Fundamentals of Cost Accounting 5th Edition By Lanen - Test Bank

Fundamentals of Cost Accounting 5th Edition By Lanen - Test Bank   Instant Download - Complete Test Bank With Answers     Sample Questions Are Posted Below   Chapter 05 Cost Estimation   True / False Questions 1. Cost behavior is the most important characteristic for managerial decision making. True    False   2. In general, accounting …

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Fundamentals of Cost Accounting 5th Edition By Lanen – Test Bank

 

Instant Download – Complete Test Bank With Answers

 

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

Chapter 05

Cost Estimation

 

True / False Questions

1. Cost behavior is the most important characteristic for managerial decision making.

True    False

 

2. In general, accounting records accumulate cost information according to its behavior (i.e., variable and fixed).

True    False

 

3. In general, cost behavior results are likely to differ between the engineering method and the account analysis method.

True    False

 

4. The engineering method of determining cost behavior is particularly useful for new activities or products.

True    False

 

5. One advantage of the engineering method is that it does not require data from prior periods to estimate cost behavior.

True    False

 

6. One advantage of the account analysis method for estimating cost behavior is that it includes actual work conditions.

True    False

 

7. The account analysis method is more subjective than other cost estimation methods because it relies heavily on the personal judgment and experience of accountants.

True    False

 

8. In general, the account analysis method focuses on the underlying relationship between cost and activities from the previous period.

True    False

 

9. The relevant range represents those activity levels for which valid cost relationships have been observed.

True    False

 

10. A scattergraph is useful for identifying outliers/irrelevant data points.

True    False

 

11. One disadvantage of the high-low method is the highest and lowest points may not be representative of normal operating activities.

True    False

 

12. One advantage that regression techniques have over other cost estimation methods is it generates information that can be used to determine how well the estimated cost equation will predict future costs.

True    False

 

13. Because outliers are extreme data points, they can be included in the regression analysis and not significantly affect the results.

True    False

 

14. In general, the use of multiple independent variables increases the proportion of the variation in the dependent variable explained by the cost equation.

True    False

 

15. One way to control the effects of a nonlinear relation between total costs and volume is to reduce the relevant range.

True    False

 

16. The linear cost estimate tends to understate the slope of the cost line in ranges close to capacity.

True    False

 

17. Cost estimates using regression analysis are always more accurate and dependable than cost estimates using the scattergraph methods.

True    False

 

18. A basic assumption of most cost estimation methods is cost behavior patterns are linear within the relevant range.

True    False

 

19. The quality of the cost equation depends on collecting appropriate data.

True    False

 

20. Different cost estimations methods may produce different cost equations, even when using the same set of data.

True    False

 

 

Multiple Choice Questions

21. Which of the following statements is (are) true regarding cost behaviors?

(A) In general, accounting records accumulate cost information according to its behavior.
(B) Cost behaviors are the most important consideration in managerial decision making.

A. Only A is true.

 

B. Only B is true.

 

C. Both A and B are true.

 

D. Neither A nor B is true.

 

22. Which of the following is the difference between variable costs and fixed costs: (CMA adapted)

A. Variable costs per unit fluctuate and fixed costs per unit remain constant.

 

B. Variable costs per unit are fixed over the relevant range and fixed costs per unit are variable.

 

C. Total variable costs are variable over the relevant range and fixed in the long term, while fixed costs never change.

 

D. Variable costs per unit change in varying increments, while fixed costs per unit change in equal units.

 

23. A cost driver is defined as: (CMA adapted)

A. the largest cost in a manufacturing process.

 

B. a fixed cost that cannot be avoided.

 

C. the significant factor in developing a new product.

 

D. a causal factor that increases the total cost of a cost objective.

 

24. Which cost estimation method does not use the company’s cost information as its primary source of information about the relationship between total costs and activity levels?

A. Scattergraph.

 

B. High-low.

 

C. Account analysis.

 

D. Engineering estimates.

 

25. A manager is trying to estimate the manufacturing costs of a new product. The company makes several other products that utilize some of the same manufacturing procedures as the new product. Which cost estimation method would be the best method to determine the total cost of manufacturing the new product?

A. Engineering estimates.

 

B. Regression analysis.

 

C. Account analysis.

 

D. Scattergraph.

 

26. Engineering cost estimates are usually based on operating conditions that are considered:

A. optimal.

 

B. practical.

 

C. attainable.

 

D. historical.

 

27. Which of the following cost estimation methods finds the fixed portion of a mixed cost before calculating the variable portion?

A. Scattergraph.

 

B. High-low method.

 

C. Account analysis.

 

D. Linear regression.

 

28. Which of the following costs would most likely be classified as variable, assuming the account analysis method is used to determine cost behaviors?

A. Indirect materials.

 

B. Supervisory salaries.

 

C. Equipment maintenance.

 

D. Building occupancy costs.

 

29. Given the following information, compute the total number of units for the period:

Direct labor hours 12,000
Direct labor cost $2.70 per hour
Direct materials cost $75 per unit
Total manufacturing cost $132,600
Fixed overhead cost $36,000
Variable overhead cost 50% of total labor cost

 

A. 360.

 

B. 432.

 

C. 640.

 

D. 840.

 

30. In the cost equation TC = F + VX, X is best described as the:

A. costs that do not vary with changes in the activity level.

 

B. costs that do vary with changes in the activity level.

 

C. total cost estimate at a particular activity level.

 

D. activity level used to estimate the total cost.

 

31. In the cost equation TC = F + VX, V is best described as the:

A. costs that do not vary with changes in the activity level.

 

B. intercept of the cost equation.

 

C. slope of the cost equation.

 

D. activity level used to estimate the dependent variable.

 

32. Ballard Company incurred a total cost of $8,600 to produce 400 units of pulp. Each unit of pulp required five (5) direct labor hours to complete. What is the total fixed cost if the variable cost was $1.50 per direct labor hour?

A. $1,700.

 

B. $3,000.

 

C. $5,600.

 

D. $8,000.

 

33. The term “relevant range” as used in cost accounting means the range over which:

A. relevant costs are incurred.

 

B. costs may fluctuate.

 

C. cost relationships are valid.

 

D. cost data is available.

 

34. Which of the following cost estimation methods finds the variable portion of a mixed cost before calculating the fixed portion?

A. Engineering approach.

 

B. High-low method.

 

C. Account analysis.

 

D. Linear regression.

 

35. A disadvantage of the high-low method of cost analysis is that it:

A. typically results in a totally inaccurate cost formula.

 

B. is too time consuming to apply.

 

C. uses only two data points, which may not be representative of normal conditions.

 

D. relies totally on the judgment of the person performing the cost analysis.

 

36. In the standard regression equation of y = a + bx, the letter b is best described as the:

A. independent variable.

 

B. dependent variable.

 

C. slope of the equation.

 

D. intercept of the equation.

 

37. In the standard regression equation of y = a + bx, the letter a is best described as the:

A. independent variable.

 

B. dependent variable.

 

C. slope of the equation.

 

D. intercept of the equation.

 

38. In the standard regression equation of y = a + bx, the letter y is best described as the:

A. independent variable.

 

B. dependent variable.

 

C. slope of the equation.

 

D. intercept of the equation.

 

39. The coefficient of correlation is:

A. the range of values over which the probability may be estimated based upon the regression equation results.

 

B. the proportion of the total variance in the dependent variable explained by the independent variable.

 

C. the measure of variability of the actual observations from the predicting (forecasting) equation line.

 

D. the relative degree that changes in one variable can be used to estimate changes in another variable.

 

40. Brewsky’s is a chain of micro-breweries. Managers are interested in the costs of the stores and believe that the costs can be explained in large part by the number of customers patron­izing the stores. Monthly data regarding customer visits and costs for the preceding year for one of the stores have been entered into the regression analysis and the analysis is as follows:

Average monthly customer-visits 1,462
Average monthly total costs $4,629
Regression Results  
Intercept $1,496
b coefficient $2.08
R2 0.86814

In a regression equation expressed as y = a + bx, how is the letter b best described? (CMA adapted)

A. An estimate of the probability of return customers.

 

B. The fixed costs per customer-visit.

 

C. The estimate of the cost for an additional customer visit.

 

D. The proximity of the data points to the regression line.

 

41. Brewsky’s is a chain of micro-breweries. Managers are interested in the costs of the stores and believe that the costs can be explained in large part by the number of customers patron­izing the stores. Monthly data regarding customer visits and costs for the preceding year for one of the stores have been entered into the regression analysis and the analysis is as follows:

Average monthly customer-visits 1,462
Average monthly total costs $4,629
Regression Results  
Intercept $1,496
b coefficient $2.08
R2 0.86814

How is the letter y in the regression equation best described? (CMA adapted)

A. An estimate of the total customers for the month.

 

B. The observed store cost for a given month.

 

C. The estimate of the number of new customer visits for the month.

 

D. The proximity of the data points to the regression line.

 

42. Brewsky’s is a chain of micro-breweries. Managers are interested in the costs of the stores and believe that the costs can be explained in large part by the number of customers patron­izing the stores. Monthly data regarding customer visits and costs for the preceding year for one of the stores have been entered into the regression analysis and the analysis is as follows:

Average monthly customer-visits 1,462
Average monthly total costs $4,629
Regression Results  
Intercept $1,496
b coefficient $2.08
R2 0.86814

How is the letter x in the regression equation best described? (CMA adapted)

A. Fixed costs per each customer-visit.

 

B. The observed store costs for a given month.

 

C. The estimate of the number of new customer visits for the month.

 

D. The observed customer visits for a given month.

 

43. Brewsky’s is a chain of micro-breweries. Managers are interested in the costs of the stores and believe that the costs can be explained in large part by the number of customers patron­izing the stores. Monthly data regarding customer visits and costs for the preceding year for one of the stores have been entered into the regression analysis and the analysis is as follows:

Average monthly customer-visits 1,462
Average monthly total costs $4,629
Regression Results  
Intercept $1,496
b coefficient $2.08
R2 0.86814

Based on the data derived from the regression analysis, what are the estimated costs for 1,600 customer-visits in a month? (CMA adapted)

A. $6,125.

 

B. $4,629.

 

C. $3,328.

 

D. $4,824.

 

44. Brewsky’s is a chain of micro-breweries. Managers are interested in the costs of the stores and believe that the costs can be explained in large part by the number of customers patron­izing the stores. Monthly data regarding customer visits and costs for the preceding year for one of the stores have been entered into the regression analysis and the analysis is as follows:

Average monthly customer-visits 1,462
Average monthly total costs $4,629
Regression Results  
Intercept $1,496
b coefficient $2.08
R2 0.86814

What is the percent of the total variance that can be explained by the regression equation? (CMA adapted)

A. 86.8%

 

B. 31.6%

 

C. 97.7%

 

D. 71.9%

 

45. The Macon Company uses the high-low method to determine its cost equation. The following information was gathered for the past year:

  Machine Hours Direct Labor Costs
Busiest month (June) 14,000 $200,000
Slowest month (December) 6,000 $120,000

What are the direct labor costs per machine hour?

A. $20.00.

 

B. $16.00.

 

C. $14.29.

 

D. $10.00.

 

46. The Macon Company uses the high-low method to determine its cost equation. The following information was gathered for the past year:

  Machine Hours Direct Labor Costs
Busiest month (June) 14,000 $200,000
Slowest month (December) 6,000 $120,000

If Macon expects to use 10,000 machine hours next month, what are the estimated direct labor costs?

A. $160,000.

 

B. $180,000.

 

C. $175,000.

 

D. $150,000.

 

47. Fromme’s Frocks has the following machine hours and production costs for the last six months of last year:

Month Machine Hours Production Cost
July 15,000 $12,075
August 13,500 10,800
September 11,500 9,580
October 15,500 12,080
November 14,800 11,692
December 12,100 9,922

If Fromme expects to incur 14,000 machine hours in January, what will be the estimated total production cost using the high-low method?

A. $8,750.00.

 

B. $11,142.50.

 

C. $22,400.00.

 

D. $10,889.10.

 

48. The controller of Fortnight Co. has requested a quick estimate of the manufacturing supplies needed for the Cleveland Plant for the month of July, when production is expected to be 470,000 units to meet the ending inventory requirements and sales of 475,000 units. Fortnight Co.’s budget analyst has the following actual data for the last three months.

Month Production in Units Manufacturing Supplies
March 450,000 $723,060
April 540,000 853,560
May 480,000 766,560

Using the high-low method to develop a cost estimating equation, the estimate of needed manufacturing supplies for July would be: (CMA adapted)

A. $681,500.

 

B. $688,750.

 

C. $749,180.

 

D. $752,060.

 

49. The Crater Manufacturing Company recorded overhead costs of $14,182 at an activity level of 4,200 machine hours and $8,748 at 2,300 machine hours. The records also indicated that overhead of $9,730 was incurred at 2,600 machine hours. What is the variable cost per machine hour using the high-low method to estimate the cost equation?

A. $2.78.

 

B. $2.86.

 

C. $3.10.

 

D. $3.38.

 

50. The Missou Manufacturing Company recorded overhead costs of $14,182 at an activity level of 4,200 machine hours and $8,748 at 2,300 machine hours. The records also indicated that overhead of $9,730 was incurred at 2,600 machine hours. What is the total estimated cost for 2,600 machine hours using the high-low method to estimate the cost equation?

A. $9,730.

 

B. $9,606.

 

C. $9,106.

 

D. $8,788.

 

51. The cost accountants at the Barkley Company regressed total overhead costs and direct labor hours for the past 30-months and reported the following results:

Slope $41.27
Intercept $596.36
Correlation Coefficient .934

What is the estimated overhead cost if 225 direct labor hours are expected to be used in the upcoming period? (rounded to the nearest whole dollar)

A. $10,534.

 

B. $9,882.

 

C. $9,230.

 

D. $8,617.

 

52. The McGraw Company is accumulating data to be used in preparing its annual profit plan for the coming year. The cost behavior pattern of the maintenance costs must be determined. The accounting staff has suggested that linear regression be employed to derive an equation in the form of y = a + bx for maintenance costs. Data regarding the maintenance hours and costs for last year and the results of the regression analysis are as follows: (CMA adapted)

  Hours of Activity Maintenance Costs
January 480 $4,200
February 320 3,000
March 400 3,600
April 300 2,820
May 500 4,350
June 310 2,960
July 320 3,030
August 520 4,470
September 490 4,260
October 470 4,050
November 350 3,300
December   340    3,160
Sum 4,800 $43,200
Average 400 3,600
A coefficient   684.65
B coefficient   7.2884
Standard error of the a coefficient 49.515  
Standard error of the b coefficient .12126  
Standard error of the estimate   34.469
R2   .99724
T-value a   13.827
T-value b   60.105

What would be the cost equation if regression analysis is used?

A. Maintenance Costs = 7.2884 + 684.65 × Hours of Activity.

 

B. Maintenance Costs = 684.65 + 49.515 × Hours of Activity.

 

C. Maintenance Costs = 684.65 + 7.2884 × Hours of Activity.

 

D. Maintenance Costs = 34.469 + .99724 × Hours of Activity.

 

53. The McGraw Company is accumulating data to be used in preparing its annual profit plan for the coming year. The cost behavior pattern of the maintenance costs must be determined. The accounting staff has suggested that linear regression be employed to derive an equation in the form of y = a + bx for maintenance costs. Data regarding the maintenance hours and costs for last year and the results of the regression analysis are as follows: (CMA adapted)

  Hours of Activity Maintenance Costs
January 480 $4,200
February 320 3,000
March 400 3,600
April 300 2,820
May 500 4,350
June 310 2,960
July 320 3,030
August 520 4,470
September 490 4,260
October 470 4,050
November 350 3,300
December   340    3,160
Sum 4,800 $43,200
Average 400 3,600
A coefficient   684.65
B coefficient   7.2884
Standard error of the a coefficient 49.515  
Standard error of the b coefficient .12126  
Standard error of the estimate   34.469
R2   .99724
T-value a   13.827
T-value b   60.105

Based upon the data derived from the regression analysis, 420 maintenance hours in a month would mean the maintenance costs would be budgeted at: (rounded to the nearest whole dollar)

A. $3,797.

 

B. $3,780.

 

C. $3,746.

 

D. $3,600.

 

54. The McGraw Company is accumulating data to be used in preparing its annual profit plan for the coming year. The cost behavior pattern of the maintenance costs must be determined. The accounting staff has suggested that linear regression be employed to derive an equation in the form of y = a + bx for maintenance costs. Data regarding the maintenance hours and costs for last year and the results of the regression analysis are as follows: (CMA adapted)

  Hours of Activity Maintenance Costs
January 480 $4,200
February 320 3,000
March 400 3,600
April 300 2,820
May 500 4,350
June 310 2,960
July 320 3,030
August 520 4,470
September 490 4,260
October 470 4,050
November 350 3,300
December   340    3,160
Sum 4,800 $43,200
Average 400 3,600
A coefficient   684.65
B coefficient   7.2884
Standard error of the a coefficient 49.515  
Standard error of the b coefficient .12126  
Standard error of the estimate   34.469
R2   .99724
T-value a   13.827
T-value b   60.105

What is the variable cost per hour using the high-low method to estimate the cost equation?

