/S ratios and plotting what each product
contributes to profit, the P/V chart can help the business decide which products’ production can
be expanded and which products may be discontinued.
The P/V chart can be used for comparison purposes. It can show the impact of different levels of
selling price and sales volume on the business’s breakeven point.
Marking guide
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(a)
Weighted average C/S ratio
Individual contributions
Total sales revenue
Total contribution
Ratio
Marks
3
1
1
1
6
2
2
1½
1½
2
5
(d) Discussion
General comments re assumptions (max 2 marks)
Each valid point re BEP
1
1
Max 4
(e)
1
Max 3
(b) Breakeven revenue
(c)
Individual CS ratios
Ranking
Profit and revenue workings
Each valid point re multi-product profit-volume (PV) chart
Maximum marks available
20
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
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295
Limiting factors
3 CSC CO
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
The first part of the question was a typical single limiting factor question, requiring
candidates to formulate an optimal production plan and calculate maximum profit.
Responses to this question were surprisingly poor given the fairly straightforward nature of
the question. The most common errors were firstly ignoring the fact that the company had
entered into a contract, and therefore these requirements should be produced first.
Secondly there was a requirement to calculate the shortage of material – this was often
omitted. Thirdly, many candidates used the dollar value of the limiting material to calculate
their production plan, rather than the quantities.
These errors didn’t seem to come from a lack of understanding, more a lack of care. It’s possible
that candidates were running short of time by this point, meaning that the requirements and
scenarios weren’t read properly. This highlights the importance of good time management
during the exam – ensuring that some of the more straightforward marks can be obtained.
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EXAM SMART
Markers often see students running out of time on the last question of an exam, and the
examiner’s comments here highlight how rushing a question like this can affect
performance. You need for (a) to take a little time to plan out the stages of your calculation.
There are three questions to answer:
(a)
Is there a shortage and how big is it?
If there is a shortage, in what order should we be producing the products?
How many of each product should be produced?
(Step 1) Calculate the shortage of Betta for the year
Total requirements in grams:
Cakes: grams used per cake
Expected demand
Total required:
0·5
11,200
5,600
Cookies: grams used per cookie
Expected demand
Total required:
0·20
9,800
1,960
Shakes: grams used per shake
Expected demand
Total required:
1
7,500
7,500
Overall total required:
Less available:
Shortage:
15,060
12,000
3,060
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(Step 2) Contribution per gram of Betta and ranking
Cakes
$
2·60
0·5
$
5·20
2
Contribution per unit
Grams of Betta per unit
Contribution per gram
Rank
Cookies
$
1·75
0·2
$
8·75
1
Shakes
$
1·20
1
$
1·20
3
Shakes
(contract)
$
1·00
1
$
1·00
4
(Step 3) Optimum production plan
Product
Shakes (contract)
Cookies
Cakes
Total contribution
Less fixed costs
Profit
Number
To be
produced
5,000
9,800
10,080
Grams
per unit
1
0·20
0·5
Total
Grams
per unit
5,000
1,960
5,040
Cumulative
grams
5,000
6,960
12,000
Contribution
Per unit
1·00
1·75
2·60
Total
Contribution
5,000
17,150
26,208
48,358
(3,000)
45,358
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
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The second part of this question was a discussion about whether the business should breach
the contract they have to supply another business. In general responses were disappointing
– candidates focussed purely on the financial factors. Easy marks could be picked up here for
realising that breaching a contract will have legal, reputational and ethical issues. Many also
wasted their own time by ignoring the note in the requirement – “No further calculations are
required.”
EXAM SMART
This part highlights very clearly that you sometimes need to think beyond the numbers and
financial factors in F5.
(b)
Breach of contract with Encompass Health (EH)
It would be bad for business if CSC Co becomes known as a supplier who cannot be relied on to
stick to the terms of its agreements. This could make future potential customers reticent to deal
with them.
Even more seriously, there could be legal consequences involved in breaching the contract with
EH. This would be costly and also very damaging to CSC Co’s reputation.
If CSC Co lets EH down and breaches the contract, EH may refuse to buy from them anymore
and future sales revenue would therefore be lost. Just as importantly, these sales to EH are
currently helping to increase the marketability of CSC Co’s shakes. This will be lost if these sales
are no longer made.
Therefore, taking these factors into account, it would not be advisable to breach the contract.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
297
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (C)
The final part of the question moved on to linear programming with multiple limiting factors.
This is generally a popular topic and this was overall well answered. Many candidates
attempted this part of the question before any other part of Section C – good examination
technique especially when under time pressure.
What this question demonstrated well was that most candidates are comfortable with the
steps involved in linear programming; however there is a lack of in depth understanding of
how it works. For example, virtually all candidates could identify the iso-contribution line
and feasible region when given on a graph, but few could explain what they meant. Many
explained what they were for (finding the optimum point), but not that the iso-contribution
line shows all points giving the same contribution, or that the feasible region shows all
possible production plans that meet all of the constraints. Similarly, most could define slack
in the context of scarce resources, but found it harder to identify slack variables from a
completed graph.
EXAM SMART
The examiner’s comments for (c) highlight the need for revision if you struggled here, also
what you need to revise.
(c)
(i)
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This line is what is called the ‘iso-contribution line’ and it is plotted by finding two
corresponding x and y values for the ‘objective function’. At any point along this line, the
mix of cakes and cookies will provide the same total contribution, ‘C’.
Since each cake provides a contribution of $2·60 and each cookie provides a contribution
of $1·75, the objective function has been defined as ‘C = 2·6x + 1·75y’. This means that
the total contribution will be however many cakes are made (represented by ‘x’) at $2·60
each plus however many cookies are made (represented by ‘y’) at $1·75 each.
The area 0ABCD is called the ‘feasible region’. Any point within this region could be
selected and would show a feasible mix of production of cakes and cookies. However, in
order to maximise profit, the optimum production mix will be at a point on the edge of
the feasible region, not within it.
(ii)
The further the iso-contribution line is moved away from the origin, 0, the greater the
contribution generated will be. Therefore, a ruler will be laid along the line, making sure
it stays at exactly the same angle as the line, and the ruler will then be moved outwards
to the furthest vertex (intersection between two constraints) on the feasible region, as
represented by either point A, B, C or D. In this case, the optimum point is ‘C’, the
intersection of the ‘labour’ constraint and the ‘demand for cakes’ constraint.
(iii)
A ‘slack’ value could arise either in relation to a resource or in relation to production of a
product. It means that a resource is not being fully utilised or that there is unfulfilled
demand of a product. Since the optimum point is the intersection of the labour and the
demand for cakes lines, this means that there will be three slack values. First, there will
be a slack value for cookies. This means that there will be unsatisfied demand for cookies
since the optimum point does not reach as far as the ‘demand for cookies’ line on the
graph. Also, there will be slack values for Betta and Singa, which means that both of
these materials are not actually the binding constraints, such that there will be more
material available than is needed.
298 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Marking guide
(a)
Calculating shortage of Betta
Contribution per gram of Betta
Ranking
Optimum production plan
Profit
Marks
1-5
1
0-5
2
1
6
(b) Each valid point
1
4
(c)
2
2
4
1-5
0-5
2
(i)
(ii)
Identification and explanation of the iso-contribution line
Identification and explanation of the feasible region
Explaining how to use line for identification of optimum point
Identification of optimum point
(iii) Explaining what slack values are
Identifying Betta as slack
Identifying Singa as slack
Identifying slack demand for cookies
1
1
1
1
4
Maximum marks available
Pricing decisions
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4 HEAT CO
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
The requirement to calculate the optimum price and quantity in part (a) was new to the
syllabus in June 2011 and about half of candidates seemed not to have revised it and could
not attempt it. Many candidates managed to score one or two marks for establishing the
demand function. It was really pleasing to see some good attempts at part (a) (ii) which
tested the ability to adjust the labour cost for the learning effect. Quite a few answers were
perfect.
Probably the most common mistake was including the fixed cost in the cost of the air
conditioning unit when it was the marginal cost which was being tested.
At this level it is expected that candidates will have a good understanding of what ‘marginal’
means.
EXAM SMART
Clear assumptions are given credit. The stated omission of fixed overheads from marginal
cost is something that the examiner is looking for!
Notice how a methodical approach is not only efficient, but also likely to lead to good marks.
For example in (a) (iii), a clear step-by-step approach is taken – the logic being clearly stated
as the answer is built up.
Step 1: Establish the MR function. This will have twice the gradient of whatever price
function has been derived in (a)(i). If P = a – bQ then MR = a – 2bQ (given on the
formula sheet).
20
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
299
Step 2: Establish the marginal cost – this will be whatever answer you have derived in
(a) (ii).
Step 3: Equate the MR and MC together in order to establish Q
Step 4: Whatever Q you derive – substitute into whatever demand function you have
arrived at in (a)(i). This will give your answer for P.
Full marks are given even when your previous answers may be erroneous. It is the method
that the markers are looking at.
(a)
Profit
In order to ascertain the optimum price, you must use the formula P = a─ bQ
Where P = price; Q = quantity; a = intersection (price at which quantity demanded will be nil);
b = gradient of the demand curve.
The approach is as follows.
(i)
Establish the demand function
b = change in price/change in quantity = $15/1,000 = 0.015
We know that if price = $735, quantity = 1,000 units
Establish ‘a’ by substituting these values for P, Q and b into our demand function:
735 = a - 0.015Q
15 + 735 = a
Therefore, a = 750.
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Demand function is therefore P = 750 – 0.015Q
(ii)
Establish marginal cost
The labour cost of the 100th unit needs to be calculated as follows.
Formula: y = axb.
a = 1.5
Therefore, if x = 100 and b= -0.0740005, then y = 1.5 × 100–0·0740005 = 1.0668178
Therefore, cost per unit = 1.0668178 × $8 = $8.5345
Total cost for 100 units = $853.45.
EXAM SMART
You can also do all your workings in hours and then convert to cost at the end of the
question.
Remember that in the formula y = axb, ‘y’ represents the AVERAGE time per unit, so to get a
total time you then need to multiply by the number of units. The total time for 99 units then
needs to be deducted from the total for 100 in order to get the time for the 100th unit.
Time for 100th unit = Total for 100 units – Total for 99 units
Time for 100th unit = (1.0668178 × 100) – (1.0676115 × 99) = 0.9882 hrs
Labour cost for the 100th unit = 0.9882 × $8 = $7.91 (rounding)
300 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
If x = 99, y = 1.5 × 99–0.0740005 = 1.0676115
Therefore, cost per unit = $8.5408
Total cost for 99 = $845.55
Therefore, cost of 100th unit = $853.45 ─ $845.55 = $7.90
Therefore, total marginal cost = $42 + $7.90 = $49.90
Fixed overheads have been ignored as they are not part of the marginal cost.
(iii)
Find profit
(1)
Establish the marginal revenue function
MR = a ─ 2bQ
MR = 750 ─ 0.03Q
(2)
Equate MC and MR
49.90 = 750 – 0.03Q
0.03Q = 700.1
Q = 23,337
(3)
Find optimum price
P = 750 – (0.015 × 23,337)
= $399.95
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EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
Part (b) was really well-answered, with most candidates being able to describe both pricing
strategies and suggest a suitable one.
A good, logical approach was adopted by most: explain market skimming, explain
penetration pricing and then explain which one would be most appropriate for Heat Co.
(b)
(i)
Penetration pricing
With penetration pricing, a low price would initially be charged for the Energy Buster. The
idea behind this is that the price will make the product accessible to a larger number of
buyers and therefore the high sales volumes will compensate for the lower prices being
charged. A large market share would be gained and possibly, the Energy Buster might
become accepted as the only industrial air conditioning unit worth buying.
The circumstances that would favour a penetration pricing policy are:
Highly elastic demand for the Energy Buster i.e. the lower the price, the higher the
demand. The preliminary research does suggest that demand is elastic.
If significant economies of scale could be achieved by Heat Co, then higher sales
volumes would result in sizeable reductions in costs. This is not the case here,
since learning ceases at 100 units.
If Heat Co was actively trying to discourage new entrants into the market. In this
case, new entrants cannot enter the market anyway, because of the patent.
If Heat Co wished to shorten the initial period of the Energy Buster’s life cycle so as
to enter the growth and maturity stages quickly. We have no evidence that this is
the case for Heat Co, although it could be.
From the above, it can be seen that this could be a suitable strategy in some respects but
it is not necessarily the best one.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
(ii)
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
301
Market skimming
With market skimming, high prices would initially be charged for the Energy Buster rather
than low prices. This would enable Heat Co to take advantage of the unique nature of the
product, thus maximising sales from those customers who like to have the latest
technology as early as possible. The most suitable conditions for this strategy are:
The product is new and different. This is indeed the case with the Energy Buster.
The product has a short life cycle and high development costs that need to be
recovered quickly. The life cycle is fairly short and high development costs have
been incurred.
Since high prices attract competitors, there needs to be barriers to entry in order
to deter competitors. In Heat Co’s case, there is a barrier, since it has obtained a
patent for the Energy Buster.
The strength and sensitivity of demand are unknown. Again, this is not the case
here.
Once again, the Energy Buster meets only some of the conditions which would suggest that
although this strategy may be suitable the answer is not clear cut. The fact that high
development costs have been incurred and the life cycle is fairly short are fairly good reasons
to adopt this strategy. While we have demand curve data, we do not really know just how
reliable this data really is, in which case a skimming strategy may be a safer option.
Marking guide
(a)
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Marks
Profit using demand-based approach
(i) Establish demand function:
Find b
Find a
Write out demand function
1
1
1
3
(ii) Find MC:
Average cost of 100
Total cost of 100
Average cost of 99
Total cost of 99
Difference
Correct total MC excluding fixed cost
1
1
1
1
1
1
6
(iii) Establish MR function
Equate MC and MR to find Q
Find optimum price
1
1
1
3
Each valid point 1
Max 4
Each valid point 1
Max 4
Max 8
(b) Market based strategies
Penetration pricing
Market skimming
Maximum marks available
20
302 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Make or buy and other short-term decisions
5 ROBBER CO
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
This question tested relevant costing within a ‘make or buy’ context. Part (a) asked
candidates to advise whether the company in question should manufacture its own
components for its burglar alarms or whether it should outsource their supply to Burgistan.
It was quite pleasing to see many candidates making a decent attempt at it.
In the suggested solution, the $4k and $6k machine costs are treated as specific fixed costs
and are therefore included in the relevant cost of manufacturing in-house, together with the
depreciation. However, is acceptable to assume these costs to be general fixed costs and
therefore excluded them for their manufacture cost together with the depreciation.
EXAM SMART
Watch out for the following when working out the relevant costs of making the components.
For keypads the price rise in materials is due to happen half way through the year so
half the units produced would be at the old price and half at the new price.
Be careful with heat and power to make sure that you strip out the apportionment of
general factory overhead as this can be assumed to going to be incurred regardless of
any decision to purchase externally.
For the variable element of the machine costs, firstly calculate what the variable cost
per set up is and then scale this for the fact that there will now be more set ups overall
(since batch size is being reduced more batches will be needed). Previously 160 set ups
(80,000/500) were required and now 200 set ups (80,000/400) will be needed. You
therefore need to scale by a factor of 200/160 (or 500/400 as the examiner has shown
as it amounts to exactly the same thing)
Make sensible assumptions about the general factory depreciation and insurance.
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(a)
Variable costs
Materials ($160k × 6/12) + ($160k × 1.05 × 6/12)
($116k × 1.02)
Direct labour
Machine set-up costs
($26k – $4k) × 500/400
($30k – $6k) × 500/400
Keypads
$
164,000
40,000
Display
screens
$
118,320
60,000
27,500
231,500
30,000
208,320
Total incremental costs of making in-house
44,000
4,000
33,600
81,600
313,100
58,000
6,000
38,400
102,400
310,720
Cost of buying (80,000 × $4.10/$4.30)
328,000
344,000
14,900
33,280
Attributable fixed costs
Heat and power ($64k – $20k)/($88k – $30k)
Fixed machine costs
Depreciation and insurance ($84/$96k × 40%)
Total saving from making
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
303
Robber Co should therefore make all of the keypads and display screens in-house
(Note: It has been assumed that the fixed set-up costs only arise if production takes place.)
Alternative method
Relevant costs
Direct materials
($160,000/2) + $160,000/2 × 1.05
$116,000 × 1.02
Direct labour
Heat and power
$64,000 – (50% × $40,000)
$88,000 – (50% × $60,000)
Machine set up costs:
Avoidable fixed costs
Activity related costs (W1)
Avoidable depreciation and insurance costs:
40% × $84,000/$96,000
Total relevant manufacturing costs
Relevant cost per unit:
Cost per unit of buying in
Incremental cost of buying in
Keypads
$
Display
screens
$
164,000
40,000
118,320
60,000
44,000
58,000
4,000
27,500
6,000
30,000
33,600
313,100
3.91375
4.1
0.18625
38,400
310,720
3.884
4.3
0.416
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As each of the components is cheaper to make in-house than to buy in, the company should
continue to manufacture keypads and display screens in-house.
Working 1
Current no. of batches produced:
New no. of batches produced:
Current cost per batch for keypads:
Therefore new activity related batch cost:
Current cost per batch for display screens:
Therefore, new activity related batch cost:
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
80,000/500 = 160
80,000/400 = 200
($26,000 - $4,000)/160 = $137.5
200 × $137.5 = $27,500
($30,000 - $6,000)/160 = $150
200 × $150 = $30,000
Part (b) was more challenging and required candidates to work out the incremental saving
per unit from making the two components and then, using key factor analysis, calculate how
many of which product should be bought in rather than made in order to increase
production.
It produced weaker answers but many candidates were at least able to work out the
shortage of hours and the number of units that needed to bought in (without going through
the process of ranking the two components), for which they could earn nearly half of the
total marks available.
