Tribhuvan University
Faculty of Management
Office of the Dean
2024 AD / Regular Examination
Candidates are required to give their answers in their own words as far as practicable. The figures in the margin indicate full marks.
Section A
Brief Answer Questions :
[10*2=20]- [2]
Write any two advantages of cost accounting.
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Two Key Advantages of Cost Accounting:
- Ascertainment and Control of Cost:
- Enables management to accurately determine the per-unit cost of products, processes, or jobs, identifying operational inefficiencies, material wastage, and idle time to institute effective cost control.
- Guidance for Pricing and Managerial Decision-Making:
- Provides vital cost data that helps management set competitive selling prices and evaluate critical short-term choices such as make-or-buy decisions, accepting special discount orders, and shutting down unprofitable product lines.
- Ascertainment and Control of Cost:
- [2]
What do you mean by inventory management?
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Meaning of Inventory Management:
- Definition: Inventory management is the systematic process of planning, ordering, storing, tracking, and controlling an enterprise’s raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods inventories.
- Primary Objective: To maintain an uninterrupted flow of materials for manufacturing and customer delivery while minimizing the aggregate costs of holding, ordering, and potential stockouts.
- [2]
Write about the opportunity cost.
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Opportunity Cost:
- Definition: Opportunity cost is the financial benefit, cash revenue, or return forgone from the next best alternative course of action when a company chooses one specific alternative over another.
- Example: If a business utilizes its self-owned warehouse for manufacturing operations rather than leasing it to an external tenant for Rs 60,000 per month, the forgone rental income represents an opportunity cost of production.
- [2]
Write about unavoidable cost.
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Unavoidable Cost:
- Definition: An unavoidable cost (or committed cost) is an expenditure that an organization cannot escape or eliminate, regardless of whether a particular operational activity, product line, or branch department is continued or terminated.
- Example: Contractual building lease rentals, property insurance premiums, and factory security expenses that must be paid even if production is temporarily suspended.
- [2]
What is piece rate wages system?
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Piece Rate Wage System:
- Definition: A piece rate wage system is a remuneration method where workers are paid strictly based on the physical volume of acceptable units produced, regardless of the hours taken to complete the job.
- Formula:
- Key Advantage: Directly incentivizes higher labor productivity and speed.
- [2]
A manufacturing company provides you the following information of a material:
- Annual requirement 40,000 units
- Economic order quantity = 4,000 units
- Cost per unit of material Rs 20
- Carrying cost is 10% of inventory value
- Required: Ordering cost per order
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Calculation of Ordering Cost per Order (
): Given:
- Annual Requirement (
) = - Economic Order Quantity (
) = - Cost per unit of material (
) = - Carrying cost percentage (
) = - Carrying cost per unit per year (
) =
EOQ Formula:
Substitution and Solution:
Square both sides:
Final Answer: The ordering cost per order is Rs 400.
- [2]
The following data are given to you: ➢ Standard time fixed for a job 12 hours ➢ Time rate fixed Rs 40 per hour ➢ Actual time taken by Mr A is 10 hours Required: Total wages of Mr. A under Halsey Plan
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Calculation of Wages Under Halsey Premium Plan:
Given:
- Standard time allowed (
) = - Hourly wage rate (
) = - Actual time taken (
) = - Time saved (
) =
Halsey Plan Formula (50% Premium):
Calculation:
Final Answer: The total wages of Mr. A under the Halsey Plan is Rs 440.
- Standard time allowed (
- [2]
Consider the following information of cost and production units:
Output in units 3,000 4,000 5,000 Mixed cost 40,000 50,000 60,000 Required: a) Segregation of mixed cost into variable and fixed cost using High Low Method. b) Estimate the total cost for 6000 units.