A. $9.00.

 

B. $7.50.

 

C. $0.1333.

 

D. $0.1111.

 

55. The McGraw Company is accumulating data to be used in preparing its annual profit plan for the coming year. The cost behavior pattern of the maintenance costs must be determined. The accounting staff has suggested that linear regression be employed to derive an equation in the form of y = a + bx for maintenance costs. Data regarding the maintenance hours and costs for last year and the results of the regression analysis are as follows: (CMA adapted)

  Hours of Activity Maintenance Costs
January 480 $4,200
February 320 3,000
March 400 3,600
April 300 2,820
May 500 4,350
June 310 2,960
July 320 3,030
August 520 4,470
September 490 4,260
October 470 4,050
November 350 3,300
December   340    3,160
Sum 4,800 $43,200
Average 400 3,600
A coefficient   684.65
B coefficient   7.2884
Standard error of the a coefficient 49.515  
Standard error of the b coefficient .12126  
Standard error of the estimate   34.469
R2   .99724
T-value a   13.827
T-value b   60.105

What is the fixed cost per month using the high-low method to estimate the cost equation?

A. $570.

 

B. $600.

 

C. $1,140.

 

D. $2,250.

 

56. The McGraw Company is accumulating data to be used in preparing its annual profit plan for the coming year. The cost behavior pattern of the maintenance costs must be determined. The accounting staff has suggested that linear regression be employed to derive an equation in the form of y = a + bx for maintenance costs. Data regarding the maintenance hours and costs for last year and the results of the regression analysis are as follows: (CMA adapted)

  Hours of Activity Maintenance Costs
January 480 $4,200
February 320 3,000
March 400 3,600
April 300 2,820
May 500 4,350
June 310 2,960
July 320 3,030
August 520 4,470
September 490 4,260
October 470 4,050
November 350 3,300
December   340    3,160
Sum 4,800 $43,200
Average 400 3,600
A coefficient   684.65
B coefficient   7.2884
Standard error of the a coefficient 49.515  
Standard error of the b coefficient .12126  
Standard error of the estimate   34.469
R2   .99724
T-value a   13.827
T-value b   60.105

Using the high-low method to estimate cost behavior, 420 maintenance hours in a month would mean the maintenance costs would be budgeted at:

A. $3,150.

 

B. $3,600.

 

C. $3,720.

 

D. $3,780.

 

57. The McGraw Company is accumulating data to be used in preparing its annual profit plan for the coming year. The cost behavior pattern of the maintenance costs must be determined. The accounting staff has suggested that linear regression be employed to derive an equation in the form of y = a + bx for maintenance costs. Data regarding the maintenance hours and costs for last year and the results of the regression analysis are as follows: (CMA adapted)

  Hours of Activity Maintenance Costs
January 480 $4,200
February 320 3,000
March 400 3,600
April 300 2,820
May 500 4,350
June 310 2,960
July 320 3,030
August 520 4,470
September 490 4,260
October 470 4,050
November 350 3,300
December   340    3,160
Sum 4,800 $43,200
Average 400 3,600
A coefficient   684.65
B coefficient   7.2884
Standard error of the a coefficient 49.515  
Standard error of the b coefficient .12126  
Standard error of the estimate   34.469
R2   .99724
T-value a   13.827
T-value b   60.105

What would be the cost equation if the high-low method is used?

A. Maintenance Costs = 9.00 × Hours of Activity.

 

B. Maintenance Costs = 3,600 + 400 × Hours of Activity.

 

C. Maintenance Costs = 570 + 7.50 × Hours of Activity.

 

D. Maintenance Costs = 34.469 + .99724 × Hours of Activity.

 

58. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

If the controller uses the high-low method to estimate costs, the variable cost per credit hour is:

A. $82.33.

 

B. $103.56.

 

C. $111.96.

 

D. $201.22.

 

59. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

If the controller uses the high-low method to estimate costs, the fixed cost portion of the cost equation for administrative salaries is:

A. $198,808.

 

B. $69,731.68.

 

C. $96,409.42.

 

D. $19,943.58.

 

60. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

If the controller uses the high-low method to estimate costs, the cost equation for administrative salaries is:

A. Cost = $96,409.42 + $103.56 × Credit-hours.

 

B. Cost = $69,731.68 + $111.96 × Credit-hours.

 

C. Cost = $201.21 × Credit-hours.

 

D. Cost = $198,808.

 

61. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

Based on the results of the high-low analysis, the estimate of administrative costs in a month with 1,000 credit hours would be: (rounded to the nearest whole dollar)

A. $181,691.68.

 

B. $199,969.

 

C. $201,210.

 

D. $198,808.

 

62. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

If the controller uses regression analysis to estimate costs, the cost equation for administrative salaries is:

A. Cost = $19,943.58 + $13.00 × Credit-hours.

 

B. Cost = $69,474.40 + $114 30 × Credit-hours.

 

C. Cost = $96,647.02 + $103.06 x Credit-hours.

 

D. Cost = $12,521.26 + $11.99 × Credit-hours.

 

63. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

If the controller uses regression analysis to estimate costs, the estimate of the variable portion of administrative salaries is:

A. Cost = $8.63 × Credit-hours.

 

B. Cost = $0.87 × Credit-hours.

 

C. Cost = $103.06 × Credit-hours.

 

D. Cost = $11.99 × Credit-hours.

 

64. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

If the controller uses regression analysis to estimate costs, the estimate of the fixed portion of administrative salaries is:

A. Cost = $103.56.

 

B. Cost = $12,521.26.

 

C. Cost = $19,943.58.

 

D. Cost = $96,647.02.

 

65. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

Based on the results of the regression analysis, the estimate of administrative costs in a month with 1,000 credit hours would be: (rounded to the nearest whole dollar)

A. $198,808.

 

B. $201,000.

 

C. $199,707.

 

D. $96,409.

 

66. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

The correlation coefficient (rounded to the 3rd decimal) for the regression equation for administrative costs is:

A. 0.932.

 

B. 0.868.

 

C. 0.856.

 

D. 0.966.

 

67. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

The percent of the total variance that can be explained by the regression is:

A. 93.3%.

 

B. 86.8%.

 

C. 85.9%.

 

D. 96.6%.

 

68. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

Based on the results of the regression analysis, the estimate of the variable portion of administrative costs in a month with 200 credit hours would be:

A. $198,808.

 

B. $20,612.

 

C. $117,121.

 

D. $40,242.

 

69. In determining cost behavior in business, the cost function is often expressed as Y = a + bX. Which one of the following cost estimation methods should not be used in estimating fixed and variable costs for the equation? (CMA adapted)

A. Scattergraph method.

 

B. Simple regression.

 

C. High and low point method.

 

D. Management analysis of data.

 

70. Which of the following may be used to estimate how inventory warehouse costs are affected by both the number of shipments and the weight of the material handled? (CPA adapted)

A. Economic order quantity analysis.

 

B. Probability analysis.

 

C. Correlation analysis.

 

D. Multiple regression analysis.

 

71. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

If the controller uses the high-low method to estimate costs, the variable cost per machine hour is:

A. $6.25.

 

B. $6.90.

 

C. $5.77.

 

D. $11.70.

 

72. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

If the controller uses the high-low method to estimate costs, the fixed cost portion of the cost equation for electricity cost is:

A. $3,726.88.

 

B. $1,425.18.

 

C. $1,625.00.

 

D. $22,825.00.

 

73. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

If the controller uses the high-low method to estimate costs, the cost equation for electricity cost is:

A. Cost = $3,726.88 + $5.77 × Machine-hours.

 

B. Cost = $1,625.00 + $6.25 × Machine-hours.

 

C. Cost = $6.90 × Machine-hours.

 

D. Cost = $22,825.

 

74. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

Based on the results of the high-low analysis, the estimate of electricity costs in a month with 2,200 machine hours would be:

A. $15,375.

 

B. $22,825.

 

C. $15,180.

 

D. $16,427.

 

75. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

If the controller uses regression analysis to estimate costs, the cost equation for electricity cost is:

A. Cost = $1,425.18 + $12.00 × Machine-hours.

 

B. Cost = $3,726.88 + $1,682.82 × Machine-hours.

 

C. Cost = $1,682.82 + $0.49 × Machine-hours.

 

D. Cost = $3,726.88 + $5.77 × Machine-hours.

 

76. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

If the controller uses regression analysis to estimate costs, the estimate of the variable portion of electricity cost is:

A. Cost = $11.70 × Machine-hours.

 

B. Cost = $0.93 × Machine-hours.

 

C. Cost = $5.77 × Machine-hours.

 

D. Cost = $0.49 × Machine-hours.

 

77. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

If the controller uses regression analysis to estimate costs, the estimate of the fixed portion of electricity cost is:

A. Cost = $5.77.

 

B. Cost = $1,682.82.

 

C. Cost = $1,425.18.

 

D. Cost = $3,726.88

 

78. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

Based on the results of the regression analysis, the estimate of electricity costs in a month with 2,200 machine hours would be: (rounded to the nearest whole dollar)

A. $3,727.

 

B. $16,421.

 

C. $15,180.

 

D. $22,825.

 

79. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

The correlation coefficient for the regression equation for electricity costs is:

A. 0.965.

 

B. 0.932.

 

C. 0.925.

 

D. 0.982.

 

80. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

The percent of the total variance that can be explained by the regression is:

A. 0.965.

 

B. 0.932.

 

C. 0.925.

 

D. 0.982.

 

81. Balcom Enterprises is planning to introduce a new product that will sell for $110 a unit. Manufacturing cost estimates for 20,000 units for the first year of production are:

• Direct materials $1,000,000
• Direct labor $720,000 (based on $18 per hour × 40,000 hours)
Although overhead has not be estimated for the new product, monthly data for Balcom’s total production for the last two years has been analyzed using simple linear regression. The analysis results are as follows:

Dependent variable Factory overhead costs
Independent variable Direct labor hours
Intercept $120,000
Coefficient on independent variable $5.00
Coefficient of correlation 0.911
R2 0.814

Based on this information, what percentage of the variation in overhead costs is explained by the independent variable?

A. 24%

 

B. 81.4%

 

C. 91.1 %

 

D. 9.7%

 

82. Balcom Enterprises is planning to introduce a new product that will sell for $110 a unit. Manufacturing cost estimates for 20,000 units for the first year of production are:

• Direct materials $1,000,000
• Direct labor $720,000 (based on $18 per hour × 40,000 hours)
Although overhead has not be estimated for the new product, monthly data for Balcom’s total production for the last two years has been analyzed using simple linear regression. The analysis results are as follows:

Dependent variable Factory overhead costs
Independent variable Direct labor hours
Intercept $120,000
Coefficient on independent variable $5.00
Coefficient of correlation 0.911
R2 0.814

Based on this information, what is the total overhead cost for an estimated activity level of 45,000 direct labor-hours?

A. $125,000

 

B. $345,000

 

C. $600,000

 

D. $225,000

 

83. Balcom Enterprises is planning to introduce a new product that will sell for $110 a unit. Manufacturing cost estimates for 20,000 units for the first year of production are:
• Direct materials $1,000,000
• Direct labor $720,000 (based on $18 per hour × 40,000 hours)
Although overhead has not be estimated for the new product, monthly data for Balcom’s total production for the last two years has been analyzed using simple linear regression. The analysis results are as follows:

Dependent variable Factory overhead costs
Independent variable Direct labor hours
Intercept $120,000
Coefficient on independent variable $5.00
Coefficient of correlation 0.911
R2 0.814

Based on this information, how much is the variable manufacturing cost per unit, using the variable overhead esti­mated by the regression (assuming that direct materials and direct labor are variable costs)?

A. $78

 

B. $91

 

C. $96

 

D. $71

 

84. Balcom Enterprises is planning to introduce a new product that will sell for $110 a unit. Manufacturing cost estimates for 20,000 units for the first year of production are:

• Direct materials $1,000,000
• Direct labor $720,000 (based on $18 per hour × 40,000 hours)
Although overhead has not be estimated for the new product, monthly data for Balcom’s total production for the last two years has been analyzed using simple linear regression. The analysis results are as follows:

Dependent variable Factory overhead costs
Independent variable Direct labor hours
Intercept $120,000
Coefficient on independent variable $5.00
Coefficient of correlation 0.911
R2 0.814

Based on this information, what is the expected contribution margin per unit to be earned during the first year on 20,000 units of the new product? (Assume that all marketing and administrative costs are fixed.)

A. $14

 

B. $13

 

C. $99

 

D. $32

 

85. Given actual amounts of a semi-variable cost for various levels of output, the method that will always give the most reliable measure of the fixed and variable components is the:

A. high-low method.

 

B. linear regression method.

 

C. scattergraph method.

 

D. account analysis method.

 

86. Which of the following statements regarding regression analysis is (are) true?

(A) One way to control the effects of a nonlinear relationship between total costs and activity is reduce the relevant range.
(B) The linear cost estimate tends to understate the slope of the cost line in ranges close to capacity.

A. Only A is true.

 

B. Only B is true.

 

C. Both A and B are true.

 

D. Neither A nor B is true.

 

87. Which of the following is a common assumption of cost estimation?

A. Cost behavior depends on many cost drivers.

 

B. Cost behavior patterns are nonlinear outside of the relevant range.

 

C. Cost behavior patterns are linear within the relevant range.

 

D. Costs are curvilinear.

 

88. Which of the following is not a data problem an analyst must watch for when estimating cost behavior?

A. Missing data.

 

B. Outliers.

 

C. Allocated costs.

 

D. Depreciable assets.

 

89. Which of the following is not a data problem an analyst must watch for when estimating cost behavior?

A. Non-numeric data.

 

B. Inflation.

 

C. Discretionary costs.

 

D. Mismatched time periods.

 

90. In the learning curve equation Y = aXb, the Y term represents:

A. the labor time required to produce the first unit.

 

B. the labor time required to produce the last single unit.

 

C. the cumulative number of units.

 

D. the index of learning.

 

91. In the learning curve equation Y = aXb, the X term represents:

A. the labor time required to produce the first unit.

 

B. the labor time required to produce the last single unit.

 

C. the cumulative number of units.

 

D. the index of learning.

 

92. In the learning curve equation Y = aXb, the “a” term represents:

A. the labor time required to produce the first unit.

 

B. the labor time required to produce the last single unit.

 

C. the cumulative number of units.

 

D. the index of learning.

 

93. In the learning curve equation Y = aXb, the “b” term represents:

A. the labor time required to produce the first unit.

 

B. the labor time required to produce the last single unit.

 

C. the cumulative number of units.

 

D. the index of learning.

 

94. Which of the following statements regarding the learning phenomenon is true?

A. The more units that are produced, the greater the average time to produce a single unit.

 

B. The relationship between number of units produced and the marginal time to produce the latest unit is linear.

 

C. Total labor cost is a linear function of the total units produced.

 

D. As production doubles, the time to produce the latest unit decreases.

 

95. Bachmann Products, Inc., has found that new products follow a learning curve. The first two units have been completed with the following results:

Units Produced Marginal Labor Time
1 80.00
2 68.00

How much time will be needed to complete the 4th unit?

A. 74.00 hours.

 

B. 57.80 hours.

 

C. 56.00 hours.

 

D. 54.40 hours.

 

96. Bachmann Products, Inc., has found that new products follow a learning curve. The first two units have been completed with the following results:

Units Produced Marginal Labor Time
1 80.00
2 68.00

How much time will be needed to complete the 8th unit?