(b)
The attributable fixed costs remain unaltered irrespective of the level of production of keypads
and display screens, because as soon as one unit of either is made, the costs rise. We know that
we will make at least one unit of each component as both are cheaper to make than buy.
Therefore they are an irrelevant common cost.
304 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Keypads
$
4.1
2.89
Buy
Variable cost of making
($231,500/80,000)
($208,320/80,000)
Saving from making per unit
Labour hour per unit
Saving from making per unit of limiting factor
Priority of making
Display
screens
$
4.3
1.21
0.5
2.42
2.6
1.7
0.75
2.27
1
2
Total labour hours available = 100,000.
Make maximum keypads i.e. 100,000, using 50,000 labour hours (100,000 x 0.5 hours)
Make 50,000/0.75 display screens, i.e. 66,666 display screens.
Therefore, buy in 33,334 display screens (100,000 – 66,666).
EXAM SMART
In the answer to part (b) above it is not unreasonable to have assumed that the heat &
power costs that were not an apportionment of general factory overhead were also part of
the variable cost. Including these as part of the variable cost of making would have the
following results compared to the Examiner’s answer.
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Keypads, VC of making = 2.89 + 0.55 = $3.44, where the $0.55 heat and power per unit
is calculated as the total cost per unit of $0.8 less $0.25 (being 50% of the labour direct
cost per unit).
Display screens, VC of making = 2.6 + 0.73 = $3.33, where the $0.73 is calculated as the
total cost per unit of $1.1 less $0.375 (being 50% of the direct labour cost per unit).
Buy
Variable cost of making (per above)
Saving from making per unit
Labour hour per unit
Saving from making per unit of limiting factor
Priority of making
Keypads
$
4.1
3.44
0.66
0.5
1.32
Display
screens
$
4.3
3.33
0.97
0.75
1.29
1
2
As you can see the order of priority is unaffected and so the rest of the solution remains as
per the Examiner’s answer.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (c)
Part (c) was a straightforward knowledge requirement about the non-financial factors to be
considered when outsourcing. The majority of candidates answered very well scoring full
marks here although a significant number of candidates brought in financial factors into their
answers despite the requirement asking for non- financial factors.
Good points that were raised included consideration of the following:
Reliability and skills of the suppliers - can they sustain quality standards?
What if there are any future changes / models, would the suppliers be able to cope?
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
305
Ability of the suppliers to deliver on time; if late, how will this affect customer relations
and goodwill?
Will the suppliers maintain confidentiality? The designs are IPR - Intellectual Property
Rights, which, if copied, will affect Robber Company's market share.
What about government pressure / power / policies? The decision to outsource could
result in a number of redundancies which might make the government bring sanctions
against Robber Company.
Loss of the rationale of Robber's existence - if they outsource is this the start of the
decline of the manufacturing business?
Exchange rate risks and losses for Robber Co.
EXAM SMART
It is so important to follow the clues given by an Examiner. Non-financial factors requires
you to think of issues that, although they may ultimately have a financial impact, in
themselves are not measured purely in $!
As usual, it is important not just to state the factor but to add value and clarity. You might
want to think of the ‘so what?’ factor. I have stated a fact – so what? Why is it important?
For example:
Robber needs any new supplier to be flexible and able to meet Robber’s needs (fact). If
the new supplier were not able to cope with sudden increased demand by Robber for
keypads and display screens, then Robber’s production could be delayed causing lost
goodwill with its own customers (so what / value added).
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(c)
Non-financial factors
The company offering to supply the keypads and display screens is a new company. This
would make it extremely risky to rely on it for continuity of supplies. Many new
businesses go out of business within the first year of being in business and, without these
two crucial components, Robber Co would be unable to meet demand for sales of control
panels.
Robber Co would need to consider whether there are any other potential suppliers of the
components. This would be useful as both a price comparison now and also to establish
the level of dependency that would be committed to if this new supplier is used. If the
supplier goes out of business, will any other company be able to step in? If so, at what
cost?
The supplier has only agreed to these prices for the first two years. After this, it could put
up its prices dramatically. By this stage, Robber Co would probably be unable to begin
easily making its components in house again, as it would probably have sold off its
machinery and committed to larger sales of control panels.
The quality of the components could not be guaranteed. If they turn out to be poor
quality, this will give rise to problems in the control panels, leading to future loss of sales
and high repair costs under warranties for Robber Co. The fact that the supplier is based
overseas increases the risk of quality and continuity of supply, since it has even less
control of these than it would if it was a UK supplier.
Robber Co would need to establish how reliable the supplier is with meeting promises for
delivery times. This kind of information may be difficult to establish because of the fact
that the supplier is a new company. Late delivery could have a serious impact on
Robber Co’s production and delivery schedule.
306 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Marking guide
(a)
Incremental cost of buying in
Direct materials
Direct labour
Heat and light
Set-up costs
Depreciation and insurance
Total cost of making
Total cost of buying
Saving
Conclusion
Marks
½
½
½
3
1
½
½
½
1
8
Or alternative method
Direct materials
Direct labour
Heat and power
Avoidable fixed costs
Activity related costs (W1)
Avoidable depreciation and insurance
Total relevant manufacturing costs
Relevant cost per unit
Incremental cost of buying in
Conclusion
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(b) If 100,000 control panels made
Variable cost of making per unit
Saving from making
Saving per labour hour
Ranking
Make 100,000 keypads
Make 66,666 display screens
Buy 33,334 display screens
(c) Non-financial factors
Per factor
½
½
½
½
3
½
½
½
½
1
8
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
1 or 2
Max 5
Maximum marks available
Risk and uncertainty
6 CEMENT CO
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
Part (a) should have been easy but only about 5% of candidates got this completely correct.
A vast number of candidates applied the probabilities to the profit figures before including
the amounts in the table. Many tables were not clearly labelled and few candidates grasped
the fact that any unsold bag of cement produces a loss of $4.50 in total ($4 buy-in cost and
$0.50 disposal cost).
20
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
307
EXAM SMART
Pay-off tables have to be carefully constructed.
You must calculate the expected returns at each level of supply and each possible
demand level. This will involve nine separate calculations. Remember that if you
supply, say, 350,000 bags yet demand is only poor (200,000 bags) then some 150,000
will go unsold, losing $4.50 per bag.
It is very frustrating for markers where elementary mistakes are made. Therefore,
question practice is key!
(a)
Pay-off table
Prob.*
DEMAND
Weather
Good
Average
Poor
350k
280k
200k
0.25
0.45
0.30
SUPPLY (no. of bags)
350,000
280,000
$000
$000
1,750 (1)
1,400
1,085 (2)
1,400
325
640
200,000
$000
1,000
1,000
1,000
* [Tutorial note: The probability column is only shown so as to help in part (b) (iii)’s calculations.]
Profit per bag sold in coming year = $9 - $4 = $5
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Loss per bag disposed of = $4 + $0.50 = $4.50
(1) 350,000 × $5 = $1,750,000
(2) [280,000 × $5] - [70,000 × $(4.50)] = $1,085,000 etc
EXAM SMART
For completeness the remaining workings are shown below.
Supply
350,000
280,000
280,000
280,000
200,000
200,000
200,000
Demand
200,000
350,000
280,000
200,000
350,000
280,000
200,000
(200,000 × $5) – (150,000 × $4.50)
(280,000 × $5)
(280,000 × $5)
(200,000 × $5) – (80,000 × $4.50)
(200,000 × $5)
(200,000 × $5)
(200,000 × $5)
$000
325
1,400
1,400
640
1,000
1,000
1,000
In the exam you don’t need to show workings for all nine outcomes but show enough that
the marker can clearly see that you know what you are doing.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PARTS (b) (i), (ii)
Parts (b) (i) and (ii) were fairly well attempted (identifying the level of production using
maximin and maximax) but even then, most correct answers were not justified as requested
and only therefore scored half marks. It didn’t matter whether justification had been given
by either words or numbers ─ but usually, there was neither.
308 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
EXAM SMART
For the maximin and maximax parts of the question, clearly demonstrate why you have
made a choice. If, for example, you made a mistake in part (a), you can still get full credit if
you correctly use and demonstrate your decision here in part (b). Notice how the Examiner
has shown the key numbers and workings for each decision as a clear basis for the answer.
The expected value part of the question is fully explained by clear workings. ‘Think on
paper!’
Avoid fundamental mistakes too. You have to work out each possible outcome in part (a) for
the three possible supply levels. It is only the supply levels that Cement Co can control – the
probabilities relate to the uncertain demand at the various levels
(b)
(i)
Maximin – identify the worst outcome for each level of supply and choose the highest of
these worst outcomes.
Worst
350,000
$000
325
SUPPLY (no. of bags)
280,000
$000
640
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200,000
$000
1,000
The highest of these is $1,000,000 therefore choose to supply only 200,000 bags to meet
poor conditions.
(ii)
Maximax – identify the best outcome for each level of supply and choose the highest of
these best outcomes.
Best
350,000
$000
1,750
SUPPLY (no. of bags)
280,000
$000
1,400
200,000
$000
1,000
The highest of these is $1,750,000, therefore choose to supply 350,000 bags to meet
good conditions.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b) (iii)
The requirement to calculate the expected value in part (b) (iii) was worth the most marks
and it was really surprising to see that 90% of candidates could not do this.
They seemed to think that the expected value could be calculated by working out the
expected demand level (by applying the probabilities to the three demand levels) and then
applying this to an expected profit figure. They were confusing the scenario given, where a
decision has to be about how much of a product to supply given three alternative levels of
supply, to a scenario where there is only supply level available (e.g. a one off event) but
there are two sets of uncertainties (e.g. different demand levels and different profit levels.)
In the latter situation, the expected value can be calculated by working out the expected
demand and the expected profit, but where there are three potential supply levels, there
will be three expected values to calculate, with the highest then being selected.
Candidates are clearly confused in this area and need to study it further.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
(iii)
Revision answers: 2: Decision-making techniques
309
Expected value – use the probabilities provided in order to calculate the expected value
of each of the supply levels.
Good (0.25 × $1,750,000) + (0.45 × $1,085,000) + (0.30 × $325,000) = $1,023,250
Average (0.7 × $1,400,000) + (0.3 × $640,000) = $1,172,000
Poor 1 × $1,000,000 = $1,000,000
The expected value of producing 280,000 bags when conditions are average is the
highest at $1,172,000, therefore this supply level should be chosen.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (c)
The discursive part of this question was answered well in relation to maximin and poorly in
relation to expected value, again because of the fundamental misunderstanding described
above.
(c)
Maximin and expected value decision rules
The ‘maximin’ decision rule looks at the worst possible outcome at each supply level and then
selects the highest one of these.
It is used when the outcome cannot be assessed with any level of certainty. The decision maker
therefore chooses the outcome which is guaranteed to minimise his losses. In the process, he
loses out on the opportunity of making big profits. It is often seen as the pessimistic approach to
decision making (assuming that the worst outcome will occur) and is used by decision makers
who are risk averse. It can be used for one-off or repeated decisions.
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The ‘expected value’ rule calculates the average return that will be made if a decision is
repeated again and again. It does this by weighting each of the possible outcomes with their
relative probability of occurring. It is the weighted arithmetic mean of the possible outcomes.
Since the expected value shows the long run average outcome of a decision which is repeated
time and time again, it is a useful decision rule for a risk neutral decision maker. This is because
a risk neutral person neither seeks risk nor avoids it; they are happy to accept an average
outcome. The problem often is, however, that this rule is often used for decisions that only
occur once. In this situation, the actual outcome is unlikely to be close to the long run average.
For example, with Cement Co, the closest actual outcome to the expected value of $1,172,000 is
the outcome of $1,085,000. This is not too far away from the expected value but many of the
others are really different.
310 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 2 : D e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t e c h n i q u e s
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Marking guide
(a)
Pay-off table
Calculation of profit
Calculation of loss
‘Demand’ label
‘Supply’ label
Weather column
Supply column – 350,000
Supply column – 280,000
Supply column – 200,000
Marks
1
1
½
½
½
1½
1½
1½
8
(b) Decision criterion
(i) Maximin
Selecting highest of the low
1
1
(ii) Maximax
Selecting highest of the high
1
1
(iii) Expected value
Calculating EV when good
Calculating EV average
Calculating EV when poor
Selecting highest
1
1
1
1
4
Maximin and EV
Describe maximin
Used when outcome cannot be assessed with any certainty
Risk averse / pessimistic
One-off / repeated decisions
Describe EV
Risk neutral
Repeated decisions
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
Max 6
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(c)
Maximum marks available
20
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
311
3: Budgeting and control
Budgetary systems and types of budget
1 NEWTOWN SCHOOL
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS
The last question on the paper covered budgeting. It was a mix of calculations and discussion
but with the majority of the marks being available for the latter. On the whole, it was well
answered.
In part (a) candidates had to recalculate the budget deficit for the year making several
adjustments to the figures provided. The calculations were quite straightforward and most
candidates scored decent marks on this part of the question. The main error that arose was
in relation to the salaries’ cost. Many candidates were unable to split the year into two
halves, deduct one staff member’s cost and then apply the pay rise to only half of the year.
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But, even if they had managed to do that, many candidates then went on to erroneously
inflate the resultant cost of $599,940 by the rate given in the question, even though the pay
rise was the relevant increment not the inflation.
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EXAM SMART
This should have provided students with many opportunities to score high marks as it tests
areas that have been tested in a similar way before and covers basic theoretical knowledge
as well.
(a)
Budget deficit/surplus
Budgeted income:
Income from pupils registered on 1 June 2013: $724,500 (given in question)
Expected number of new joiners: (0.2 × 50) + (0.3 × 20) + (0.5 × 26) = 29
Expected income from new joiners at $900 each = $26,100
Total expected income = $750,600.
Budgeted expenditure:
Repairs and maintenance: $30,000 × 1.03 = $30,900.
Salaries: [($620,000 – $26,000)/2] + [($620,000 – $26,000 × 1.02)/2]
= $297,000 + $302,940 = $599,940.
Expected capital expenditure = (0.7 × $145,000) + (0.3 × $80,000) = $125,500.
Total expected expenditure = $756,340.
Budget deficit = $5,740.
312 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
Part (b) was a simple knowledge requirement asking for the advantages and disadvantages
of using incremental budgeting. This resulted in a lot of answers scoring full marks.
(b)
Discussion of estimates
Advantages
Incremental budgeting is very easy to perform. This makes it possible for a person
without any accounting training to build a budget.
Incremental budgeting is also very quick compared to other budgeting methods.
The information required to complete it is also usually readily available.
Disadvantages
On the other hand, incremental budgeting encourages inefficiency because it does not
question the preceding year’s figures on which it is based. No-one asks how those figures
could be reduced.
Similarly, in some organisations, it encourages slack because departmental managers
may attempt to use their entire budget up for one year, even if they do not need to, just
to ensure that that cash is available again the next year.
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Errors from one year are carried to the next, since the previous year’s figures are not
questioned.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (c)
Part (c) was again simple knowledge asking for the main steps involved in preparing zero-based
budgets. This was again really well answered with lots of answers worth full or nearly full marks.
(c)
Zero-based budgeting (ZBB)
The three main steps involved in preparing a zero-based budget are as follows:
(1)
Activities are identified by managers. Managers are then forced to consider different
ways of performing the activities. These activities are then described in what is called a
‘decision package’, which:
Analyses the cost of the activity;
States its purpose;
Identifies alternative methods of achieving the same purpose;
Establishes performance measures for the activity;
Assesses the consequence of not performing the activity at all or of performing it
at different levels.
As regards this last point, the decision package may be prepared at the base level,
representing the minimum level of service or support needed to achieve the
organisation’s objectives. Further incremental packages may then be prepared to reflect
a higher level of service or support.
(2)
Management will then rank all the packages in the order of decreasing benefits to the
organisation. This will help management decide what to spend and where to spend it.
This ranking of the decision packages happens at numerous levels of the organisation.
(3)
The resources are then allocated, based on order of priority up to the spending level.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
313
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (d)
Finally, part (d) was where the higher level marks were in this question. Candidates had to
discuss the extent to which zero-based budgeting could be used by Newtown School to
improve the budgeting process. Answers here were weaker but there were still some decent
attempts. The main issues arose because candidates didn’t answer the question and instead
just wrote about the advantages of the school using ZBB.
(d)
Use of ZBB at Newtown School
There is definitely a place for ZBB at Newtown School. At the moment, incremental budgeting is
responsible for recurring unexpected cash shortages, which is deterring new pupils from joining
the school. Had a deficit been predicted for the year ended 31 May 2013, perhaps $65,000
would not have been spent on improving the school gym, and then it would not have been
necessary to close the school kitchen. ZBB would be good to establish the way cash is spent on
those activities that are, to a certain extent, discretionary.
For example, although there is a need for pupils to have somewhere to eat lunch, it is not
essential for children to have a cooked meal every day. It is essential that children do have
somewhere to eat though and, as a bare minimum, they would need an area where they could
eat their sandwiches and have access to fresh water. ZBB could be used to put together decision
packages which reflect the different levels of service available to the children. For example, the
most basic level of service could be the provision of an area for the children to eat a lunch
brought from home. The next level would be the provision of some cold and maybe hot food for
the children, but on a self-service basis. Finally, the highest level of service would be a
restaurant for the children where they get served hot meals at tables. At Newtown School the
catering manager could prepare the decision packages and they would then be decided upon by
the head teacher, who would rank them accordingly.
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Similarly, although some level of sports education is needed, the extent of the different
activities offered is discretionary. ZBB could be used to create decision packages for each of
these services in order to prioritise them better than they are currently being prioritised.