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Segregation of Mixed Cost Using High-Low Method:
Step 1: Identify High and Low Points
- High Point: Output =
, Mixed Cost = - Low Point: Output =
, Mixed Cost =
Step 2: Calculate Variable Cost per Unit (
)
Step 3: Calculate Fixed Cost (
) Cost Equation: Total Cost
Step 4: Estimate Total Cost for 6,000 Units
Final Answer:
- Variable Cost: Rs 10/unit, Fixed Cost: Rs 10,000
- Estimated Total Cost for 6,000 units: Rs 70,000
- High Point: Output =
- [2]
The following information of a manufacturing company are presented below: ➢ Actual hours worked 8,200 ➢ Fixed overhead (8,000 hours Normal Capacity) Rs 64,000 ➢ Actual production 400 units ➢ Standard hours per unit 20 ➢ Standard overhead rate per standard hour Rs 15 ➢ Actual overhead incurred Rs 122,000 Required: Overhead Capacity Variance
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Calculation of Overhead Capacity Variance:
Given Data:
- Normal capacity hours (
) = - Budgeted fixed overhead =
- Actual hours worked (
) = - Standard fixed overhead rate (
) =
Formula:
Calculation:
Final Answer: The Overhead Capacity Variance is Rs 1,600 (Favorable).
- Normal capacity hours (
- [2]
The following overheads are exacted from the company.
Rent Rs 15,000
Depreciation of machinery Rs 50,000
Other information:
Department Area in sq. ft. Machinery Value A 200 200,000 B 300 300,000 Required: Total overhead of departments A and B.
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Primary Apportionment of Overhead Costs to Departments A and B:
Apportionment Bases and Ratios:
-
Rent (Rs 15,000): Apportioned on the basis of Floor Area (sq. ft.)
- Area: Dept A =
, Dept B = Ratio (Sum ) - Dept A:
- Dept B:
- Area: Dept A =
-
Depreciation of Machinery (Rs 50,000): Apportioned on the basis of Machinery Value
- Value: Dept A =
, Dept B = Ratio (Sum ) - Dept A:
- Dept B:
- Value: Dept A =
Total Apportioned Overhead:
- Department A:
- Department B:
Final Answer: Total overhead for Department A is Rs 26,000 and for Department B is Rs 39,000.
-
Section B
Short Answer Questions : (Attempt any SIX Questions ) .
[6*5=30]- [5]
Differentiate between variable overhead and fixed overhead.
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Differences Between Variable Overhead and Fixed Overhead:
Feature Variable Overhead Fixed Overhead Definition Indirect production costs that vary in direct proportion to changes in production volume. Indirect production costs that remain constant in total irrespective of fluctuations in production volume within the relevant range. Behavior in Total Increases proportionately with higher output and decreases with lower output. Remains static and unchanged in total dollar amount. Behavior Per Unit Remains constant per unit of output produced. Varies inversely with volume (decreases per unit as output rises, increases per unit as output falls). Control Horizon Subject to short-term operational control by factory floor supervisors. Governed by long-term capacity and capital investment decisions made by top management. Treatment in Costing Treated as product cost under both Variable Costing and Absorption Costing. Treated as a period cost under Variable Costing; allocated as a product cost under Absorption Costing. Examples Power consumption, consumable lubricants, packaging supplies. Factory building rent, machinery depreciation (straight-line), factory manager’s annual salary. - [5]
12.Differentiate between product cost and period cost with examples.
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Differentiation Between Product Cost and Period Cost
Dimension Product Cost (Inventoriable Cost) Period Cost (Non-Inventoriable Cost) Definition Costs directly or indirectly incurred in acquiring or manufacturing a physical product. Costs associated with the passage of time rather than the manufacturing process. Components Direct Materials, Direct Labor, and Manufacturing Overhead (Fixed & Variable). Selling, General, and Administrative (SG&A) expenses, marketing, and executive salaries. Accounting Treatment Assigned to inventory asset accounts on the Balance Sheet until goods are sold. Expensed immediately on the Income Statement in the period in which they are incurred. Matching Principle Matched against revenue as Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) only when the finished good is sold. Matched against total revenue of the current accounting period irrespective of sales volume. Examples Wood and fabric in furniture production; wages of assembly-line operators; factory power and depreciation of plant machinery. Showroom rent; sales commissions; corporate legal fees; executive office depreciation; national advertising campaigns. - [5]
“Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis is important tools for profit planning.” Comment.
