S2 - standard costing Flashcards
what is standard cost
predetermined costs or target costs that should be incurred under efficient operating conditions
Same information on a per unit basis not the total activity
Compare with actual costs incurred
what is suitability of standard costs
needs repetitive operations to know what input is required to produce each unit of output
Can the activities be observed and standards set
Can production requirements be specified
what is the standard costing system
standard cost of actual output recored for each responsibility centre
Actual costs traced to each responsibility centre
Standard and actual costs compared and variances analysed and reported
Variances investigated and corrective action taken
Standards monitored and adjusted to reflect changes in standard usage
what is the purpose of a standard costing system
provide a prediction of future costs that can be used for decision making
Provide a challenging target that individuals are motivated to achieve
Assist in setting budgets and evaluating performance
Act as a control device by highlighting those activities that do not conform to plan
Simplify the test of tracing costs to products for inventory valuation
Provide a formal basis for assessing performance and efficiency and decision making
Control costs through established standards and the analysis of variances
Provide the basis for estimating
what are basic standards
standard established for use over a long period form which a current standard can be developed
Doesn’t change year to year but remains static and provides a base against which to measure action
Not widely met in practice
what are ideal standards
standard which can be attained under the most favourable conditions with ni allowance for normal losses, waste, inefficiencies, delays and machine downtime
Assumption of maximum efficiency
Will not be achieved and sustained for long
what are attainable standards
standard which can be attained if a standard unit of work is carried out efficiently, a machine properly operates or material properly used
Difficult but not impossible
Allowances made for normal losses, waste and machine downtime
what are approaches to standard costs
past historical records
Engineering studies - detailed study of each operation is undertaken based on careful specifications of materials, labour and equipment and on controlled observations of operations
how to establish cost standards
quantity standard x price standard
Identify resources required for each output and make an estimate for each
Overheads - standard hours - output measure that can act as a common denominator for adding together the production of unlike items
benefits of standard costs
makes managers and employees more cost conscious
Helps to pinpoint waste
Acts as a guide to areas where improvements can be made
Integrates management accounting and engineering functions
Setting of standards involves defining goals and reviewing roles
criticisms of standard costs
over emphasis on price and efficiency and no consideration for quality which is a major competitive factor
Uses volume variance to measure the extent to which production capacity is being utilised without considering consequences of overproduction and build up of stock
Static standards which is at odd with the philosophy of continuous improvement
Variance reporting system tends to create internal competition and arguments concerning who to take responsibility for adverse variances
what is variance analysis
seeks to offer explanation as to the sources of the variances observed - focuses managerial attention
Total = usage + price
material usage
= (Sq - Aq)Sp
standard quantity, actual quantity, standard price
Quality
Efficiency
Supervision
material price
= (Sp - Ap)Aq
inflation
Discounts
Quality of material
total material variance
= standard material cost for actual production - actual cost
= material price variance + material usage variance