ZBB takes a long time to implement and would not be appropriate to all categories of
expenditure at the school. Much of the budgeting is very straightforward. Incremental
budgeting could still be used as a starting point for essential expenditure such as salary costs,
provided that changes in staff numbers are also taken into account. There is an element of
essential, recurring expenditure in relation to repairs and maintenance too, since the costs of
the checks and repairs needed to comply with health and safety standards seem to largely stay
the same each year, with an inflationary increase.
Marking guide
(a) Budgeted income
Repairs and maintenance
Teachers’ salaries
Capital expenditure
Deficit
Marks
2
1
1½
1
½
6
(b) Advantages and Disadvantages
Two advantages
Two disadvantages
2
2
4
314 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Marking guide
Marks
(c) Zero-based budgeting
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
2
2
2
6
(d) Use of ZBB to Newtown School
Each point made
1
4
Maximum marks available
20
Quantitative analysis
2 MIC CO
(a)
Monthly costs
Cumulative
number of
batches
Month
July
August (W1)
September
October
November (W2)
1
2
4
8
16
Cumulative
average
hours per
batch
Cumulative
total hours
200
176
154.88
136.294
124.4
200
352
619.52
1,090.352
1,990.36
Incremental
number of
batches
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1
2
4
8
Actual
labour
cost per
month $
Incremental
total hours
200
152
267.52
470.832
900.008
2,400
1,824
3,210.24
5,649.60
10,800.096
Working 1: Calculations for August
Cumulative average hours per batch: 200 × 0·88 = 176 hours
Cumulative total hours = 2 × 176 = 352 hours
Incremental number of batches = cumulative no. of 2 batches for August less cumulative
number of 1 batch for July = 1 batch
Incremental total hours = cumulative total hours of 352 for August – 200 for July = 152 hours
Actual labour cost = incremental total hours of 152 × $12 per hour = $1,824
Working 2
Time for 7th batch:
Y = axb = 200 × 7 – 0·1844245
= 139.693 hours
Total time for 7 batches = 136·693 × 7 = 977.851 hours
Total time for 8 batches = 1,090.352 hours.
Therefore, 8th batch took 112·501 hours (1,090.352 – 977.851)
Time for batches 8 – 16 = 112·501 × 8 = 900·008 hours
Therefore, cumulative average time for batches 0 – 16 = 1,090.352 + 900.008 = 1,990.36 hours
Cumulative average time for 16 batches = 1,990·36/16 = 124.4 hours per batch.
Note: The labour costs for November could be arrived at quickly simply by taking the 112.501
hours for the 8th batch, multiplying it by 8 batches and applying this number to the $12 per hour
labour cost. This quick calculation is totally sufficient to earn full marks.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
315
EXAM SMART
This requirement takes you back to the basic principles of learning curves and as the
Examiner points out, there are a few ways of arriving at the correct answer. A tabular
approach (as above) works well here as we have to find information for consecutive months
when output is doubling on a cumulative basis each month. If you are quick at applying the
formula for learning curves then it may be faster to use it but either way this should have
proven to be a popular requirement.
(b)
Implications of end of learning period
The learning period ended at the end of October. This means that from November onwards the
time taken to produce each batch of microphones is constant. Therefore, in future, when
Mic Co makes decisions about allocating its resources and costing the microphones, it should
base these decisions on the time taken to produce the 8th batch. The resource allocations and
cost data prepared for the last six months will have been inaccurate since they were based on a
standard time per batch of 200 hours.
Mic Co could try to improve its production process so that the learning period could be
extended. It may be able to do this by increasing the level of staff training provided.
Alternatively, it could try and motivate staff to work harder through payment of bonuses,
although the quality of production needs to be maintained.
(c)
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Involving senior staff at Mic Co in the budget-setting process
EXAM SMART
A good opportunity to show your learnt knowledge of the pro’s and con’s of a top down
(imposed) style of budgeting. There are no excuses for not being able to score well in this
requirement.
Advantages
Since they are based on information from staff who are most familiar with the
department, they are more likely to improve the accuracy of the budget. In Mic Co’s case,
the selling price could have been set more accurately and sales may have been higher if
the Production Manager had been consulted.
Staff are more likely to be motivated to achieve any targets as it is ‘their’ budget and they
therefore have a sense of ownership and commitment. The Production Manager at
Mic Co seems resigned to the fact that he is not consulted on budgetary matters.
Morale amongst staff is likely to improve as they feel that their experience and opinions
are valued.
Knowledge from a spread of several levels of management is pooled.
Co-ordination is improved due to the number of departments involved in the budget
setting process.
Disadvantages
The whole budgeting process is more time consuming and therefore costly.
The budgeting process may have to be started earlier than a non-participative budget
would need to start because of the length of time it takes to complete the process.
316 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Managers may try to introduce budgetary slack, i.e. making the budget easy to achieve so
that they receive any budget-based incentives.
Disagreements may occur between the staff involved, which may cause delays and
dissatisfaction. In Mic Co’s case, however, the fact that the Production Manager was not
consulted has led to disagreement after the event.
Can support ‘empire building’ by subordinates.
Marking guide
(a)
Monthly costs
Per monthly cost: July–October
November
Marks
1½
3
Max 9
(b) End of learning period
Each point discussed – maximum
2
Max 4
(c)
Advantages and disadvantages
Each advantage – maximum
Each disadvantage – maximum
2
2
Max 7
Maximum marks available
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Standard costing
OBLE
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
Many candidates answered this well and easily scored nine out of the 12 marks available,
tripping up only on the staff wages and energy costs calculations. There were some candidates
who had no idea what a flexed budget was but these were definitely in the minority.
When you prepare a flexed budget, its format should replicate the original budget that it
relates to. So, for example, if the original budget totals up variable costs, so should the
flexed budget. This makes it easier to compare like with like. Some candidates did not do this
but again, they were in the minority and on the whole, the answers were good.
EXAM SMART
Each exam is bound to give some unusual aspects to a question that you will never have
seen before. When this happens, take your time to carefully work your way through the
requirement. A good example is the staff wages:
Core wages of $9,216 will be paid to staff provided the number of orders does not exceed 50.
For every extra five customers over this level – half an hour of overtime has to be
worked by each staff member. In this scenario the average number of orders is 65,
some 15 more orders than the 50. His means that 15 ÷ 5 = 3 extra ½ hour shifts have to
be worked by all the staff.
The extra cost of this will be 8 staff × 1½ hours × 6 days × 4 weeks × $12/hour = $3,456.
The total cost for wages becomes $9,216 + $3,456 -= $12,672
20
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
(a)
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
317
Flexed budget
Number of meals
1,560
$
62,400
15,600
Food sales (1)
Drink sales (1)
Total revenue
Variable costs:
Staff wages (2)
Food costs (3)
Drink costs (4)
Energy costs (5)
78,000
(12,672)
(7, 800)
(3,120)
(4,234)
(27,826)
50,174
Contribution
Fixed costs:
Manager’s and chef’s pay
Rent, rates and depreciation
(8,600)
(4,500)
(13,100)
37,074
Operating profit
(1)
$
Food revenue
Food revenue = 1,560 × $40 = $62,400
Drinks revenue = 1,560 × ($2.50 × 4) = $15,600.
(2)
Staff wages
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Average number of orders per day = 1,560/(6 days × 4 weeks) = 65 per day
Therefore, extra orders = 15 per day
8 staff × 1.5 hours × 6 days × 4 weeks = 288 extra hours
At $12 per hour = $3,456 extra wages.
Total flexed wages = $9,216 + $3,456 = $12,672
(3)
Food costs
Food costs = 12.5% × $62,400 = $7,800
(4)
Drink costs
Drinks costs = $15,600 × 20% = $3,120
(5)
Energy costs
Standard total hours worked = (8 × 6) × 6 days × 4 weeks = 1,152 hours
Extra hours worked = 288 (working 2)
Total hours = 1,152 + 288 = 1,440
At $2.94 per hour = $4,234
318 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
In part (b) candidates were provided with the sales mix contribution variance and the sales
quantity contribution variance and asked to describe each of them and identify why they
had arisen. Many candidates confused the sales mix with the materials mix and talked about
the latter. Also many candidates could not describe the quantity variance or identify why it
had arisen.
There is clearly a lack of understanding about variances, with candidates perhaps learning
formulae in order to churn out calculations but not really understanding what variances
mean to a business. This area needs more work by the majority of students.
(b)
The sales mix contribution variance measures the effect on profit of changing the mix of actual
sales from the standard mix.
The sales quantity contribution variance measures the effect on profit of selling a different total
quantity from the budgeted total quantity.
The mix variance is adverse here. Since meal B generates a higher contribution than meal A, the
adverse variance shows that more of meal A must have been sold, relative to B, than budgeted.
Since the quantity variance is favourable, this means that the total quantity of meals sold (in the
standard mix) was higher than expected, as evidenced by the number of meals sold being 1,560
rather than the budgeted 1,200.
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EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (c)
Part (c) was the higher skills marks on the paper. Only a few candidates were able to show
that planning and operational variances needed to be calculated, so that the manager would
only be assessed on results that were within his control.
EXAM SMART
The examiners often set differentiating requirements in the last part of any question. The
key here is to have a go! In part (b) you are told about sales mix and sales quantity
variances. Think about what other two sales variances you may know (sales volume, sales
price and then potentially analysing these into planning and operational variances).
(c)
Sales margin price variances could be subdivided into planning and operational
elements. We are told that Noble’s owner told the restaurant manager to run the halfprice promotion. It is likely that most of the adverse sales margin price variance can be
attributed to a planning variance in that it was outside the control of the restaurant
manager.
Similarly the sales margin volume variance for drinks could be calculated and split also
into planning and operational elements. Possibly a sales margin mix variance might
identify whether the restaurant manager had been able to sell more of the higher
margin drinks – even at the half-price discount.
Two other variances
Drink sales
As well as the price variance for drinks sales, the sales margin volume variance could be
calculated. This will examine the difference between the standard volume of sales that would
ordinarily be expected for this number of customers (1,560 × 4 drinks) compared to the actual
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
319
volume of drinks sold because of the drinks promotion (1,560 × 6 drinks). Since the variance is
calculated by applying the increase in volume to the standard margin, this variance will be
favourable.
In addition, the total sales margin price variance for drinks sales could be split into an
operational and a planning variance.
The manager is only responsible for any operational variance and any part of the sales margin
variance that relates to a planning error (i.e. the last minute decision by the owner to run the
drinks promotion) should be separated out. This way, the manager will not be held accountable
for matters outside of his control.
Food sales
By running the half price drinks offer promotion, more customers have been attracted to the
restaurant. Drinks have been treated as a ‘loss leader’ i.e. sold at a low price in order to entice
customers. It would therefore be relevant to calculate some variances in relation to food sales
in order to show how the drinks promotion has increased food sales. The most obvious one to
calculate would be the sales margin volume variance for food sales.
[Examiner’s note: Candidates only needed to mention two variances.]
Marking guide
(a)
Flexed budget
Food sales
Drink sales
Total revenue
Staff wages
Food costs
Drinks costs
Energy costs
Variable costs total
Contribution
Manager’s and chef’s pay
Rent & Rates
Operating profit
Marks
(b) Explanation of variances
Suggestions of reason for variances
(c)
Variance discussions
Each variance
Maximum marks available
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1
1
1½
1
1
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1
1
½
½
1
12
2
2
4
2
Max 4
20
320 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Sales mix and quantity variances
4 BLOCK CO
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS
This was a variance question which included some of the trickier variances for sales quantity
and sales mix.
Part (a) asked for calculations of the sales price operational and sales price planning variances.
This was really well answered with the majority of candidates scoring the full four marks.
(a)
Sales price operational variance: (actual price – market price) × actual quantity
Commodity 3: ($40.40 – $39.10) × 25,600 = $33,280 F
Sales price planning variance: (standard price – market price) × actual quantity
Commodity 3: ($41.60 – $39.10) × 25,600 = $(64,000) A
An alternative approach to the variance calculations for Commodity 3 would be as follows.
Sales price operational variance
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Should now
Did
Difference
Actual sales quantity
Variance
Commodity 3
$39.10
$40.40
$1.30 F
25,600
$33,280 F
EXAM SMART
You may be more familiar with the following layout for your variances (sales price variance
here shown for illustration. The answer is exactly the same as the Examiner’s:
Sales price operational variance
25,600 units sold
Should now (@$39.10)
Did ($40.40)
Variance ($)
Commodity 3
1,000,960
1,034,240
33,280 F
Sales price planning variance
Should now
Should
Difference
Actual sales quantity
Variance
Commodity 3
$39·10
$41·60
$2·50 A
25,600
$64,000 A
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
321
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
Part (b) tested the sales mix and sales quantity variances. This was well answered by some
candidates, with about one third of them scoring full or nearly full marks. The main error that
did arise, however, was the failure to realise that the company was using absorption costing,
which meant that the variances should have been based on the profit margins of each product
rather than the contribution margins. Where candidates made this error, however, they only
stood to lose two marks so they could still gain high marks on the question.
In the model answers, profit margins are based on the standard selling prices of each
product. However, it was equally acceptable to have based calculations on revised profit
margins using the revised selling prices, so full credit was given for using this latter approach.
Apart from using contribution rather than profit to work out the variances, quite a few
candidates had calculated their variances using selling prices rather than profit margins.
Finally, another common error was to calculate the sales volume variance rather than the
sales quantity variance.
This is an error in understanding, since the sales volume variance is the total variance which
breaks down into its two component parts of sales mix and sales quantity.
EXAM SMART
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An alternative layout for the mix and quantity variances is shown for illustration purposes as
follows:
Sales mix
The budget shows total sales of 84,000 units (30,000+28,000+26,000) and as such the standard
mix is in the proportions 30/84:28/84:26/84 for the commodities 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
Calculations of the standard profit per unit are as per the examiners workings below.
85,800 actual units sold
At the standard mix (30/84:28/84:26/84)
At the actual mix (i.e. given in question)
Variance (units)
Variance ($) @ std profit/unit
($11.2:$4.2:$12)
Comm1
Comm2
Comm3
30,643
29,800
843 (A)
28,600
30,400
1,800 (F)
26,557
25,600
957 (A)
$9,442 (A)
$7,560 (F)
$11,484 (A)
Comm1
Comm2
Comm3
30,643
30,000
643 (F)
28,600
28,000
600 (F)
26,557
26,000
557 (F)
$7,202 (F)
$2,520 (F)
$6,684 (F)
Total
85,800
85,800
0
$13,366 (A)
Sales quantity
Actual sales at the standard mix
(30/84:28/84:26/84)
Budget sales (i.e. given in question)
Variance (units)
Variance ($) @ std profit/unit
($11.2:$4.2:$12)
Total
85,800
84,000
1,800
$16,406 (F)
322 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
(b)
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Sales mix variance:
(Actual sales quantity in actual mix at standard margin) – (actual sales quantity in standard mix
at standard margin) = $768,640 (w1 & 2) – $782,006 (w3) = $13,366 adverse.
Working 1: Standard margins per unit:
Budgeted machine hours = (30,000 × 0.2) + (28,000 × 0.6) + (26,000 × 0.8) = 43,600.
Overhead absorption rate = $174,400/43,600 = $4 per hour.
Product
Standard selling price
Variable production costs
Fixed production overheads
Standard profit margin
Commodity 1
$
30
(18)
(0.8)
11.20
Commodity 2
$
35
(28.40)
(2.4)
4.20
Commodity 3
$
41.60
(26.40)
(3.2)
12
Working 2: Actual sales quantity in actual mix at standard profit margin:
Product
Commodity 1
Commodity 2
Commodity 3
Actual quantity
in actual mix
29,800
30,400
25,600
85,800
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Standard
profit
$
11.20
4.20
12
$
333,760
127,680
307,200
768,640
Working 3: Actual sales quantity in standard mix at standard profit margin:
Product
Commodity 1
Commodity 2
Commodity 3
Actual quantity in standard mix
85,800 × 30/84 = 30,643
85,800 × 28/84 = 28,600
85,800 × 26/84 = 26,557
85,800
Standard
profit
$
11.20
4.20
12
$
343,202
120,120
318,684
782,006
The sales quantity variance = (actual sales quantity in standard mix at standard margin) –
(budgeted sales quantity in standard mix at standard profit margin) = $782,006 (w3 above) –
$765,600 (w4) = $16,406 favourable.
Working 4: Budgeted sales quantity in standard mix at standard profit margin:
Product
Commodity 1
Commodity 2
Commodity 3
(c)
Quantity
30,000
28,000
26,000
84,000
Standard
profit
$
11.20
4.20
12
$
336,000
117,600
312,000
765,600
The calculations above have shown that, as regards the sales price, there is a $23,360
favourable operational variance and a $54,680 adverse planning variance. In total, these net off
to a sales price variance of $31,320 adverse. The sales manager can only be responsible for a
variance to the extent that he controls it. Since the standard selling prices are set by a
consultant, rather than the sales manager, the sales manager can only be held responsible for
the operational variance. Given that this was a favourable variance of $23,360, it appears that
he has performed well, achieving sales prices which, on average, were higher than the market
prices at the time. The consultant’s predictions, however, were rather inaccurate, and it is these
that have caused an adverse variance to occur overall in relation to sales price.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
323
As regards sales volumes, the mix variance is $13,366 adverse and the quantity variance is
$16,406 favourable, meaning that the total volume variance is $3,040 favourable. This is
because total sales volumes were higher than expected, although it is apparent that the
increased sales related to the lower margin Commodity 2, with sales of Commodity 1 and
Commodity 3 actually being lower than budget.
The total variance relating to sales is $28,280 adverse. This looks poor but, as identified above,
it is due to the inaccuracy of the sales price forecasts made by the consultant. We know that
Block Co is facing tough market conditions because of the economic recession and therefore it is
not that surprising that market prices were actually a bit lower than originally anticipated.