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“Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) Analysis is an Important Tool for Profit Planning” — Commentary:
Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) analysis is a foundational managerial tool that examines the interrelated behavior of selling prices, production/sales volume, variable costs, fixed costs, and resulting operating profit.
1. Key Contributions to Strategic Profit Planning:
- Determining the Break-Even Point (BEP):
- Establishes the baseline sales volume required for the firm to cover all operating costs without incurring a loss (
).
- Establishes the baseline sales volume required for the firm to cover all operating costs without incurring a loss (
- Target Profit Formulation:
- Calculates the precise unit volume or sales revenue necessary to achieve a specific target profit before or after tax:
- Calculates the precise unit volume or sales revenue necessary to achieve a specific target profit before or after tax:
- Evaluating Margin of Safety (MOS):
- Quantifies the buffer by which sales can decline before the company enters a loss zone (
).
- Quantifies the buffer by which sales can decline before the company enters a loss zone (
- “What-If” Scenario Simulation and Sensitivity Analysis:
- Enables managers to model the profit impacts of dynamic commercial scenarios—such as a 10% price reduction offset by an anticipated 25% sales volume expansion.
- Product Mix Optimization:
- Evaluates multi-product contribution margins per unit of limiting resource to determine the optimal production mix that maximizes overall net profit.
Conclusion:
CVP analysis provides the quantitative roadmap that converts corporate strategic goals into actionable operational targets, making it indispensable for enterprise profit planning.
- Determining the Break-Even Point (BEP):
- [5]
A company has installed capacity of 30,000 labour hours the production and sales volume at present have given below: ➢ Production and sales in unit: 100,000 units ➢ Cost of producing one unit: Direct material Rs 4 Direct labor Rs 3 Manufacturing overhead Rs 5 Total cost Rs 12 ➢ Selling price per unit: Rs 15 The company received an offer to supply 20,000 units at a price of Rs 11 per unit and production of four units required one labour hour and fixed manufacturing cost was Rs 240,000. Required: Differential cost analysis to decide whether the company should or should not accept the offer.
View model solution
Differential Cost Analysis for Special Order (20,000 Units):
1. Capacity Analysis
- Installed plant capacity =
- Production rate =
- Current production =
$ - Spare (idle) capacity:
- Hours required for special order (
): (The special order fits exactly within idle capacity without disturbing regular domestic sales).
2. Relevant / Differential Cost Calculation
- Direct Material =
- Direct Labor =
- Manufacturing Overhead (Total = Rs 5.00 per unit):
- Fixed manufacturing overhead =
(Sunk & unavoidable). - Variable manufacturing overhead =
- Fixed manufacturing overhead =
- Total Differential Cost per Unit:
3. Differential Profitability Statement
Particulars Per Unit (Rs) Total for 20,000 Units (Rs) Incremental Revenue (Offer Price) 11.00 220,000 Less Differential Costs: Direct Material 4.00 80,000 Direct Labor 3.00 60,000 Variable Manufacturing Overhead 2.60 52,000 Total Differential Costs 9.60 192,000 Net Incremental Profit +1.40 +28,000
Recommendation:
The company should accept the special offer. Accepting the order generates an incremental contribution margin of Rs 1.40 per unit, increasing total operating profit by Rs 28,000 while utilizing otherwise idle factory capacity.
- Installed plant capacity =
- [5]
The following information of materials are given:
Standard:
Material Quantity (Kg) Standard Price per kg A 4 Rs 8 B 5 Rs 7 C 11 Rs 5 Material Quantity (Kg) Standard Price per kg A 50 Rs 7 B 60 Rs 6 C 90 Rs 5 Standard Loss is 10% and Actual output is 190 kg
Required: Material variances
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Comprehensive Material Variance Analysis:
1. Standard and Actual Data Setup
- Standard Input for 1 Batch:
. - Standard Loss =
Standard Output per Batch = 18 kg. - Actual Output = 190 kg.
- Actual Input (
): .