A. 74.00 hours.

 

B. 57.80 hours.

 

C. 56.00 hours.

 

D. 49.13 hours.

 

 

Essay Questions

97. The following manufacturing costs were incurred by the Miracle Mile Company in 2015:

Direct materials $225,000
Direct labor 350,000
Manufacturing overhead 470,000

These costs were incurred to produce 50,000 units of product. Variable manufacturing overhead was 70% of the direct materials cost.
In 2016, the direct material and variable overhead costs per unit will increase by 12%, but the direct labor costs per unit are not expected to change. Fixed manufacturing costs are expected to increase by 8%.

Required:

(a.) Prepare a cost estimate for an activity level of 40,000 units of product in 2016.
(b.) Determine the total product costs per unit for 2015 and 2016.

 

 

 

 

98. The following manufacturing costs were incurred by the Trinitram Company in 2015:

Direct materials $112,500
Direct labor 175,000
Manufacturing overhead 235,000

These costs were incurred to produce 25,000 units of product. Variable manufacturing overhead was 80% of the direct materials cost.
In 2016, the direct material and variable overhead costs per unit will increase by 15%, but the direct labor costs per unit are not expected to change. Fixed manufacturing costs are expected to increase by 7.5%.

Required:

(a.) Prepare a cost estimate for an activity level of 20,000 units of product in 2016.
(b.) Determine the total product costs per unit for 2015 and 2016.

 

 

 

 

99. The Thomas Company’s total overhead costs at various levels of activity are presented below:

Month Direct Labor Hours Total Overhead
July 7,500 $272,000
August 6,000 234,000
September 9,000 319,000
October 10,500 340,500

Assume that the overhead costs above consist of utilities, supervisory salaries, and maintenance. The breakdown of these costs at the 9,000 direct labor hour level of activity is as follows:

Utilities (V) $137,700
Supervisory Salaries (F) 80,000
Maintenance (M) 101,300
  319,000

Required:

(a.) Using the high-low method, determine the cost formula for maintenance.
(b.) Express the company’s total overhead costs in linear equation form.

 

 

 

 

100. The Feline Company has been having some difficulties estimating its manufacturing overhead costs. In the past, manufacturing overhead costs have been related to production levels. However, some production managers have indicated that the size of their production lots might also be having an impact on the amount of their monthly manufacturing overhead costs. In order to investigate this possibility, the company collected information on its monthly manufacturing overhead costs, production in units, and average production lot size for 2016.

Month Production
(Units)
Manufacturing
Overhead Cost
Average Monthly
Production Lot Size
1 75,000 $925,800 20
2 90,000 843,875 19
3 65,000 910,125 24
4 80,000 946,000 19
5 55,000 879,000 24
6 50,000 825,000 18
7 85,000 960,000 22
8 105,000 1,053,500 25
9 102,000 1,020,000 23
10 68,000 905,000 20
11 75,000 938,000 22
12 95,000 995,000 24

Required:

(a.) Use the high-low method to estimate next month’s manufacturing overhead costs, assuming the company is planning to produce 92,000 units.
(b.) Use the high-low method to estimate next month’s manufacturing overhead costs, assuming the company is planning to run a 21-lot size.

 

 

 

 

101. Argo Company ran a regression analysis using direct labor hours as the independent variable and manufacturing overhead costs as the dependent variable. The results are summarized below:

Intercept $14,600
Slope $12.55
Correlation coefficient .931
R-squared .867

Argo is planning on operating at a level that would require 12,000 direct labor hours per month in the upcoming year.

Required:

(a.) Use the information from the regression analysis to write the cost estimation equation for the manufacturing overhead costs.
(b.) Compute the estimated manufacturing overhead costs per month for the upcoming year.

 

 

 

 

102. The Feline Company has been having some difficulties estimating its manufacturing overhead costs. In the past, manufacturing overhead costs have been related to production levels. However, some production managers have indicated that the size of their production lots might also be having an impact on the amount of their monthly manufacturing overhead costs. In order to investigate this possibility, the company collected information on its monthly manufacturing overhead costs, production in units, and average production lot size for 2016.

Month Production
(Units)
Manufacturing
Overhead Cost
Average Monthly
Production Lot Size
1 75,000 $925,800 20
2 90,000 843,875 19
3 65,000 910,125 24
4 80,000 946,000 19
5 55,000 879,000 24
6 50,000 825,000 18
7 85,000 960,000 22
8 105,000 1,053,500 25
9 102,000 1,020,000 23
10 68,000 905,000 20
11 75,000 938,000 22
12 95,000 995,000 24

Regression analysis results of the information presented above are as follows:
Ordinary regression:

Equation: $691,741 + $3.0692 × units
r-square: .628

Multiple regression:

Equation: $482,172 + $2.4918 × units + $11,770.939 × lot size
r-square: .777


Required:

(a.) Use the results from the ordinary regression and estimate next month’s manufacturing overhead costs, assuming the company is planning to produce 92,000 units. (final answer should be rounded to the nearest whole dollar)
(b.) Use the results from the multiple regression and estimate the next month’s manufacturing costs, assuming the company is planning to produce 92,000 units with an average lot size of 21. (final answer should be rounded to the nearest whole dollar)
(c.) Comment on which regression seems to be more appropriate under these circumstances. What additional information would you like to see? Be specific.

 

 

 

 

103. The Ornate Company produces a single product and has total costs ranging from $321,875 (at 20,000 units) to $966,875 (at 80,000 units). Sales volume in 2016 was 32,000, and operating income was $45,125. Ornate’s product is highly specialized; therefore, no units are kept in inventory.

Required:

(a.) Determine the cost equation for Ornate’s costs.
(b.) Prepare a contribution margin income statement for 2016 including separate columns for total dollars, per unit dollars, and percentages.
(c.) Determine the break-even point (in units and in dollars).

 

 

 

 

104. Iowa Enterprises had an average cost of $10.75 during a month when 50,000 units were produced. When production doubled several months later, the average cost dropped to $8.25.

Required:

(a.) Determine the fixed and variable portions of production costs.
(b.) What will unit cost be when production equals 80,000 units?

 

 

 

 

105. Washington Products had costs of $600,000 when sales equaled 75,000 units. When sales increased by 25,000 units, costs increased by $125,000. The selling price is $9 per unit.

Required:

(a.) Determine the fixed and variable portions of costs.
(b.) Prepare a contribution margin income statement for a month with sales of 80,000 units.

 

 

 

 

106. New Venture, Inc. has received a contract for 8 units of a new product. The contract is a cost-plus contract, with the total to be received equal to the total labor cost + 20%. New Venture found that the first unit of a new product required 120 hours to complete. The second unit was completed using only 114 hours. New Venture believes that the rate of learning that was observed will continue for all 8 units of the contract. The labor wage paid is $25/hour. The following factors are available for various rates of learning: 80% learning, b = -.3219; 85%, b = -.2345; 90%, b = -.1520; 95%, b = -.0740.

Required:

(a.) What will the total labor cost be for the contract?
(b.) What will the total fee be for the contract?

 

 

 

 

107. Market Products, Inc., has found that new products follow a learning curve. The first two units have been completed with the following results:

Units Produced Marginal Labor Time
1 250.00
2 225.00

Required:

(a.) How much time will be needed to complete the 4th unit?
(b.) How much time will be needed to complete the 8th unit?
(c.) How much time will be needed to complete the 16th unit?

 

 

 

 

108. Clough Company is interested in establishing the relationship between utility costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine
Hours
Electricity
Costs
January 3,250 22,080
February 3,770 25,200
March 2,470 16,200
April 4,030 27,600
May 4,940 33,900
June 4,290 26,400
July 5,330 29,700
August 4,550 27,300
September 2,600 18,600
October 4,810 31,200
November 6,110 37,200
December 5,460 33,300

 

SUMMARY OUTPUT          
Regression Statistics            
Multiple R 96.5%          
R Square 93.2%          
Adjusted R-Square 92.5 %          
Standard Error 1,710.21          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard
Error
t Stat P-value Lower
95%
Upper
95%
Intercept 4,472.26 2,019.39 2.21 0.051 -27.23 8971.74
Machine Hours 5.329 0.455 11.7 3.69E-07 4.314 6.343

Required:

(a.) What is the equation for utility costs using the regression analysis?
(b.) Does the variable “machine hours” have statistical significance? Explain.
(c.) Prepare an estimate of utility costs for a month when 3,000 machine hours are worked.

 

 

 

 

109. Clough Company is interested in establishing the relationship between utility costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine
Hours
Electricity
Costs
January 3,250 22,080
February 3,770 25,200
March 2,470 16,200
April 4,030 27,600
May 4,940 33,900
June 4,290 26,400
July 5,330 29,700
August 4,550 27,300
September 2,600 18,600
October 4,810 31,200
November 6,110 37,200
December 5,460 33,300

Required:

(a.) What is the equation for utility costs using the high-low method?
(b.) Prepare an estimate of utility costs for a month when 3,000 machine hours are worked.

 

 

 

 

110. Yates Corp. wants to develop a cost equation for its administrative costs. The controller believes the appropriate cost driver is units produced. Last year’s data are presented below:

Month Units
produced
Administrative
Costs
January 32,500 $24,288
February 37,700 27,720
March 24,700 17,820
April 40,300 30,360
May 49,400 37,290
June 42,900 29,040
July 53,300 32,670
August 45,500 30,030
September 26,000 20,460
October 48,100 34,320
November 61,100 40,920
December   54,600    36,630
Total 516,100 $361,548
Average  43,008  $30,129

Required:

(a.) What is the equation for administrative costs using the high-low method?
(b.) Prepare an estimate of administrative costs for a month when 30,000 units are produced.

 

 

 

111. Yates Corp. wants to develop a cost equation for its administrative costs. The controller believes the appropriate cost driver is units produced. Last year’s data are presented below:

Month Units
produced
Administrative
Costs
January 32,500  $24,288
February 37,700 27,720
March 24,700 17,820
April 40,300 30,360
May 49,400 37,290
June 42,900 29,040
July 53,300 32,670
August 45,500 30,030
September 26,000 20,460
October 48,100 34,320
November 61,100 40,920
December 54,600 36,630

 

SUMMARY OUTPUT          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R 0.965383          
R Square 0.931965          
Adjusted R-Square 0.925162          
Standard Error 1,881.232          
Observations 12          
             
  Coefficients Standard
Error
t Stat P-value Lower
95%
Upper
95%
Intercept 4,919.48 2,221.329 2.21 0.051156 -29.9485 9,868.909
Units Produced 0.586154 0.050082 11.70 3.69E-07 0.474566 0.697743

Required:

(a.) What is the equation for administrative costs using the regression analysis?
(b.) Does the variable “units produced” have statistical significance? Explain.
(c.) Prepare an estimate of administrative costs for a month when 30,000 units are produced.

 

 

 

 

112. The Wonder Drug Company’s total overhead costs at various levels of activity are presented below:

Month Direct Labor Hours Total Overhead
September 15,000 $472,000
October 12,000 409,400
November 18,000 542,000
December 21,000 604,700

Assume that the overhead costs above consist of indirect labor, scheduling salaries, and maintenance. The breakdown of these costs for the month of November is as follows:

Indirect labor (V) $219,600
Maintenance (M) 197,400
Scheduling Salaries (F)  125,000
  $542,000

Required:

(a.) Using the high-low method, determine the cost formula for maintenance.
(b.) Express the company’s total overhead costs in linear equation form.

 

 

 

 

113. The Norcross Company has traditionally estimated manufacturing overhead costs using production volume. Some of the production managers believe that the number of setups may also have an impact on monthly manufacturing overhead costs. In order to investigate this possibility, the company collected information on its monthly manufacturing overhead costs, production in units, and number of setups for 2016.

Month Production
(Units)
Manufacturing
Overhead Cost
Number of Setups
1 50,000 $800,100 17
2 65,000 752,500 16
3 40,000 795,100 21
4 55,000 822,750 16
5 30,000 771,225 21
6 25,000 706,200 15
7 60,000 843,000 19
8 80,000 935,200 22
9 77,000 901,750 20
10 43,000 786,400 17
11 50,000 819,600 19
12 70,000 880,900 21

Regression analysis results of the information presented above are as follows:
Ordinary regression:
Equation: $650,398 + $3.1061 × units
r-square: .707
Multiple regression:
Equation: $464,481 + $2.5356 × units + $11,631.6048 × number of set ups
r-square: .867

Required:

(a.) Use the results from the ordinary regression and estimate next month’s manufacturing overhead costs, assuming the company is planning to produce 75,000 units. (final answer should be rounded to the nearest whole dollar)
(b.) Use the results from the multiple regression and estimate the next month’s manufacturing costs, assuming the company is planning to produce 75,000 units with 18 set ups. (final answer should be rounded to the nearest whole dollar)
(c.) Comment on which regression seems to be more appropriate under these circumstances. What additional information would you like to see? Be specific.

 

 

 

 

114. Barnard Enterprises had an average cost of $8.60 during a month when 75,000 units were produced. When production was 125,000 units several months later, the average cost dropped to $6.98.

Required:

(a.) Determine the fixed and variable portions of production costs.
(b.) What will unit cost be when production equals 110,000 units?

 

 

 

 

115. Doran Products had costs of $950,000 when sales equaled 55,000 units. When sales increased to 85,000 units, total costs increased to $1,400,000. The selling price is $21 per unit.

Required:

(a.) Determine the fixed and variable portions of costs.
(b.) Prepare a contribution margin income statement for a month with sales of 70,000 units.

 

 

 

 

116. Markham, Inc. has received a contract for 8 units of a new product. The contract is a cost-plus contract, with the total to be received equal to the total labor cost + 30%. Markham found that the first unit of a new product required 90 hours to complete. The second unit was completed using only 76.5 hours. Markham believes that the rate of learning that was observed will continue for all 8 units of the contract. The labor wage paid is $40/hour. The following factors are available for various rates of learning: 80% learning, b = -.3219; 85%, b = -.2345; 90%, b = -.1520; 95%, b = -.0740.

Required:

(a.) What will the total labor cost be for the contract?
(b.) What will be the total fee for the contract?

 

 

 

 

117. Woodman Products, Inc., has found that new products follow a learning curve. The first two units have been completed with the following results:

Units Produced Marginal Labor Time
1 112.50
2 90.00

Required:

(a.) How much time will be needed to complete the 4th unit?
(b.) How much time will be needed to complete the 8th unit?
(c.) How much time will be needed to complete the 16th unit?

 

 

 

 

118. Below are several examples of costs that are labeled fixed or variable according to their typical accounting designations. Under which circumstances would any of these costs behave in a manner opposite to that listed?

a. Direct labor—variable.
b. Equipment depreciation—fixed.
c. Utilities (with a minimum charge)—variable.
d. Supervisory salaries—fixed.
e. Indirect materials purchased in given lot sizes that become spoiled within a few days—variable.

 

 

 

 

119. When using past data to predict a cost that has fixed and variable components, it is possible to have an equation with a negative intercept. Does this mean that at a zero production level, the company will make money on its fixed costs? Explain.

 

 

 

 

120. Describe the engineering method of cost estimation. Provide two advantages and two disadvantages associated with the engineering approach to cost estimation.

 

 

 

 

121. Explain the difference between the engineering method of cost estimation and the account analysis method.

 

 

 

 

122. When preparing cost estimates for account analysis purposes, should the costs be extracted from the historical accounting records?

 

 

 

 

123. Describe two advantages and two disadvantages of the high-low method of cost estimation.

 

 

 

 

124. Is it possible to compensate for the effects of price instability when preparing cost esti­mates using high-low or regression techniques?

 

 

 

 

125. J.C. Riley owns Riley’s Auto Repair Shop. J.C. is trying to determine whether the company’s advertising pro­gram is successful. He has used a spreadsheet program to estimate the relationship between advertising expenditures and sales dollars. Monthly data for the past two years were entered into the program. The regression results indicated the following:
Sales dollars = $169, 000 – ($200 × Advertising expenditures)
Correlation coefficient = -.864
To J.C., the results imply that advertising is actually reducing sales. Can you help explain to him what might cause the negative relationship between advertising expendi­tures and sales?