This could be due to the recession hitting even harder in this quarter than in previous ones.
Marking guide
Marks
(a) Planning and operational variances
Operational variance
Planning variance
2
2
4
(b) Mix and quantity variances
Standard profit per unit
Mix variance
Quantity variance
4
4
3
11
(c) Discussion
Each valid comment
Maximum marks available
Planning and operational variances
5 TRUFFLE CO
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
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This was a straight forward variance question. It should have been well-answered but it
wasn’t, apart from part (a). In part (a), the requirement asked for calculations of the total
labour rate and total efficiency variances. These were very simple calculations on which
about half of candidates scored full marks. The most common error that occurred was that
candidates used a standard cost of $6 an hour rather than the correct standard cost of $12
per hour. The $6 given in the question was the standard cost of labour for each batch, but
given that a batch only takes half an hour, it was necessary to identify that this figure needed
to be doubled to arrive at the standard cost per hour rather than per batch. It is really
important to read the question carefully when picking up key information.
(a)
Basic variances
Standard cost of labour per hour = $6/0.5 = $12 per hour.
Labour rate variance = (actual hours paid × actual rate) – (actual hours paid × std rate)
Actual hours paid × std rate = $136,800/0.95 = $144,000
Therefore, rate variance = $144,000 – $136,800 = $7,200 F
Labour efficiency variance = (actual production in std hours – actual hours worked) × std rate
[(20,500 × 0.5) – 12,000] × $12 = $21,000 A
324 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
EXAM SMART
These variances could alternatively be presented as follows.
Labour rate variance
12,000hrs paid
Should cost ($12/hr)
Did cost
Variance
Labour efficiency variance
20,500 batches produced
Should take (0.5hrs)
Did take
Variance
@ std cost/hr
$
144,000
136,800
7,200 (F)
hrs
10,250
12,000
1,750
$12
$21,000 (A)
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
Part (b) was more difficult, with a requirement to analyse each of the variances from part (a)
into component parts for planning and operational variances. There were some poor
attempts here, with a substantial number of candidates writing about planning and
operational variances rather than performing the calculations. This was surprising, given that
the requirement was very clear as to what was expected. Only a very small minority of
candidates attempted to produce a total planning variance and a total operational variance,
without splitting it between rate and efficiency as the question required.
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(b)
Planning and operational variances
Labour rate planning variance
(Revised rate – std rate) × actual hours paid = [$12 – ($12 × 0.95)] × 12,000 = $7,200 F
Labour rate operational variance
There is no labour rate operational variance.
(Revised rate – actual rate) × actual hours paid = $11.40 ─ $11.40 × 12,000 = 0
Labour efficiency planning variance
(Standard hours for actual production ─ revised hours for actual production) × std rate
(10,250 ─ (20,500 × 0.5 × 1.2)) × $12 = $24,600 A
Labour efficiency operational variance
(Revised hours for actual production – actual hours for actual production) × std rate
(12,300 ─ 12,000) × $12 = $3,600 F
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
325
EXAM SMART: PART (c)
A range of points that are well discussed should score well. If a point made is factual but
brief, it will not generally score as well as a point that is developed and expanded. It is not
just a matter of quantity of your answer, but quality too.
Compare the following two possible answers:
The Production Manager should only be assessed on operational variances which are
controllable.
with
The Production Manager should only be assessed on operational variances which are
controllable. Therefore, he cannot claim credit for the favourable labour rate variance
($7,200) since the pay cut was decided centrally and was outside the Manager’s
control.
The second point is longer but adds value and elaborates/develops the first point made.
(c)
Discussion
When looking at the total variances alone, it looks like the Production Manager has been
extremely poor at controlling his staff’s efficiency, since the labour efficiency variance is
$21,000 adverse. It also looks, at a glance, like he has managed to secure labour at a lower rate.
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In order to assess the Production Manager’s performance fairly, however, only the operational
variances should be taken into account. This is because planning variances reflect differences
that arise because of factors that are outside the control of the production manager. The
operational variance for the labour rate was $0, which means that the labour force were paid
exactly what was agreed at the end of October: their reduced rate of $11.40 per hour. The
manager clearly did not have to pay anyone for overtime, for example, which would have been
expected to push this rate up. The rate reduction was secured by the company and was not
within the control of the Production Manager, so he cannot take credit for the favourable rate
planning variance of $7,200. The company is the source of this improvement.
As regards labour efficiency, the planning and operational variances give us more information
about the total efficiency variance of $21,000 (A). When this is broken down into its two parts,
it becomes clear that the operational variance, for which the Manager does have control, is
actually $3,600 favourable. This is because, when the recipe is changed as it has been in
November, the chocolates usually take 20% longer to make in the first month while the workers
are getting used to handling the new ingredient mix. When this is taken into account, it can
therefore be seen that workers took less than the 20% extra time that they were expected to
take, hence the positive operational variance. The planning variance, on the other hand, is
$24,600 adverse. This is because the standard labour time per batch was not updated in
November to reflect the fact that it would take longer to produce the truffles. The Manager
cannot be held responsible for this.
Overall, then, the Manager has performed well, given the change in the recipe.
326 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Marking guide
(a)
Rate and efficiency variances
Rate variance
Efficiency variance
(b) Planning and operational variances
Labour rate planning variance
Labour rate operational variance
Labour efficiency planning variance
Labour efficiency operational variance
(c)
Discussion
Only operational variances controllable
No labour rate operating variance
Planning variance down to company, not Manager
Labour efficiency total variance looks bad
Manager has performed well as regards efficiency
Standard for labour time was to blame
Conclusion
Marks
2
2
4
2
2
2
2
8
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
Max 8
Maximum marks available
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Performance analysis and behavioural aspects
TICKY
ICKET
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
It was good to see an improvement in the variance analysis discussion that was performed in
part (a) of the question this time round, compared to December 2009’s variance analysis
question. Fewer candidates made meaningless comments such as “the material price
variance is favourable, which is good.”
Good comments tended to be along the lines of “whilst there has been a favourable material
price variance, this is because cheaper, lower quality materials were used, which, in turn, has
led to an adverse material usage variance” (although admittedly, few answers were quite as
succinctly constructed as this, but the understanding was there!)
EXAM SMART
Questions where you have to assess performance of an individual require you to focus on
the individual and what they have control or influence over. Here the Production Director
has decided to use lower-quality material and labour. There are bound to be knock-on
effects on a multitude of variances.
For example, the use of inferior material will lead obviously to a favourable material price
variance. However, the material usage variance is likely to have been affected by the
increased wastage that is likely. Possibly the labour efficiency variance will be influenced by
the increased difficulty in working the lower-quality wood.
You will not know for certain if your answer is right but you need to hypothesise. Try to
push the point.
20
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
327
Using words in your written answer such as:
because
means that
could cause
so that
therefore
resulting in …
…usually force you to think about why something has happened and what the consequences can be.
If you just write a narrative about the variances and fail to focus on the individual manager
then you will not score well even if your points are factually sound.
(a)
The performance of the Production Director could be looked at considering each decision in turn.
The new wood supplier:
The wood was certainly cheaper than the standard saving $5,100 on the standard the concern
though might be poor quality. The usage variance shows that the waste levels of wood are
worse than standard. It is possible that the lower grade labour could have contributed to the
waste level but since both decisions rest with the same person the performance consequences
are the same. The overall effect of this is an adverse variance of $2,400, so taking the two
variances together it looks like a poor decision. As the new labour is trained it could be that the
wood usage improves and so we will have to wait to be sure.
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The impact that the new wood might have had on sales cannot be ignored. No one department
within a business can be viewed in isolation to another. Sales are down and returns are up. This
could easily be due to poor quality wood inputs. If SW operates at the high quality end of the
market then sourcing cheaper wood is risky if the quality reduces as a result.
The lower grade of labour used:
SW uses traditional manual techniques and this would normally require skilled labour. The
labour was certainly paid less, saving the company $43,600 in wages. However, with adverse
efficiency and idle time of a total of $54,200 they actually cost the business money overall in the
first month. The efficiency variance tells us that it took longer to produce the bats than
expected. The new labour was being trained in April 2010 and so it is possible that the situation
will improve next month. The learning curve principle would probably apply here and so we
could expect the average time per bat to be less in May 2010 than it was in April 2010.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
Part of the skill in part (b) was in identifying the variances that needed to be calculated. It
was good to see that most candidates were able to do this, although a few missed the labour
idle time variance.
The calculations were performed with a reasonable degree of accuracy as well, showing that
candidates were far better prepared than in previous sitting.
(b)
Variance for May 2010:
Material price variance
Material usage variance
Labour rate variance
Labour efficiency variance
Labour idle time variance
Sales price variance
Sales volume contribution variance
($196,000/40,000 ─5) × 40,000 = $4,000 Fav
(40,000 ─ (19,200 × 2)) × $5/kg = $8,000 Adv
($694,000/62,000 - 12) × 62,000 = 50,000 Fav
(61,500 ─ 57,600) × 12 = 46,800 Adv
500 × 12 = 6,000 Adv
(68 ─ 65) × 18,000 = 54,000 Adv
(18,000 ─ 19,000) × 22 = 22,000 Adv
328 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 3 : B u d g e t i n g a n d c o n t r o l
EXAM SMART
Variances could be presented as:
Material price variance
40,000kg purchased
Should cost ($5/kg)
Did cost
Variance
Material usage variance
19,200 bats produced
Should use (2kg)
Did use
Variance
@ std cost/kg
Labour rate variance
62,000hrs paid
Should cost ($12/hr)
Did cost
Variance
$
200,000
196,000
4,000 (F)
kg
38,400
40,000
1,600
$5
$8,000 (A)
$
744,000
694,000
50,000 (F)
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Labour efficiency variance
19,200 bats produced
Should take (3hrs)
Did take
Variance
@ std cost/hr
Labour idle time variance
Hours paid
Hours worked
Variance
@ std cost/hr
Sales price variance
18,000 bats sold
Should sell for ($68)
Did sell for ($65)
Variance
Sales volume variance
Budget sales
Actual sales
Variance (units)
Std contribution
Variance ($)
hrs
57,600
61,500
3,900
$12
$46,800 (A)
hrs
62,000
61,500
500
$12
$6,000 (A)
$
1,224,000
1,170,000
54,000 (A)
19,000
18,000
1,000
$22
$22,000 (A)
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 3: Budgeting and control
Marking guide
(a)
329
Marks
Assessment of wood decision
Assessment of labour decision
Sales consequences
(b) MPV
MUV
LRV
LEV
LIT
SPV
SVCV
Maximum marks available
2½
2½
2
7
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
13
20
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AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
4: Performance measurement and control
Performance analysis in private sector organisations
1 SQUARIZE
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS
The scenario was about a company which sold broadband, telephone and pay-tv services.
It had made the decision to stop selling its three products together in a bundle and instead
to start selling them separately. In part (a) of the requirements, candidates were asked to
identify two goals and two performance measures for each perspective of the balanced
scorecard that would help the company assess whether the changes had been successful.
The requirement also read ‘justify the use of each performance measure that you choose.’
The reason that this last bit of the requirement was put in was so that candidates would not
simply write generic performance measures such as ‘compare net profit margin’ without
actually thinking about what was relevant for this company.
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There were three main problems with answers. Firstly, by far the biggest issue was that
candidates simply made no attempt to answer the requirement given. They didn’t write any
objectives or performance measures at all, they simply wrote pages and pages of words
about the company, discussing how it was performing and the issues it faced. This was really
disappointing. When candidates did answer the requirement, they often did a really good
job of it. Many of them laid out their answers using each perspective as a heading and then
in columns, showing a goal in the left hand column and a performance measure in the right.
Then, underneath each pair they would state their reason for choosing the performance
measure. This was a great format as it made sure that answers were focused and covered
each part of the requirement. This question gave candidates an opportunity to use the
techniques referred to an article on how to answer written questions in F5 which you can
find on the ACCA website: always break down a requirement and underline the instruction
and the content. Here, there were three pieces of content required: goal, measure and
reason. If this approach had been used, answers could have been better.
This brings me on to the second issue. Many candidates who had made a proper attempt at
answering the actual requirement simply did not read the requirement carefully enough and
therefore did not bother to give their reasons for selecting their performance measure.
This meant that they could only score about two thirds of the marks available for this
requirement.
The third issue was that a number of candidates simply wrote everything that they knew
about the balanced scorecard. Since this was an application not a knowledge requirement,
such candidates scored very low marks.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
(a)
Revision answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
331
Goals and measures
Goals
Performance Measures
Reason
Increase revenue
Percentage increase in total
revenue
The changes have been implemented partly
in an attempt to increase revenues, so it is
sensible to measure the extent to which
revenues have actually increased.
Increase operating profit
margin
Percentage increase in
operating profit
The changes have been implemented partly
in an attempt to increase operating profit,
so it is sensible to measure the extent to
which operating profit has actually
increased.
Financial perspective
Customer perspective
Increase customer
acquisition
Total sales to new customers The fourth change (to standalone products)
was made in an attempt to attract new
customers. This measure will help to assess
whether the change has been successful.
Reduce loss of customers
Customer churn rate
Internal business
perspective
The first three of the four changes made
were made in an attempt to retain
customers. This performance measure will
help to assess whether the changes have
been successful.
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Reduce number of
broadband contracts
cancelled
Number of broadband
contracts cancelled
This performance measure will enable
Squarize to assess whether the improved
broadband service has resulted in a
reduction of the number of contracts
cancelled.
Increase after sales service
quality
Percentage of customer
requests that are handled
with a single call
Squarize transferred its call centre back to
its home country. This measure will assess
whether that has improved the service
quality to customers as a result.
Learning and growth
perspective
Increase call centre workers’ Number of training hours per This measure will improve the likelihood of
skill levels
employee
customers receiving an improved service. A
better public image should result, leading to
increased revenues as new customers are
attracted to the business.
Increase employees’
satisfaction
Percentage decrease in staff
turnover
This measure will also help to improve
customer service, thereby improving
company image, attracting new customers
and increasing revenues in the long term.
[Other reasonable suggestions will be equally acceptable.]
332 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
Part (b) asked for a discussion of how the company could reduce the problem of customers
terminating the pay-tv service after only three months. The question was really looking for
candidates to identify the fact that firstly, the length of the contract period should be
increased and secondly, the equipment should be rented to customers like the broadband
and telephone equipment, rather than sold outright to them. Some candidates identified
these points straight away whilst others seemed to miss them altogether.
(b)
Pay-tv customers currently own the boxes, meaning that a certain number of customers appear
to cancel their contract after the first three months and just keep the set-top box with its free
channels. Squarize may want to consider loaning the boxes rather than selling them to the
customers at the beginning of the contract.
The company only has a minimum contract period of three months. This seems very short and
perhaps the company could consider increasing it to 12 months. Unnecessary administration
costs must be arising because it takes time, and therefore money, to set up new customers.
If these customers then leave three months later, the company has not had much opportunity
to earn profits from the customers generating these costs.
Marking guide
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(a) Balanced scorecard
Identifying the four perspectives
Each goal
Each performance measure
Each reason
Marks
2
½
½
1
(b) Customer retention issue
Each point discussed – 2 marks
Maximum marks available
UNGLE O
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS
Question 31 was a ‘traditional’ performance assessment question requiring candidates to
discuss the financial and non-financial performance of a business. The scenario gave
information about the business, along with any key changes or decisions made by the business
over the period. Financial information was given, along with pertinent non-financial statistics.
The key with these questions is to -. Marks will be awarded for explaining WHY something
has changed, along with how it might affect other aspects of the business.
Marks are split between calculation and discussion on these questions – the split is usually
given in the requirement, and weighted towards the discussion. However, in order to make a
meaningful point, calculations are essential. Many candidates were able to pick up a high
percentage of the calculation marks available through knowledge of performance measures
such as gross and net profit margin. In a question of this type, percentage change is a key
measure of performance.
It is worth noting that percentage change will be awarded marks, absolute change will not.
The reason for this is that the statement “Revenue has increased by $10m” doesn’t tell me
anything about the business’ performance. Is $10m a large change, or insignificant? If last
year’s revenue was $50m, a $10m increase (20%) would seem significant. If the prior year
revenue was $1,000m, this change is not nearly so impressive (1%).
16
4
20
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
333
When it comes to the discussion, use the calculations to guide you to the key areas to
focus on. If administrative expenses have increased by 0.2%, don’t waste any time worrying
about why – it’s not significant. Use the scenario and any non-financial information you
might have to help explain the performance. If, for example, revenue has increased by 10%,
see why that might be. Does the scenario mention average industry growth? If this was 20%
then a 10% growth in revenue actually represents a poor performance and a loss in market
share. Making these points will add value (and marks!) to your answer. A large reduction in
staff training costs (for example) will boost profit margins, but you may find that nonfinancial performance may suffer (customer complaints, time to provide service).
The most common mistake made by candidates was not applying the above. Most
candidates were comfortable calculating percentage movement, but added no value to their
calculations. Points such as “Cost of sales has decreased by 18%. This is a good
performance.” were common, but apart from the calculation scored no marks. Answers
which looked into why cost of sales might have decreased, or what impact that might have
had, scored many more marks. In this case, the decrease in cost of sales could partly be put
down to a fall in revenue, but the main point is that the scenario explains how the company
changed to a cheaper supplier – this would have a direct effect on their cost of sales. Even
better answers would discuss how the rise in customer complaints may have been caused by
the poor quality of these supplies.
Another common error was to offer the business advice. The requirement clearly stated
“discuss the performance,” and marks could not be given for advice. It is really important to
read the requirement carefully and answer the question being asked.
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Having said all of this, many candidates scored highly by backing up their calculations with sensible
commentary, and using the information in the scenario to add weight to their discussion.
