Variance Analysis Flashcards
literally means difference. It means the difference between the actual cost and standard costs.
Variance
Variance Formula
Variance = Actual Costs — Standard Costs
Why are variances need to be analyzed?
Variances are analyzed to provide managers with useful information for measuring efficiency and improving performance.
The reason why variance analysis is performed:
1. To know the difference between actual and standard costs
2. The reason for such difference.
when the actual costs incurred are less than the standard (the company incurred less than what it is allowed to spend.
Favorable Variance
when the actual costs are greater than the standard (there was an overspending during the period).
Unfavorable Variance
refers to the amount that should have been incurred by the company for the actual production
Standard Cost
the number of units that should have been used for actual production.
Standard Quantity
the portion of total materials cost variance caused by the difference between the price actually paid and the standard price that should have been paid for the quantity of materials actually used or purchased.
Price Variance
Price Variance Formula
Price Variance = (Actual Quantity x Actual Price) — Actual Quantity x Standard Price
Price Variance = (Actual Price - Standard Price) x Actual Quantity
Price Variance = Difference in Price x Actual Quantity
also called usage variance.
It results from actually using more or less units of materials than the standard quantity allowed for actual production.
Quantity Variance
Quantity Variance Formula
Quantity Variance = (Actual Quantity x Standard Price) - (Standard Quantity x Standard Price)
QV = (AQ - SQ) x SP
QV = Difference in Quantity x Standard Price
What are the possible causes of unfavorable price variance?
- An unexpected increase in prices of gasoline which caused an increase in prices of other commodities.
- A shortage in the supply of materials experienced during the period, which forced the purchasing department to buy the needed supply even at a higher price to meet the production requirements.
- The requisitions were all ‘rush’ and the purchasing department did not have ample time to do the usual canvassing from different suppliers.
- The materials purchased for the period’s production were of better quality than those being used previously, although such materials commanded a higher price.
- The company’s regular supplier announced an increase in prices.
What are the possible causes of unfavorable quantity variance?
- The materials were of inferior quality, which resulted into a lot of wastages.
- Workers lacked the required skill in doing the job which caused rejects or wastages.
- A pilferage case involving some workers who brought home some materials for their personal consumption.
- Lack of necessary equipments for systematic and efficient job processing.
- Lack of warehouse facilities for proper storage of materials.
when price variance is computed based on actual quantity purchased.
This variance is likewise computed when the company records the price variance at the time of purchase instead of usage of materials.
Purchase Price Variance
Purchase Price Variance Formula
Purchase Price Variance = Difference in Price x Actual Quantity Purchased
Sources of information on actual labor hours:
- labor time tickets
- the cost of production reports
- job orders or time cards
Sources of data on actual labor rates paid:
- payroll
- payment vouchers
- labor contracts
- appointment letters
- any other pertinent source documents
Actual Labor Cost Formula
ALC = AT x AR
results from actually paying more or less than the standard rate for labor. It is computed by multiplying the difference in rate by the actual time used for production.
Labor Rate Variance