 

 

 

 

126. Southside Hospital is trying to get a better idea of the costs in its cardiac surgical unit. Unit cost data for supplies, labor, etc. have been collected for a three-year period. After analyzing the data using Excel, the following output was generated, based on 1,500 procedures.
Intercept = $2,169, 000
Coefficient on procedures $972
Correlation coefficient = .448
R2 = .189
The controller asks you for advice on whether to rely on this estimate. Based on the output, what would you say?

 

 

 

 

127. What are “outliers” and what effect does their presence have when using regression analysis for cost estimation?

 

 

 

 

128. Describe the effect on cost estimation of four of the following five problems: 1) missing data, 2) outliers, 3) allocated and discretionary costs, 4) inflation, or 5) mismatched time periods.

 

 

 

 

129. Your manager asks you for a cost estimate to open a new retail outlet and says, “I want you to use statistical analysis, so it will be objective because it is based on real data.” How would you respond?

 

 

 

 

130. Fast-food restaurants, like Taco Bell and McDonalds are known for high employee turnover, high qual­ity, and low costs. Using your knowledge of the learning phenomenon, how do these fast-food chains get high quality and low costs when they have so much employee turnover?

 

 

 

 

131. Assume that as part of their recent merger, Dell and EMC are perfecting a new device that will access and coordinate the Internet of Things. The new company is inter­ested in estimating the impact of learning on the cost of producing this new device and plan to use data from previous products to esti­mate the learning parameter. What are the advantages of doing this? What are the disadvantages?

 

 

 

 

Chapter 05 Cost Estimation Answer Key

 

True / False Questions

1. Cost behavior is the most important characteristic for managerial decision making.

TRUE

This is a fundamental concept.

 

AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Remember
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-01 Understand the reasons for estimating fixed and variable costs.
Topic: Basic Cost Behavior Patterns
 

 

2. In general, accounting records accumulate cost information according to its behavior (i.e., variable and fixed).

FALSE

Accounting records accumulate cost information by account.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Remember
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-01 Understand the reasons for estimating fixed and variable costs.
Topic: Basic Cost Behavior Patterns
 

 

3. In general, cost behavior results are likely to differ between the engineering method and the account analysis method.

TRUE

Results are likely to differ from method to method.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-01 Understand the reasons for estimating fixed and variable costs.
 

 

4. The engineering method of determining cost behavior is particularly useful for new activities or products.

TRUE

This is true because there often is no history to rely on.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-02 Estimate costs using engineering estimates.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

5. One advantage of the engineering method is that it does not require data from prior periods to estimate cost behavior.

TRUE

The engineering method is based on what needs to be done, not what was done in prior periods.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-02 Estimate costs using engineering estimates.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

6. One advantage of the account analysis method for estimating cost behavior is that it includes actual work conditions.

TRUE

The account analysis method is based on existing circumstances.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-03 Estimate costs using account analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

7. The account analysis method is more subjective than other cost estimation methods because it relies heavily on the personal judgment and experience of accountants.

TRUE

Different accountants will have different experience and will classify items accordingly.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-03 Estimate costs using account analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

8. In general, the account analysis method focuses on the underlying relationship between cost and activities from the previous period.

TRUE

The identification of the relationship between this relationship (the dependent and independent variable) is key to the analysis.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-03 Estimate costs using account analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

9. The relevant range represents those activity levels for which valid cost relationships have been observed.

TRUE

This is a definition of the term relevant range.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
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Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Remember
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

10. A scattergraph is useful for identifying outliers/irrelevant data points.

TRUE

This visual representation gives an indication of unusual or extreme points that are outside the area determined to be the norm.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

11. One disadvantage of the high-low method is the highest and lowest points may not be representative of normal operating activities.

TRUE

High and low points may reflect unusual circumstances.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
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Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

12. One advantage that regression techniques have over other cost estimation methods is it generates information that can be used to determine how well the estimated cost equation will predict future costs.

TRUE

It is objective, provides a number of statistics not available from other methods, and could be the only feasible method when more than one predictor is used.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
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Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

13. Because outliers are extreme data points, they can be included in the regression analysis and not significantly affect the results.

FALSE

Outliers will significantly affect the results as they did in the High and Low analysis.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
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Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

14. In general, the use of multiple independent variables increases the proportion of the variation in the dependent variable explained by the cost equation.

TRUE

This is a basic principal. The adjusted R-squared (R2) is the correlation coefficient squared and adjusted for the number of independent variables used to make the estimate. This adjustment to R2 recognizes that as the number of independent variables increases, R2 (unadjusted) increases.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
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Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

15. One way to control the effects of a nonlinear relation between total costs and volume is to reduce the relevant range.

TRUE

This is done as a basis for defining cost-volume-profit relationship by the use of a smaller range of data in order to avoid the need to use differential calculus.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-06 Identify potential problems with regression data.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

16. The linear cost estimate tends to understate the slope of the cost line in ranges close to capacity.

TRUE

As capacity is approached there are changes in the costs such as additional overtime due to scheduling problems.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-06 Identify potential problems with regression data.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

17. Cost estimates using regression analysis are always more accurate and dependable than cost estimates using the scattergraph methods.

FALSE

Not always. If the data is linear the scattergraph method will give the same results as regression analysis.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
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Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-06 Identify potential problems with regression data.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

18. A basic assumption of most cost estimation methods is cost behavior patterns are linear within the relevant range.

TRUE

Most cost estimation models are linear models and assume that the underlying data is linear.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-07 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of alternative cost estimation methods.
Topic: How is an Estimation Method Chosen?
 

 

19. The quality of the cost equation depends on collecting appropriate data.

TRUE

The results obtained are only as good as the data used. If data improves, so will the results.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-07 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of alternative cost estimation methods.
Topic: How is an Estimation Method Chosen?
 

 

20. Different cost estimations methods may produce different cost equations, even when using the same set of data.

TRUE

The general rule is that moving up the hierarchy of cost estimation methods will cost more to implement but will return a more accurate result.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-07 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of alternative cost estimation methods.
Topic: How is an Estimation Method Chosen?
 

 

Multiple Choice Questions

21. Which of the following statements is (are) true regarding cost behaviors?

(A) In general, accounting records accumulate cost information according to its behavior.
(B) Cost behaviors are the most important consideration in managerial decision making.

A. Only A is true.

 

B. Only B is true.

 

C. Both A and B are true.

 

D. Neither A nor B is true.

Accounting records accumulate information by account and not by behavior.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-01 Understand the reasons for estimating fixed and variable costs.
Topic: Basic Cost Behavior Patterns
 

 

22. Which of the following is the difference between variable costs and fixed costs: (CMA adapted)

A. Variable costs per unit fluctuate and fixed costs per unit remain constant.

 

B. Variable costs per unit are fixed over the relevant range and fixed costs per unit are variable.

 

C. Total variable costs are variable over the relevant range and fixed in the long term, while fixed costs never change.

 

D. Variable costs per unit change in varying increments, while fixed costs per unit change in equal units.

Variable costs per unit are constant, fixed costs in total are constant; in the long term all costs are variable.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-01 Understand the reasons for estimating fixed and variable costs.
Topic: Basic Cost Behavior Patterns
 

 

23. A cost driver is defined as: (CMA adapted)

A. the largest cost in a manufacturing process.

 

B. a fixed cost that cannot be avoided.

 

C. the significant factor in developing a new product.

 

D. a causal factor that increases the total cost of a cost objective.

A cost driver is a causal factor that increases the total cost of a cost objective.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-01 Understand the reasons for estimating fixed and variable costs.
Topic: Basic Cost Behavior Patterns
 

 

24. Which cost estimation method does not use the company’s cost information as its primary source of information about the relationship between total costs and activity levels?

A. Scattergraph.

 

B. High-low.

 

C. Account analysis.

 

D. Engineering estimates.

The engineering method uses time and motion studies (estimates), rather than cost estimates.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-02 Estimate costs using engineering estimates.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

25. A manager is trying to estimate the manufacturing costs of a new product. The company makes several other products that utilize some of the same manufacturing procedures as the new product. Which cost estimation method would be the best method to determine the total cost of manufacturing the new product?

A. Engineering estimates.

 

B. Regression analysis.

 

C. Account analysis.

 

D. Scattergraph.

A new product has no previous history so there is no past data points, regression, or account analysis ability.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-02 Estimate costs using engineering estimates.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

26. Engineering cost estimates are usually based on operating conditions that are considered:

A. optimal.

 

B. practical.

 

C. attainable.

 

D. historical.

Engineering estimates are often based on optimal conditions. This results in a difficulty in selecting this technique.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-02 Estimate costs using engineering estimates.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

27. Which of the following cost estimation methods finds the fixed portion of a mixed cost before calculating the variable portion?

A. Scattergraph.

 

B. High-low method.

 

C. Account analysis.

 

D. Linear regression.

Account analysis finds the fixed portion of a mixed cost before calculating the variable portion; all of the other methods estimate the variable portion either first or simultaneously with fixed costs.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-02 Estimate costs using engineering estimates.
 

 

28. Which of the following costs would most likely be classified as variable, assuming the account analysis method is used to determine cost behaviors?

A. Indirect materials.

 

B. Supervisory salaries.

 

C. Equipment maintenance.

 

D. Building occupancy costs.

Only indirect materials would have variable behavior. All the other items have fixed behavior.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-03 Estimate costs using account analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

29. Given the following information, compute the total number of units for the period:

Direct labor hours 12,000
Direct labor cost $2.70 per hour
Direct materials cost $75 per unit
Total manufacturing cost $132,600
Fixed overhead cost $36,000
Variable overhead cost 50% of total labor cost

 

A. 360.

 

B. 432.

 

C. 640.

 

D. 840.

$132,600 = $75(units) + 12,000($2.70) + .50(12,000)($2.70) + $36,000; Units = 640

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-03 Estimate costs using account analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

30. In the cost equation TC = F + VX, X is best described as the:

A. costs that do not vary with changes in the activity level.

 

B. costs that do vary with changes in the activity level.

 

C. total cost estimate at a particular activity level.

 

D. activity level used to estimate the total cost.

The letter “X” is best described as the activity level used to estimate the total cost; for example, this would be the volume in number of units of output, by definition.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-03 Estimate costs using account analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

31. In the cost equation TC = F + VX, V is best described as the:

A. costs that do not vary with changes in the activity level.

 

B. intercept of the cost equation.

 

C. slope of the cost equation.

 

D. activity level used to estimate the dependent variable.

The letter “V” is the variable cost per unit which makes up the slope of the variable cost curve.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-03 Estimate costs using account analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

32. Ballard Company incurred a total cost of $8,600 to produce 400 units of pulp. Each unit of pulp required five (5) direct labor hours to complete. What is the total fixed cost if the variable cost was $1.50 per direct labor hour?

A. $1,700.

 

B. $3,000.

 

C. $5,600.

 

D. $8,000.

$8,600 = FC + $1.50(400)(5); FC = $5,600

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-03 Estimate costs using account analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

33. The term “relevant range” as used in cost accounting means the range over which:

A. relevant costs are incurred.

 

B. costs may fluctuate.

 

C. cost relationships are valid.

 

D. cost data is available.

Relevant range is the level of activity for which a cost estimate may be valid.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Remember
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

34. Which of the following cost estimation methods finds the variable portion of a mixed cost before calculating the fixed portion?

A. Engineering approach.

 

B. High-low method.

 

C. Account analysis.

 

D. Linear regression.

Account analysis finds the fixed first; regression and engineering find fixed and variable simultaneously; the high-low method finds the variable portion of a mixed cost before calculating the fixed portion.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

35. A disadvantage of the high-low method of cost analysis is that it:

A. typically results in a totally inaccurate cost formula.

 

B. is too time consuming to apply.

 

C. uses only two data points, which may not be representative of normal conditions.

 

D. relies totally on the judgment of the person performing the cost analysis.

The estimates are not always inaccurate; the high-low method is fast to apply, and it doesn’t rely solely on judgment.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

36. In the standard regression equation of y = a + bx, the letter b is best described as the:

A. independent variable.

 

B. dependent variable.

 

C. slope of the equation.

 

D. intercept of the equation.

The letter “b” is the slope of the equation; this is a basic definition of the term of the formula.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

37. In the standard regression equation of y = a + bx, the letter a is best described as the:

A. independent variable.

 

B. dependent variable.

 

C. slope of the equation.

 

D. intercept of the equation.

The letter “a” is the intercept of the equation; this is a basic definition of the term of the formula.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

38. In the standard regression equation of y = a + bx, the letter y is best described as the:

A. independent variable.

 

B. dependent variable.

 

C. slope of the equation.

 

D. intercept of the equation.

The letter “y” is best described as the dependent variable; this is a basic definition of the term of the formula.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

39. The coefficient of correlation is:

A. the range of values over which the probability may be estimated based upon the regression equation results.

 

B. the proportion of the total variance in the dependent variable explained by the independent variable.

 

C. the measure of variability of the actual observations from the predicting (forecasting) equation line.

 

D. the relative degree that changes in one variable can be used to estimate changes in another variable.

This is the definition of the coefficient of correlation.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

40. Brewsky’s is a chain of micro-breweries. Managers are interested in the costs of the stores and believe that the costs can be explained in large part by the number of customers patron­izing the stores. Monthly data regarding customer visits and costs for the preceding year for one of the stores have been entered into the regression analysis and the analysis is as follows:

Average monthly customer-visits 1,462
Average monthly total costs $4,629
Regression Results  
Intercept $1,496
b coefficient $2.08
R2 0.86814

In a regression equation expressed as y = a + bx, how is the letter b best described? (CMA adapted)

A. An estimate of the probability of return customers.

 

B. The fixed costs per customer-visit.

 

C. The estimate of the cost for an additional customer visit.

 

D. The proximity of the data points to the regression line.

The letter b is best described as the estimate of the cost for an additional customer visit.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

41. Brewsky’s is a chain of micro-breweries. Managers are interested in the costs of the stores and believe that the costs can be explained in large part by the number of customers patron­izing the stores. Monthly data regarding customer visits and costs for the preceding year for one of the stores have been entered into the regression analysis and the analysis is as follows:

Average monthly customer-visits 1,462
Average monthly total costs $4,629
Regression Results  
Intercept $1,496
b coefficient $2.08
R2 0.86814

How is the letter y in the regression equation best described? (CMA adapted)

A. An estimate of the total customers for the month.

 

B. The observed store cost for a given month.

 

C. The estimate of the number of new customer visits for the month.

 

D. The proximity of the data points to the regression line.

The letter y is best described as the observed store cost for a given month.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

42. Brewsky’s is a chain of micro-breweries. Managers are interested in the costs of the stores and believe that the costs can be explained in large part by the number of customers patron­izing the stores. Monthly data regarding customer visits and costs for the preceding year for one of the stores have been entered into the regression analysis and the analysis is as follows:

Average monthly customer-visits 1,462
Average monthly total costs $4,629
Regression Results  
Intercept $1,496
b coefficient $2.08
R2 0.86814

How is the letter x in the regression equation best described? (CMA adapted)

A. Fixed costs per each customer-visit.

 

B. The observed store costs for a given month.

 

C. The estimate of the number of new customer visits for the month.

 

D. The observed customer visits for a given month.

The letter x is best described as the observed customer visits for a given month.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

43. Brewsky’s is a chain of micro-breweries. Managers are interested in the costs of the stores and believe that the costs can be explained in large part by the number of customers patron­izing the stores. Monthly data regarding customer visits and costs for the preceding year for one of the stores have been entered into the regression analysis and the analysis is as follows:

Average monthly customer-visits 1,462
Average monthly total costs $4,629
Regression Results  
Intercept $1,496
b coefficient $2.08
R2 0.86814

Based on the data derived from the regression analysis, what are the estimated costs for 1,600 customer-visits in a month? (CMA adapted)

A. $6,125.

 

B. $4,629.

 

C. $3,328.

 

D. $4,824.

The estimated costs for a month with 1,600 customer visits is $4,824 (= $1,496 + $2.08 × 1,600 customer-visits).