EXAM SMART
Key points in the examiner’s comments are highlighted above. The calculations should
highlight which areas you spend most time discussing.
The most important skill in the discussion is using all the information in the scenario
effectively, to explain the changes in the figures. You also need to see what other areas the
changes in figures may affect – eg cost of sales falling because of cheaper materials being
used, resulting in a rise in complaints and a fall in demand.
Sales volumes
Since prices have remained stable year on year, it can be assumed that changes to revenue are as a
result of increases or decreases in sales volumes. Overall, revenue has increased by 15%, which is a
substantial increase. In order to understand what has happened in the business, it is necessary to
consider sales by looking at each of the different categories.
Household goods
Although this was the largest category of sales for Jungle Co last year, this year it has decreased by 5%
and has now been overtaken by electronic goods. The company changed suppliers for many of its
household goods during the year, buying them instead from a country where labour was cheap. It may
be that this has affected the quality of the goods, thus leading to decreased demand.
Electronic goods
Unlike household goods, demand for electronic goods from Jungle Co has increased dramatically by
28%. This is now Jungle Co’s leading revenue generator. This is partly due to the fact that the
electronic goods market has grown by 20% worldwide. However, Jungle Co has even outperformed
this, meaning that it has secured a larger segment of the market.
334 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Cloud computing service
This area of Jungle Co’s business is growing rapidly, with the company seeing a 90% increase in this
revenue stream in the last year. Once again, the company has outperformed the market, where the
average growth rate is only 50%, suggesting that the investment in the cloud technology was
worthwhile.
Gold membership fees
This area of the business is relatively small but has shrunk further, with a decrease in revenue of 30%.
This may be because customers are dissatisfied with the service that they are receiving. The number of
late deliveries for Gold members has increased from 2% to 14% since Jungle Co began using its own
logistics company. This has probably been at least partly responsible for the massive increase in the
number of customer complaints.
Gross profit margins
Overall, the company’s gross profit margin (GPM) has increased from 37% to 42%. Whilst the GPM for
electronic goods has only increased by 1 percentage point, the margin for household goods has
increased by 10 percentage points. This is therefore largely responsible for the increase in overall
GPM. This has presumably occurred because Jungle Co is now sourcing these products from new,
cheaper suppliers.
Gold membership fees constitute only a small part of Jungle Co’s income, so their 2 percentage point
fall in GPM has had little impact on the overall increase in GPM. Cloud computing services, on the
other hand, now make up over $12m of Jungle Co’s sales revenue. For some reason, the GPM on these
sales has fallen from 76% to 66%. This is now 14 percentage points less than the market average gross
profit margin of 80%. More information is needed to establish why this has happened. It has
prevented the overall increase in GPM being higher than it otherwise would have been.
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Administration expenses/customer complaints
These have increased by 60% from $1·72m to $2·76m. This is a substantial increase. The costs of the
customer service department are in here. Given the number of late deliveries increase from 2% to
14%, and the corresponding increase in customer complaints from 5% to 20%, it is not surprising that
the administration costs have increased. As well as being concerned about the impact on profit of this
increase of over $1m, Jungle Co should be extremely worried about the effect on its reputation. Bad
publicity about reliable delivery could affect future business.
Distribution costs
Despite an increase in sales volumes of 15%, distribution expenses have increased by less than 2
percentage points. They have gone down from $0·16 to $0·14 per $ of revenue. Although this means
that Jungle Co has been successful in terms of saving costs, as discussed above, the damage which late
deliveries are doing to the business cannot be ignored. The company needs to urgently address the
issue of late deliveries.
Net profit margin
This has increased from 19% to 25%. This means that, all in all, Jungle Co has had a successful year,
with net profit having increased from $15·6m to $23·8m. However, the business must address its
delivery issues if its success is to continue.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
Gross profit margins
Household goods
Electronic goods
Cloud computing services
Gold membership fees
Overall
Net profit margin
31 August 20X6
40·00%
36·00%
65·81%
92·86%
42·39%
25·15%
Increase/decrease in revenue
Household goods
Electronic goods
Cloud computing services
Gold membership fees
Total revenue increase
–5·27%
28·28%
90·18%
–30·00%
14·99%
Increase/decrease in cost of sales
Household goods
Electronic goods
Cloud computing services
Gold membership fees
Total cost of sales increase
Increase in administration expenses Increase in distribution
expenses Increase in other operating expenses
Increase in costs of customer service department
([$1,900,000 – $860,000]/$860,000)
–18·80%
26·31%
168·35%
0·00%
5·46%
60·47%
1·82%
27·27%
120·93%
Customer complaints as % customers
Delivery cost per $ of revenue
Sales volumes (up to 2 marks per revenue stream)
COS and gross margins
Administration expenses/customer complaints
Distribution costs/late deliveries
Net profit margin
Maximum marks available
31 August 20X5
30·00%
35·00%
75·77%
95·00%
37·19%
18·95%
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Marking guide
335
31 August 20X6
19·72%
$0·14
31 August 20X5
4·92%
$0·16
Marks
8
5
3
2
2
20
336 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Divisional performance and transfer pricing
3 PROTECT AGAINST FIRE CO
Ratio analysis
Increase in revenue
Increase in material costs
Increase in payroll costs
Increase in property costs
GPM in 2013
GPM in 2012
Increase in D & M costs
Increase in admin costs
NPM in 2013
NPM in 2012
Revenue per employee in 2013
Revenue per employee in 2012
Payroll cost per employee in 2013
Payroll cost per employee in 2012
Total market size ($ revenue) in 2013 (w.1)
Total market size ($ revenue) in 2012 (w.1)
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Division S
Year on year
Division C
Year on year
44%
36%
70%
78%
56%
61%
38%
6%
11%
9%
$102,224
$111,772
$27,000
$25,020
$129.48m
$107.75m
9%
25%
15%
6%
65%
67%
18%
0%
21%
22%
$104,917
$104,828
$21,000
$20,000
$80.12m
$77.61m
Working 1 for market size
Division S 2013: $38,845m/30% = $129.48m
Division C 2013: $44,065m/55% = $80.12m
Division S 2012: $26,937/25% = $107.75m
Division C 2012: $40,359m/52% = $77.61m
Note: Percentages have been calculated to the nearest 1%.
EXAM SMART
You would not be expected to perform all the calculations above for seven marks. It would
be sensible to try and do calculations that allow you to discuss a range of different areas
rather than be too narrow.
Remember that when discussing the figures you should try to add some value by considering
why the results might have arisen as well as what the implications might be.
Give your answer some structure by making sure you use sensible sub headings and keep
your paragraphs nice and short (3-4 lines).
Commentary
General overview
Overall, Division S has performed well in 2013, although it has not managed to meet its objective of
becoming market leader despite its $2m advertising campaign. Since it has 30% of the market in 2013
and there are only two competitors holding 70% of the market between them, at least one of those
competitors must hold 35% or more of the market.
Revenue and market share
This has increased by a huge 44% in the last year. This compares to an increase of only 9% in
Division C. However, part of the reason that this has been achieved is because the changes in fire
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
337
safety laws introduced by the government at the end of 2012 have caused the market for fire products
and services to increase from $107.75m to $129.48m. Part of Division S’s success is therefore down to
increased opportunity. However, Division S has also increased its market share by a further five
percentage points compared to 2012. Division C has only managed a three percentage point increase
in its market share, so this is a good result by Division S. One can assume that this is at least partly as a
result of the advertising campaign carried out by Division S. However, this did cost a large amount,
$2m, and it did not quite enable the Division to achieve its aim of becoming market leader.
Materials costs
The increase in materials costs is 36%, compared to an increase in revenue of 44%. It is difficult to say
whether this is good or bad since the increase in revenue includes revenue from services, for which no
materials costs would be expected to arise. Further information is needed on the split of revenue
between products and services.
Payroll costs, revenue per employee and cost per employee
Payroll costs have increased by a massive 70% and far more than Division C’s 15% increase. This is
largely due to the fact that Division S’s employee numbers increased from 241 in 2012 to 380 in 2013.
This is a really big increase in employee numbers and has been accompanied by a fall in revenue per
employee from $111,772 in 2012 to $102,224 in 2013. It is possible that Division S over-recruited as it
hoped to secure a greater level of business than it did through its advertising campaign. Division S’s
payroll cost per employee also increased from $25,020 in 2012 to $27,000 in 2013. Presumably, this is
because of the fact that there is high demand for staff skilled in this area and Division S has probably
had to increase pay in order to attract the calibre of staff which it needs.
Increase in property costs
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In percentage terms, the biggest increase in costs which Division S has suffered is in relation to its
property costs. They have increased by 78%, compared to Division C’s 6% increase. It would appear
that this increase is due to the increased rent charged by Division S’s landlords on its business
premises. However, it is not possible to quantify this precisely without further information on rent
increases.
Gross profit margin
This has actually fallen from 61% to 56%. Division C has also seen a fall in its GPM, but only a two
percentage point fall as opposed to Division S’s 5 percentage point fall. The reasons for Division S’s
lower GPM are the higher material, payroll and property costs. Also, Division S did not try to pass on
any of its increased costs to its customers in the form of higher prices.
Distribution and marketing costs
These have increased by 38% compared to Division C’s 18%. However, when you take out the
advertising costs in both years’ figures and work out the cost increase without them
($8.522m – $7.102m/$7.102m), it leaves an increase of only 20%. This increase would be expected
given the 20% increase in world fuel prices which occurred. Division S has to deliver to a wider
geographical spread of customers than Division C, so it would be expected to feel the full brunt of fuel
price increases.
Administrative costs
These have increased by 6% compared to Division C’s less than 1% increase (0% when rounded down
to the nearest percent). Further information is needed about the items included in these cost figures
to explain why this increase has arisen.
Net profit margin
Despite challenging cost increases in all categories, Division S has still managed to increase its NPM
from 9% to 11%. However, this is substantially lower than the NPM in Division C, which has fallen
slightly but is still 21%, almost twice that in Division S. As we have seen, Division S’s GPM is lower than
338 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Division C’s anyway and, on top of that, Division C has not suffered a big increase in advertising costs
like Division S; nor have administrative costs risen inexplicably.
Head Office
There is no information given about Head Office. If the Calana Division is also the Head Office, there
could be Head Office costs included in Calana’s figures, which would affect the comparisons being
made. Further information is required here.
Marking guide
Marks
½ mark per calculation
Per comment – maximum
7
2
Maximum marks available
20
4 BISCUITS AND CAKES
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
This was a straightforward performance measurement question in a divisional context. This
type of question is just as core as, for example, the traditional performance measurement
question (A T Co) in December 2010’s paper, or the transfer pricing question (Bath Co) in
December 2011’s paper. ROI and RI came up in June 2011’s paper too and so this should not
have posed problems.
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The question required candidates to calculate ‘annualised’ return on investment and
residual income for two divisions. The annualisation caused a problem for many candidates.
All candidates had to do in order to annualise the ROI and RI was multiply the monthly net
profit figure by 12, to reflect the fact that there are twelve months in a year. Many
candidates didn’t do this, but they still managed to score the majority of marks available,
since a candidate is only ever penalised once for an error.
(a)
ROI and RI
Return on investment = net profit/net assets
Division B
$311,000 × 12/$23,200,000 = 16.09%
Division C
$292,000 × 12/$22,600,000 = 15.5%
(b)
Residual income
Net profit
Less: imputed interest charge
$22.6 × 10%
$23.2m × 10%
Residual income
B
$000
3,732
C
$000
3,504
(2,260)
(2,320)
1,412
1,244
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
339
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (c)
In part (c), stronger candidates realised that, in order to discuss the performance of the divisions
well, they needed to recalculate the ROI and/or RI using controllable profit. Where candidates did
this, they generally accompanied it with some good discussion and scored full marks.
Weaker answers performed other calculations on the two divisions and gave some general
commentary, even though the question asked for a discussion ‘using both ROI and RI’.
(c)
Performance of the two divisions
ROI
Divisions B and C have ROIs of 16.09% and 15.5% respectively, compared to the target of 20%.
This suggests that the divisions have not performed well, but the reason for this is that now,
uncontrollable head office costs are being taken into effect before calculating the ROI. The
target ROI has not been reduced to reflect the change in the method being used to calculate it.
Using the old method, ROI would have been as follows.
B: ($311,000 + $155,000) × 12/$23.2m = 24.1%
C: ($292,000 + $180,000) × 12/$22.6m = 25.06%
From this it can be seen that both divisions have actually improved their performance, rather
than it having become worse.
RI
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From the residual income figures, it can clearly be seen that both Division B and C have
performed well, with healthy RI figures of $1.4m and $1.2m respectively, even when using net
profit rather than controllable profit as bases for the calculations. The cost of capital of the
company is significantly lower than the target return on investment that the company seeks,
making the residual income figure show a more positive position.
EXAM SMART
Much of this paper is about signalling and behaviour. Think with this sort of requirement as
to how an individual is likely to react to the performance indicators that they are assessed
on. If managers are incentivised to attain certain targets (here the ROI levels) then if those
incentives are generous enough, the managers will act in a way to protect that position.
This may not be goal congruent but is human nature. If a manager suspects that their bonus is
under threat from taking on the new investment, then they will not take on that investment!
Here for example, you could, in theory, just calculate the ROI of the project and see that if it is
lower than the existing ROI, the new project will always be rejected. The manager’s and staff
bonus could be reduced in the future. However you were required to calculate the total
annual(ised) ROI including the new investment – therefore follow the examiner’s instructions.
This requirement again highlights the potential problems of using ROI as a divisional performance tool.
(d)
Division B’s ROI with investment
Depreciation = 2,120,000 ─ 200,000/48 months = $40,000 per month.
Net profit for July = 311k + ($600k × 10%) - $40k = $331k
Annualised net profit: $331k × 12 = $3,972k
Opening net assets after investment = $23,200k + $2,120k = $25,320k.
ROI = $3,972k/25,320k = 15.69%
Therefore, Division B will not proceed with the investment, since it will cause a decrease in its ROI.
340 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
If RI is calculated with the investment, the result is as follows.
Annualised Net Profit
Less: imputed interest charge
$25.32m at 10%
Residual income
B
$000
3,972
(2,532)
1,440
This calculation shows that, if the investment is undertaken, RI is actually higher than without
the investment. The suggestion is, therefore, that the investment should have been proceeded
with. So, use of ROI has resulted in behaviour by Division B’s manager that is not good for the
company as a whole.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (e)
In part (e) candidates were supposed to identify the fact that changing the basis for
calculating ROI and using this for performance measurement without changing the target
ROI would cause managers to be demotivated.
Many candidates answered this well, although some simply discussed the general problems
encountered when using ROI, which were relevant to a degree ─ but shouldn’t have been
the sole answer.
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(e)
Behavioural issues
The staff in both divisions have been used to meeting targets and getting rewarded
appropriately. Suddenly, they will find that even though in reality divisional performance has
improved, neither division is meeting its ROI target. This will purely be as a result of the
inclusion of the head office costs. The whole basis of being assessed on uncontrollable
apportioned costs is questionable in the first place. However, if it is going to be done this way,
at the least the target ROI must be revised.
Staff are likely to become frustrated with a new system which is inherently unfair. This could
give rise to staff organising themselves together in order to oppose the system. At the least,
they are likely to become quickly demotivated, working slower than possible and perhaps
withdrawing things like voluntary overtime. The cost to the company as a whole is likely to be
high and the situation needs to be resolved as quickly as possible.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Revision answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
Marking guide
(a)
Marks
ROI/RI calculations
ROI for B
ROI for C
1
1
2
1½
1½
3
2
2
1
1
6
2
1
2
5
Per valid point 1
Max 4
(b) ROI/RI discussion
RI for B
RI for C
(c)
Discussion
ROI discussion
RI discussion
Extra ROI calculation under old method
Valid conclusion drawn
(d) ROI/RI after investment
ROI calculation
RI calculation
Comments and conclusion
(e)
Behavioural issues
ROI of investment
Maximum marks available
5 MAN CO
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (a)
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In part (a) candidates had to calculate the incremental loss per component for the group if the
buying division bought from the external supplier in future. It was a really simple calculation:
external buying cost less internal production cost, but most candidates got this wrong.
Perhaps it was because they expected it to be more difficult than it was. They also had to work
out how many components the supplying division should sell to the buying division if group
profits were to be maximised. Again, the answer was simple: all of them. Many candidates got
this part correct. It’s worth noting that if a requirement is only worth 3 marks, like this one,
the calculations required will be quite short. Some candidates wrote several pages of complex
calculations here but should have realised that they were doing something wrong given that
the question was only worth 3 marks.
EXAM SMART
The tip from the examiner that the number of marks indicates how complex the calculation
will be is worth remembering. It’s possible to waste quite a lot of time on a calculation that’s
much complex than the examiner requires.
(a)
341
Maximising group profit
Division L has enough capacity to supply both Division M and its external customers with
component L.
Therefore, incremental cost of Division M buying externally is as follows:
Cost per unit of component L when bought from external supplier: $37
Cost per unit for Division L of making component L: $20.
20
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AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Therefore incremental cost to group of each unit of component L being bought in by Division M
rather than transferred internally: $17 ($37 – 20).
From the group’s point of view, the most profitable course of action is therefore that all
120,000 units of component L should be transferred internally.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (b)
Part (b) involved some profit calculations for the divisions and the group, most candidates
made a decent attempt at this.
