13-58 Absorption and Variable Costing

The Trapani Company had the following actual data for 20X4 and 20X5:

20X4

20X5

Units of finished goods

Opening inventory

2,000

Production

15,000

13,000

Sales

13,000

14,000

Ending Inventory

2,000

1,000

The basic production data at standard unit costs for the two years were

Direct materials

$22

Direct labor

18

Variable factory overhead

4

Standard variable costs per unit

44

Fixed factory overhead was budgeted at $98,000 per year. The expected volume of production was 14,000 units so the fixed overhead rate was $98,000 ÷ 14,000 = $7 per unit.

Budgeted sales price was $75 per unit. Selling and administrative expenses were budgeted at variable, $9 per unit sold, and fixed, $80,000 per year.

Assume that there were absolutely no variances from any standard variable costs or budgeted selling prices or budgeted fixed costs in 20X4.

There were no beginning or ending inventories of work in process.

1. For 20X4, prepare income statements based on standard variable (direct) costing and standard absorption costing. (The next problem deals with 20X5.)

2. Explain why operating income differs between variable costing and absorption costing. Be specific