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

44. Brewsky’s is a chain of micro-breweries. Managers are interested in the costs of the stores and believe that the costs can be explained in large part by the number of customers patron­izing the stores. Monthly data regarding customer visits and costs for the preceding year for one of the stores have been entered into the regression analysis and the analysis is as follows:

Average monthly customer-visits 1,462
Average monthly total costs $4,629
Regression Results  
Intercept $1,496
b coefficient $2.08
R2 0.86814

What is the percent of the total variance that can be explained by the regression equation? (CMA adapted)

A. 86.8%

 

B. 31.6%

 

C. 97.7%

 

D. 71.9%

The total variance that can be explained by the regression is 86.8% (= R2).

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

45. The Macon Company uses the high-low method to determine its cost equation. The following information was gathered for the past year:

  Machine Hours Direct Labor Costs
Busiest month (June) 14,000 $200,000
Slowest month (December) 6,000 $120,000

What are the direct labor costs per machine hour?

A. $20.00.

 

B. $16.00.

 

C. $14.29.

 

D. $10.00.

VC per M/C Hr. = ($200,000 – 120,000)/(14,000 – 6,000) = $10.00

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

46. The Macon Company uses the high-low method to determine its cost equation. The following information was gathered for the past year:

  Machine Hours Direct Labor Costs
Busiest month (June) 14,000 $200,000
Slowest month (December) 6,000 $120,000

If Macon expects to use 10,000 machine hours next month, what are the estimated direct labor costs?

A. $160,000.

 

B. $180,000.

 

C. $175,000.

 

D. $150,000.

VC per unit = ($200,000 – 120,000)/(14,000 – 6,000) = $10.00: FC = $120,000 – $10(6,000) = $60,000; TC = $60,000 + $10 (10,000) = $160,000

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

47. Fromme’s Frocks has the following machine hours and production costs for the last six months of last year:

Month Machine Hours Production Cost
July 15,000 $12,075
August 13,500 10,800
September 11,500 9,580
October 15,500 12,080
November 14,800 11,692
December 12,100 9,922

If Fromme expects to incur 14,000 machine hours in January, what will be the estimated total production cost using the high-low method?

A. $8,750.00.

 

B. $11,142.50.

 

C. $22,400.00.

 

D. $10,889.10.

VC per unit = ($12,080 – 9,580)/(15,500 – 11,500) = $.625; FC = $12,080 – $.625(15,500) = $2,392.50; TC = $2,392.50 + $.625(14,000) = $11,142.50

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

48. The controller of Fortnight Co. has requested a quick estimate of the manufacturing supplies needed for the Cleveland Plant for the month of July, when production is expected to be 470,000 units to meet the ending inventory requirements and sales of 475,000 units. Fortnight Co.’s budget analyst has the following actual data for the last three months.

Month Production in Units Manufacturing Supplies
March 450,000 $723,060
April 540,000 853,560
May 480,000 766,560

Using the high-low method to develop a cost estimating equation, the estimate of needed manufacturing supplies for July would be: (CMA adapted)

A. $681,500.

 

B. $688,750.

 

C. $749,180.

 

D. $752,060.

VC per unit = ($853,560 – 723,060)/(540,000 – 450,000) = $1.45 per unit; FC = $853,560 – $1.45(540,000) = $70,560; TC = $70,560 + $1.45(470,000) = $752,060

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

49. The Crater Manufacturing Company recorded overhead costs of $14,182 at an activity level of 4,200 machine hours and $8,748 at 2,300 machine hours. The records also indicated that overhead of $9,730 was incurred at 2,600 machine hours. What is the variable cost per machine hour using the high-low method to estimate the cost equation?

A. $2.78.

 

B. $2.86.

 

C. $3.10.

 

D. $3.38.

($14,182 – 8,748)/(4,200 – 2,300) = $2.86

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

50. The Missou Manufacturing Company recorded overhead costs of $14,182 at an activity level of 4,200 machine hours and $8,748 at 2,300 machine hours. The records also indicated that overhead of $9,730 was incurred at 2,600 machine hours. What is the total estimated cost for 2,600 machine hours using the high-low method to estimate the cost equation?

A. $9,730.

 

B. $9,606.

 

C. $9,106.

 

D. $8,788.

VC = ($14,182 – 8,748)/(4,200 – 2,300) = $2.86; FC = $14,182 – 2.86(4,200) = $2,170; TC = $2,170 + $2.86(2,600) = $9,606

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

51. The cost accountants at the Barkley Company regressed total overhead costs and direct labor hours for the past 30-months and reported the following results:

Slope $41.27
Intercept $596.36
Correlation Coefficient .934

What is the estimated overhead cost if 225 direct labor hours are expected to be used in the upcoming period? (rounded to the nearest whole dollar)

A. $10,534.

 

B. $9,882.

 

C. $9,230.

 

D. $8,617.

$596.36 + $41.27(225) = $9,882.11

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

52. The McGraw Company is accumulating data to be used in preparing its annual profit plan for the coming year. The cost behavior pattern of the maintenance costs must be determined. The accounting staff has suggested that linear regression be employed to derive an equation in the form of y = a + bx for maintenance costs. Data regarding the maintenance hours and costs for last year and the results of the regression analysis are as follows: (CMA adapted)

  Hours of Activity Maintenance Costs
January 480 $4,200
February 320 3,000
March 400 3,600
April 300 2,820
May 500 4,350
June 310 2,960
July 320 3,030
August 520 4,470
September 490 4,260
October 470 4,050
November 350 3,300
December   340    3,160
Sum 4,800 $43,200
Average 400 3,600
A coefficient   684.65
B coefficient   7.2884
Standard error of the a coefficient 49.515  
Standard error of the b coefficient .12126  
Standard error of the estimate   34.469
R2   .99724
T-value a   13.827
T-value b   60.105

What would be the cost equation if regression analysis is used?

A. Maintenance Costs = 7.2884 + 684.65 × Hours of Activity.

 

B. Maintenance Costs = 684.65 + 49.515 × Hours of Activity.

 

C. Maintenance Costs = 684.65 + 7.2884 × Hours of Activity.

 

D. Maintenance Costs = 34.469 + .99724 × Hours of Activity.

Maintenance Costs = 684.65 + 7.2884 × Hours of Activity.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

53. The McGraw Company is accumulating data to be used in preparing its annual profit plan for the coming year. The cost behavior pattern of the maintenance costs must be determined. The accounting staff has suggested that linear regression be employed to derive an equation in the form of y = a + bx for maintenance costs. Data regarding the maintenance hours and costs for last year and the results of the regression analysis are as follows: (CMA adapted)

  Hours of Activity Maintenance Costs
January 480 $4,200
February 320 3,000
March 400 3,600
April 300 2,820
May 500 4,350
June 310 2,960
July 320 3,030
August 520 4,470
September 490 4,260
October 470 4,050
November 350 3,300
December   340    3,160
Sum 4,800 $43,200
Average 400 3,600
A coefficient   684.65
B coefficient   7.2884
Standard error of the a coefficient 49.515  
Standard error of the b coefficient .12126  
Standard error of the estimate   34.469
R2   .99724
T-value a   13.827
T-value b   60.105

Based upon the data derived from the regression analysis, 420 maintenance hours in a month would mean the maintenance costs would be budgeted at: (rounded to the nearest whole dollar)

A. $3,797.

 

B. $3,780.

 

C. $3,746.

 

D. $3,600.

$684.65 + $7.2884(420) = $3,746

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

54. The McGraw Company is accumulating data to be used in preparing its annual profit plan for the coming year. The cost behavior pattern of the maintenance costs must be determined. The accounting staff has suggested that linear regression be employed to derive an equation in the form of y = a + bx for maintenance costs. Data regarding the maintenance hours and costs for last year and the results of the regression analysis are as follows: (CMA adapted)

  Hours of Activity Maintenance Costs
January 480 $4,200
February 320 3,000
March 400 3,600
April 300 2,820
May 500 4,350
June 310 2,960
July 320 3,030
August 520 4,470
September 490 4,260
October 470 4,050
November 350 3,300
December   340    3,160
Sum 4,800 $43,200
Average 400 3,600
A coefficient   684.65
B coefficient   7.2884
Standard error of the a coefficient 49.515  
Standard error of the b coefficient .12126  
Standard error of the estimate   34.469
R2   .99724
T-value a   13.827
T-value b   60.105

What is the variable cost per hour using the high-low method to estimate the cost equation?

A. $9.00.

 

B. $7.50.

 

C. $0.1333.

 

D. $0.1111.

($4,470 – 2,820)/(520 – 300) = $7.50

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

55. The McGraw Company is accumulating data to be used in preparing its annual profit plan for the coming year. The cost behavior pattern of the maintenance costs must be determined. The accounting staff has suggested that linear regression be employed to derive an equation in the form of y = a + bx for maintenance costs. Data regarding the maintenance hours and costs for last year and the results of the regression analysis are as follows: (CMA adapted)

  Hours of Activity Maintenance Costs
January 480 $4,200
February 320 3,000
March 400 3,600
April 300 2,820
May 500 4,350
June 310 2,960
July 320 3,030
August 520 4,470
September 490 4,260
October 470 4,050
November 350 3,300
December   340    3,160
Sum 4,800 $43,200
Average 400 3,600
A coefficient   684.65
B coefficient   7.2884
Standard error of the a coefficient 49.515  
Standard error of the b coefficient .12126  
Standard error of the estimate   34.469
R2   .99724
T-value a   13.827
T-value b   60.105

What is the fixed cost per month using the high-low method to estimate the cost equation?

A. $570.

 

B. $600.

 

C. $1,140.

 

D. $2,250.

VC = ($4,470 – 2,820)/(520 – 300) = $7.50; FC = $2,820 – 7.50 × 300 = $570

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

56. The McGraw Company is accumulating data to be used in preparing its annual profit plan for the coming year. The cost behavior pattern of the maintenance costs must be determined. The accounting staff has suggested that linear regression be employed to derive an equation in the form of y = a + bx for maintenance costs. Data regarding the maintenance hours and costs for last year and the results of the regression analysis are as follows: (CMA adapted)

  Hours of Activity Maintenance Costs
January 480 $4,200
February 320 3,000
March 400 3,600
April 300 2,820
May 500 4,350
June 310 2,960
July 320 3,030
August 520 4,470
September 490 4,260
October 470 4,050
November 350 3,300
December   340    3,160
Sum 4,800 $43,200
Average 400 3,600
A coefficient   684.65
B coefficient   7.2884
Standard error of the a coefficient 49.515  
Standard error of the b coefficient .12126  
Standard error of the estimate   34.469
R2   .99724
T-value a   13.827
T-value b   60.105

Using the high-low method to estimate cost behavior, 420 maintenance hours in a month would mean the maintenance costs would be budgeted at:

A. $3,150.

 

B. $3,600.

 

C. $3,720.

 

D. $3,780.

$570 + $7.50(420) = $3,720

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

57. The McGraw Company is accumulating data to be used in preparing its annual profit plan for the coming year. The cost behavior pattern of the maintenance costs must be determined. The accounting staff has suggested that linear regression be employed to derive an equation in the form of y = a + bx for maintenance costs. Data regarding the maintenance hours and costs for last year and the results of the regression analysis are as follows: (CMA adapted)

  Hours of Activity Maintenance Costs
January 480 $4,200
February 320 3,000
March 400 3,600
April 300 2,820
May 500 4,350
June 310 2,960
July 320 3,030
August 520 4,470
September 490 4,260
October 470 4,050
November 350 3,300
December   340    3,160
Sum 4,800 $43,200
Average 400 3,600
A coefficient   684.65
B coefficient   7.2884
Standard error of the a coefficient 49.515  
Standard error of the b coefficient .12126  
Standard error of the estimate   34.469
R2   .99724
T-value a   13.827
T-value b   60.105

What would be the cost equation if the high-low method is used?

A. Maintenance Costs = 9.00 × Hours of Activity.

 

B. Maintenance Costs = 3,600 + 400 × Hours of Activity.

 

C. Maintenance Costs = 570 + 7.50 × Hours of Activity.

 

D. Maintenance Costs = 34.469 + .99724 × Hours of Activity.

VC = ($4,470 – 2,820)/(520 – 300) = $7.50; FC = $2,820 – 7.50 × 300 = $570

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

58. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

If the controller uses the high-low method to estimate costs, the variable cost per credit hour is:

A. $82.33.

 

B. $103.56.

 

C. $111.96.

 

D. $201.22.

VC = ($225,580 – 82,613)/(1,392 – 115) = $111.96

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

59. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

If the controller uses the high-low method to estimate costs, the fixed cost portion of the cost equation for administrative salaries is:

A. $198,808.

 

B. $69,731.68.

 

C. $96,409.42.

 

D. $19,943.58.

VC = ($225,580 – 82,613)/(1,392 – 115) = $111.96; FC = $225,580 – 111.96 × 1,392 = $69,731.68

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

60. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

If the controller uses the high-low method to estimate costs, the cost equation for administrative salaries is:

A. Cost = $96,409.42 + $103.56 × Credit-hours.

 

B. Cost = $69,731.68 + $111.96 × Credit-hours.

 

C. Cost = $201.21 × Credit-hours.

 

D. Cost = $198,808.

VC = ($225,580 – 82,613)/(1,392 – 115) = $111.96; FC = $225,580 – 111.96 × 1,392 = $69,731.68

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

61. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

Based on the results of the high-low analysis, the estimate of administrative costs in a month with 1,000 credit hours would be: (rounded to the nearest whole dollar)

A. $181,691.68.

 

B. $199,969.

 

C. $201,210.

 

D. $198,808.

$69,731.68 + $111.96 × 1,000 credit-hours = $181,691.68

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

62. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

If the controller uses regression analysis to estimate costs, the cost equation for administrative salaries is:

A. Cost = $19,943.58 + $13.00 × Credit-hours.

 

B. Cost = $69,474.40 + $114 30 × Credit-hours.

 

C. Cost = $96,647.02 + $103.06 x Credit-hours.

 

D. Cost = $12,521.26 + $11.99 × Credit-hours.

Using the Excel output, Cost = $96,647.02 + $103.06 × Credit-hours.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

63. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

If the controller uses regression analysis to estimate costs, the estimate of the variable portion of administrative salaries is:

A. Cost = $8.63 × Credit-hours.

 

B. Cost = $0.87 × Credit-hours.

 

C. Cost = $103.06 × Credit-hours.

 

D. Cost = $11.99 × Credit-hours.

Using the Excel output, Cost = $103.06 × Credit-hours.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

64. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

If the controller uses regression analysis to estimate costs, the estimate of the fixed portion of administrative salaries is:

A. Cost = $103.56.

 

B. Cost = $12,521.26.

 

C. Cost = $19,943.58.

 

D. Cost = $96,647.02.

Using the Excel output, Cost = $96,647.02

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

65. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

Based on the results of the regression analysis, the estimate of administrative costs in a month with 1,000 credit hours would be: (rounded to the nearest whole dollar)

A. $198,808.

 

B. $201,000.

 

C. $199,707.

 

D. $96,409.

$96,647.02 + $103.06 × 1,000 = $199,707

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

66. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

The correlation coefficient (rounded to the 3rd decimal) for the regression equation for administrative costs is:

A. 0.932.

 

B. 0.868.

 

C. 0.856.

 

D. 0.966.

The correlation coefficient for the regression equation for administrative costs is Multiple R or 0.932.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

67. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

The percent of the total variance that can be explained by the regression is:

A. 93.3%.

 

B. 86.8%.

 

C. 85.9%.

 

D. 96.6%.

The percent of the total variance that can be explained by the regression is r-squared or 86.8%.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

68. The College of Business at Northeast College is accumulating data as a first step in the preparation of next year’s budget development. One cost that is being looked at closely is administrative costs as a function of student credit hours. Data on administrative costs and credit hours for the past thirteen months are shown below:

Month Administrative Costs Credit Hours
July $129,301 250
August 82,613 115
September 225,580 1,392
October 216,394 1,000
November 258,263 1,309
December 184,449 1,112
January 219,137 1,339
February 245,000 1,373
March 209,462 1,064
April 191,925 1,123
May 249,978 1,360
June 170,418 420
July 128,167 315
Total $2,510,687 12,172
Average $193,130 936

The controller’s office has analyzed the data and has given you the results from the regression analysis:

SUMMARY OUTPUT              
Repression Statistics              
Multiple R 0.9317157              
R Square 0.868094147              
Adjusted R Square 0.856102705              
Standard Error 20134.92395              
Observations 13              
ANOVA                
  df SS MS F Significance F      
Regression 1 29349143514 29349143514 72.3928117 3.61909E-06      
Residual 11 4459566787 405415162.4          
Total 12 33808710301            
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95% Lower 95.0% Upper 95.0%
Intercept 96647.02398 12641.66539 7.64511803 1.00291E-05 68822.90608 124471.1419 68822.90608 124471.1419
X Variable 1 103.0607697 12.11283103 8.508396541 3.61909E-06 76.40060833 129.720931 76.40060833 129.720931

Based on the results of the regression analysis, the estimate of the variable portion of administrative costs in a month with 200 credit hours would be:

A. $198,808.

 

B. $20,612.

 

C. $117,121.

 

D. $40,242.

$103.06 × 200 = $20,612

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

69. In determining cost behavior in business, the cost function is often expressed as Y = a + bX. Which one of the following cost estimation methods should not be used in estimating fixed and variable costs for the equation? (CMA adapted)

A. Scattergraph method.

 

B. Simple regression.

 

C. High and low point method.

 

D. Management analysis of data.

Management analysis of data is a judgmental approach.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

70. Which of the following may be used to estimate how inventory warehouse costs are affected by both the number of shipments and the weight of the material handled? (CPA adapted)

A. Economic order quantity analysis.

 

B. Probability analysis.

 

C. Correlation analysis.

 

D. Multiple regression analysis.

Only multiple regression analysis is a cost estimation approach.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

71. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

If the controller uses the high-low method to estimate costs, the variable cost per machine hour is:

A. $6.25.

 

B. $6.90.

 

C. $5.77.

 

D. $11.70.

VC = ($31,000 – 13,500)/(4,700 – 1,900) = $6.25

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

72. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

If the controller uses the high-low method to estimate costs, the fixed cost portion of the cost equation for electricity cost is:

A. $3,726.88.

 

B. $1,425.18.

 

C. $1,625.00.

 

D. $22,825.00.

VC = ($31,000 – 13,500)/(4,700 – 1,900) = $6.25; FC = $31,000 – (6.25 × 4,700) = $1,625

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

73. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

If the controller uses the high-low method to estimate costs, the cost equation for electricity cost is:

A. Cost = $3,726.88 + $5.77 × Machine-hours.

 

B. Cost = $1,625.00 + $6.25 × Machine-hours.

 

C. Cost = $6.90 × Machine-hours.

 

D. Cost = $22,825.

VC = ($31,000 – 13,500)/(4,700 – 1,900) = $6.25; FC = $31,000 – (6.25 × 4,700) = $1,625

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

74. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

Based on the results of the high-low analysis, the estimate of electricity costs in a month with 2,200 machine hours would be:

A. $15,375.

 

B. $22,825.

 

C. $15,180.

 

D. $16,427.

$1,625 + $6.25 × 2,200 machine-hours = $15,375

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

75. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

If the controller uses regression analysis to estimate costs, the cost equation for electricity cost is:

A. Cost = $1,425.18 + $12.00 × Machine-hours.

 

B. Cost = $3,726.88 + $1,682.82 × Machine-hours.

 

C. Cost = $1,682.82 + $0.49 × Machine-hours.

 

D. Cost = $3,726.88 + $5.77 × Machine-hours.

Using the Excel output, Cost = $3,726.88 + $5.77 × Machine-hours.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

76. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

If the controller uses regression analysis to estimate costs, the estimate of the variable portion of electricity cost is:

A. Cost = $11.70 × Machine-hours.

 

B. Cost = $0.93 × Machine-hours.

 

C. Cost = $5.77 × Machine-hours.

 

D. Cost = $0.49 × Machine-hours.

Using the Excel output, Cost = $5.77 × Machine-hours.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

77. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

If the controller uses regression analysis to estimate costs, the estimate of the fixed portion of electricity cost is:

A. Cost = $5.77.

 

B. Cost = $1,682.82.

 

C. Cost = $1,425.18.

 

D. Cost = $3,726.88

Using the Excel output, Cost = $3,726.88.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

78. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

Based on the results of the regression analysis, the estimate of electricity costs in a month with 2,200 machine hours would be: (rounded to the nearest whole dollar)

A. $3,727.

 

B. $16,421.

 

C. $15,180.

 

D. $22,825.

$3,726.88 + $5.77 × 2,200 = $16,421

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

79. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

The correlation coefficient for the regression equation for electricity costs is:

A. 0.965.

 

B. 0.932.

 

C. 0.925.

 

D. 0.982.

Multiple R or the correlation coefficient for the regression equation for electricity costs is 0.965.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

80. Thane Company is interested in establishing the relationship between electricity costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine Hours Electricity Costs
January 2,500 18,400
February 2,900 21,000
March 1,900 13,500
April 3,100 23,000
May 3,800 28,250
June 3,300 22,000
July 4,100 24,750
August 3,500 22,750
September 2,000 15,500
October 3,700 26,000
November 4,700 31,000
December 4,200 27,750

 

Summary Output          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R .965          
R Square .932          
Adjusted R2 .925          
Standard Error 1,425.18          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% Upper 95%
Intercept 3,726.88 1,682.82 2.21 0.05 (22.69) 7,476.45
Machine Hours 5.77 0.49 11.7 0.00 4.67 6.87

The percent of the total variance that can be explained by the regression is:

A. 0.965.

 

B. 0.932.

 

C. 0.925.

 

D. 0.982.

The percent of the total variance that can be explained by the regression is the r-square or 0.932.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

81. Balcom Enterprises is planning to introduce a new product that will sell for $110 a unit. Manufacturing cost estimates for 20,000 units for the first year of production are:

• Direct materials $1,000,000
• Direct labor $720,000 (based on $18 per hour × 40,000 hours)
Although overhead has not be estimated for the new product, monthly data for Balcom’s total production for the last two years has been analyzed using simple linear regression. The analysis results are as follows:

Dependent variable Factory overhead costs
Independent variable Direct labor hours
Intercept $120,000
Coefficient on independent variable $5.00
Coefficient of correlation 0.911
R2 0.814

Based on this information, what percentage of the variation in overhead costs is explained by the independent variable?

A. 24%

 

B. 81.4%

 

C. 91.1 %

 

D. 9.7%

R2 explains the variation in Y from the X regressor.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

82. Balcom Enterprises is planning to introduce a new product that will sell for $110 a unit. Manufacturing cost estimates for 20,000 units for the first year of production are:

• Direct materials $1,000,000
• Direct labor $720,000 (based on $18 per hour × 40,000 hours)
Although overhead has not be estimated for the new product, monthly data for Balcom’s total production for the last two years has been analyzed using simple linear regression. The analysis results are as follows:

Dependent variable Factory overhead costs
Independent variable Direct labor hours
Intercept $120,000
Coefficient on independent variable $5.00
Coefficient of correlation 0.911
R2 0.814

Based on this information, what is the total overhead cost for an estimated activity level of 45,000 direct labor-hours?

A. $125,000

 

B. $345,000

 

C. $600,000

 

D. $225,000

$120,000 + ($5 × 45,000) = $345,000

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

83. Balcom Enterprises is planning to introduce a new product that will sell for $110 a unit. Manufacturing cost estimates for 20,000 units for the first year of production are:
• Direct materials $1,000,000
• Direct labor $720,000 (based on $18 per hour × 40,000 hours)
Although overhead has not be estimated for the new product, monthly data for Balcom’s total production for the last two years has been analyzed using simple linear regression. The analysis results are as follows:

Dependent variable Factory overhead costs
Independent variable Direct labor hours
Intercept $120,000
Coefficient on independent variable $5.00
Coefficient of correlation 0.911
R2 0.814

Based on this information, how much is the variable manufacturing cost per unit, using the variable overhead esti­mated by the regression (assuming that direct materials and direct labor are variable costs)?

A. $78

 

B. $91

 

C. $96

 

D. $71

($1,000,000 ÷ 20,000) + ($720,000 ÷ 20,000) + ($5 × 2 labor-hours) = $50 + $36 + $10 = $96

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

84. Balcom Enterprises is planning to introduce a new product that will sell for $110 a unit. Manufacturing cost estimates for 20,000 units for the first year of production are:

• Direct materials $1,000,000
• Direct labor $720,000 (based on $18 per hour × 40,000 hours)
Although overhead has not be estimated for the new product, monthly data for Balcom’s total production for the last two years has been analyzed using simple linear regression. The analysis results are as follows:

Dependent variable Factory overhead costs
Independent variable Direct labor hours
Intercept $120,000
Coefficient on independent variable $5.00
Coefficient of correlation 0.911
R2 0.814

Based on this information, what is the expected contribution margin per unit to be earned during the first year on 20,000 units of the new product? (Assume that all marketing and administrative costs are fixed.)

A. $14

 

B. $13

 

C. $99

 

D. $32

($1,000,000 ÷ 20,000) + ($720,000 ÷ 20,000) + ($5 × 2 labor-hours) = $50 + $36 + $10 = $96; $110 – $96 = $14

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

85. Given actual amounts of a semi-variable cost for various levels of output, the method that will always give the most reliable measure of the fixed and variable components is the:

A. high-low method.

 

B. linear regression method.

 

C. scattergraph method.

 

D. account analysis method.

Linear regression will always give the most reliable measure of the fixed and variable components for various levels of output; high-low may give the best line but scattergraph and account analysis rely on judgment.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-06 Identify potential problems with regression data.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

86. Which of the following statements regarding regression analysis is (are) true?

(A) One way to control the effects of a nonlinear relationship between total costs and activity is reduce the relevant range.
(B) The linear cost estimate tends to understate the slope of the cost line in ranges close to capacity.

A. Only A is true.

 

B. Only B is true.

 

C. Both A and B are true.

 

D. Neither A nor B is true.

Both A and B are true; when capacity is approached there are more scheduling problems and overtime may be needed, changing the variable cost.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-06 Identify potential problems with regression data.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

87. Which of the following is a common assumption of cost estimation?

A. Cost behavior depends on many cost drivers.

 

B. Cost behavior patterns are nonlinear outside of the relevant range.

 

C. Cost behavior patterns are linear within the relevant range.

 

D. Costs are curvilinear.

The two basic assumptions of cost estimation are: single (or few) cost driver(s) and linearity of costs.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-07 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of alternative cost estimation methods.
Topic: How is an Estimation Method Chosen?
 

 

88. Which of the following is not a data problem an analyst must watch for when estimating cost behavior?

A. Missing data.

 

B. Outliers.

 

C. Allocated costs.

 

D. Depreciable assets.

Depreciable assets do not create data problems.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-07 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of alternative cost estimation methods.
Topic: How is an Estimation Method Chosen?
 

 

89. Which of the following is not a data problem an analyst must watch for when estimating cost behavior?

A. Non-numeric data.

 

B. Inflation.

 

C. Discretionary costs.

 

D. Mismatched time periods.

Non-numeric data is easily incorporated into the analysis using indicator variables.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-07 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of alternative cost estimation methods.
Topic: How is an Estimation Method Chosen?
 

 

90. In the learning curve equation Y = aXb, the Y term represents:

A. the labor time required to produce the first unit.

 

B. the labor time required to produce the last single unit.

 

C. the cumulative number of units.

 

D. the index of learning.

In this equation, the Y term represents the labor time required to produce the last single unit.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-09 (Appendix B) Understand the mathematical relationship describing the learning phenomenon.
Topic: Learning Phenomenon
 

 

91. In the learning curve equation Y = aXb, the X term represents:

A. the labor time required to produce the first unit.

 

B. the labor time required to produce the last single unit.

 

C. the cumulative number of units.

 

D. the index of learning.

In this equation, the X term represents the cumulative number of units.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-09 (Appendix B) Understand the mathematical relationship describing the learning phenomenon.
Topic: Learning Phenomenon
 

 

92. In the learning curve equation Y = aXb, the “a” term represents:

A. the labor time required to produce the first unit.

 

B. the labor time required to produce the last single unit.

 

C. the cumulative number of units.

 

D. the index of learning.

In this equation, the “a” term represents the labor time required to produce the first unit.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-09 (Appendix B) Understand the mathematical relationship describing the learning phenomenon.
Topic: Learning Phenomenon
 

 

93. In the learning curve equation Y = aXb, the “b” term represents:

A. the labor time required to produce the first unit.

 

B. the labor time required to produce the last single unit.

 

C. the cumulative number of units.

 

D. the index of learning.

In this equation, the “b” term represents the index of learning.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-09 (Appendix B) Understand the mathematical relationship describing the learning phenomenon.
Topic: Learning Phenomenon
 

 

94. Which of the following statements regarding the learning phenomenon is true?

A. The more units that are produced, the greater the average time to produce a single unit.

 

B. The relationship between number of units produced and the marginal time to produce the latest unit is linear.

 

C. Total labor cost is a linear function of the total units produced.

 

D. As production doubles, the time to produce the latest unit decreases.

Learning curves are nonlinear. Learning means the latest unit takes less time than the previous units. So, as production doubles, the time to produce the latest unit decreases.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-09 (Appendix B) Understand the mathematical relationship describing the learning phenomenon.
Topic: Learning Phenomenon
 

 

95. Bachmann Products, Inc., has found that new products follow a learning curve. The first two units have been completed with the following results:

Units Produced Marginal Labor Time
1 80.00
2 68.00

How much time will be needed to complete the 4th unit?

A. 74.00 hours.

 

B. 57.80 hours.

 

C. 56.00 hours.

 

D. 54.40 hours.

68/80 = 85% × 68 = 57.80 hours

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-09 (Appendix B) Understand the mathematical relationship describing the learning phenomenon.
Topic: Learning Phenomenon
 

 

96. Bachmann Products, Inc., has found that new products follow a learning curve. The first two units have been completed with the following results:

Units Produced Marginal Labor Time
1 80.00
2 68.00

How much time will be needed to complete the 8th unit?

A. 74.00 hours.

 

B. 57.80 hours.

 

C. 56.00 hours.

 

D. 49.13 hours.

68/80 = 85% × 68 = 57.80 hours for 4th unit × 85% = 49.13 hours for 8th unit

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Blooms: Apply
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: automatic
Learning Objective: 05-09 (Appendix B) Understand the mathematical relationship describing the learning phenomenon.
Topic: Learning Phenomenon
 

 

Essay Questions

97. The following manufacturing costs were incurred by the Miracle Mile Company in 2015:

Direct materials $225,000
Direct labor 350,000
Manufacturing overhead 470,000

These costs were incurred to produce 50,000 units of product. Variable manufacturing overhead was 70% of the direct materials cost.
In 2016, the direct material and variable overhead costs per unit will increase by 12%, but the direct labor costs per unit are not expected to change. Fixed manufacturing costs are expected to increase by 8%.

Required:

(a.) Prepare a cost estimate for an activity level of 40,000 units of product in 2016.
(b.) Determine the total product costs per unit for 2015 and 2016.

(a.) $960,220 (2016)
(b.) 2015 unit cost: $1,045,000/50,000 = $20.90; 2016 unit cost: $960,220/40,000 = $24.01

Feedback: (a.) Variable overhead costs (2015) = .70($225,000) = $157,500
Fixed overhead costs (2015) = $470,000 – $157,500 = $312,500

  2015 2016  
Direct materials $225,000 $201,600 (1)
Direct labor 350,000 280,000 (2)
Variable overhead costs 157,500 141,120 (3)
Fixed overhead costs     312,500  337,500 (4)
Total $1,045,000 $960,220  

(1) [($225,0000)/50,000)(1.12)](40,000) = $201,600
(2) ($350,000/50,000)(40,000) = $280,000
(3) [($157,500)/50,000)(1.12)](40,000) = $141,120
(4) ($312,500)(1.08) = $337,500

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-03 Estimate costs using account analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

98. The following manufacturing costs were incurred by the Trinitram Company in 2015:

Direct materials $112,500
Direct labor 175,000
Manufacturing overhead 235,000

These costs were incurred to produce 25,000 units of product. Variable manufacturing overhead was 80% of the direct materials cost.
In 2016, the direct material and variable overhead costs per unit will increase by 15%, but the direct labor costs per unit are not expected to change. Fixed manufacturing costs are expected to increase by 7.5%.

Required:

(a.) Prepare a cost estimate for an activity level of 20,000 units of product in 2016.
(b.) Determine the total product costs per unit for 2015 and 2016.