(b)
Calculating total group profit
Total group profits will be as follows:
Division L:
Contribution earned per transferred component = $40 – $20 = $20
Profit earned per component sold externally = $40 – $24 = $16
120,000 x $20
160,000 x $16
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Less fixed costs
Profit
$
2,400,000
2,560,000
4,960,000
(500,000)
4,460,000
Division M:
Profit earned per component sold externally = $27 – $1 = $26
120,000 x $26
Less fixed costs
Profit
$
3,120,000
(200,000)
2,920,000
Total profit
7,380,000
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (c)
Part (c) involved some discussion of the problems arising if the transfer price wasn’t
changed. Candidates were supposed to identify the fact that, if the transfer price wasn’t
changed, the buying division would buy from the external supplier as the divisions had
autonomy. However, some candidates failed to notice this point and discussed how
demotivating it would be for the buying division instead.
EXAM SMART
The situation where the buying division can buy the component from an external supplier for
less than the transfer price is quite common in transfer pricing questions, with the
dysfunctional consequences discussed in the answer. Here taking account of internal costs of
transfer being lower solves the problem. If you do P5, you may come across situations where
the solution to this situation is less easy.
AC C A F 5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
(c)
Revision answers: 4: Performance measurement and control
343
Problems with current transfer price and suggested alternative
The problem is that the current transfer price of $40 per unit is now too high. Whilst this has
not been a problem before since external suppliers were charging $42 per unit, it is a problem
now that Division M has been offered component L for $37 per unit. If Division M now acts in its
own interests rather than the interests of the group as a whole, it will buy component L from
the external supplier rather than from Division L. This will mean that the profits of the group will
fall substantially and Division L will have significant unused capacity.
Consequently, Division L needs to reduce its price. The current price does not reflect the fact
that there are no selling and distribution costs associated with transferring internally, i.e. the
cost of selling internally is $4 less for Division L than selling externally. So, it could reduce the
price to $36 and still make the same profit on these sales as on its external sales. This would
therefore be the suggested transfer price so that Division M is still saving $1 per unit compared
to the external price. A transfer price of $37 would also presumably be acceptable to Division M
since this is the same as the external supplier is offering.
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS: PART (d)
Part (d) was a purely written requirement asking candidates to describe the balanced
scorecard approach to performance management. Although it was asked in the context of a
company, the question was really generic in nature.
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There were some really good answers to this, although the structure of answers could have
been better. It is really hard to mark a question like this where candidates’ answers are just a
‘sea of words’ i.e. one or two sides of tightly written text with no headings and often not
even any paragraphs.
It was appropriate to give a short introduction and then say a little bit about each perspective
under its heading. By this stage, candidates need to start writing more professionally,
otherwise they are going to be ill-prepared for the Professional level papers, where marks will
be specifically allocated for professional writing and well-formatted answers.
Whilst professional marks are not available at this level, candidates should realise that it’s far
easier to earn more marks where the candidate clearly separates out the points he or she is
making.
EXAM SMART
Think of the markers!
Moving on from the Examiner’s commentary, think of the marker facing two answers from two
candidates. One candidate has gone for the seas of words or the wall-of-writing approach. The
marker sees a piece of paper filled up from top to bottom and side to side with writing. The
only choice the marker has is to wade through the mass of text looking for the relevant points
to mark. This takes time and can potentially annoy the marker….not a good move!
The other script has taken time to set out each element of the balanced scorecard under a
heading. It will have spaced each section with a blank line between each paragraph. The
marker will find this script a lot easier to mark!
You can’t get away here with just listing out the three non-financial perspectives of the
scorecard. You need to explain why the four perspectives are relevant as well as the
principles behind the scorecard design.
344 R e v i s i o n a n s w e r s : 4 : P e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t a n d c o n t r o l
(d)
AC C A F5 Q u e s t i o n B a n k
Customer perspective
The customer perspective considers how Man Co appears to customers. Man Co should ask
itself: ‘to achieve our vision, how should we appear to our customers?’.
The customer perspective should identify the customer and market segments in which the
divisions will compete. There is a strong link between the customer perspective and the
revenue objectives in the financial perspective. If customer objectives are achieved, revenue
objectives should be too.
Internal perspective
The internal perspective requires Man Co to ask itself the question – ‘what must we excel at to
achieve our financial and customer objectives? It must identify the internal business processes
that are critical to the implementation of its strategy.
Learning and growth perspective
The learning and growth perspective requires Man Co to ask itself whether it can continue to
improve and create value.
If it is to continue having loyal, satisfied customers and make good use of its resources, it must
keep learning and developing. It is critical that it invests in its infrastructure – i.e. people,
systems and organisational procedures – in order to provide the capabilities that will help the
other three perspectives to be accomplished.
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Marking guide
(a)
Maximising group profits
Calculating incremental cost per unit
Recommendations
(b) Profit
Profit of L
Profit of M
Total profit
(c)
Discussion
Transfer price is too high
Division M will not buy
Profits for group will fall
S/D costs should mean lower TP anyway
Suggested transfer price
Marks
2
1
3
3
2
1
6
2
1
1
2
1
6
(d) Customer perspective
Internal perspective
Learning and growth perspective
2
2
2
Max 5
Maximum marks available
20
345
Practice Exam
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
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347
ACCA
Practice Examination (2016 Specimen)
Paper F5
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Performance Management
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ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES YOU WILL FIND THE PAPER BASED VERSION OF THE ACCA 2016 SPECIMEN
EXAM. IF YOU ARE TAKING THE COMPUTER BASED EXAM, YOU WILL FIND THE LATEST COMPUTER
BASED VERSION OF THIS SPECIMEN ON THE ACCA WEBSITE:
https://sampletds1.pearsonvue.com/Minerva/startDelivery?sessionUUID=e9d2538e-a34f-4137-9e109bca83a3867a
You will also find some additional constructed response questions to work through on the ACCA website.
IF YOU ARE TAKING THE COMPUTER BASED EXAM, IT IS VITAL THAT YOU WORK THROUGH THE
COMPUTER BASED VERSION OF THE SPECIMEN.
Time allowed: 3 hours 15 minutes
This paper is divided into three sections:
Section A – ALL FIFTEEN questions are compulsory and MUST be attempted.
Section B – ALL FIFTEEN questions are compulsory and MUST be attempted.
Section C – BOTH questions are compulsory and MUST be attempted.
348 P r a c t i c e e x a m q u e s t i o n s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Section A
ALL 15 questions are compulsory and MUST be attempted.
1
A company manufactures two products, C and D, for which the following information is
available:
Budgeted production (units)
Labour hours per unit/in total
Number of production runs required
Number of inspections during production
Product C
1,000
8
13
5
Total production set up costs
Total inspection costs
Other overhead costs
$140,000
$80,000
$96,000
Product D
4,000
10
15
3
Total
5,000
48,000
28
8
Other overhead costs are absorbed on a labour hour basis.
Using activity-based costing, what is the budgeted overhead cost per unit of Product D?
A
B
C
D
$43·84
$46·25
$131·00
$140·64
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(2 marks)
The selling price of Product X is set at $550 for each unit and sales for the coming year are
expected to be 800 units.
A return of 30% on the investment of $500,000 in Product X will be required in the coming year.
What is the target cost for each unit of Product X?
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A
B
C
D
$385·00
$165·00
$187·50
$362·50
(2 marks)
P Co makes two products, P1 and P2. The budgeted details for each product are as follows:
Selling price
Cost per unit:
Direct materials
Direct labour
Variable overhead
Fixed overhead
Profit per unit
P1
$
10·00
P2
$
8·00
3·50
1·50
0·60
1·20
3·20
4·00
1·00
0·40
1·00
1·60
Budgeted production and sales for the year ended 30 November 20X5 are:
Product P1
Product P2
10,000 units
12,500 units
The fixed overhead costs included in P1 relate to apportionment of general overhead costs only.
However, P2 also included specific fixed overheads totalling $2,500.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Practice exam questions (2016 Specimen paper)
349
If only product P1 were to be made, how many units (to the nearest whole unit) would need
to be sold in order to achieve a profit of $60,000 each year?
A
B
C
D
4
5
25,625 units
19,205 units
18,636 units
26,406 units
(2 marks)
Which of the following statements regarding environmental cost accounting are true?
1
The majority of environmental costs are already captured within a typical organisation’s
accounting system. The difficulty lies in identifying them
2
Input/output analysis divides material flows within an organisation into three categories:
material flows; system flows; and delivery and disposal flows
3
One of the cost categories used in environmental activity-based costing is environmentdriven costs which is used for costs which can be directly traced to a cost centre
4
Environmental life-cycle costing enables environmental costs from the design stage of
the product right through to decommissioning at the end of its life to be considered
A
B
C
D
1, 2 and 4
1 and 4 only
2, 3 and 4
2 and 3 only
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(2 marks)
To produce 19 litres of Product X, a standard input mix of 8 litres of chemical A and 12 litres of
chemical B is required.
Chemical A has a standard cost of $20 per litre and chemical B has a standard cost of $25 per
litre.
During September, the actual results showed that 1,850 litres of Product X were produced,
using a total input of 900 litres of chemical A and 1,100 litres of chemical B.
The actual costs of chemicals A and B were at the standard cost of $20 and $25 per litre
respectively.
Based on the above information, which of the following statements is true?
A
B
C
D
Both variances were adverse
Both variances were favourable
The total mix variance was adverse and the total yield variance was favourable
The total mix variance was favourable and the total yield variance was adverse (2 marks)
350 P r a c t i c e e x a m q u e s t i o n s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
6
ACCA F5 Question Bank
A budget is a quantified plan of action for a forthcoming period. Budgets can be prepared using
a variety of different approaches.
Which of the following statements regarding approaches to budgeting are correct?
7
1
Incremental budgeting builds previous inefficiencies into the budget whereas zero-based
budgeting encourages employees to avoid wasteful expenditure
2
Beyond budgeting uses adaptive management processes and plans on a rolling basis
3
Activity-based budgeting ensures that the budget is continually updated by adding a new
budget period once the most recent budget period has ended
4
Flexible budgeting recognises different cost behaviour patterns and so takes into account
the organisation’s overall strategy during the budget process
A
B
C
D
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 4
3 and 4
1 and 3
(2 marks)
A leisure company owns a number of large health and fitness resorts, but one is suffering from
declining sales and is predicted to make a loss in the next year. As a result management have
identified a number of possible actions:
1
2
3
Shut down the resort and sell off the assets
Undertake a major upgrade to facilities costing $4·5m
Undertake a minor upgrade to facilities costing $2m
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The upgrades are predicted to have variable results and the probability of good results after a
major upgrade is 0·8, whereas the probability of good results after a minor upgrade is 0·7.
The company is risk neutral and has prepared the following decision tree.
Which decision should the company make?
A
B
C
D
Shutdown and sell
Undertake the major upgrade
Undertake the minor upgrade
Undertake the major upgrade if results are good
(2 marks)
ACCA F5 Question Bank
8
Practice exam questions (2016 Specimen paper)
351
A company has the following production planned for the next four weeks. The figures reflect the
full capacity level of operations. Planned output is equal to the maximum demand per product.
Product
Selling price
Raw material cost
Direct labour cost
Variable overhead cost
Fixed overhead cost
Profit
A
$ per unit
160
24
66
24
16
30
Planned output
Direct labour hours per unit
300
6
B
$ per unit
214
56
88
18
10
42
C
$ per unit
100
22
33
24
8
13
D
$ per unit
140
40
22
18
12
48
125
8
240
3
400
2
It has now been identified that labour hours available in the next four weeks will be limited to
4,000 hours.
In what order should the products be manufactured, assuming that the company wants to
maximise profits in the next four weeks?
A
B
C
D
9
D, A, C, B
D, B, A, C
B, A, D, C
D, C, A, B
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Def Co provides accounting services to government departments. On average, each staff
member works six chargeable hours per day, with the rest of their working day being spent on
non-chargeable administrative work. One of the company’s main objectives is to produce a high
level of quality and customer satisfaction.
Def Co has set its targets for the next year as follows:
1
Cutting departmental expenditure by 5%
2
Increasing the number of chargeable hours handled by advisers to 6·2 per day
3
Obtaining a score of 4·7 or above on customer satisfaction surveys
Which of the following options allocates the above targets to the correct value for money
performance category?
A
B
C
D
Economy
1
2
3
1
Efficiency
3
1
2
2
Effectiveness
2
3
1
3
(2 marks)
352 P r a c t i c e e x a m q u e s t i o n s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
10
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Different types of information systems provide the information which organisations need for
strategic planning, management and operational control.
Which of the following statements are correct?
11
1
Management information systems (MIS) summarise internal data into periodic reports
2
Transaction processing systems (TPS) facilitate the immediate processing of data
3
Executive information systems (EIS) utilise dashboard facilities and interactive graphics
4
Enterprise resource planning systems (ERPS) can be set up with extranet links to suppliers
and customers
A
B
C
D
1, 2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
(2 marks)
The following are all types of costs associated with management information:
1
Use of bar coding and scanners
2
Payroll department’s processing of personnel costs
3
Completion of timesheets by employees
4
Input of data into the production system
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Which of the above are examples of direct data capture costs?
A
B
C
D
12
1 and 3 only
1, 3 and 4
2 and 3
1 and 4 only
(2 marks)
Which of the following statements regarding life-cycle costing are correct?
1
It can be applied not only to products but also to an organisation’s customers
2
It includes any opportunity costs associated with production
3
The maturity phase is characterised by a rapid build-up in demand
4
Often between 70% to 90% of costs are determined early in the product life cycle
A
B
C
D
1, 2 and 4
3 and 4
1 and 4 only
2 and 3
(2 marks)
ACCA F5 Question Bank
13
Practice exam questions (2016 Specimen paper)
353
A company manufactures a product which requires four hours per unit of machine time.
Machine time is a bottleneck resource as there are only ten machines which are available for 12
hours per day, five days per week. The product has a selling price of $130 per unit, direct
material costs of $50 per unit, labour costs of $40 per unit and factory overhead costs of $20
per unit. These costs are based on weekly production and sales of 150 units.
What is the throughput accounting ratio?
A
B
C
D
14
1·33
2·00
0·75
0·31
(2 marks)
Ox Co has two divisions, A and B. Division A makes a component for air conditioning units which
it can only sell to Division B. It has no other outlet for sales.
Current information relating to Division A is as follows:
Marginal cost per unit
Transfer price of the component
Total production and sales of the component each year
Specific fixed costs of Division A per year
$100
$165
2,200 units
$10,000
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Cold Co has offered to sell the component to Division B for $140 per unit. If Division B accepts
this offer, Division A will be closed.
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If Division B accepts Cold Co’s offer, what will be the impact on profits per year for the group
as a whole?
A
B
C
D
15
Increase of $65,000
Decrease of $78,000
Decrease of $88,000
Increase of $55,000
(2 marks)
Which of the following statements regarding Fitzgerald and Moon’s Building Blocks model are
correct?
1
The determinants of performance are quality, innovation, resource utilisation and
competitiveness
2
Standards are targets for performance and should be fair, achievable and controllable
3
Rewards encourage staff to work towards the standards and should be clear, motivating
and controllable
4
It is a performance measurement framework particularly suitable for service
organisations
A
B
C
D
1, 2 and 3
2 and 3 only
3 and 4
1, 2 and 4
(2 marks)
(30 marks)
354 P r a c t i c e e x a m q u e s t i o n s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Section B
ALL 15 questions are compulsory and MUST be attempted.
GLAM CO
The following scenario relates to questions 16–20.
Glam Co is a hairdressing salon which provides both ‘cuts’ and ‘treatments’ to clients. All cuts and
treatments at the salon are carried out by one of the salon’s three senior stylists. The salon also has
two salon assistants and two junior stylists.
Every customer attending the salon is first seen by a salon assistant, who washes their hair; next, by a
senior stylist, who cuts or treats the hair depending on which service the customer wants; then finally,
a junior stylist who dries their hair.
The average length of time spent with each member of staff is as follows:
Cut Hours
0·1
1·0
0·6
Assistant
Senior stylist
Junior stylist
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Treatment Hours
0·3
1·5
0·5
The salon is open for eight hours each day for six days per week. It is only closed for two weeks each
year. Staff salaries are $40,000 each year for each senior stylist, $28,000 each year for each junior
stylist and $12,000 each year for each of the assistants. The cost of cleaning products applied when
washing the hair is $1·50 per client. The cost of all additional products applied during a ‘treatment’ is
$7·40 per client. Other salon costs (excluding labour and raw materials) amount to $106,400 each
year.
Glam Co charges $60 for each cut and $110 for each treatment.
The senior stylists’ time has been correctly identified as the bottleneck activity.
16
17
What is the annual capacity of the bottleneck activity?
Cuts
Treatments
A
2,400
1,600
B
4,800
4,800
C
7,200
4,800
D
9,600
9,600
The salon has calculated the cost per hour to be $42·56.
What is the throughput accounting ratio (TPAR) for both services?
Cuts
Treatments
A
1·37
1·58
B
1·41
2·38
C
1·37
1·61
D
1·41
2·41
ACCA F5 Question Bank
18
19
355
Which of the following activities could the salon use to improve the TPAR?
1
Increase the time spent by the bottleneck activity on each service
2
Identify ways to reduce the material costs for the services
3
Increase the level of inventory to prevent stock-outs
4
Increase the productivity of the stage prior to the bottleneck
5
Improve the control of the salon’s total operating expenses
6
Apply an increase to the selling price of the services
A
B
C
D
1, 2 and 4
2, 3 and 5
2, 5 and 6
1, 4 and 6
What would be the effect on the bottleneck if the salon employed another senior stylist?
A
B
C
D
20
Practice exam questions (2016 Specimen paper)
The senior stylists’ time will be a bottleneck for cuts only
The senior stylists’ time will be a bottleneck for treatments only
The senior stylists’ time will remain the bottleneck for both cuts and treatments
There will no longer be a bottleneck
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Which of the following statements regarding the theory of constraints are correct?