Standard Quantity for Actual Output of 190 kg (
): Revised Standard Quantity for Total Actual Input of 200 kg (
): Prices:
- Standard Prices (
): - Actual Prices (
):
2. Variance Calculations:
-
Material Price Variance (
): - Total MPV = Rs 110 (Favorable)
-
Material Usage Variance (
): - Total MUV = Rs 17.77 (Favorable)
-
Material Cost Variance (
): (Verification: ).
-
Material Mix Variance (
): - Total MMV = Rs 50 (Adverse)
-
Material Yield Variance (
): . - Std Cost per kg of Output =
.
Verification:
. Checked! - Standard Input for 1 Batch:
- [5]
The following are the information of production department: ➢ Cost of machine Rs 300,000 with Rs 30,000 residual value at end of 5 years. ➢ Annual working hours of machine 6,000 hours. ➢ Setting up time = 10% of total machine hours. ➢ Repair and maintenance and lubricating Rs 2 per machine hours ➢ Annual lighting expenses Rs 18,000 ➢ Machine attendance annual salary Rs 48,000 ➢ Power consumption Rs 3 per 30 minutes working Required: Overhead rate per machine hour
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Computation of Machine Hour Rate:
1. Working Hours Computation:
- Gross annual machine hours =
- Setting up time =
- Effective productive machine hours =
(If setup time is treated as productive, base is 6,000 hours; both calculations shown below).
2. Schedule of Overhead Costs (Annual & Per Hour):
Cost Item Computation Basis Annual Amount (Rs) Rate/Hour (5,400 hrs) Rate/Hour (6,000 hrs) A. Standing Charges: Annual Lighting Given 18,000 3.33 3.00 Machine Attendant Salary Given 48,000 8.89 8.00 B. Machine Expenses: Depreciation 54,000 10.00 9.00 Repair & Maintenance Rs 2 per hour — 2.00 2.00 Power Consumption Rs 3 per 30 mins Rs 6/hr — 6.00 6.00 Total Machine Hour Rate Rs 30.22 Rs 28.00 Final Answer:
- When setup time is unproductive: Rs 30.22 per machine hour
- When setup time is productive: Rs 28.00 per machine hour
- Gross annual machine hours =
- [5]
The following are the information of a Manufacturing Company with Normal Capacity of 30,000 units: Years Closing stock units 1,000 Production units 20,000 Sales units 21,000 Fixed factory overhead at Normal Capacity Rs 120,000 Fixed selling and administrative overhead Rs 42,000 Variable selling expenses Rs 2 per unit Unit selling price Rs 20 Variable cost per unit Rs. Raw material 4 Direct labour 3 Required: Income Statement under Variable Costing and reconciliation of profit
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Income Statement Under Variable Costing and Profit Reconciliation:
Data Reconciliation:
- Normal Capacity =
- Production =
- Sales =
- Closing Stock =
- Opening Stock =
Cost Elements:
- Variable Production Cost per unit = Raw Material (
) + Direct Labor ( ) = Rs 7 per unit - Fixed Factory Overhead at Normal Capacity =
Standard Rate - Selling Price =
- Variable Selling Expense =
- Fixed Selling & Administrative =
Part 1: Income Statement Under Variable Costing
Particulars Amount (Rs) Amount (Rs) Sales Revenue ( ) 420,000 Less: Variable Cost of Goods Sold: Opening Stock ( ) 14,000 Add: Current Production ( ) 140,000 Goods Available for Sale 154,000 Less: Closing Stock ( ) (7,000) Variable Cost of Goods Sold (147,000) Gross Contribution Margin 273,000 Less: Variable Selling Expenses ( ) (42,000) Net Contribution Margin 231,000 Less: Fixed Costs: Fixed Factory Overhead 120,000 Fixed Selling and Administrative Overhead 42,000 (162,000) Net Operating Income Under Variable Costing Rs 69,000
Part 2: Profit Reconciliation with Absorption Costing
Under Absorption Costing, Fixed Factory Overhead is capitalized into inventory at Rs 4 per unit:
- Fixed Overhead in Opening Stock =
- Fixed Overhead in Closing Stock =
$
Reconciliation Statement Amount (Rs) Net Profit Under Variable Costing 69,000 Add: Fixed OH in Closing Stock 4,000 Less: Fixed OH in Opening Stock (8,000) Net Profit Under Absorption Costing Rs 65,000 - Normal Capacity =
Section C
Long Answer Questions : (Attempt any THREE Questions )
[3*10=30]- [10]
“Management accounting provides information for decision making and control.” Explain briefly.