(a.) $482,175 (2016)
(b.) 2015 unit cost: $522,500/25,000 = $20.90; 2016 unit cost: $482,175/20,000 = $24.11

Feedback: (a.) Variable overhead costs (2015) = .80($112,500) = $90,000
Fixed overhead costs (2015) = $235,000 – $90,000 = $145,000

  2015 2016  
Direct materials $112,500 $103,500 (1)
Direct labor 175,000 140,000 (2)
Variable overhead costs 90,000 82,800 (3)
Fixed overhead costs  145,000   155,875 (4)
Total $522,500 $482, 175  

(1) [($112,500)/25,000)(1.15)](20,000) = $103,500
(2) ($175,000/25,000)(20,000) = $140,000
(3) [($90,000)/25,000)(1.15)](20,000) = $82,800
(4) ($145,000)(1.075) = $155,875

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-03 Estimate costs using account analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

99. The Thomas Company’s total overhead costs at various levels of activity are presented below:

Month Direct Labor Hours Total Overhead
July 7,500 $272,000
August 6,000 234,000
September 9,000 319,000
October 10,500 340,500

Assume that the overhead costs above consist of utilities, supervisory salaries, and maintenance. The breakdown of these costs at the 9,000 direct labor hour level of activity is as follows:

Utilities (V) $137,700
Supervisory Salaries (F) 80,000
Maintenance (M) 101,300
  319,000

Required:

(a.) Using the high-low method, determine the cost formula for maintenance.
(b.) Express the company’s total overhead costs in linear equation form.

(a.) $12,000 + 8.36667 × Direct Labor Hour
(b.) $92,000 + 23.6667 × Direct Labor Hour

Feedback: (a.) Utilities per hour = $137,700/9,000 = $15.30 per direct labor hour
Utility cost at the high point = $15.30(10,500) = $160,650
Utility cost at the low point = $15.30(6,000) = $91,800
Maintenance cost at the high point = $340,500 – 80,000 – 160,650 = $99,850
Maintenance cost at the low point = $234,000 – 80,000 – 91,800 = $62,200
Maintenance cost per hour = ($99,850 – 62,200)/(10,500 – 6,000) = $8.36667
Fixed Maintenance costs per month = $99,850 – ($8.36667 × 10,500) = $12,000
Total maintenance costs = $12,000 + $8.36667 per Direct Labor Hour
(b.) Total overhead costs = ($80,000 + 12,000) + ($15.30 + 8.36667) × Direct Labor Hours = $92,000 + $23.66667 × Direct Labor Hours

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

100. The Feline Company has been having some difficulties estimating its manufacturing overhead costs. In the past, manufacturing overhead costs have been related to production levels. However, some production managers have indicated that the size of their production lots might also be having an impact on the amount of their monthly manufacturing overhead costs. In order to investigate this possibility, the company collected information on its monthly manufacturing overhead costs, production in units, and average production lot size for 2016.

Month Production
(Units)
Manufacturing
Overhead Cost
Average Monthly
Production Lot Size
1 75,000 $925,800 20
2 90,000 843,875 19
3 65,000 910,125 24
4 80,000 946,000 19
5 55,000 879,000 24
6 50,000 825,000 18
7 85,000 960,000 22
8 105,000 1,053,500 25
9 102,000 1,020,000 23
10 68,000 905,000 20
11 75,000 938,000 22
12 95,000 995,000 24

Required:

(a.) Use the high-low method to estimate next month’s manufacturing overhead costs, assuming the company is planning to produce 92,000 units.
(b.) Use the high-low method to estimate next month’s manufacturing overhead costs, assuming the company is planning to run a 21-lot size.

(a.) $999,498
(b.) $922,929

Feedback: (a.) Variable cost per unit = ($1,053,500 – 825,000)/(105,000 – 50,000) = $4.154
Fixed costs = $1,053,500 – ($4.154)(105,000) = $617,330
TC = $617,330 + ($4.154)(92,000) = $999,498
(b.) Variable cost per unit = ($1,053,500 – 825,000)/(25 – 18) = $32,642.857
Fixed costs = $1,053,500 – ($32,642.857)(25) = $237,429
TC = $237,429 + ($32,642.857)(21) = $922,929

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

101. Argo Company ran a regression analysis using direct labor hours as the independent variable and manufacturing overhead costs as the dependent variable. The results are summarized below:

Intercept $14,600
Slope $12.55
Correlation coefficient .931
R-squared .867

Argo is planning on operating at a level that would require 12,000 direct labor hours per month in the upcoming year.

Required:

(a.) Use the information from the regression analysis to write the cost estimation equation for the manufacturing overhead costs.
(b.) Compute the estimated manufacturing overhead costs per month for the upcoming year.

(a.) Total manufacturing overhead costs = $14,600 + ($12.55 × Direct Labor Hours)
(b.) $165,200

Feedback: (b.) Total manufacturing overhead costs = $14,600 + ($12.55)(12,000) = $165,200

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 1 Easy
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

102. The Feline Company has been having some difficulties estimating its manufacturing overhead costs. In the past, manufacturing overhead costs have been related to production levels. However, some production managers have indicated that the size of their production lots might also be having an impact on the amount of their monthly manufacturing overhead costs. In order to investigate this possibility, the company collected information on its monthly manufacturing overhead costs, production in units, and average production lot size for 2016.

Month Production
(Units)
Manufacturing
Overhead Cost
Average Monthly
Production Lot Size
1 75,000 $925,800 20
2 90,000 843,875 19
3 65,000 910,125 24
4 80,000 946,000 19
5 55,000 879,000 24
6 50,000 825,000 18
7 85,000 960,000 22
8 105,000 1,053,500 25
9 102,000 1,020,000 23
10 68,000 905,000 20
11 75,000 938,000 22
12 95,000 995,000 24

Regression analysis results of the information presented above are as follows:
Ordinary regression:

Equation: $691,741 + $3.0692 × units
r-square: .628

Multiple regression:

Equation: $482,172 + $2.4918 × units + $11,770.939 × lot size
r-square: .777


Required:

(a.) Use the results from the ordinary regression and estimate next month’s manufacturing overhead costs, assuming the company is planning to produce 92,000 units. (final answer should be rounded to the nearest whole dollar)
(b.) Use the results from the multiple regression and estimate the next month’s manufacturing costs, assuming the company is planning to produce 92,000 units with an average lot size of 21. (final answer should be rounded to the nearest whole dollar)
(c.) Comment on which regression seems to be more appropriate under these circumstances. What additional information would you like to see? Be specific.

(a.) $974,107
(b.) $958,606
(c.) The multiple regression improves the fit over the ordinary regression. The r-square improves from .628 to .777. Additional information may include tests to determine the significance of the coefficients.

Feedback: (a.) Total manufacturing costs = $691,741 + ($3.0692 × 92,000) = $974,107
(b.) Total manufacturing costs = [$482,171 + ($2.4918 × 92,000) + ($11,770.939 × 21)] = $958,606

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

103. The Ornate Company produces a single product and has total costs ranging from $321,875 (at 20,000 units) to $966,875 (at 80,000 units). Sales volume in 2016 was 32,000, and operating income was $45,125. Ornate’s product is highly specialized; therefore, no units are kept in inventory.

Required:

(a.) Determine the cost equation for Ornate’s costs.
(b.) Prepare a contribution margin income statement for 2016 including separate columns for total dollars, per unit dollars, and percentages.
(c.) Determine the break-even point (in units and in dollars).

(a.) $106,875 + 10.75 × units
(b.)

  Total Per Unit %
Sales $496,000 $15.50 100.000
Variable costs  344,000  10.75  69.355
Contribution margin 152,000 $4.75 30.645
Fixed costs 106,875    
Operating profits $45,125    

(c.) 22,500 units; $348,750

Feedback: (a.) Variable cost per unit = ($966,875 – 321,875)/(80,000 – 20,000) = $10.75
Fixed costs = $966,875 – (80,000)(10.75) = $106,875
(b.) Total contribution margin = $45,125 + 106,875 = $152,000
Total variable costs = $10.75(32,000) = $344,000
Total sales = $344,000 + 152,000 = $496,000
Selling price per unit = $496,000/32,000 = $15.50
Contribution margin per unit = $152,000/32,000 = $4.75
Contribution margin ratio = $152,000/496,000 = 30.645%
(c.) BE = $106,875/4.75 = 22,500 units
BE = $106,875/.30645 = $348,752 (or 22,500 units × $15.50 = $348,750)

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

104. Iowa Enterprises had an average cost of $10.75 during a month when 50,000 units were produced. When production doubled several months later, the average cost dropped to $8.25.

Required:

(a.) Determine the fixed and variable portions of production costs.
(b.) What will unit cost be when production equals 80,000 units?

(a.) total cost = $250,000 + $5.75 × units
(b.) $8.875

Feedback: Total costs must be used rather than unit costs.
(a.) Month 1: 50,000 units × $10.75 = $537,500; Month 2: 100,000 × $8.25 = $825,000. Variable cost = ($825,000 – 537,500)/(100,000 – 50,000) = $5.75. Fixed cost: $825,000 – 100,000 × $5.75 = $250,000
(b.) $250,000 + $5.75 × 80,000 = $710,000/80,000 units = $8.875

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

105. Washington Products had costs of $600,000 when sales equaled 75,000 units. When sales increased by 25,000 units, costs increased by $125,000. The selling price is $9 per unit.

Required:

(a.) Determine the fixed and variable portions of costs.
(b.) Prepare a contribution margin income statement for a month with sales of 80,000 units.

(a.) Costs = $225,000 + $5 × units sold
(b.)

Revenue (80,000 × $9) $720,000
Variable costs (80,000 × $5)  400,000
Contribution margin 320,000
Fixed cost 225,000
Operating profit $95,000

Feedback: (a.) Variable cost = $125,000/25,000 = $5.00. Fixed cost: $600,000 – 75,000 × $5.00 = $225,000

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

106. New Venture, Inc. has received a contract for 8 units of a new product. The contract is a cost-plus contract, with the total to be received equal to the total labor cost + 20%. New Venture found that the first unit of a new product required 120 hours to complete. The second unit was completed using only 114 hours. New Venture believes that the rate of learning that was observed will continue for all 8 units of the contract. The labor wage paid is $25/hour. The following factors are available for various rates of learning: 80% learning, b = -.3219; 85%, b = -.2345; 90%, b = -.1520; 95%, b = -.0740.

Required:

(a.) What will the total labor cost be for the contract?
(b.) What will the total fee be for the contract?

(a.) 871.36 hrs × $25 = $21,784
(b.) $21,784 × 120% = $26,140.80

Feedback: (a.) The learning rate is 114 hrs/120 hrs = 95% learning rate.

units
produced
marginal
labor time
cumulative
labor time
1 (120 × 1-0.074) 120.00 120.00
2 (120 × 2-0.074) 114.00 234.00
3 (120 × 3-0.074) 110.63 344.63
4 (120 × 4-0.074) 108.30 452.93
5 (120 × 5-0.074) 106.53 559.46
6 (120 × 6-0.074) 105.10 664.56
7 (120 × 7-0.074) 103.91 768.47
8 (120 × 8-0.074) 102.89 871.36

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-08 (Appendix A) Use Microsoft Excel to perform a regression analysis.
Topic: Learning Phenomenon
 

 

107. Market Products, Inc., has found that new products follow a learning curve. The first two units have been completed with the following results:

Units Produced Marginal Labor Time
1 250.00
2 225.00

Required:

(a.) How much time will be needed to complete the 4th unit?
(b.) How much time will be needed to complete the 8th unit?
(c.) How much time will be needed to complete the 16th unit?

(a.) 225 × .9 = 202.50
(b.) 202.50 × .9 = 182.25
(c.) 182.25 × .9 = 164.025

Feedback: Learning rate = 225/250 = 90%

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-08 (Appendix A) Use Microsoft Excel to perform a regression analysis.
Topic: Learning Phenomenon
 

 

108. Clough Company is interested in establishing the relationship between utility costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine
Hours
Electricity
Costs
January 3,250 22,080
February 3,770 25,200
March 2,470 16,200
April 4,030 27,600
May 4,940 33,900
June 4,290 26,400
July 5,330 29,700
August 4,550 27,300
September 2,600 18,600
October 4,810 31,200
November 6,110 37,200
December 5,460 33,300

 

SUMMARY OUTPUT          
Regression Statistics            
Multiple R 96.5%          
R Square 93.2%          
Adjusted R-Square 92.5 %          
Standard Error 1,710.21          
Observations 12.00          
  Coefficients Standard
Error
t Stat P-value Lower
95%
Upper
95%
Intercept 4,472.26 2,019.39 2.21 0.051 -27.23 8971.74
Machine Hours 5.329 0.455 11.7 3.69E-07 4.314 6.343

Required:

(a.) What is the equation for utility costs using the regression analysis?
(b.) Does the variable “machine hours” have statistical significance? Explain.
(c.) Prepare an estimate of utility costs for a month when 3,000 machine hours are worked.

(a.) $4,472.26 + $5.329 × machine hours
(b.) Yes, the t-stat of 11.70 exceeds the rough rule of thumb of 2.
(c.) $20,459.26

Feedback: (c.) $4,472.26 + $5.329 × 3,000 = $20,459.26

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

109. Clough Company is interested in establishing the relationship between utility costs and machine hours. Data have been collected and a regression analysis prepared using Excel. The monthly data and the regression output follow:

Month Machine
Hours
Electricity
Costs
January 3,250 22,080
February 3,770 25,200
March 2,470 16,200
April 4,030 27,600
May 4,940 33,900
June 4,290 26,400
July 5,330 29,700
August 4,550 27,300
September 2,600 18,600
October 4,810 31,200
November 6,110 37,200
December 5,460 33,300

Required:

(a.) What is the equation for utility costs using the high-low method?
(b.) Prepare an estimate of utility costs for a month when 3,000 machine hours are worked.

(a.) $1,950.19 + $5.7692 × units
(b.) $19,257.79

Feedback: (a.) Variable: ($37,200 – 16,200)/(6,110 – 2,470) = $5.7692; Fixed: $37,200 – 6,110 × 5.7692 = $1,950.19
(b.) $1,950.19 + $5.7692 × 3,000 = $19,257.79

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

110. Yates Corp. wants to develop a cost equation for its administrative costs. The controller believes the appropriate cost driver is units produced. Last year’s data are presented below:

Month Units
produced
Administrative
Costs
January 32,500 $24,288
February 37,700 27,720
March 24,700 17,820
April 40,300 30,360
May 49,400 37,290
June 42,900 29,040
July 53,300 32,670
August 45,500 30,030
September 26,000 20,460
October 48,100 34,320
November 61,100 40,920
December   54,600    36,630
Total 516,100 $361,548
Average  43,008  $30,129

Required:

(a.) What is the equation for administrative costs using the high-low method?
(b.) Prepare an estimate of administrative costs for a month when 30,000 units are produced.

(a.) $2,145.94 + $0.6346 × units
(b.) $21,183.94

Feedback: (a.) Variable: ($40,920 – 17,820)/(61,100 – 24,700) = $0.6346; Fixed: $40,920 – 61,100 × .6346 = $2,145.94
(b.) $2,145.94 + $0.6346 × 30,000 = $21,183.94

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

111. Yates Corp. wants to develop a cost equation for its administrative costs. The controller believes the appropriate cost driver is units produced. Last year’s data are presented below:

Month Units
produced
Administrative
Costs
January 32,500  $24,288
February 37,700 27,720
March 24,700 17,820
April 40,300 30,360
May 49,400 37,290
June 42,900 29,040
July 53,300 32,670
August 45,500 30,030
September 26,000 20,460
October 48,100 34,320
November 61,100 40,920
December 54,600 36,630

 

SUMMARY OUTPUT          
Regression Statistics          
Multiple R 0.965383          
R Square 0.931965          
Adjusted R-Square 0.925162          
Standard Error 1,881.232          
Observations 12          
             
  Coefficients Standard
Error
t Stat P-value Lower
95%
Upper
95%
Intercept 4,919.48 2,221.329 2.21 0.051156 -29.9485 9,868.909
Units Produced 0.586154 0.050082 11.70 3.69E-07 0.474566 0.697743

Required:

(a.) What is the equation for administrative costs using the regression analysis?
(b.) Does the variable “units produced” have statistical significance? Explain.
(c.) Prepare an estimate of administrative costs for a month when 30,000 units are produced.