1
It focuses on identifying stages of congestion in a process when production arrives more
quickly than the next stage can handle
2
It is based on the concept that organisations manage three key factors – throughput,
operating expenses and inventory
3
It uses a sequence of focusing steps to overcome a single bottleneck, at which point the
improvement process is complete
4
It can be applied to the management of all limiting factors, both internal and external,
which can affect an organisation
A
B
C
D
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3
2, 3 and 4
1, 3 and 4
356 P r a c t i c e e x a m q u e s t i o n s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
ACCA F5 Question Bank
CHAIR CO
The following scenario relates to questions 21–25.
Chair Co has in development several new products. One of them is a new type of luxury car seat. The
estimated labour time for the first unit is 12 hours but a learning curve of 75% is expected to apply for
the first eight units produced. The cost of labour is $15 per hour.
The cost of materials and other variable overheads is expected to total $230 per unit. Chair Co plans
on pricing the seat by adding a 50% mark-up to the total variable cost per seat, with the labour cost
being based on the incremental time taken to produce the 8th unit.
21
What is the labour cost of the 8th unit?
A
B
C
D
22
$45·65
$75·94
$4·32
$3·04
The first phase of production has now been completed for the new car seat. The first unit
actually took 12·5 hours to make and the total time for the first eight units was 34·3 hours, at
which point the learning effect came to an end.
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Chair Co are planning on adjusting the price to reflect the actual time it took to complete the
8th unit.
What was the actual rate of learning which occurred?
A
B
C
D
23
65·7%
58·6%
70·0%
76·5%
Another product which Chair Co has in development is a new design of high chair for feeding
young children. Based on previous experience of producing similar products, Chair Co had
assumed that a learning rate of 85% would apply to the manufacture of this new design but
after the first phase of production had been completed, management realised that a learning
rate of 80% had been achieved.
Which of the following statements could explain why the actual rate of learning differed from
the rate which was expected?
1
Staffing levels were stable during the first manufacturing phase
2
There were machine breakdowns during production
3
Assembly of the chairs was manual and very repetitive
4
There was high staff turnover during this period
5
There were minimal stoppages in the production process
6
The design of the chair was changed several times at this early phase
A
B
C
D
2, 3 and 4
1, 3 and 5
1, 5 and 6
2, 4 and 6
ACCA F5 Question Bank
24
Practice exam questions (2016 Specimen paper)
357
Chair Co uses cost-plus pricing.
Which of the following statements regarding cost-plus pricing strategies are correct?
25
1
Marginal cost-plus pricing is easier where there is a readily identifiable variable cost
2
Full cost-plus pricing requires the budgeted level of output to be determined at the
outset
3
Cost-plus pricing is a strategically focused approach as it accounts for external factors
4
Cost-plus pricing requires that the profit mark-up applied by an organisation is fixed
A
B
C
D
1, 2 and 4
1 and 2 only
3 and 4
1 and 3
Chair Co has also developed a new type of office chair and management is trying to formulate a
budget for this product. They have decided to match the production level to demand, however,
demand for this chair is uncertain.
Management have collected the following information:
Worst possible outcome
Most likely outcome
Best possible outcome
Demand
(units)
10,000
22,000
35,000
Probability
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0·3
0·5
0·2
The selling price per unit is $25. The variable cost per unit is $8 for any production level up to
25,000 units. If the production level is higher than 25,000 units, then the variable cost per unit
will decrease by 10% and this reduction will apply to all the units produced at that level.
Total fixed costs are estimated to be $75,000.
Using probabilistic budgeting, what is the expected budgeted contribution of the product?
A
B
C
D
$282,000
$357,000
$287,600
$362,600
358 P r a c t i c e e x a m q u e s t i o n s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
ACCA F5 Question Bank
HI LIFE CO
The following scenario relates to questions 26–30.
The Hi Life Co (HL Co) makes sofas. It has recently received a request from a customer to provide a
one-off order of sofas, in excess of normal budgeted production. The order would need to be
completed within two weeks. The following cost estimate has already been prepared:
Direct materials:
2
2
Fabric
200 m at $17 per m
2
2
Wood
50 m at $8·20 per m
Direct labour:
Skilled
200 hours at $16 per hour
Semi-skilled
300 hours at $12 per hour
Factory overheads
500 hours at $3 per hour
Total production cost
General fixed overheads as 10% of total production cost
Total cost
$
3,400
410
3,200
3,600
1,500
12,110
1,211
13,321
A quotation now needs to be prepared on a relevant cost basis so that HL Co can offer as competitive a
price as possible for the order.
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26
The fabric is regularly used by HL Co. There are currently 300 m2 in inventory, which cost $17
per m2. The current purchase price of the fabric is $17·50 per m2.
The wood is regularly used by HL Co and usually costs $8·20 per m2. However, the company’s
current supplier’s earliest delivery time for the wood is in three weeks’ time. An alternative
supplier could deliver immediately but they would charge $8·50 per m2. HL Co already has 500
m2 in inventory but 480 m2 of this is needed to complete other existing orders in the next two
weeks. The remaining 20 m2 is not going to be needed until four weeks’ time.
What is the cost of the fabric and the wood which should be included in the quotation?
A
B
C
D
Fabric
$3,500
$3,400
$3,500
$0
Wood
$419
$419
$255
$255
ACCA F5 Question Bank
27
Practice exam questions (2016 Specimen paper)
359
The skilled labour force is employed under permanent contracts of employment under which
they must be paid for 40 hours per week’s labour, even if their time is idle due to absence of
orders. Their rate of pay is $16 per hour, although any overtime is paid at time and a half. In the
next two weeks, there is spare capacity of 150 labour hours.
There is no spare capacity for semi-skilled workers. They are currently paid $12 per hour or time
and a half for overtime. However, a local agency can provide additional semi-skilled workers for
$14 per hour.
What cost should be included in the quotation for skilled labour and semi-skilled labour?
A
B
C
D
28
Skilled
$3,600
$1,200
$3,600
$1,200
Semi-skilled
$4,200
$4,200
$5,400
$5,400
Of the $3 per hour factory overheads costs, $1·50 per hour reflects the electricity costs of
running the cutting machine which will be used to cut the fabric and wood for the sofas. The
other $1·50 per hour reflects the cost of the factory supervisor’s salary. The supervisor is paid
an annual salary and is also paid $15 per hour for any overtime he works.
He will need to work 20 hours’ overtime if this order is accepted.
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What is the cost which should be included in the quotation for factory overheads?
A
B
C
D
29
Which statement correctly describes the treatment of the general fixed overheads when
preparing the quotation?
A
B
C
D
30
$1,050
$1,800
$750
$300
The overheads should be excluded because they are a sunk cost
The overheads should be excluded because they are not incremental costs
The overheads should be included because they relate to production costs
The overheads should be included because all expenses should be recovered
Which of the following statements about relevant costing are TRUE?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
An opportunity cost will always be a relevant cost even if it is a past cost
Fixed costs are always general in nature and are therefore never relevant
Committed costs are never considered to be relevant costs
An opportunity cost represents the cost of the best alternative forgone
Notional costs are always relevant as they make the estimate more realistic
Avoidable costs would be saved if an activity did not happen and so are relevant
Common costs are only relevant if the viability of the whole process is being assessed
Differential costs in a make or buy decision are not considered to be relevant
A
B
C
D
2, 3, 4 and 6
1, 2, 5 and 7
3, 4, 6 and 7
1, 5, 6 and 8
(30 marks)
360 P r a c t i c e e x a m q u e s t i o n s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Section C
BOTH questions are compulsory and MUST be attempted
31 CARAD CO
Carad Co is an electronics company which makes two types of television – plasma screen TVs and LCD
TVs. It operates within a highly competitive market and is constantly under pressure to reduce prices.
Carad Co operates a standard costing system and performs a detailed variance analysis of both
products on a monthly basis. Extracts from the management information for the month of November
are shown below:
Total number of units made and sold
Material price variance
Total labour variance
1,400
$28,000 A
$6,050 A
Note
1
2
3
Notes
(1)
The budgeted total sales volume for TVs was 1,180 units, consisting of an equal mix of plasma
screen TVs and LCD screen TVs. Actual sales volume was 750 plasma TVs and 650 LCD TVs.
Standard sales prices are $350 per unit for the plasma TVs and $300 per unit for the LCD TVs.
The actual sales prices achieved during November were $330 per unit for plasma TVs and $290
per unit for LCD TVs. The standard contributions for plasma TVs and LCD TVs are $190 and $180
per unit respectively.
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(2)
The sole reason for this variance was an increase in the purchase price of one of its key
components, X. Each plasma TV made and each LCD TV made requires one unit of component X,
for which Carad Co’s standard cost is $60 per unit. Due to a shortage of components in the
market place, the market price for November went up to $85 per unit for X. Carad Co actually
paid $80 per unit for it.
(3)
Each plasma TV uses 2 standard hours of labour and each LCD TV uses 1·5 standard hours of
labour. The standard cost for labour is $14 per hour and this also reflects the actual cost per
labour hour for the company’s permanent staff in November. However, because of the increase
in sales and production volumes in November, the company also had to use additional
temporary labour at the higher cost of $18 per hour. The total capacity of Carad’s permanent
workforce is 2,200 hours production per month, assuming full efficiency. In the month of
November, the permanent workforce were wholly efficient, taking exactly 2 hours to complete
each plasma TV and exactly 1·5 hours to produce each LCD TV. The total labour variance
therefore relates solely to the temporary workers, who took twice as long as the permanent
workers to complete their production.
Required:
(a)
(b)
Calculate the following for the month of November, showing all workings clearly:
(i)
The sales price variance and sales volume contribution variance;
(4 marks)
(ii)
The material price planning variance and material price operational variance;
(2 marks)
(iii)
The labour rate variance and the labour efficiency variance.
(5 marks)
Explain the reasons why Carad Co would be interested in the material price planning variance
and the material price operational variance.
(9 marks)
(20 marks)
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Practice exam questions (2016 Specimen paper)
361
32 THATCHER INTERNATIONAL PARK (TIP)
Thatcher International Park (TIP) is a theme park and has for many years been a successful business,
which has traded profitably. About three years ago the directors decided to capitalise on their success
and reduced the expenditure made on new thrill rides, reduced routine maintenance where possible
(deciding instead to repair equipment when it broke down) and made a commitment to regularly
increase admission prices. Once an admission price is paid customers can use any of the facilities and
rides for free.
These steps increased profits considerably, enabling good dividends to be paid to the owners and
bonuses to the directors. The last two years of financial results are shown below.
Sales
Less expenses:
Wages
Maintenance – routine
Repairs
Directors’ salaries
Directors’ bonuses
Other costs (including depreciation)
Net profit
Book value of assets at start of year
Dividend paid
Number of visitors
20X4
$
5,250,000
20X5
$
5,320,000
2,500,000
80,000
260,000
150,000
15,000
1,200,000
1,045,000
2,200,000
70,000
320,000
160,000
18,000
1,180,000
1,372,000
13,000,000
500,000
150,000
12,000,000
650,000
140,000
Fir Cop
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TIP operates in a country where the average rate of inflation is around 1% per annum.
Required:
(a)
Assess the financial performance of TIP using the information given above.
(14 marks)
During the early part of 20X4 TIP employed a newly qualified management accountant. He quickly
became concerned about the potential performance of TIP and to investigate his concerns, he started
to gather data to measure some non-financial measures of success. The data he has gathered is shown
below:
Table 1
Hours lost due to breakdown of rides (see note 1)
Average waiting time per ride
20X4
9,000 hours
20 minutes
20X5
32,000 hours
30 minutes
Note 1: TIP has 50 rides of different types. It is open 360 days of the year for 10 hours each day
Required:
(b)
Assess the QUALITY of the service which TIP provides to its customers using Table 1 and any
other relevant data and indicate the RISKS it is likely to face if it continues with its current
policies.
(6 marks)
(20 marks)
362 P r a c t i c e e x a m q u e s t i o n s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
363
ACCA
Practice Examination (2016 Specimen)
Paper F5
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Performance Management
Fir
Answers
364 P r a c t i c e e x a m a n s w e r s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Section A
1
B
$46·25
Set-up costs per production run = $140,000/28 = $5,000
Cost per inspection = $80,000/8 = $10,000
Other overhead costs per labour hour = $96,000/48,000 = $2
Overhead costs of product D:
Set-up costs (15 x $5,000)
Inspection costs (3 x $10,000)
Other overheads (40,000 x $2)
$
75,000
30,000
80,000
185,000
Overhead cost per unit = $185,000/4,000 units = $46·25
2
D
$362·50
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Return: $500,000 × 30% = $150,000
Total sales revenue = $550 × 800 = $440,000
Therefore, total cost = $440,000 – $150,000 = $290,000
Unit cost = $290,000/800 = $362·50
3
C
18,636 units
The number of units required to make a target profit = (fixed costs + target profit)/contribution
per unit of P1.
Fixed costs = ($1·20 × 10,000) + ($1·00 × 12,500) – $2,500 = $22,000
Contribution per unit of P = $3·20 + $1·20 = $4·40
($22,000 + $60,000)/$4·40 = 18,636 units
4
B
1 and 4 only
Most organisations do collect data about environmental costs but find it difficult to split them
out and categorise them effectively.
Life-cycle costing does allow the organisation to collect information about a product’s
environmental costs throughout its life cycle.
The technique which divides material flows into three categories is material flow cost
accounting, not input/output analysis.
ABC does categorise some costs as environment-driven costs, however, these are costs which
are normally hidden within total overheads in a conventional costing system. It is environmentrelated costs which can be allocated directly to a cost centre.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
5
D
Practice exam answers (2016 Specimen paper)
365
The total mix variance was favourable and the total yield variance was adverse
Mix variance:
Material
AQSM
AQAM
A
B
800
1,200
2,000
900
1,100
2,000
SQSM
AQSM
Difference
(litres)
100 A
100 F
Standard cost
($/litre)
20
25
Variance
($)
2,000 A
2,500 F
500 F
Difference
(litres)
21 A
32 A
Standard cost
($/litre)
20
25
Variance
($)
420 A
800 A
1,220 A
Yield variance:
Material
A
B
779
1,168
1,947 (W1)
800
1,200
2,000
(W1) 1,850 litres of output should use 1,947 litres of input (1,850/0·95)
6
A
1 and 2 only
An incremental budget builds from the previous year’s figures and so any inefficiencies will be
carried forward and zero-based budgeting starts from scratch with each item justified for its
inclusion in the budget and so should encourage the identification of waste and non-value
adding activities, so Statement 1 is correct.
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Beyond budgeting attempts to move away from conforming to a rigid annual budget and uses
adaptive processes to encourage management to be responsive to current situations which
facilitates the use of rolling forecasts, so Statement 2 is correct.
Rolling budgeting are budgets which are continuously updated throughout the year and so
forces managers to reassess plans more regularly, whereas activity-based budgeting involves
defining the activities which underpin the financial figures and using the activity to allocate
resources for the budget, so Statement 3 is incorrect.
Flexible budgets are designed to show the changes in financial figures based on different activity
levels and so will recognise different cost behaviour patterns, however, it is activity-based
budgeting which ensures that the overall strategy is taken into account because it attempts to
manage the business as interrelated parts, not separate activities, so Statement 4 is incorrect.
7
C
Undertake the minor upgrade
EV for major upgrade = (0·80 × $11m) + (0·2 × $7·5m) = $10·3m
EV for minor upgrade = (0·70 × $9m) + (0·3 × $6m) = $8·1m
Decision
Shutdown and sell
Major upgrade (10·3m – 4·5m)
Minor upgrade ($8·1m – $2m)
$5·75m
$5·8m
$6·1m
As the minor upgrade has the highest expected return that should be the option chosen.
366 P r a c t i c e e x a m a n s w e r s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
8
A
ACCA F5 Question Bank
D, A, C, B
In a single limiting factor situation products should be ranked based on their contribution per
unit of limiting factor, which in this case is labour hours.
Product
Contribution per unit ($)
Number of labour hours required per unit
Contribution per labour hour ($)
Ranking
9
D
Economy
1
A
46
6
7·67
2nd
Efficiency
2
B
52
8
6·50
4th
C
21
3
7·00
3rd
D
60
2
30·00
1st
Effectiveness
3
Target 1 is a financial target and so assesses economy factors. Target 2 is measuring the rate of
work handled by staff which is an efficiency measure. Target 3 is assessing output, so is a
measure of effectiveness.
10
D
1, 2, 3 and 4
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Management information systems do summarise data from TPS into periodic reports for
management to use for decision-making.
Transaction processing systems do facilitate the immediate processing of data.
Executive information systems draw data from the MIS and support senior managers to make
strategic decisions. They usually have dashboard and interactive graphics so that the big picture
can be seen.
Enterprise resource planning systems can have extranet links set up with customers and
suppliers.
11
A
1 and 3 only
Direct data capture is a type of data input in which there is no data entry but instead it is
captured for a specific purpose. Therefore, the use of bar coding and scanners and the
completion of timesheets are examples of direct data capture costs.
Time spent by the payroll department processing personnel costs and the input of data into the
production system are examples of process costs.
12
C
1 and 4 only
Customer life-cycle costing can be used by organisations.
It has been reported that the majority of a product’s costs are determined early on, i.e. at the
design phase.
Life-cycle costing does not include any opportunity costs associated with production.
The growth phase is characterised by a rapid increase in demand.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
13
A
Practice exam answers (2016 Specimen paper)
367
1·33
Return per factory hour = ($130 – $50)/4 hours = $20
Factory costs per hour = $20 + ($40/4) = $15
TPAR = $20/$15 = 1·33
14
B
Decrease of $78,00
Increase in variable costs per unit from buying in ($140 – $100) =$40
Therefore, total increase in variable costs (2,200 units × $40) = $88,000
Less the specific fixed costs saved if A is shut down = ($10,000)
Decrease in profit = $78,000
15
C
3 and 4
The determinants of performance are quality, innovation, resource utilisation and flexibility.