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“Management Accounting Provides Information for Decision Making and Control” — Analytical Discussion:
Introduction
Unlike financial accounting, which primarily serves external stakeholders (shareholders, tax authorities, banks) with historical financial summaries, Management Accounting is an internally focused intelligence system designed specifically to supply organizational leaders with quantitative and qualitative data necessary for operational planning, strategic decision-making, and managerial control.
1. The Role in Managerial Decision-Making
Management accounting equips leadership with forward-looking analytical frameworks:
- Relevant Cost Analysis:
- Evaluates incremental revenues and differential costs to resolve complex short-term dilemmas: accepting special export orders below standard list price, choosing whether to make components internally or outsource (Make-or-Buy), and deciding whether to drop unprofitable product segments.
- Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) Modeling:
- Identifies break-even thresholds and determines required sales volumes to achieve corporate profit targets.
- Capital Investment Appraisal:
- Applies discounted cash flow techniques (NPV, IRR) to evaluate major long-term asset investments.
2. The Role in Operational Control and Performance Evaluation
Control ensures that organizational execution aligns with strategic intent:
- Comprehensive Budgetary Control:
- Translates annual business objectives into departmental functional budgets (Sales, Production, Cash).
- Standard Costing and Variance Analysis:
- Establishes benchmark costs for materials, labor, and overhead, comparing actual incurred costs against standard allowances to detect operational inefficiencies (Variance Analysis).
- Responsibility Accounting:
- Establishes decentralized Cost, Profit, and Investment Centers, holding individual unit managers accountable only for the revenues and expenditures within their direct managerial control.
Conclusion
By converting transactional data into forward-looking strategic insights and providing rigorous mechanisms for performance evaluation, management accounting functions as the central nervous system of corporate governance and profit optimization.
- Relevant Cost Analysis:
- [10]
“The main objective of holding inventory is to maintain efficiency in production and sales operations.” discuss.
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“The Main Objective of Holding Inventory is to Maintain Efficiency in Production and Sales Operations” — Discussion:
Introduction
Inventories constitute one of the largest active current assets on an enterprise’s balance sheet. While holding inventory ties up working capital and incurs carrying costs (warehousing, insurance, obsolescence), maintaining optimal inventory balances is essential to ensure operational continuity.
1. Ensuring Uninterrupted Production Efficiency
- Decoupling Production Stages:
- Raw materials and work-in-progress (WIP) inventories act as operational buffers. If an upstream machine malfunctions or a supplier delays delivery, subsequent assembly lines can continue operating without costly worker idle time.
- Securing Bulk Purchasing Economies of Scale:
- Holding inventory enables companies to order materials in Economic Order Quantities (EOQ), securing volume trade discounts and minimizing recurring ordering and transit expenses.
- Hedge Against Supply Chain Shocks and Price Volatility:
- Buffers protect manufacturing plants against seasonal commodity shortages, transport strikes, and inflationary raw material price spikes.
2. Supporting Customer Satisfaction and Sales Operations
- Eliminating Stockouts and Lost Sales:
- Finished goods inventories allow firms to fulfill customer orders instantly. Stockouts not only forfeit current sales margins but often drive customers permanently to competitors.
- Handling Seasonal Demand Peaks:
- Firms producing goods with seasonal sales surges (e.g., beverages, festival apparel) maintain level manufacturing throughout the year, accumulating finished inventory to absorb peak market demand smoothly.
3. Balancing Holding Costs with Operational Risks
Holding excessive inventory generates severe carrying costs. Modern inventory management employs control techniques to optimize inventory levels:
- ABC Analysis: Prioritizing strict control over high-value items.
- Safety Stocks and Reorder Levels: Maintaining statistically calculated buffers.