(a.) $4,919.48 + $0.586154 × units
(b.) Yes, the t-stat of 11.70 exceeds the rough rule of thumb of 2
(c.) $22,504.10

Feedback: (c.) $4,919.48 + $0.586154 × 30,000 = $22,504.10

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

112. The Wonder Drug Company’s total overhead costs at various levels of activity are presented below:

Month Direct Labor Hours Total Overhead
September 15,000 $472,000
October 12,000 409,400
November 18,000 542,000
December 21,000 604,700

Assume that the overhead costs above consist of indirect labor, scheduling salaries, and maintenance. The breakdown of these costs for the month of November is as follows:

Indirect labor (V) $219,600
Maintenance (M) 197,400
Scheduling Salaries (F)  125,000
  $542,000

Required:

(a.) Using the high-low method, determine the cost formula for maintenance.
(b.) Express the company’s total overhead costs in linear equation form.

(a.) $24,000 + $9.50 per Direct Labor Hour
(b.) $149,000 + $21.70 × Direct Labor Hour

Feedback: (a.) Indirect labor per hour = $219,600/18,000 = $12.20 per direct labor hour
Indirect labor cost at the high point = $12.20(21,000) = $256,200
Indirect labor cost at the low point = $12.20(12,000) = $146,400
Maintenance cost at the high point = $604,700 – 125,000 – 256,200 = $223,500
Maintenance cost at the low point = $409,400 – 125,000 – 146,400 = $138,000
Maintenance cost per hour = ($223,500 – 138,000)/(21,000 – 12,000) = $9.50
Fixed Maintenance costs per month = $223,500 – ($9.50) × (21,000) = $24,000
Total maintenance costs = $24,000 + $9.50 per Direct Labor Hour
(b.) Total overhead costs = ($125,000 + 24,000) + ($12.20 + 9.50) × Direct Labor Hours = $149,000 + $21.70 × Direct Labor Hours

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

113. The Norcross Company has traditionally estimated manufacturing overhead costs using production volume. Some of the production managers believe that the number of setups may also have an impact on monthly manufacturing overhead costs. In order to investigate this possibility, the company collected information on its monthly manufacturing overhead costs, production in units, and number of setups for 2016.

Month Production
(Units)
Manufacturing
Overhead Cost
Number of Setups
1 50,000 $800,100 17
2 65,000 752,500 16
3 40,000 795,100 21
4 55,000 822,750 16
5 30,000 771,225 21
6 25,000 706,200 15
7 60,000 843,000 19
8 80,000 935,200 22
9 77,000 901,750 20
10 43,000 786,400 17
11 50,000 819,600 19
12 70,000 880,900 21

Regression analysis results of the information presented above are as follows:
Ordinary regression:
Equation: $650,398 + $3.1061 × units
r-square: .707
Multiple regression:
Equation: $464,481 + $2.5356 × units + $11,631.6048 × number of set ups
r-square: .867

Required:

(a.) Use the results from the ordinary regression and estimate next month’s manufacturing overhead costs, assuming the company is planning to produce 75,000 units. (final answer should be rounded to the nearest whole dollar)
(b.) Use the results from the multiple regression and estimate the next month’s manufacturing costs, assuming the company is planning to produce 75,000 units with 18 set ups. (final answer should be rounded to the nearest whole dollar)
(c.) Comment on which regression seems to be more appropriate under these circumstances. What additional information would you like to see? Be specific.

(a.) $883,356
(b.) $864,020
(c.) The multiple regression improves the fit over the ordinary regression. The r-square improves from .707 to .867. Additional information may include tests to determine the significance of the coefficients.

Feedback: (a.) Total manufacturing costs = $650,398 + ($3.1061 × 75,000) = $883,356
(b.) Total manufacturing costs = [$464,481 + ($2.5356 × 75,000) + ($11,631.6048 × 18)] = $864,020

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-05 Interpret the results of regression output.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

114. Barnard Enterprises had an average cost of $8.60 during a month when 75,000 units were produced. When production was 125,000 units several months later, the average cost dropped to $6.98.

Required:

(a.) Determine the fixed and variable portions of production costs.
(b.) What will unit cost be when production equals 110,000 units?

(a.) Total cost = $303,750 + $4.55 × units
(b.) $7.3114

Feedback: Total costs must be used rather than unit costs.
(a.) Month 1: 75,000 units × $8.60 = $645,000; Month 2: 125,000 × $6.98 = $872,500. Variable cost = ($872,500 – 645,000)/(125,000 – 75,000) = $4.55. Fixed cost: $872,500 – 125,000 × $4.55 = $303,750
(b.) $303,750 + $4.55 × 110,000 = $804,250/110,000 units = $7.3114

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

115. Doran Products had costs of $950,000 when sales equaled 55,000 units. When sales increased to 85,000 units, total costs increased to $1,400,000. The selling price is $21 per unit.

Required:

(a.) Determine the fixed and variable portions of costs.
(b.) Prepare a contribution margin income statement for a month with sales of 70,000 units.

(a.) Costs = $125,000 + $15 × units sold
(b.)

Revenue (70,000 × $21) $1,470,000
Variable costs (70,000 × $15)  1,050,000
Contribution margin 420,000
Fixed cost     125,000
Operating profit   $295,000

Feedback: (a.) Variable cost = ($1,400,000 – 950,000)/(85,000 – 55,000) = $15.00. Fixed cost: $950,000 – 55,000 × $15.00 = $125,000

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

116. Markham, Inc. has received a contract for 8 units of a new product. The contract is a cost-plus contract, with the total to be received equal to the total labor cost + 30%. Markham found that the first unit of a new product required 90 hours to complete. The second unit was completed using only 76.5 hours. Markham believes that the rate of learning that was observed will continue for all 8 units of the contract. The labor wage paid is $40/hour. The following factors are available for various rates of learning: 80% learning, b = -.3219; 85%, b = -.2345; 90%, b = -.1520; 95%, b = -.0740.

Required:

(a.) What will the total labor cost be for the contract?
(b.) What will be the total fee for the contract?

(a.) 534.21 hrs × $40 = $21,368.40
(b.) $21,368.40 × 130% = $27,778.92

Feedback: (a.) The learning rate is 76.5 hrs/90 hrs = 85% learning rate.

units
Produced
marginal
labor time
cumulative
labor time
1 (90 × 1-0.2345) 90.00 90.00
2 (90 × 2-0.2345) 76.50 166.50
3 (90 × 3-0.2345) 69.56 236.06
4 (90 × 4-0.2345) 65.02 301.08
5 (90 × 5-0.2345) 61.71 362.79
6 (90 × 6-0.2345) 59.12 421.91
7 (90 × 7-0.2345) 57.03 478.94
8 (90 × 8-0.2345) 55.27 534.21

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-08 (Appendix A) Use Microsoft Excel to perform a regression analysis.
Topic: Learning Phenomenon
 

 

117. Woodman Products, Inc., has found that new products follow a learning curve. The first two units have been completed with the following results:

Units Produced Marginal Labor Time
1 112.50
2 90.00

Required:

(a.) How much time will be needed to complete the 4th unit?
(b.) How much time will be needed to complete the 8th unit?
(c.) How much time will be needed to complete the 16th unit?

(a.) 90 × .8 = 72.00
(b.) 72.00 × .8 = 57.60
(c.) 57.60 × .8 = 46.08

Feedback: Learning rate = 90/112.5 = 80%

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Analyze
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-08 (Appendix A) Use Microsoft Excel to perform a regression analysis.
Topic: Learning Phenomenon
 

 

118. Below are several examples of costs that are labeled fixed or variable according to their typical accounting designations. Under which circumstances would any of these costs behave in a manner opposite to that listed?

a. Direct labor—variable.
b. Equipment depreciation—fixed.
c. Utilities (with a minimum charge)—variable.
d. Supervisory salaries—fixed.
e. Indirect materials purchased in given lot sizes that become spoiled within a few days—variable.

a. Direct labor would be fixed if a union contract limited the company’s ability to lay off unneeded personnel or if management were contemplating a change in facilities but maintaining the same labor force.
b. Equipment depreciation would be a variable cost if computed on a unit-of-production basis.
c. Utilities are variable above the minimum, but if the company’s usage falls to the minimum or below, the costs would be fixed.
d. Supervisory salaries normally increase in steps. If the activity range is narrow, the costs are fixed; but if the range is wide enough so that several “steps” would fall within the range, then the costs would appear to be variable.
e. A certain (fixed) level of spoilage may be a fact of life in some operations. An example might be certain waste that occurs in setting up machines.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-01 Understand the reasons for estimating fixed and variable costs.
Topic: Basic Cost Behavior Patterns
 

 

119. When using past data to predict a cost that has fixed and variable components, it is possible to have an equation with a negative intercept. Does this mean that at a zero production level, the company will make money on its fixed costs? Explain.

It is possible for empirical data to show a negative intercept even though fixed costs cannot be negative. It may be that the slope of the cost curve is particularly steep over the values used in the estimation process. It may be that the operations are relatively far away from the intercept. This would be particularly likely if the company were operating close to capacity. Negative intercepts usually mean that there is some error in the specification of the cost estimate. If the company is operating close to capacity, for example, then the assumption of a linear cost function may be in error—or may only be a reasonable approximation in the range of activity close to capacity.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-01 Understand the reasons for estimating fixed and variable costs.
Topic: Basic Cost Behavior Patterns
 

 

120. Describe the engineering method of cost estimation. Provide two advantages and two disadvantages associated with the engineering approach to cost estimation.

The engineering method is based on what needs to be performed in order to produce a good or service. One advantage is it can detail each step required to perform the operation; a second advantage is it does not require data from prior activities—it can be used for new activities. One disadvantage is it can be expensive to conduct since it evaluates every activity; a second disadvantage is the estimates are often based on optimal conditions.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-02 Estimate costs using engineering estimates.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

121. Explain the difference between the engineering method of cost estimation and the account analysis method.

The engineering method is based on what must be done to perform an activity; the account analysis analyzes what was done in the past to perform the activity. Engineering is what should, account analysis is what was.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-02 Estimate costs using engineering estimates.
Learning Objective: 05-03 Estimate costs using account analysis.
 

 

122. When preparing cost estimates for account analysis purposes, should the costs be extracted from the historical accounting records?

Data in the historical accounting records should only be used as long as similar trends are likely to continue in the future. In periods of price instability or technological innovation, use of the historical data without adjustment is likely to result in incorrect estimates. A better alternative is to use the costs that are expected to be incurred during the period for which the cost estimate is prepared.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-03 Estimate costs using account analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

123. Describe two advantages and two disadvantages of the high-low method of cost estimation.

Advantages include it only requires two data points and is easy to apply. Disadvantages include most of the information available is ignored and the high and low points may not be representative of typical activity.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

124. Is it possible to compensate for the effects of price instability when preparing cost esti­mates using high-low or regression techniques?

Yes, possible ways include:

• Adjusting the data to present all costs in some common dollar measure;
• Using activity measures that are expressed in dollars that move with the price change effects in the cost to be estimated;
• Using a multiple regression approach with a suitable price index as one of the predictor variables.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

125. J.C. Riley owns Riley’s Auto Repair Shop. J.C. is trying to determine whether the company’s advertising pro­gram is successful. He has used a spreadsheet program to estimate the relationship between advertising expenditures and sales dollars. Monthly data for the past two years were entered into the program. The regression results indicated the following:
Sales dollars = $169, 000 – ($200 × Advertising expenditures)
Correlation coefficient = -.864
To J.C., the results imply that advertising is actually reducing sales. Can you help explain to him what might cause the negative relationship between advertising expendi­tures and sales?

This is a frequently encountered problem when applying analytical techniques to certain costs. Quite often the advertising expenditures result in sales being generated in the following month or so. In addition, many companies increase their advertising when sales are declining and cut back on advertising when there is capacity business. A better model might be developed by relating this month’s sales to last month’s advertising.
Explain to J.C. that problems similar to this exist also for repair and maintenance costs; this is because machines are usually given routine repairs and maintenance during slow periods.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

126. Southside Hospital is trying to get a better idea of the costs in its cardiac surgical unit. Unit cost data for supplies, labor, etc. have been collected for a three-year period. After analyzing the data using Excel, the following output was generated, based on 1,500 procedures.
Intercept = $2,169, 000
Coefficient on procedures $972
Correlation coefficient = .448
R2 = .189
The controller asks you for advice on whether to rely on this estimate. Based on the output, what would you say?

Since the R2 for the equation is only 18.9%, this is very low for this type of regression. The controller might want to consider other methods.
More than likely, the problem centers on the amount of variation in the nature of procedures, such that the estimate of an average procedure cost is not very precise or reliable. By their very nature, an open-heart triple bypass surgery will be much more costly and require different drivers than a heart catheterization where the patient requires no overnight hospital stay.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 2 Medium
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-04 Estimate costs using statistical analysis.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

127. What are “outliers” and what effect does their presence have when using regression analysis for cost estimation?

An outlier is a data point that lies a significant distance away from the regression line. Since the regression line is computed so the sum of the square of each error (distance between the predicted value and the actual value) is minimized, one point situated at an extreme distance will cause a very large impact on estimating the regression line.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-06 Identify potential problems with regression data.
Topic: What Methods are Used to Estimate Cost Behavior?
 

 

128. Describe the effect on cost estimation of four of the following five problems: 1) missing data, 2) outliers, 3) allocated and discretionary costs, 4) inflation, or 5) mismatched time periods.

Students should choose any 4 of the 5:

1) missing data: Depending on the data, this could have little impact (if the data are representative) or have a very large impact (if the data include extreme values).
2) outliers: Extreme observations can unduly affect the cost estimates. Since regression minimizes the sum of the square of the errors, the outlier has a larger impact on the estimation than a more representative point.
3) allocated and discretionary costs: An allocated cost may in fact be fixed, but the allocation relates it to activity, so it will appear variable. Discretionary cost behavior may be budgeted so that it appears variable.
4) inflation: Historical data will not reflect future cost behavior due to changing prices.
5) mismatched time periods: This will cause inaccuracies in relating cost with the activity. The cost will be for one period, the activity will be from a different period.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-06 Identify potential problems with regression data.
Topic: How is an Estimation Method Chosen?
 

 

129. Your manager asks you for a cost estimate to open a new retail outlet and says, “I want you to use statistical analysis, so it will be objective because it is based on real data.” How would you respond?

It is certainly possible that for this example a statistical analysis is best. However, it depends on the goal of the analysis. Good data might not be available. For example, the new outlet might be located in an area in which the company has no operations. In addition, historical data might not be representative of the future. It would be best to use a combination of methods and compare the estimates.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-07 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of alternative cost estimation methods.
Topic: How is an Estimation Method Chosen?
 

 

130. Fast-food restaurants, like Taco Bell and McDonalds are known for high employee turnover, high qual­ity, and low costs. Using your knowledge of the learning phenomenon, how do these fast-food chains get high quality and low costs when they have so much employee turnover?

These chains use standardized techniques and process that are able to transmit information to employees effectively so that they can learn quickly and learn on the job.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-09 (Appendix B) Understand the mathematical relationship describing the learning phenomenon.
Topic: Learning Phenomenon
 

 

131. Assume that as part of their recent merger, Dell and EMC are perfecting a new device that will access and coordinate the Internet of Things. The new company is inter­ested in estimating the impact of learning on the cost of producing this new device and plan to use data from previous products to esti­mate the learning parameter. What are the advantages of doing this? What are the disadvantages?

Data from previous products, which are likely to be similar, provide information about how learning might affect the cost of the new product. The disadvantage is that the products are different and these differences might lead to learning rates that are different and, as a result, cost estimates that are not realistic. Also, since Dell is primarily a hardware company and EMC primarily works with digital or cloud-based solutions, the learning curve of these two different environments are very different in functionality and may result in unrealistic results.

 

AACSB: Analytical Thinking
AICPA: FN Decision Making
Blooms: Understand
Difficulty: 3 Hard
Gradable: manual
Learning Objective: 05-09 (Appendix B) Understand the mathematical relationship describing the learning phenomenon.
Topic: Learning Phenomenon
 

 

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