Competitiveness is a result of the determinants.
Standards should be fair, achievable and staff should have ownership of them. Controllability is
a feature of the rewards block.
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Rewards should be clear, motivating and controllable, so this is correct.
It is a framework designed to attempt to overcome the problems associated with performance
management in service companies.
Marking guide
Each question is worth 2 marks
Marks
30
368 P r a c t i c e e x a m a n s w e r s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Section B
16
C
Cuts
Treatments
7,200
4,800
Total salon hours = 8 × 6 × 50 = 2,400 each year.
There are three senior stylists, therefore total hours available = 7,200.
Based on the time taken for each activity, they can perform 7,200 cuts (7,200 hours/1 hour per
cut) or 4,800 treatments
(7,200 hours/1·5 hours per treatment).
17
Cuts
A
1·37
Treatments
1·58
Cuts
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Return per hour = (Selling price – materials)/time taken on the bottleneck = (60 – 1·50)/1 = 58·50
TPAR = Return per hour/cost per hour = 58·50/42·56 = 1·37 (to two decimal places)
Treatments
Return per hour = (Selling price – materials)/time taken on the bottleneck = (110 – 8·90)/1·5 = 67·40
TPAR = Return per hour/cost per hour = 67·40/42·56 = 1·58 (to two decimal places)
18
C
2, 5 and 6
The factors which are included in the TPAR are selling price, material costs, operating expenses
and bottleneck time. Increasing the selling price and reducing costs will improve the TPAR.
Increasing the time which each service takes on the bottleneck (the senior stylists’ time) will
only reduce the number of services they can provide, so this will not improve throughput.
Throughput accounting does not advocate the building of inventory as it is often used in a justin-time environment and there is no point increasing the activity prior to the bottleneck as it
will just create a build-up of work-in-progress. Neither of these will improve the rate of
throughput through the process.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
19
B
Practice exam answers (2016 Specimen paper)
369
The senior stylists’ time will be a bottleneck for treatments only
The existing capacity for each activity is:
Cut
48,000
7,200
8,000
Assistants
Senior stylists
Junior stylists
Treatment
16,000
4,800
9,600
If another senior stylist is employed, this will mean that their available hours will be (4 × 2,400)
= 9,600.
This will give them capacity to now do 9,600 cuts (9,600 hours/1 hour per cut) and 6,400
treatments (9,600 hours/1·5 hours per treatment).
As a result, the senior stylists will still be the bottleneck activity for treatments but for cuts the
bottleneck will now be the junior stylists as they can only do 8,000 cuts compared to the senior
stylists of 9,600.
20
A
1 and 2 only
The theory of constraints is focused on identifying restrictions in a process and how to manage
that restriction (commonly termed a bottleneck).
It is based on the concept of managing throughput, operating expenses and inventory.
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It does use a series of focusing steps but it is not complete once the bottleneck has been
overcome. In fact, it is an ongoing process of improvement, as once the bottleneck has been
elevated it is probable that another bottleneck will appear and the process will continue.
It cannot be applied to all limiting factors as some, particularly those external to the
organisation, may be out of the organisation’s control.
21
A
$45·65
Learning curve formula = y = axb
Cumulative average time per unit for 8 units: Y = 12 × 8–·415= 5·0628948 hours.
Therefore, cumulative total time for 8 units = 40·503158 hours.
Cumulative average time per unit for 7 units: Y = 12 × 7–·415= 5·3513771 hours.
Therefore, cumulative total time for 7 units = 37·45964 hours.
Therefore, incremental time for 8th unit = 40·503158 hours – 37·45964 hours = 3·043518 hours.
Total labour cost for 8th unit =3·043518 × $15 = $45·65277
370 P r a c t i c e e x a m a n s w e r s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
22
C
ACCA F5 Question Bank
70·0%
Actual learning rate
Cumulative number of seats produced
1
2
4
8
Cumulative total
hours
12·5
?
?
34·3
Cumulative average
hours per unit
12·5
12·5 x r
2
12·5 x r
3
12·5 x r
Using algebra: 34·3 = 8 × (12·5 × r3)
4·2875 = (12·5 × r3)
0·343 = r3
r = 0·70
Therefore, the learning rate was 70%.
23
B
1, 3 and 5
An 80% learning rate means that the learning was faster than expected.
Factors which are present for a learning curve to take effect are a highly manual and repetitive
process (so staff can become quicker the more they perform the same series of tasks), no
stoppages to production (so the learning rate will not be lost whilst staff are idle) and a stable
workforce (so the learning process does not have to keep restarting).
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If there is high staff turnover, stoppages in production and continual design changes, then the
learning rate will not be effective and should be slower.
24
B
1 and 2 only
As marginal costing is based on variable costs, it is easier when a readily identifiable variable
cost has been established.
The budgeted volume of output does need to be determined for full cost-plus pricing as it
would be used to calculate the overhead absorption rate for the calculation of the full cost per
unit.
Cost-plus pricing is internally focused and a drawback of the technique is that it fails to consider
external influences, like competitor pricing strategies.
The mark-up percentage does not have to be fixed; it can vary and be adjusted to reflect market
conditions.
25
D
$362,600
As the variable cost per unit is changing depending on the production level, contribution for
each level needs to be calculated and then the probabilities applied to the outcomes.
Demand
(units)
10,000
22,000
35,000
Contribution
(per unit)
17·00
17·00
17·80
Total
contribution
170,000
374,000
623,000
Probability
0·3
0·5
0·2
Expected budgeted
contribution
51,000
187,000
124,600
362,600
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Practice exam answers (2016 Specimen paper)
371
26
A
Fabric
$3,500
Wood
$419
Fabric is in regular use, so the replacement cost is the relevant cost (200 m2 × $17·50) = $3,500.
30 m2 of wood will have to be ordered in from the alternative supplier but the remaining 20 m2
which is in inventory and not needed for other work can be used and then replaced by an order
from the usual supplier (30 m2 × $8·50) + (20 m2 × $8·20) = $419.
27
B
Skilled
$1,200
Semi-skilled
$4,200
Skilled labour:
There is no cost for the first 150 hours as there is spare capacity. The remaining 50 hours
required will be paid at time and a half, which is $16 × 1·5 = $24.
50 hours × $24 = $1,200
Semi-skilled labour:
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There is no spare capacity, so the company will either need to pay overtime or hire in additional
staff. The cost of paying overtime would be $18 per hour, so it would be cheaper to hire in the
additional staff for $14 per hour.
300 hours × $14 = $4,200
28
A
$1,050
Fir
The electricity costs are incremental as the machine will be used more to produce the new
order (500 hours × $1·50) = $750.
The supervisor’s salary is not relevant as it is paid anyway; however, the overtime is relevant (20
hours × $15) = $300.
29
B
The overheads should be excluded because they are not incremental costs
The general fixed overheads should be excluded as they are not incremental, i.e. they are not
arising specifically as a result of this order. They are not sunk as they are not past costs. This is a
common misconception.
372 P r a c t i c e e x a m a n s w e r s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
30
C
ACCA F5 Question Bank
3, 4, 6 and 7
An opportunity cost does represent the cost of the best alternative forgone, however, if it is an
historic (past) cost, it would not be relevant.
Fixed costs can be incremental to a decision and in those circumstances would be relevant.
Committed costs are costs the organisation has already agreed to and can no longer influence
and so are not relevant.
Notional costs are used to make cost estimates more realistic; however, they are not real cash
flows and are not considered to be relevant.
Avoidable costs are saved if an activity is not undertaken and if this occurs as a result of the
decision, then they are relevant.
Common costs are relevant if the whole process is being evaluated; however, they are not
relevant to a further processing decision.
Differential costs are relevant in a make or buy decision as the organisation is trying to choose
between two options.
Marking guide
Each question is worth 2 marks
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
Practice exam answers (2016 Specimen paper)
373
Section C
31 CARAD CO
(a)
(i)
Sales price variance and sales volume variance
Sales price variance = (actual price – standard price) × actual volume
Plasma TVs
LCD TVs
Actual
price
$
330
290
Standard
price
$
350
300
Difference
–20
–10
Actual
volume
$
750
650
Sales
price
variance
$
15,000 A
6,500 A
21,500 A
Sales volume contribution variance = (actual sales volume – budgeted sales volume) ×
standard margin
Actual
sales
volume
Plasma TVs
LCD TVs
(ii)
750
650
1,400
Budgeted
sales
volume
Sales
volume
variance
$
30,400 F
10,800 F
41,200 F
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590
590
1,180
Difference
160
60
Standard
margin
$
190
180
Material price planning and purchasing operational variances
Material planning variance = (original target price – general market price at time of
purchase) × quantity purchased
($60 – $85) × 1,400 = $35,000 A
Material price operational variance = (general market price at time of purchase – actual
price paid) x quantity purchased
($85 – $80) × 1,400 = $7,000 F
(iii)
Labour rate and labour efficiency variances
Labour rate variance = (standard labour rate per hour – actual labour rate per hour) ×
actual hours worked
Actual hours worked by temporary workers:
Total hours needed if staff were fully efficient = (750 × 2) + (650 × 1·5) = 2,475.
Permanent staff provide 2,200 hours, therefore excess = 2,475 – 2,200 = 275.
However, temporary workers take twice as long, therefore hours worked = 275 × 2 = 550.
Labour rate variance relates solely to temporary workers, therefore ignore permanent
staff in the calculation.
Labour rate variance = ($14 – $18) × 550 = $2,200 A
Labour efficiency variance = (standard labour hours for actual production – actual labour
hours worked) × standard rate
(275 – 550) × $14 = $3,850 A
374 P r a c t i c e e x a m a n s w e r s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
(b)
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Explanation of planning and operational variances
Before the material price planning and operational variances were calculated, the only
information available as regards material purchasing was that there was an adverse material
price variance of $28,000. The purchasing department will be assessed on the basis of this
variance, yet, on its own, it is not a reliable indicator of the purchasing department’s efficiency.
The reason it is not a reliable indicator is because market conditions can change, leading to an
increase in price, and this change in market conditions is not within the control of the
purchasing department.
By analysing the materials price variance further and breaking it down into its two components
– planning and operational – the variance actually becomes a more useful assessment tool. The
planning variance represents the uncontrollable element and the operational variance
represents the controllable element. The planning variance is really useful for providing
feedback on just how skilled management is in estimating future prices. This can be very easy in
some businesses and very difficult in others. Giving this detail could help to improve planning
and standard setting in the future, as management will be increasingly aware of factors which
could create volatility in their forecasts.
The operational variance is more meaningful in that it measures the purchasing department’s
efficiency given the market conditions which prevailed at the time. As can be seen in Carad, the
material price operational variance is favourable which demonstrates that the purchasing
department managed to acquire the component which was in short supply at a better price
than expected. Without this breakdown in the variance, the purchasing department could have
been held accountable for the overall adverse variance which was not indicative of their actual
performance. This is then a fairer method of assessing performance and will, in turn, stop staff
from becoming demotivated.
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Marking guide
(a)
(i)
Sales price variance – Plasma TVs
Sales price variance – LCD TVs
Sales volume contribution variance – Plasma TVs
Sales volume contribution variance – LCD TVs
1
1
1
1
(ii)
Material price planning variance
Material price operational variance
1
1
(iii) Actual hours worked
Labour rate variance
Labour efficiency variance
(b)
Marks
Controllability
Material price planning
Material price operating
Other valid point – planning or operating
Maximum marks available
3
1
1
2
3
3
1
4
2
5
9
20
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Practice exam answers (2016 Specimen paper)
375
32 THATCHER INTERNATIONAL PARK (TIP)
(a)
TIP’s financial performance can be assessed in a number of ways:
Sales growth
Sales are up about 1·3% (W1) which is a little above the rate of inflation and therefore a move in
the right direction. However, with average admission prices jumping about 8·6% (W2) and
numbers of visitors falling, there are clearly problems. Large increases in admission prices
reduce the value proposition for the customer, it is unlikely that the rate of increase is
sustainable or even justifiable. Indeed with volumes falling (down by 6·7% (W6)), it appears that
some customers are being put off and price could be one of the reasons.
Maintenance and repairs
There appears to be a continuing drift away from routine maintenance with management
preferring to repair equipment as required. This does not appear to be saving any money as the
combined cost of maintenance and repair is higher in 20X5 than in 20X4 (possible risks are dealt
with in part (b)).
Directors’ pay
Absolute salary levels are up 6·7% (W3), well above the modest inflation rate. It appears that
the shareholders are happy with the financial performance of the business and are prepared to
reward the directors accordingly. Bonus levels are also well up. It may be that the directors have
some form of profit related pay scheme and are being rewarded for the improved profit
performance. The directors are likely to be very pleased with the increases to pay.
Wages
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Wages are down by 12% (W5). This may partly reflect the loss of customers (down by 6·7% (W6))
if it is assumed that at least part of the wages cost is variable. It could also be that the directors
are reducing staff levels beyond the fall in the level of customers to enhance short-term profit and
personal bonus. Customer service and indeed safety could be compromised here.
Net profit
Net profit is up a huge 31·3% (W7) and most shareholders would be pleased with that. Net
profit is a very traditional measure of performance and most would say this was a sign of good
performance.
Return on assets
The profitability can be measured relative to the asset base which is being used to generate it. This
is sometimes referred to as ROI or return on investment. The return on assets is up considerably
to 11·4% from 8% (W8). This is partly due to the significant rise in profit and partly due to the fall
in asset value. We are told that TIP has cut back on new development, so the fall in asset value is
probably due to depreciation being charged with little being spent during the year on assets. In
this regard it is inevitable that return on assets is up but it is more questionable whether this is a
good performance. A theme park (and thrill rides in particular) must be updated to keep
customers coming back. The directors of TIP are risking the future of the park.
(b)
Quality provision
Reliability of the rides
The hours lost has increased significantly. Equally the percentage of capacity lost due to
breakdowns is now approaching 17·8% (W9). This would appear to be a very high number of
hours lost. This would surely increase the risk that customers are disappointed being unable to
ride. Given the fixed admission price system, this is bound to irritate some customers as they
have effectively already paid to ride.
376 P r a c t i c e e x a m a n s w e r s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Average queuing time
Queuing will be seen by customers as dead time. They may see some waiting as inevitable and
hence acceptable. However, TIP should be careful to maintain waiting times at a minimum. An
increase of 10 minutes (or 50%) is likely to be noticeable by customers and is unlikely to
enhance the quality of the TIP experience for them. The increase in waiting times is probably
due to the high number of hours lost due to breakdown with customers being forced to queue
for a fewer number of ride options.
Safety
The clear reduction in maintenance could easily damage the safety record of the park and is an
obvious quality issue.
Risks
If TIP continues with current policies, then they will expose themselves to the following risks:
(i)
The lack of routine maintenance could easily lead to an accident or injury to a customer.
This could lead to compensation being paid or reputational damage.
(ii)
Increased competition. The continuous raising of admission prices increases the
likelihood of a new competitor entering the market (although there are significant
barriers to entry in this market, e.g. capital cost, land and so on).
(iii)
Loss of customers. The value for money which customers see when coming to TIP is
clearly reducing (higher prices, less reliability of rides and longer queues). Regardless of
the existence of competition, customers could simply choose not to come, substituting
another leisure activity instead.
(iv)
Profit fall. In the end if customers’ numbers fall, then so will profit. The shareholders,
although well rewarded at the moment, could suffer a loss of dividend. Directors’ job
security could then be threatened.
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Workings:
(W1) Sales growth is $5,320,000/$5,250,000 = 1·01333 or 1·3%.
(W2) Average admission prices were:
20X4: $5,250,000/150,000 = $35 per person
20X5: $5,320,000/140,000 = $38 per person
An increase of $38/$35 = 1·0857 or 8·57%.
(W3) Directors’ pay up by $160,000/$150,000 = 1·0667 or 6·7%.
(W4) Directors’ bonus levels up from $15,000/$150,000 or 10% to $18,000/$160,000 or
12·5% of turnover. This is an increase of 3/15 or 20%.
(W5) Wages are down by (1 – $2,200,000/$2,500,000) or 12%.
(W6) Loss of customers is (1 – 140,000/150,000) or 6·7%.
(W7) Profits up by $1,372,000/$1,045,000 = 1·3129 or 31·3%.
(W8) Return on assets:
20X4: $1,045,000/$13,000,000 = 1·0803 or 8·03%
20X5: $1,372,000/$12,000,000 = 1·114 or 11·4%
(W9) Capacity of rides in hours is 360 days × 50 rides × 10 hours per day = 180,000.
20X4 lost capacity is 9,000/180,000 = 0·05 or 5%.
20X5 lost capacity is 32,000/180,000 = 0·177 or 17·8%.
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Practice exam answers (2016 Specimen paper)
Marking guide
377
Marks
(a)
Sales growth
Maintenance
Directors’ pay
Wages
Net profit
Return on assets
3
3
2
2
2
2
(b)
Reliability of rides
Average queuing time
Risks
2
2
2
Maximum marks available
14
6
20
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378 P r a c t i c e e x a m a n s w e r s ( 2 0 1 6 S p e c i m e n p a p e r )
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
ACCA F5 Question Bank
Formulae Sheet
379
Formulae Sheet
Learning curve
Y = axb
Where:
Y = cumulative average time per unit to produce x units
a = the time taken for the first unit of output
x = the cumulative number of units produced
b = the index of learning (log LR/log2)
LR = the learning rate as a decimal
Demand curve
P = a – bQ
change in price
b =change in quantity
a = price when Q = 0
MR = a – 2bQ
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380 F o r m u l a e S h e e t
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ACCA F5 Question Bank