- Just-In-Time (JIT) Collaboration: Streamlining supply networks to minimize holding costs without risking production halts.
- Decoupling Production Stages:
- [10]
Following is the information about the New Hotel in Kathmandu: ➢ Total number of single rooms = 40 (100% for 5 months and 60% for 7 months) ➢ Total number of double rooms = 30 (70% for 5 months and 50% for 7 months) Annual expenses and other information are given below: ➢ Room attendants 4 staff salary = Rs 30,000 per month per staff. ➢ Administrative 3 staff salary = Rs 20,000 per month per staff. ➢ Other staff 2 salary = Rs 15,000 per month per staff. ➢ Electricity charge = Rs 120,000 per year. ➢ Repair charge = Rs 30,000 per year. ➢ Insurance premium = Rs 60,000 per year. ➢ Laundry charge = Rs 10,000 per month ➢ Depreciation on furniture = 25% of Rs 500,000. ➢ Depreciation of land and building = 5% of 8,000,000. ➢ Miscellaneous expenses = Rs 100,000 per year. ➢ Profit 20% on the cost of sales. Assumed that the double bad room shall be regarded as 1.5 of the single room for the fixing the rate of the room. Required:
a) Statement of operating cost b) Room charge for single and double rooms per day.
View model solution
Operating Cost Sheet and Room Rate Determination: New Hotel, Kathmandu
1. Calculation of Equivalent Single Room-Days:
(Standard assumption: 30 days per month
360 days per year) A. Single Rooms (40 rooms):
- Peak season (
occupancy for 5 months): - Off-peak season (
occupancy for 7 months): - Total Single Room-Days
B. Double Rooms (30 rooms):
- Peak season (
occupancy for 5 months): - Off-peak season (
occupancy for 7 months): - Total Double Room-Days
C. Equivalent Single Room-Days: Since 1 double room
single rooms:
2. Statement of Annual Operating Cost
Cost Head Basis of Calculation Annual Amount (Rs) Room Attendants Salary 1,440,000 Administrative Staff Salary 720,000 Other Staff Salary 360,000 Electricity Charges Given annual 120,000 Repair Charges Given annual 30,000 Insurance Premium Given annual 60,000 Laundry Charges 120,000 Depreciation on Furniture 125,000 Depreciation on Building 400,000 Miscellaneous Expenses Given annual 100,000 Total Operating Cost Rs 3,475,000 Add: Desired Profit 695,000 Total Required Revenue Rs 4,170,000
3. Room Charge per Day:
- Single Room Charge per Day: Rs 203.51
- Double Room Charge per Day:
- Peak season (
- [10]
Income Statement of a Manufacturing Company is as follows: Production and Sales Units: 30,000 Sales Revenue @ Rs 30 per unit Rs 900,000 Less: Variable Cost @ Rs 18 per unit Rs 540,000 Contribution Margin Rs 360,000 Less: Fixed Cost Rs 240,000 Net Income before Tax Rs 120,000 Required: i) Brake-even point in Rs ii) Break-even point in units iii) Sales to earn desired profit after tax of Rs 75,000 if tax rate is 25% iv) Profit when sales are Rs 1,000,000 v) Margin of safety if profit is Rs 150,000 vi) Margin of safety ratio if actual sales is Rs 750,000 vii) Break even ratio if actual sales is Rs 800,000
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Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) Analysis Computations:
Given Baseline Information:
- Sales Units =
- Selling Price per unit (
) = - Variable Cost per unit (
) = - Contribution Margin per unit (
) = - Profit-Volume Ratio (
) = - Fixed Cost (
) =
i) Break-Even Point in Rs:
ii) Break-Even Point in Units:
iii) Sales to Earn Desired Profit After Tax of Rs 75,000 (
):
iv) Profit When Sales are Rs 1,000,000:
v) Margin of Safety if Profit is Rs 150,000:
vi) Margin of Safety Ratio if Actual Sales is Rs 750,000:
vii) Break-Even Ratio if Actual Sales is Rs 800,000:
- Sales Units =
Section D